“Respect Needs to Go Around for Every Martial Art.  We can learn Something from everyone.”    -Michael Jai White 

 My guest this episode is Michael Jai White, a highly trained martial artist & actor.  Michael has broken barriers as a Hollywood star and is an International Box office sensation. He is a national martial arts champion, a special education teacher, and a Black Belt under the legendary Bill “Superfoot” Wallace.  He was awarded Black Belt Magazines, 2015 Man of the Year.
This episode is filled with golden nuggets.  My key take away is all about the philosophy of looking to get better every time you train. Michael’s “growth minded” approach allows him to keep an empty cup as he seeks out the best martial artists on the planet to test himself against and to be exposed to their methods.  Because Martial Arts is not about fighting, it’s not about dominating your opponent, but about overcoming yourself.

This Episode is brought to you by Black Belt.  Black Belt is the world's leading self-defense magazine and is dedicated to both the classical and the modern eclectic martial arts.... Black Belt also publishes instructional books, DVDs from a variety of disciplines, including jujutsu, mixed martial arts, reality-based self-defense, grappling, jeet kune do & more! Black Belt also publishes online courses like Sifu Harinder Singh’s “JKD for Black Belts: Advanced Attack Strategies”.

What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

Follow Sifu Singh @sifusingh and Black Belt Magazine @blackbeltmag

Show Notes

#1 - Michael Jai White – Martial Arts is About Overcoming Yourself

00:00:29 – Michael Jai White(@officialmichaeljai) Introduction and Key Takeaway 

00:01:39 – Goal of The Black Belt Podcast

00:02:08 – How do Martial Arts become a Way of Life?

00:05:56 – The gift of Traditional Martial Arts

00:11:22 – Tai Chi is the most Beneficial Martial Art on the Planet

00:12:01 – “Respect needs to go around for Every Art. We can learn something from Everyone”-Michael Jai White

00:16:47 – A Philosophy for becoming a Better Fighter

00:24:56 – In Combatives the Mindset is Paramount – You must overcome yourself

00:29:15 – From Forms to Fighting

00:31:09 – Bridging the Gap between Traditional Martial Arts and Fighting in the Ring

00:40:20 – Who’s the Baddest Man?

00:45:10 – First thing in Self Defense

00:50:45 – The Psychology of a Predator

00:55:28 – Michael Jai White used to be a School Teacher

01:01:27 – “Bill Wallace is my Martial Art Dad” – Michael Jai White

01:03:36 – The importance of Deception and Hiding Techniques

01:08:23 – Developing a Legitimate Weapon

01:10:28 – Shout Out to Jackson Wink in Albuquerque, @jacksonwink_mma

01:11:24 – On Sparring Jon “Bones” Jones, @jonnybones

01:13:00 – Conor McGregor’s Ability to Re-Adjust to the Target @thenotoriousmma

01:14:20 – GSP(@georgesstpierre), Israel Adesanya(@stylebender), and Anderson Silva(@spiderandersonsilva) are Masters of Time and Space

01:16:18 – Bulging Muscles vs Masterful Skill

01:17:44 – Is Watching, Observing and Reading your opponent the Master Key to Fighting?

1:20:51 – Not enough Focus on Defense

1:21:53 – How does one develop the Fighters Eye and Fight IQ?

1:29:48 – “Know Yourself and Know Your Enemy” – Sun Tzu

1:30:46 – How Do You Truly Find Out Who You Are?

1:40:31 – The need for Security, Control and Approval robs us of our Happiness

1:44:57 – What does a Black Belt Mean to Michael Jai White?

Make sure to follow Michael Jai White on: 
Instagram: @officialmichaeljai 
Twitter - @MichaelJaiWhite 
Facebook – The Real Michael Jai White 

“You are going to die.  Accept Death, but move forward in life, and do everything you can to make it a good life” – Jocko Willink

 My guest this episode is Jocko Willink a former Navy Seal Commander & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt. He led Seal Teams in the battle for Ramadi during the Iraq war and was honored with the Silver and Bronze Star.  Jocko is a Best-Selling Author and the host of the successful Jocko Podcast.

This episode is filled with leadership wisdom from first-hand experience in life and death situations.  I consider Jocko Willink to be the Modern Miyamoto Musashi and my key take away is that Detachment from Emotions is the essential element to Success in Leadership and in Life.  Emotions cloud our judgement, make us reactionary, and lead to panic, stress, fear and anxiety.  In this episode Jocko details a step by step method to stay calm, not get caught up in emotions, and make better choices.

 What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

Follow Sifu Singh @sifusingh and Black Belt Magazine @blackbeltmag.

Show Notes 

#2: Jocko Willink – Detachment From Emotions is The Master Key to Success

 00:00:29 – Jocko Willink(@jockowillink) Introduction and Key Takeaway 

00:01:38 – Miyamoto Musashi’s Early Influence on Jocko 

00:02:55 – Most Valuable Teaching = Step Back, Detach and Don’t Get Caught Up in Emotions

00:06:00 – Jocko’s Morning Routine

00:07:28 – What is Extreme Ownership?

00:08:48 – Humility is the Key to Leadership

00:09:35 – Jiu Jitsu will Humble You

00:12:08 – The Ego does not like to be Uncomfortable

00:12:40 – “Make Yourself Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations” – Rickson Gracie, @ricksongraciejj

00:13:18 – Overcoming Discomfort by Moving Towards It

00:15:22 – “BUDS was Fun” – Jocko Willink

00:16:50 – How do You Discover Your Purpose?

00:17:28 – Balance is Essential to Leadership and Martial Arts

00:19:10 – How do You Teach People to Find Balance?

00:20:20 – How to Manage Emotions and Make Smarter Choices in Chaos

00:23:36 – Advice for Martial Arts School Owners During Pandemic

00:24:25 – Be The Watcher and See The Bigger Picture

00:25:58 – How do You Get Out of Your Head and Into the Flow State?

00:27:25 – An Open Mind is Essential for Growth in Martial Arts

00:28:10 – Why are some Martial Artists not willing to be Open and Evolve?

00:32:05 – How to Find the Best Training Partners for Growth

00:33:00 – The Pyramid Structure of a Martial Arts School

00:33:50 – Martial Artists are Teachers, Technicians, Fighters and Have an X-Factor

00:35:36 – What is the Fighter of the Future Look Like?

00:37:36 – The Importance of the Ability to Be Like Water and Transition in Martial Arts

00:39:30 – Success = Escaping in Transitions and Knowing When to Abandon Positions

00:40:50 – Masters Can See the Future and Know What You Are Going to Do

00:45:14 – Death Teaches Us That Life is Important. Accept Death and Live a Good Life

00:47:19 – Acceptance of Death Allows You to Let Go and Focus on Your Job

00:48:32 – Overcoming Real FEAR vs Projected FEAR

00:50:00 – How Do You Express Yourself Honestly?

00:51:55 – Jocko’s Message to Martial Artists  – “Stay HUMBLE”

00:52:52 – “If You Know The Way Broadly, You See It In All Things” – Musashi

00:53:22 – Jiu Jitsu’s Influence on The Battlefield, In Leadership, and Life

00:55:08 – Sun Tzu’s Art of War - “Know Yourself & Know Your Enemy”

00:55:56 – What Does A Black Belt Mean to Jocko Willink?

00:57:45 – How To Find Jocko Willink, Victory MMA in San Diego California @jockowillink, Jocko Podcast, Origin Maine Jiu Jitsu Gi Company

“Do Things for the Love of It” vs “The Fear of Losing It” – Herb Perez

 My Guest this episode is the 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist, in Tae Kwon Do, Master Herb Perez. He is the owner of Gold Medal Martial Arts Centers, the creator of the Torch Program, a Lawyer, and the former Mayor of Foster City, Ca.

This episode is literally filled with gold, and I consider Herb Perez a master of high performance.  My Key take away is “The Art of Setting and Achieving Goals”.  We discuss failure, doubt, and how to rise above self-limiting beliefs.  Master Perez also shares his powerful Visualization Techniques to Win Matches in Your Mind, and how physical & mental training found in Martial Arts are the Foundations of all Success.

What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.  Follow Sifu Harinder Singh @sifusingh and Black Belt Magazine @blackbeltmag.

Show Notes  

#3: Herb Perez – The Art of Setting and Achieving Goals

00:00:28 – Master Herb Perez (@goldmedalmartialarts) Introduction and Key Takeaway

00:01:57 – The Purpose of The Black Belt Podcast

00:03:01 – How has Martial Arts Allowed You to Achieve So Much Success?

00:04:45 – The Art of Setting Goals 

00:07:18 – Where does Self Belief come from?

00:10:06 – Passion (What’s In Your Heart) + Be Honest With Yourself + Do The Work = Success

00:11:11 – “Doubt is the Greatest Weapon You Can Give Your Enemy”.  – Sifu Welch

00:11:46 – Dan Milliman’s “The Peaceful Warrior” and The Enemy in Your Head, @danmillmanpw

00:12:09 – Overcoming Doubt Against The Korean Tae Kwon Do Powerhouse

00:13:20 – “You Miss 100% of the Shots You Don’t Take” – Michael Jordan, @michaeljordan

00:14:24 – “Confidence is Born Out of Practice & What You Have Done Before” – Herb Perez

00:14:42 – How Do You Pull Yourself out of a Doubt Filled Mind?

00:16:50 – Fighting Matches in Your Head the Night Before to Prepare for a Competition

00:17:40 – Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Body

00:19:26 – Practice Dealing with Emotions, Fears, and Being Calm

00:20:30 – Raise Yourself Up vs Diminish Others

00:21:50 – Why Are We Not Training the Mind as A Weapon in Martial Arts Schools?

00:24:10 – How to Use Visualization Skills to Win the Olympics

00:27:23 – Advice for Martial Artists – How to Go from Visualization to Actualization 

00:28:56 – 3 Steps to Overcome Discomfort by Choosing Courage and Letting Go of Fear

00:32:00 – “Do Things for the Love of It” vs “The Fear of Losing It”

00:34:39 – Using Self Expression to Make Your Art Yours

00:38:50 – “What We Do Is Way Too Valuable to Be Shared with the Masses” – Herb Perez

00:44:00 – Do We Need a Professional Martial Arts University?

00:46:44 – What Should We Be Teaching? Philosophy, Role in Society, Self Defense?

00:53:16 – You Must Understand Your Personal Challenges and Build Your Own Success Matrix

00:55:46 – How Did You Develop a Strategy to Beat the Korean Tae Kwon Do Powerhouse?

00:58:20 – Do a SWOT Analysis on Yourself and Understand How to Break Patterns

01:00:00 – Martial Arts Provides the Arena to Discover Your True Self Through Fighting

01:03:25 – Learn The Art of War and How to Apply it in Fighting and Life

01:04:55 – Defining the Flow State and How to Enter It

01:06:00 – Choosing to Attack vs Choosing to Wait

01:08:17 – How to Be Ahead of Your Opponent with Time and Space Awareness

01:12:26 – The Fear of Losing vs The Love of Winning

01:13:58 – You Have to Believe You Can Win and Make Your Opponent Lose

01:15:13 – How Do You Take Losses and Turn Them into Growth Experiences?

01:22:20 – Where is the Future of Martial Arts Headed?

01:25:26 - What Does A Black Belt Mean to Herb Perez?