03/13/2024
I really don't like telling people what I do for a living. Because as soon as they know, they have to tell you how much of a badass they are. This is how it goes, once they know.
" I have a black belt in this art, and this art."
That's great, who is your instructor, that ranked you a black belt?
"I don't remember."
Wow! So your instructor made such a great impression on your life you don't even remember their name?
"I was a teenager."
How old are you now?
"40 (+)."
When is the last time you stepped foot in a classroom?
"Not since I was 20."
Same goes with the tuff guys, badass in their youth. Still thinking and wanting you to know there tuff. Most can't see there own toes. Let alone actually fight, as they never had real training. They were young adults fighting young adults. Yet for some reason they still think they are fighters, even though they haven't fought since they were in their 20's.
Don't get me wrong there are a few exceptions. However those guys don't need to tell you they are tuff.
Most though are just,
Yesterday's Hero
(Yesterday's Black Belt - Yesterday's tuff guy)
Who cares what you were yesterday.
What you are today is all that matters.
No one who does this everyday for a living wants to hear about how much of a badass you were 20 years ago. But for some reason you just have to tell us.
Then the last thing you here from them is an excuse why they don't come train with you.
Too far away to commute, wrong days or times for class. Then I have to remind them.
"I never asked you to train with me. Nor will I.
The art chooses you. You don't choose this art."
In 24 years of teaching professionally. I only have 23 black belts. Over 2000 students taught. You have to earn your black belt here. You cannot buy it.
This art is not for sale!
Kombatan (Presas Style)
Home of the Berdugo's
By the way not one Black Belt who has earned it from me will ever forget my name. I guarantee it!