Frontline Martial Arts and Wellness

  Hey guys, I hope everyone is happy and healthy. I am sure it hasn't escaped your notice that Sensei Mike is carrying a few extra pounds. There is a reason they call me the Kung Fu Panda. Judging someone on their weight is unwise. A person's waistline does not tell you how much fight is in their heart. However, I am discovering more and more that my waistline is becoming a hindrance. So time to trim down. Going to adopt a boxer's lifestyle, which has been proven to help people tone up and slim down. It also fits with my martial arts background. If you are interested in losing weight pick a healthy method that suits you best. I am going to be posting weight loss progress videos where you'll see a montage of my daily workouts for the week. I still need to figure out some equipment headaches, but I will get them out soon. Be well, Have fun, Take care, Be safe, Sensei Mike

Hey guys, I hope everyone is happy and healthy. Another BMX progress video here. The last of the season in fact. Time to work on the bike and work on other aspects of my fitness. BMX has proven great for endurance, balance and critical thinking. Stay tuned for more video and sound baths coming up. Be well, Have fun, Take care, Be safe, Sensei Mike https://youtu.be/nzZNIed10wQ

  Hey guys, I hope everyone is happy and healthy. Time to fess up guys. I am not feeling well, cold like symptoms. I know I need to do it, take the Covid test. To be honest I have been avoiding it. As luck would have it, I was learning about avoidance today with regards to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). You know those dark and scary thoughts and emotions we don’t like thinking about? The ones we have avoided since whatever trauma has occurred for you to create a negative coping mechanism? I am learning that what we avoid erodes our confidence. If we never face our fears and mistakes we will never learn that we have the grit to face ourselves eye to eye. Is it easy? No, you are the strongest enemy you’ll ever have. Is it worth it? If your fears and insecurities are keeping you from the life you want, yes it is worth it. Be well,  Have fun, Take care, Be safe, Sensei Mike 

  Virtues are traits, behaviors, and habits that show good moral character. They help form a sound foundation for a positive life. Not free from troubles, but a mountain, steadily weathering any storm. The first virtue to be discussed is prudence. First in terms of order, not important. Ever have a moment in life when you rushed into something heedlessly and have the endeavor blow up in your face? Me too. Being prudent means to be patient and careful in all that we do. A successful endeavor requires thoughtful planning. Example, before hopping on a fad diet you heard on the news, you should research it as best you can. Then talk to a healthcare professional who knows your medical history. Afterwards, you should plan out your approach to optimize success in a care filled and honest way. Example, if you know if you'll ultimately fail at eating chicken and broccoli everyday, research and plan an alternative. Justice! I want justice! We hear that bounce around all the time. However, mo...

  Although our heroes are different and we tend to follow people who think the same as we do, the qualities or character traits of leaders tend to be the same. Even better, we learn about those qualities, analyze and integrate them into our character so that we can all be our own leaders moving forward with clear intentions, purpose and motivation. Bravery, we see it in every action movie. We see the hero showing incredible bravery in situations that would make us normals quake in our boots. Or you hear of those guys that stand up for themselves and others when faced with stronger opponents. Or those people who make the hard calls and do the difficult jobs day in and day out. It is about pushing forward despite our fears. My favourite saying is, “courage isn’t the lack of fear but pushing forward despite the fear”. Thoughtfulness isn't a characteristic we tend to associate with leaders, however every good leader needs to be thoughtful. Look at it this way, who would make a better l...

They say that change is inevitable. Nothing stays the same, it seems to be the nature of life. Something that has been happening, to us, since day one. If so, why do we fear it so? I have turned a corner in my recovery that has put me on a path, in a direction of unknowns. This is a little unnerving as I will be walking down a new and unfamiliar road in life. Wish me luck, but I want to wish whoever is in my shoes luck as well. Take Care and Be Well

Sensei Marcel once asked me "Do you want to be a warrior?", me being a young man with an enthusiasm for the martial arts I answered yes. He replied, "I would rather be the fool on the hill. A warrior must always be at war." For some background information 'The Fool on the Hill" is in reference to a Beatles song by that name. In this song a story is told of a man who is ridiculed by those around him for being strange or slow because he does not seem to understand or care for those things that are important to them. The chorus continues to tell the story from the man's perspective. He does not concern himself with what others say or do. In one part of the chorus we hear this quote, "And the fool on the hill sees the sun going down and the eyes in his head see the world spinning round". In this song I hear a story of a man who is at peace with himself. As front line service workers we experience difficulties and dangers on a daily basis. We ar...