whistlekick Martial Arts Radio

Mr. Mark Divine is a former Navy SEAL and author with deep roots in traditional karate. He's a powerful speaker with solid advice. Mr. Mark Divine - Episode 198 Every MartialArt was an evolution of a former art and now it's time to look at them and say ok, preserve the integrity of the original but let's evolve this for both modern era and western mind. Mr. Mark Divine is a man I respected long before we set up this conversation. As an author, a SEAL, legendary coach in the CrossFit community and proponent of developing mental strength, he's been doing great work for a long time. I knew his background included a fair amount of martial arts, but I had no idea how much - or how strongly he attributed his personal growth to that foundation. If there's one element of sparring gear we're known for, it's really our boots. While all of our gear is comfortable, durable and lightweight, our sparring boots are the closest option you'll find to sparring barefoot. Check them out, and all of our stuff, at whistlekick.com

All too often people compare their journey in the martial arts to the journey of someone else. This doesn't do anyone any good. Don't Compare Martial Arts Journeys - Episode 197 In this episode, Jeremy talks about how individual a journey through the martial arts can be, and why making comparisons to the journies of others is so detrimental.

Miss Caitlin Dechelle is a world-champion martial arts competitor turned actress, known for her athleticism and stunt work. Miss Caitlin Dechelle - Episode 196 I think all the years of martial arts I've taught myself to be so guarded and so strong and so resilient to the outside. When it comes to stunts and Hollywood, there are a number of names that many martial artists recognize. Most of that name recognition comes from their time on screen, though. We have far fewer individuals we look to and call "ours," people who share stories similar to ours. Today's guest is one of the exceptions. Competing worldwide on the NASKA circuit led Miss Caitlin Dechelle to a Jackie Chan movie and, ultimately, a career. We get to go behind the curtain with her today and find out not only how that happened, but why it's been the realization of a dream. We designed our noSweat Tees to be the perfect layer for under your martial arts uniform - but they work just as well around town or in the gym. Lightweight, comfortable polyester and our Never Settle slogan will make this your favorite shirt. We build them to last, so you'll be wearing yours for a long time. Find them, and the rest of our great stuff, at them to last, so you'll be wearing yours for a long time. Find them, and the rest of our great stuff, at whistlekick.com

Sensei Richard Hubbard is a thoughtful, multi-disciplined martial artist from New Hampshire. Sensei Richard Hubbard - Episode 194 We also bring the meditative practice at the end of the training session and sometimes at the beginning too. So I do it a minute before class or five minutes or ten minutes after class and that is a very important thing because it allows you to clear away a lot of noise. I honestly don't remember when it happened, but it did. Maybe this happens to you - you're on social media and notice someone that has a ton of mutual connections, so you reach out. That's what happened with Sensei Richard Hubbard - I don't know who friended who, or when, but it happened. We had a few good conversations online and then finally met at Sensei Terry Dow's event, the Martial Arts Symposium. We hit it off, and I had the chance to visit his dojo a few weeks later. We all fantasize about training in multiple martial arts, but few have done it. Even fewer have done it to the degree Sensei Hubbard has. He's a bit of a paradox in the world of martial arts - he's classically trained but always open to new ideas that might dramatically change what he does. He's a proponent of meditation, but at times his classes aren't that formal. These might seem like contradictions, but that's only until you spend some time talking with him.

Stress isn't just a part of daily life, it's something that can interfere with your martial arts training. When it comes to self-defense, stress can render your training useless. Martial Arts Drills for Creating Stress - Episode 193 Stress is a part of life, even for martial artists. While stress can have a lot of negative effects on your life outside of training, it can have even greater effects in a self-defense situation. The very thing many of us train for, at least in part, is a completely different situation than the way most train for. In today's episode, we talk about stress and how to best replicate it inside your training environments. That way, if you're ever forced to use your skill, you'll have the best chance of applying it well. On today's episode, we reference Episode 113 - Different Training Environments

Master Chip Townsend is a Taekwondo practitioner & school owner from Texas with a passion for breaking and inspiring others. Master Chip Townsend - Episode 192 I have tried hard for the last 15 to 20 years to really grab hold of the mindset that no matter how bad something goes there is something for me to learn. During last year's US Open broadcast on ESPN, I witnessed a man break 4 baseball bats with his shin. I remember cringing as I watched it. I kept thinking the man who went through that had to be an impressive martial artist, if not also a bit crazy. Fast forward to now and I get to speak with this gentleman, Master Chip Townsend. I came away from our time knowing I was only half right. This man is an impressive martial artist, but he's not crazy. He is immensely passionate about what he does and he's always looking to push his own boundaries. Enjoy. We're constantly innovating and working on new products, and now it's time for you to let us know what you want to see. Is there a martial arts product you think needs to be invented, or one you want to see improved in some way? Reach out to us and let's see if we can make your idea a reality.

In this episode, we talk about ways to motivate people - specifically martial artists - that don't involve a promotion or other external symbol, like a trophy. Motivating Martial Artists - Episode 191 On last week's Thursday episode, 189, we talked about martial arts participation awards and how they can be damaging to martial artists, especially children. There was some great conversation on the subject afterward, both on social media and via email. Everyone, regardless of agreeing, found the conversation beneficial. Today's episode is a follow-up, to dig deeper into motivation in the hopes that listeners walk away with more methods of motivating those around them. While the episode is written primarily for martial arts instructors looking to motivate students, the strategies will apply to nearly any other circumstances. Topics covered in this episode: Identifying what motivates people Praise vs criticism and how much of each to offer Goal setting Loving the journey Rewards

Kyoshi David Seeger & Sempai Holly Whitlock Seeger are karate practitioners from New York, best known for their video The Karate Rap Kyoshi David Seeger & Sempai Holly Whitlock Seeger - Episode 190 You have to be good, you have to be the one that is on the right for the karate to even work.You have to have a pure heart.You can't be the bad guy. If you have martial arts friends on social media, or your non-martial arts friends like to pick on you, you've probably seen The Karate Rap. This video is everything we love to pick on about martial arts, done in a true 80's-style music video. Every few months it surfaces, usually when a friend posts it to my Facebook page. I can't help but watch all over again, silently loving the cheesiness of it yet respecting the accuracy of so much of what is said and done in the video. Recently someone reached out and asked that we find the person behind the video and talk to them. It turns out that person was actually a couple, Kyoshi David Seeger and his wife, Sempai Holly Whitlock Seeger. I reached out, we scheduled, and they're here for you today in our first-ever two-person interview. Not only do we talk about The Karate Rap, and give you a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff on one of my favorite pieces of martial arts cultural history, but we talk about them - their love of training, and how a martial arts marriage can work so well. I had a lot of fun talking to these two and I hope you enjoy listening.

On today's episode, Jeremy talks about his feelings on participation awards - trophies, medals, ribbons, etc - and why they should never be handed out at martial arts competitions. Participation Awards - Episode 189 One of the subjects that I find increasingly frustrating is the inclusion of participation awards at martial arts events. Handing a child a ribbon for showing up not only sends the wrong message, it sends a counter-message to everything else we teach them in martial arts. ~jeremy

Mr. Tristan Creeley - Mr. C - is a taekwondo martial arts instructor, competitor, filmmaker & artist from Maine. Mr. Tristan Creeley - Episode 188 It won't work to have a positive state of mind.I can easily not have that kind of mind so I would say believe in yourself, cultivate that confidence has surround you with positive people and build resilience. Mr. Tristan Creeley and I go back - way back. As teenagers growing up in Maine we were at the same tournaments, knew the same people, and I even competed against his brother a few times. I wouldn't say we were friends because we didn't know each other well, but I respected him a great deal. Now with whistlekick I am again traveling to tournaments and seeing people I haven't seen in 20 years. Shortly after founding whistlekick, Mr. Creeley moved back to Maine and started showing up again at tournaments. Most impressive to me was that he refused to accept any physical limitations of age - he was constantly pushing his body and his technique, refining his form and adding new elements. It was a joy to watch him, whether it was his forms or his fighting. Now he's on the show, and we're having the longest conversation we've ever had. Enjoy. For this episode, we want you to be aware of our return policy - did you know we don't have a restocking fee? Or silly maximums on time for returns? We give you a month to check out what we send you. If you don't like it, so long as it's not damaged or heavily used, we'll take it back. But let's be honest... you won't send our stuff back.

We bring you an exclusive interview with Sifu James Banks, who grew up with Donnie Yen and trained with his mother, Bow-sim Mark. Talking Donnie Yen - Episode 187 How often do you meet someone who not only has met, but friended and trained with one of the most legendary martial artists of the modern era? That's what today's show is all about. Sifu James Banks talks about his childhood friend and offers some insight into why he's become the amazing martial arts action star he is today. You should check out our profile episode of Donnie Yen for more history and context.

Mr. Iain Abernethy is a well-known martial arts podcaster and expert on the practical application of Karate. Mr. Iain Abernethy - Episode 186 Looking back, one of the first time in my life when I decided I want to do this, I put the effort in and I can see myself making progress and that revolution you can do that, you can apply yourself to something to make progress. That a very addictive feeling. Mr. Iain Abernethy is not your typical martial artist. In some ways, he's very much like other guests we've had - passionate about martial arts, dedicated to his training and determined to give back to the practice that has given him so much. In other ways, he's so focused on what he does, other martial artists, myself included, are blown away. He's someone I've wanted to speak with for a long time, and now it's happening. Enjoy. Who do you want us to talk to? We work hard to bring you a diverse set of guests from all styles and perspectives. If there's someone you're dying to hear from, let us know, we'll see what we can do. There's a form on the contact page you can use. For show notes and other episodes please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/186-iain-abernathy/

On this episode, Sensei Jaredd Wilson joins us to offer his top ten reasons why all martial artists should be reading martial arts books. Top 10 Reasons to Read Martial Arts Books - Episode 185 Sensei Jaredd Wilson is now our top returning guest, as he comes back for a third installment. He reached out wanting to talk about martial arts books, something he feels strongly about. We fall down the rabbit hole and talk about the top 10 reasons why martial arts books are good for every martial artist. You can find Sensei Wilson on his other two appearances, his interview and his participation in the chat on McDojos. Books discussed today include Karate-Do: My Way of Life and Grand Master Jhoon Rhee 's book, Trutopia. We also mention Mr. Gershon Ben Keren 's episode.

Sensei Phil Knight is a Karate practitioner from Yorkshire, England with a passion for so-called nerdy pursuits. We talk about the intersection of martial arts and martial arts culture in everything from movies and television to comic books. Sensei Phil Knight - Episode 184 You can never be arrogant in any situation evolving martial arts, you really have to listen to people, try and judge what's going around you and may be even do a bit of research before you think upgrading about the club you are actually grading at. Sensei Phil Knight comes to us from England, and we get into some great stuff. We talk about martial arts culture, including comic books and how they've had an effect on so many of us. Sensei Phil, as he asked me to call him, strikes me as a very thoughtful martial artist, and I think you'll agree with me. Let's welcome him to the show. We recently upgraded our martial arts products website and it's time to tell the world! Now you can receive notifications when products come back in stock, keep items in your shopping cart and get to them later, and a lot more. Find our stuff at whistlekick.com - and thanks for checking it out. For full show notes and other episodes, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/184-phil-knight/

Soke Michael DePasquale, Jr. is a well-known jujutsu practitioner and instructor. Jeremy had the chance to sit down with him for a conversation at the 2017 Martial Arts Symposium. Conversations with Soke Michael DePasquale, Jr. - Episode 183 Soke Michael DePasquale is a legend in the world of jujutsu that hasn't yet been on the show. It's not for a lack of trying on either side, though! He's a busy man and it was great to finally chat with him while we had a chance to record it. He'll be back for our standard interview, but today's episode gives you a glimpse into his life and some of the great stories he has. Some people live a life of martial arts, Soke DePasquale embodies it. Last week we featured another great conversation from the 2017 Martial Arts Symposium in Manchester, NH. This one with Hanshi Bruce Juchnik and Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. You can even watch a video of it. Check out that episode here. If you'd like to learn more about Soke DePasquale, the best place to start is his website.

Coach Mike Chen is a Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ) practitioner from New Hampshire. He's an excellent storyteller who brings solid perspective to his time on the show. Coach Mike Chen - Episode 182 The hardest thing you are ever going to have to do in your martial art's career is stepping onto the mat for the first time to put on that white belt. Coach Mike Chen comes to us from a listener introduction. As we hear him tell his tale of martial arts we hear someone who found their destiny, lives a martial arts lifestyle and fully embraces what that means. We get into some deep conversations and he doesn't hold back. I enjoyed his perspective and openness to the things we discussed and I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation. We've put a lot of time into our Martial Arts Calendar website, which features a free place to post your martial arts competitions, seminars, charitable events, rank promotions and anything else that might be of interest to other martial artists. It is, and always will be, free to use and post to. Help us add to it and let's grow the martial arts together.

Hanshi Bruce Juchnik interviews Bill Wallace - aka Superfoot - at the 2017 Martial Arts Symposium in Manchester, NH. Hanshi Bruce Juchnik Interviews Bill "Superfoot" Wallace - Episode 181 On Saturday, April 8th, we were fortunate enough to record Hanshi Bruce Juchnik as he reminisced and interviewed Grand Master Bill "Superfoot" Wallace during one of the breakout sessions. The conversation includes discussion on many of Bill Wallace's opponents and friends, including Skipper Mullins, Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis & a lot more. Hanshi Bruce Juchnik knows a lot of the details of these stories and the two are able to have a great conversation. If you're a fan of the 60s and 70s martial arts era, this interview is right up your alley. There's a lot of wisdom shared in the interview, and you can tell the two men enjoyed their time and have a lot of respect for each other. This was our first interview ever recorded with video, and while there are a lot of things we can do better, we're proud to bring it to you as is. Stick around until the very end for a special audio bonus of GM Bill Wallace teasing Jeremy. For show notes and other episodes, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/181-bruce-juchnik-bill-wallace/

Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee is a legend in the world of Taekwondo, some even refer to him as the Father of American Tae Kwon Do. Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee - Episode 180 It's hard to be in the martial arts and not know who Jhoon Rhee is - though there are certainly some who don't. When you talk about Taekwondo's start in the USA, you're really talking about Grandmaster Rhee. A friend to Bruce Lee, he's a central figure in parts of Mr. Alex Gillis's work, A Killing Art. There's something particularly special about speaking to someone who has been training as long as Grandmaster Rhee. While not in the best of health, he was willing to take time out of his day to speak with me about martial arts, philosophy, and his beliefs on the intersection of the two. Back on episode 14, we were lucky enough to speak with Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. Some of you asked for a transcript of the show, and with permission, we've gone ahead and done that. You can find affordable versions for both Kindle and in paperback over at Amazon.

Teaching advanced students can be a challenge, especially at a martial arts seminar or when you visit another school. You only have a limited amount of time to work with, and you're unlikely to have additional time to follow up. Teaching at a Martial Arts Seminar - Episode 179 Many martial artists enjoy passing on the things they've learned. It's fairly easy to teach things to your own students - you get to work with them week after week and make sure they progress. You guide them through the concepts you're imparting and watch them grow. The same can not be said of teaching someone else's students, however. Whether it's a martial arts seminar you're asked to teach at or you're a guest lecturer at someone's school, there's a skill to teaching in this way. Just as teaching your own students takes time, teaching someone else's requires practice and a few other things. On today's episode, we delve into the elements that make someone a successful - and requested - instructor in this format. Topics covered in this episode include Remembering why you're teaching Setting goals for your classes The importance of repetition The different methods of learning and how to teach to them How to handle someone that asks lots of questions How to handle someone that doesn't get it Making sure you're invited to return If you're looking for martial arts seminars, or you'd like to advertise one you're promoting, don't forget our amazing FREE resource, MartialArtsCalendar.com For full show notes and other episodes, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/179-teaching-martial-arts-seminar/

Sensei Jeremy Bays is a taekwondo practitioner with a diverse extracurricular background, an excellent sense of humor and a passion for archery. Sensei Jeremy Bays - Episode 178 A belt was something to hold up your pants or tie your gi together. It wasn't really a big of a deal for me so I was a white belt for five, six, seven years. It's common to find a strong sense of humor among martial artists, especially those that teach. After all, what we've chosen to do for our recreation - and for some, career - is a bit crazy. Today's guest has as strong a sense of humor as we've had on this show. Sensei Jeremy Bays doesn't sound like your typical guest on this show - which is exactly why I was glad to have him on. While most of our guests have diversified their lives within martial arts, studying different styles under different instructors, Sensei Bays studies different pursuits entirely. With time in as a bow-maker, a comedian, and a Pastor, you can imagine the wanderings that some of our conversations took. We often hear from customers that our NoSweat tees have quietly become one of their favorites. 100% polyester, but with a relaxed fit and lighter weight than similar shirts from other manufacturers, these tees are great under your martial arts uniform (gi, etc) or on their own. Available in a number of sizes and colors, you can find them at whistlekick.com

You don't have to spend much time in the martial arts to see that we have a shadowy side. The infighting and tearing down of those that aren't that different from the rest holds the martial arts back. A Little Bit of Martial Arts Unity - Episode 177 On today's episode, we tackle a subject close to Jeremy's heart - building unity in the martial arts. This episode covers Where we could improve our mutual support as an industry. The harm that our current mindset has on us. Examples of other industries doing it better. How we can start making progress. On today's episode, we referenced Episode 105 - Helping People Find the Right Martial Arts School The magazine mentioned on the show is Taekwondo Life.

Mr. John Hackleman is a Kajukenbo aka Hawaiian Kempo practitioner. He's also the founder of the training center The Pit and respected MMA coach to well-known fighters including Chuck Liddell. Mr. John Hackleman - Episode 176 Kids in Hawaii can fight. The way I was treated in my High School, I was treated like the star quarterback for the football team because I was a martial artist fighter, I was a golden glove boxer. The teachers, the principal, the administration... You don't have to go far into the world of Mixed Martial Arts to hear of today's guest. Mr. John Hackleman has built a career out of training some of the best in the world and in the process, his facility, The Pit, has become legendary. The man some call the Pitmaster is more than a great coach, he has a foundation in Hawaiian Kempo (Kenpo). It was thanks to a past guest I was introduced to Mr. Hackleman, and our conversation was a great one. He's a no-nonsense sort of martial artist but pays homage to his roots in a way that some of the more modern practitioners don't seem to do. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him and look forward to everything he has in store. Some time ago we told you about a book and course we released to help you hold the best martial arts events possible. The course is out, the book is out and it's time to step up your events. Find the print and digital versions of the book on Amazon and the course is available at KarateTournamentBook.com - not just for tournaments, and not just for karate, the book and course will help you make the most of any martial arts event you put on. For full show notes please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/176-john-hackleman/

The practice of martial arts forms can be a controversial topic. Whether you call them kata, poomsae (poomse), tul, patterns, routines, sequences, forms or something else, they're important to your development as a martial artist. Here are our top 10 reasons why they should be part of every martial artist's training. The Top 10 Reasons to Practice Forms - Episode 175 On today's episode of Martial Arts Radio we discuss the top ten reasons for practicing forms. Here's the outline: Forms have been around as long as martial arts has, so it's unlikely that their practice is a waste of time, for any style. Forms build muscle memory for techniques. Forms develop movement outside of the pressure of combat. Forms are something you can practice on your own. Forms add variety to our training. They're fun, or at least can be. Practicing forms helps develop physical aspects of martial arts. They help with the development of non-physical aspects. Forms make you think about what you're doing. Forms provide unification within a school or a system. Forms can prime central nervous systems conditioning and build stronger neural pathways.

Sensei Jesse Enkamp is the host of Karate by Jesse and a self-proclaimed Karate nerd. Sensei Jesse Enkamp - Episode 174 Generations of masters have come before us, and to not use their collective knowledge to improve our current understanding and practice of karate would be foolish in my opinion. If you spend any time on social media looking at martial arts content, you'll know today's guest. Sensei Jesse Enkamp is the mind behind all of the wonderful material coming out of Karate by Jesse, and he's as passionate a martial artist as we've ever had on this show. The self-proclaimed karate nerd talks about his past, his goals in the martial arts and why he cares so much about what he's doing. If you've ever wondered what makes this guy tick, you're about to find out. Let's welcome him to the show. Hey, do you like your shins? Do you hate clashing shins when you're sparring? If you do, you should check out our shin guards. Let's be honest, shin guards are sweaty, ours are, too. But, they're less sweaty than others and they actually stay in place. Not to mention we put an extra layer of foam right over your tibia - your shin bone - so you're sure to survive those brutal shin clashes. At events, I demo our shin guards by shin kicking door frames - full force. Check them out today at whistlekick.com

On today's episode, we discuss how martial arts belts are a contradiction - we respect them and hold them as important, yet our treatment of them varies between schools and even within a school

Coach Greg Amundson is a practitioner of Aikido, Krav Maga & Jujitsu as well as a CrossFit athlete & coach, and author. Coach Greg Amundson - Episode 172 "Being busy means we're at the mercy of other people. And being busy means that we're reactive. And being reactive is not the path of a warrior." Coach Greg Amundson's professional resume reads like a modern day James Bond - CrossFit athlete, author, law enforcement, DEA special agent, fitness coach, business owner. That's not even the entire list. Even more impressive, many of those things happened at the same time, and quite a few are still happening. A legend in the CrossFit world, Coach Amundson has deep roots as a martial artist. Roots, according to him, that have given him the ability to live the life he now leads. An amazing storyteller, Coach Greg Amundson took to our format and ran. Weaving together tales from his childhood, recent past and even appropriate legends he's been known to share in his classes. We discuss what it means to be a true warrior, and what the martial arts mind can accomplish. It was an honor and a privilege to speak with someone I've admired for a long time. ~jeremy Today we want to remind everyone of all the things we offer - and why we do it. We've never been secretive about our business model, which is all about growing the martial arts industry. See, it's our belief that the more people participating in martial arts, the more customers we'll have. That's why we bring you this podcast, our Martial Arts Memes site and, most recently, Martial Arts Calendar - all for free. As our martial arts realm grows, we all benefit. Thanks for supporting that vision.

Coach Daniel Wu is an actor, director and former Wushu competitor best known for his role as Sunny in AMC's Martial Arts show, Into the Badlands. Coach Daniel Wu - Episode 171 "Fighting against somebody and you're backed into the corner it's up to you to figure out how to get out of there. You can give up, you can get knocked out, or you can fight your way back out. And, eventually, you figure out how to fight your way back out, and you learn from that. That is a direct correlation to life in general." Listeners know I've been a fan of Into the Badlands since it aired. In fact, prior to even airing, I was excited. Based on what I'd seen in trailers I was talking about on this very show. Here we are, a couple years later and Season 2 is about to air. As part of the promotional efforts for the show, AMC reached out to us and asked us to host Miss Emily Beecham (who plays The Widow) and Mr. Daniel Wu (who plays the lead character, Sunny) on the show. We said yes, of course, and here we are. Coach Daniel, as he asked me to call him when I explained our traditions and etiquette for the show, didn't shy away from any subject that came up. We had some great conversation about martial arts philosophy and about how martial arts training changes as you age (which was fairly consistent with how we presented it on Episode 160) Our conversations range from his upbringing to his admiration for the likes of Jet Li, Jackie Chan & Bruce Lee. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. ~jeremy For photo, video & show notes from this episode and others, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/171-daniel-wu/

Miss Emily Beecham plays Minerva (aka The Widow) on the AMC Martial Arts show, Into The Badlands. Miss Emily Beecham – Episode 170 I was blessed to have AMC approach us and inquire about interviews for both Miss Emily Beecham and Mr. Daniel Wu. Of course, we said yes, and did what we could to make schedules work (which, as you might imagine, was a bit difficult due to their extensive commitments.) It was an honor to speak with Miss Beecham, and we get some good insight into her character, Minerva, better known as The Widow. We discuss what it's like on set, her injuries, the way she views her character, and a lot more. It's a fun conversation and one that gives you some great behind-the-scenes information into not only her life, but her character and the show overall. For photos, video, and other show notes on this and other episodes, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/170-emily-beecham/

Sensei Damion Lupo is a long-time Aikido practitioner, author and the founder of Yokido, a fusion of Yoga and Aikido. Sensei Damion Lupo - Episode 169 "If I'm in on something, you better look out, because I'm going all the way to wherever it is." It's funny how things happen, sometimes. I was practicing some self-defense with a friend a couple months back and we got to talking about Yoga. Our conversation steered towards the similarities between martial arts and yoga, and the synergy that existed between the two. He mentioned someone who had fused them - a martial arts and yoga hybrid. Just a short time later, completely by coincidence, I was speaking with the very man he spoke of, Sensei Damion Lupo. All of our guests are different, if you've listened to more than a few episodes, you know that. I enjoy finding common ground with each of our guests, but I also really appreciate where we differ. It's these different perspectives that have the most to offer me, and I found a fair amount of that in my time with Sensei Lupo. With a foundation rooted in martial arts, he views the world - and all its parts - with an attention that few people seem to have. Did you know we sponsor the website MartialArtsMemes.com? Whenever we find a great martial art meme or someone sends one to us, we post it at our Martial Arts Memes website. Do check it out, have a laugh, and don't forget to send us any that we're missing! For the rest of the show notes & other episodes, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/169-damion-lupo/

For show notes and other episodes, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/168-tradition-new-martial-arts-progress

Sempai Alysa Giudici - Episode 167 Remember to always be a role model. To always just be humble and work hard no matter if anyone's watching or not. It was from a news article online that I first discovered Sempai Alysa Giudici. We've had some younger martial artists on the show, and she certainly fits that profile. Every one of them has a common thread, though - their dedication to martial arts far surpasses their years. Sempai Giudici showed a maturity in the news article that inspired me to reach out. We chatted a bit and I knew that she belonged on the show. Here we are. Our conversation is both expected and unexpected. On the one hand, we have a passionate martial artist who has no trouble describing their love for what they do. On the other, her focus and dedication are not typical of individuals her age, even martial artists with years of training. She's an exceptional individual and someone I greatly enjoyed speaking with. We're proud to announce the release of the first edition of the book version of our Martial Arts Event course. How Not To Hold a Martial Arts Tournament is available on Amazon as a Kindle eBook, and soon to be available in print. The advice in our book and course is equally applicable to events of all sizes & all styles. While much of the book and course talks about competition, the instructions will be just as helpful for other martial arts events such as seminars.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a martial arts movie release in 2000. The film has had a strong cultural impact on martial arts in the US. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Movie - Episode 166 Starring Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat, Ziyi Zhang In this episode you'll learn about: What is Jet Li's connection to the movie? What language issues led them to dub the movie in some areas? What unexpected person edited the subtitles? Who did the stunts? What book series does it come from? What famed director choreographed the fight scenes? And more!

Mr. Andrew Freund is a sumo practitioner and the promoter of the US Sumo Open with a background in kendo, tai chi & aikido. Mr. Andrew Freund - Episode 165 "And when I reflect back on it, if someone had done something only for business, they might get great results, but there would probably be something lacking in terms of integrity, the authenticity and the passion." It hit me one day that there's a martial art we never talk about in traditional circles. It's rarely in media and yet, it seems like the traditions are older than our interpretations of most traditional martial arts. So it was I went looking for someone we could talk to about the art of Sumo. When you research Sumo in the United States, you inevitably find information about today's guest. As a sumo practitioner, event promoter, talent agent and so much more, Mr. Andrew Freund has dedicated his life to the art of Sumo. It was very clear after some research that this was the man to have on the show, and I'm so pleased he accepted the invitation. Did you know we have several different styles of t-shirts available right now? That's right. With sizes that will fit nearly anyone, there's probably one you'd love to wear. Check out our shirts, and everything we offer, at whistlekick.com

We bring back two past guests that are passionate about martial arts competition - Master Huzon Alexander and Mr. Richard Osborn. We chat about what we're doing wrong - and right - in the current competitive landscape. Conversations on Martial Arts Competition - Episode 164 On today's episode we discuss the following subjects and more: What is the landscape of martial arts competition today? What elements of martial arts competitions are we getting right? Where could we improve with competitive martial arts? How have things changed for the competitive martial art scene over the last few decades? [app_audio src=""] You can find Master Huzon Alexander & Mr. Richard Osborn on their previous episodes, linked by their name. We talk about two individuals we're hoping to have on the show soon - Mr. Ross Levine & Mr. Raymond Daniels. For full show notes & other episodes, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/164-martial-arts-competition/

Sensei Ando Mierzwa is a longtime martial arts practitioner and the host of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast. Sensei Ando Mierzwa - Episode 163 "If your tricks aren't working, you better find new tricks." My first experience with Sensei Ando was sort of a strange one, at least, not one you might expect. In an effort to promote martial arts podcast overall, we put together a post we titled "Best Martial Arts Podcasts." It's no secret that we're not the only martial arts podcast, and I honestly listen to several of them. I always liked the material Sensei Ando included in his episodes, so we put him on the list. That led to some social media conversation and a number of emails. A bit over a year later we connected again and decided it was time that we get to put him through our questions. That brings us to now when we have a chance to hear from the man who reminds of the importance of a smile at the end of each one of his episodes. What are you wearing right now? If it's not a pair of our Cloud9 sweatpants, you're not as comfortable as you could be. :) Find them at whistlekick.com, and buy yourself two pairs... otherwise, you're not going to want to take them off long enough to wash. (In all seriousness, this is a complaint we hear from parents that have purchased a pair for their children!)

25 Drills to Improve Your Martial Arts Forms - Kata, Poomsae, Tul, Patterns, Routines... etc Martial Arts Forms Drills - Episode 162 On today's episode, we tackle 25 different ways you can improve your martial arts forms. See the list below, but listen to the episode for explanations, notes, and a few tangents. Practice performing your martial arts forms... With your eyes closed Facing different directions Backwards Mirrored (Left becomes right) Both mirrored & backward For the rest of the list, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/162-martial-arts-forms-drills/ On today's episode, we referenced Episode 158 - Resistance Training for Martial Arts. You may also want to check out Episode 113 - Different Training Environments.

Mr. Randy Moy is a practitioner of Chinese martial arts from Massachusetts, with a beginning in Wing Chun and current training in Tai Chi. Mr. Randy Moy - Episode 161 Martial arts is a life practice. That doesn't mean you practice for the rest of your life, but I think what makes things powerful with me is that it's really incorporated into my life. Today's guest is a thoughtful martial artist. Mr. Randy Moy struck me from the outset as a very contemplative person and someone with a lot to share. Today's episode brings us inside his life and his transition from Wing Chun to Tai Chi. While today's episode isn't full of high-impact stories, it's easily one of the most quotable interviews we've had. We've started making some of our podcast episodes available as eBooks. Do you know a martial artist that doesn't have an interest in listening to these shows, but might enjoy reading some of the best ones? Be sure to recommend our books. Our first interview - none other than Bill Wallace - is available here. Find our eBooks on Amazon in the Kindle store. For show notes and other episodes please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/161-randy-moy/

In this episode, we explore real-world strategies for continuing martial arts training as your body ages. Tips and mindset advice for the older martial artists, or those that hope to be. Martial Arts Training As You Age - Episode 160 Sleep Smarter Book Episode 77 - Martial Arts Recovery & Rehab

Mr. Jon Call is better known by his online handle Jujimufu. With deep roots in traditional martial arts, he's gone on to fame for his tricking, strength, flexibility, and general athleticism. Mr. Jon Call aka Jujimufu - Episode 159 I can still get stronger, I can still build more muscle, I can still learn new moves. I'm still 31, I've got more years in me before I see a slower decline. I first learned of today's guest through an online video someone shared. I was stunned at his strength and flexibility, especially considering his large size. It was clear this was a man with extreme athleticism. While I'm no tricker, I admire the movements many of them are capable of and I see the influence they've had on martial arts competitions. It wasn't until I heard him on fitness podcast that I learned Mr. Jon Call started his journey as a traditional martial artist. The man many know only as Jujimufu, who gained notoriety on America's Got Talent for doing a split across two chairs while holding a weighted barbell overhead, came from the same beginnings as most of us. When I heard more of his story I knew we had to have him on the show. For full show notes, with lots of photos and videos and more, check out: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/159-jon-call-jujimufu/

In this episode, we explore why resistance training is so beneficial in martial arts, how to get started, equipment to consider and what to watch for so you can get the most out of the time while reducing your risk for injury. Resistance Training for Martial Arts - Episode 158 Topics from today's episode: What is resistance training? Benefits of resistance training for martial artists. Places resistance training shows up in martial arts Why martial artists need more physical conditioning. How often should you train like this? How to avoid getting "too big." How to train and what to train. Training at a gym vs at home and what equipment to use. How to incorporate resistance training into a martial arts class. The importance of keeping the training varied, but not too varied. Why full range of motion movement is important. Training for power, speed, and strength. Why martial artists do well with physical conditioning training. You should check out the blog post we wrote to accompany this episode at whistlekick.com, titled The Top 10 Bodyweight Movements For a Martial Arts Class.

Sensei Roberto Davila is an Arnis & Jujitsu practitioner from Massachusetts, born in Puerto Rico. Sensei Roberto Davila - Episode 157 I don't think the guy on the street is going to care if I have injuries or not, so I have to find new ways, as I'm slowing down, you know , to make it more simple and very effective. I had heard stories of today's guest months before I had spoken with him. Months, even, before a listener to the show suggested him and introduced us. The martial arts world can be very small, and today's interview again reminds me of that. I've known Sensei Davila's instructor for some time, as we were introduced by a few past guests. [His instructor's interview was lost due to technical issues and we're in the process of rescheduling.] Sensei Davila holds nothing back in this episode as he talks about two very different times in his life. Early on, he was a troubled youth, engaged in some of the worst behavior someone can. After finding martial arts, however, he changed. This dramatic shift is seen in the stories he tells and the emotion with which he tells them. It is an honest, open and thoughtful episode that I hope you enjoy.

On today's episode, we tackle the importance of having an instructor, no matter what your rank and experience. Everyone Needs a Teacher - Episode 156 On today's episode, we discuss why it's so critical that every martial artist has someone to learn from - at least one person. Jeremy riffs without a transcript on this installment of the show, talking about some of his varied training experiences and encouraging listeners to take responsibility for their training, even if that makes difficult decisions or having tough conversations. On this episode, Jeremy references past guest Sensei Earl Smith from episode 17. For other episodes please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/156-everyone-needs-teacher/

Mr. Charles Murdock is a Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) practitioner with roots in Aikido and Karate. Mr. Charles Murdock - Episode 155 "You know, he always had this idea of these three legs on a stool. You had your work life, you had your family life and you had your training life. And that when something was going off in one of them you could always lean on the other two." The more time I spend with this show, and meeting martial artists - in person and virtually - the more I realize the lines between location and style are blurry. It is from these blurry lines that today's guest comes to us. Instructor to a personal friend of mine, Mr. Charles Murdock is a practitioner of Historical European Martial Arts - often called HEMA - who started life with Asian martial arts. He talks to us today about those roots and what he's up to today, and how it all comes together. Today's product of note is a second mention of our new Horizon colorway of sparring gear. We have some great new photos that really showcase the incredible depth and variances in the swirl color process. Check out all four colors at whistlekick.com

On today's episode, we tackle why repetition of forms is important, how all martial artists could improve with a single focus, ways to improve your sparring and how to self-train with weapons. Question & Answer #2 - Episode 154 In this episode we handle these four questions: If the newer martial arts forms a student learns contain more complex and advanced movements and sequences, why continue to work on the old ones? What is one thing could all martial artists improve? I find sparring overwhelming, how do I get better so it doesn't feel so daunting? My school doesn't teach martial arts weapons but I want to learn how to use them, at least a little. What can I do? If you like this format, check out our first question & answer show.

Miss Elise Lenahan is a taekwondo black belt as well as a black belt in the Marine Corp Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). Miss Elise Lenahan - Episode 153 Martial arts isn't just about your form or anything like that, it's about your mentality towards it. If you don't come into it with an open mind, I think sometimes it's really difficult to work with other people, because you're like, you're not supposed to do it that way you're supposed to do it this way. But, sometimes you didn't see that this other way has another advantage for somebody else. Today's guest is someone I've known for years, but she's on here for a reason. Miss Elise Lenahan is the only person I know - though there are certainly others - to have earned a black belt in a traditional martial art (in this case Taekwondo) and a black belt in the Marine Corp Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). On this episode, we discuss what the process of attaining each was like for her, the differences between the two and what she's taken from her varied experience as a martial artist. Today's featured product is our sparring gloves. When we developed the gloves, we took a hard look at why everyone else's gloves seemed to fail so quickly. Through our better materials, smarter design and extra reinforcement, we've created gloves that simply don't fail. Personally, my pair is now 4 years old. I may not spar as much as some of you out there, but these have had some use. You can learn more about our gloves and maybe get yourself a pair at whistlekick.com For full show notes, please visit: http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/153-elise-lenahan/

Mrs. April Pettengill, Sensei Katie Jordan and Miss Jessica Henderson return to discuss topics related to women's involvement in the martial arts world. Conversations on Women in Martial Arts: Part 2 - Episode 152 Last week's Part 1 of the two-part series on women in the martial arts was our best-ever debut for a Thursday episode. We knew there was demand for these conversations but we had no idea how much. Thank you to everyone for sharing and listening. If you haven't heard it, please check out Conversations on Women in Martial Arts: Part 1. There's no need to hear part 1 before part 2, as they're completely independent shows. We hear from Mrs. April Pettengill, Sensei Katie Jordan, and Miss Jessica Henderson along with host Jeremy Lesniak as they discuss a number of topics related to women and gender differences in the context of martial arts. We discuss everything from classes to uniforms to psychology, with the hope that both male and female listeners will come away with a better understanding and give some thought to subjects that affect us all.

Soke Joe Droual is a long-time martial arts instructor from New York. His background includes karate, jiu-jitsu, Kobudo and kung fu. Soke Joe Droual - Episode 151 The master teacher is the master student, and we're always learning. And I think that that ties in with the martial arts community realizing that their whole lifetime is learning something that is very old, the traditions are showing respect and kindness to everybody and to themselves. Self-development and that is actually, that grounding and that respect, I think, is at the heart of all martial arts. Soke Joe Droual comes to us from Long Island, New York. A long-time practitioner and instructor, Soke Joe has dedicated his life to martial arts - and you can hear it in his words. On today's episode, we hear why Soke Joe Droual continues to train after so many years, why martial arts is like music and his views on the personal development side of martial arts. We've seen a lot of sparring gear head out of the warehouse lately - even more so than the weeks leading up to Christmas. Remember, we have four colors now and not a single pair of boots has that silly toe strap. If you want sparring gear that lasts longer and gives better grip on the floor, whistlekick boots are what you want. Find them online at whistlekick.com

We unpack some of the differences - and similarities - between male and female martial artists with two past guests, Renshi Lisa Magiera and Master Amanda Meltzer. Conversations on Women in Martial Arts: Part 1 - Episode 150 Over the last few months, we've had some listeners ask for more group conversations. Feedback on the Women in Martial Arts episode was very positive, and some listeners asked for more discussion, with women. We've combined those two ideas and brought back Renshi Lisa Magiera and Master Amanda Meltzer to discuss a few subjects related to women in martial arts. This is not an episode that's "for women," and I suspect it will make a lot of people think about some things, regardless of gender. During this episode we reference our past episode on Helping People Find the Right Martial Arts School.

Sensei Cheryl Murphy is a competitive karate practitioner, best known for her sparring and being a member of Team USA. Sensei Cheryl Murphy - Episode 151 Being able to pull myself up from my bootstraps. Of course, you still have your support system, in order to thrive from. A lot of our guests come from referrals of past guests, and so it was we were introduced to Sensei Cheryl Murphy. We've heard from a number of martial artists who enjoy competing - and some who compete at a very high level. You may see Sensei Murphy at the Olympics in 2020, though, and that would be a first for our guests. As a competitive kumite fighter, Sensei Murphy travels the world sparring. She has numerous national and world titles to her name, but here on the show we learn why competing is so important to her, why she's still passionate about martial arts and how her Mom has been such a strong influence on her life. You know whistlekick as making awesome sparring gear - and we certainly do that. But we also have a line of apparel that you should check out. Comfortable sweatpants, functional t-shirts and a lot more. Find everything we offer at our online store at whistlekick.com