Finally feeling better. Can’t wait to go for a run tomorrow again.
It seems really silly to say this, but as I’m getting myself back into shape, I find myself missing my workouts and sweating. I am seeing more and more progress, and at times am surprised to see my body do things I haven’t been able to do since my back surgery in 2014. It’s these little things that fill in the gaps and make it worth the work. I’m so proud of all the students at the school getting ready to text next weekend. They are all working very hard, and the investment they’ve made in themselves is showing in the good habits that are on display during class.
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to write. I had a bad ear infection and spent a good portion of the weekend sleeping and getting meds. Starting to trend up and tonight was a teaching night.
Today’s image inspired me as I had a student that was not wanting to come to class from lack of confidence in sparring. Every martial artist I know at some point in their training gets rocked in sparring. It shakes us to the core, as we didn’t know what it felt like to take a hit like that. It makes us question if our training is working. We question if we are having fun. Tonight, this student that was ready to quit gave it another shot, knowing that many of us have had that same experience, got back on the mat, and was able to regain some of the confidence he had. It made me happy to see him smile while sparring again.
Today’s image is very real to me. There are times in many students’ journeys when they think the road is too hard and they quit. They lose the drive to push through the hard times and they give in. I have had a few parents over the years approach me saying their child doesn’t like sparring, or forms, or some other part of training. Fear is a very real thing in life, and many people quit things because of it. Fear is hard, facing it harder, and deciding to lean into it and overcome it is a seemingly impossible task. This is why I believe we have leaders and mentors in our lives. Our job is to let them know that yes, it is real and valid to be afraid, yet also let them know we’ve been there and had guides to help us. We know how we felt when we overcame those fears. Leaders pay it forward.
Today felt pretty good. Body is thanking me for the extra rest and today’s workout.
I’m so inspired by my co-workers. I have a great support group of trusted advisors that send me videos and articles to help me understand how people want to be led. Others make the time to have conversations with me about how I lead, and how I am perceived by others. I am very much a proponent of the concept of servant leadership, and today’s image attempts to capture this essence. I have much to learn and grow in this area to become as proficient as I’d like to be. I strive to flip the org chart upside down and aspire to model that I’m accountable to the staff in my reporting structure, not the other way around. At times I may lose sight of this and when I need them most, these trusted advisors in my work and martial arts lives send me gentle reminders of my commitments and responsibilities as a leader. I am so grateful that these people trust me enough to give me the gift of feedback, even if it is difficult. I also have a new appreciation for the depth of some of the traditions at Excel that I’ve noticed over the last 30 years but not fully understood.
Today’s workout is dedicated to these advisors and the teams that trust me to lead them.
Today’s Workout
Theme of the day – Balance
Training qualities – pivot & bent knee/solid sole
2 mile run/walk (21:57)
40 pushups
25 front kicks each leg
40 pushups
20 mid/high section round kick combos each leg
20 pushups
25 side kicks each leg (hold balance after each)
10 tension (5 sec.) side kicks each leg – with 5 lb. ankle weight
Monday was a sick day, so mostly just sleep. Today I taught and worked on my creative portion of my form.
Today’s image resonated for me becasue there are times in everyone’s training where they don’t feel like training or pushing themselves. This whole journey is really testing the bounds of discipline and dedication. I think this blog writing is also helping me hold myself accountable to train. I am beginning to see the changes happening, and that is spurring me on.
