Life lessons from a Tae Kwon Diva and Master in the making.
Taylor Swift might like a “blank space,” but I hate it.
I hate a blank space when I have an assignment for work. I hate a blank space when I’m drafting a blog post. I hate a blank space when I’m working on a larger creative writing project, like a new book.
So I did something dramatic about it. I signed up for NanoWrimo.
Looking for self-defense training? Check out Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In this guest post, Johann Jansen van Vuuren describes how anyone can benefit from this sport. If you would like to be a guest writer, please review the guest writer guidelines here.
When it comes to keeping yourself safe, you need something that would work in the real world. What would that be? The answer is control. That’s the main reason Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is so good for self-defense. BJJ is practical, effective, and you don’t need to be a pro. We’ll keep it short and sweet–in this post we’ll go over some of the many reasons BJJ is great for self-defense.
Continue reading “Guest Writer: Why BJJ Is Great for Self-Defense”
Whether we work for someone else or for ourselves (or in many cases, both), we need work-life balance to be a functioning human. As a corporate employee and authorpreneur, I carefully use and guard my time so I can get the job done while staying healthy, happy, and relatively stress free. Emma Grace Brown (see her website here) offers self-care tips for busy entrepreneurs. There’s always a rush at the end of the year between getting everything done and taking time off for holidays and family.
Please take care of yourselves and each other.
Earlier this year, I rejoined taekwondo classes as a “regular” (i.e., not private lesson) student. Prior to that I’d been taking private lessons for over a year and had added back in yoga classes, weight lifting, and occasionally swimming to round out my exercise routine.
More recently, I’ve gone back to Body Combat classes at the gym, a kickboxing aerobics class that derives inspiration from various martial arts. I needed more cardio and wanted something that didn’t have the pressures and nuances that taekwondo class does. As a bonus, one of the Body Combat teachers happens to be a black belt trained by my former grandmaster, so at least one person is in the know when they’re leading the class.
Continue reading “Revisiting Body Combat with a Different Body”
This post comes from Emma Grace Brown, a frequent contributor to Little Black Belt. If you would like to submit a martial arts-related article, please review the guest writer guidelines.
In the demanding world of martial arts, well-being serves as a foundational element for achieving excellence. Balancing wellness and self-care is pivotal for martial artists striving for optimal performance in both their sports and personal lives.
This article, courtesy of Little Black Belt, delves into seven crucial strategies designed specifically for this unique group of athletes. Each method is geared toward helping you maintain and enhance your wellness routine, so consider this your comprehensive guide for excelling in every aspect of your martial arts journey!
School has started in my country, as have fall sports and activities. From what I’ve seen in the dojang, the kids are ready to work hard and do what they love. Although I’m not a parent, I’m an aunt and a coach, so I’m invested in making sure our kids have the resources and support to be their best and get the most out of life. Regular contributor Emma Grace Brown offers tips for fostering the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the kids in your lives. I’m committed to being a supportive black belt and leader to the kids I train with.
For more of Emma’s work, check out her website: https://emmagracebrown.com/
If you would like to contribute to Little Black Belt, see the guest writer guidelines.
In our ever-evolving world, fostering healthy habits in children takes on greater significance. As parents, caregivers, and educators, we bear the responsibility of molding the future well-being of the next generation. The cornerstone of a lifetime filled with vitality and balance begins during childhood, and this article, courtesy of Little Black Belt, will delve into effective strategies and practical advice for guiding kids toward building long-term healthy habits.
Continue reading “Guest Post: Empowering the Next Generation–Steps Toward a Healthy Future”
Looking for something new? Check out Jiu Jitsu! The team at Ground Standard shares the many benefits of training in this martial art. For more information about Ground Standard, see the end of this post. If you would like to be a guest writer for Little Black Belt, check out the guidelines here.
Martial arts have long been heralded as realms of discipline and introspection, and within this vast arena, Jiu Jitsu gleams as a beacon of self-betterment and holistic growth. Beyond the superficial perception of combat techniques and physical prowess, Jiu Jitsu unfurls a tapestry of life lessons, mental fortitude, and deep-seated community values. For those standing at the precipice, contemplating whether to delve into this world, let’s uncover the multifaceted treasures that the journey of Jiu Jitsu has to offer.
Continue reading “Guest Post: The Transformative Power of Jiu Jitsu”
September is self-care and self-improvement month. To perform at our best, martial artists need to take care of themselves in body, mind, and spirit.
Emma Grace Brown, a frequent contributor to this site, shares small (but very important) things we can do to make sure our bodies and minds are healthy going into a busy fall and holiday season. If you would like to contribute to Little Black Belt, please review the contributor guidelines here.
Continue reading “Guest Post: Live Better, Live Healthier: Everyday Tactics for Well-Being”
I told you guys I was cursed.
In May 2023 I published my “comprehensive guide” to suffering an ACL tear and all the fun that ensues. My partner had torn his ACL a month prior playing basketball so I wanted to share the resources I had from a patient’s perspective. We thought it wouldn’t take long for him to get into surgery since it was a full tear.
Continue reading “The Other Side of Knee Surgery (a Caregiver’s Tale)”
“Do you love to win or hate to lose?”
A high level executive in my company posed this question to a group of leaders at an event several months ago. We work for a large healthcare organization in a metropolitan area. The market shifts so rapidly our heads spin, so it was apropos of her to liken our attitudes toward our work with an air of competitiveness.
Most of us agreed that the company itself operates from more of a “love to win” approach. I don’t mean that as a hippie love-is-in-the-air attitude. It just likes playing the long game. Sometimes too long, but it’s learning to respond more quickly to an unprecedented era in healthcare.
The executive posited that there are advantages and disadvantages to both. If you love to win, you probably have a good long-term strategy. If you hate to lose, you might be more keen to be innovative to get ahead. If you love to win, you might be too slow to make a move. If you hate to lose, you might be too reactive around competition and take costly risks.
At the time I (naively) thought, “I love to win more than I hate to lose.” These days I have a more optimistic outlook than I did a few years ago. I’ve made some needed changes and have witnessed growth in my personal and professional lives. And who doesn’t love to win?
And then I was pressure-tested. There was nothing huge or life-altering that happened. I just experienced the normal ups and downs of life while that question lingered on my mind.
Turns out I’m still more of a “hate to lose” person, to my detriment. I ruminate on when I make mistakes, when I’m corrected, or when I make the wrong choice. Those moments take over my thoughts in a more powerful way than when I’m showing appreciating or celebrating a win. This spans across my personal life, work, and even in the dojang. I think one can use the “hate to lose” attitude to their advantage, but I haven’t figured that out.
I guess I’m still a perfectionist. Much less so than I was as a much younger woman and even a few years ago, but old habits die hard.
Losing isn’t so bad. I’ve learned lessons every time I’ve lost. If I can’t get away from hating to lose easily, perhaps I can shift to loving to win and learning to lose.
What about you? Do you love to win or hate to lose?