Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Mental Health, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Another Case of Black Belt Burnout

Article by Will Newhall, Master Instructor and owner of Taekwondo Tutors
MOOTO Korea Taekwondo DO Black Belt Width 5cm Double Wrap Martial Arts TKD Judo Karate (Length 280cm(9.18ft))

If you aren’t aware, the blog owner recently made a post talking about how she is stepping away from doing taekwondo. As a fellow taekwondo martial artist I will say…

I commend her courage, integrity, and self-respect in making this significant decision!

I read her post on the topic and wanted to write about my own experience with black belt burn out as well. While I am currently practicing, teaching, and writing, I too felt burn out. A couple of times actually! I thought I might throw my hat in the ring and talk about my own experience with black belt burn out.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Create a Versatile Home Wellness Space That Boosts Martial Arts Training

Martial Arts Studio & Home Gym in Garage - Home Gym - Minneapolis - by ...

I have officially stopped going to taekwondo training classes (see the details in this blog post), but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop training altogether. While I don’t have tons of room in my current home to train, my partner and I have figured out how to make the most of our space. This guest article by Dana Brown shares how to create a safe, functional, and welcoming space to practice your martial art in your home. If you would like to contribute a martial arts-related guest post to Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here. 

Create a Versatile Home Wellness Space That Boosts Martial Arts Training

Martial artist homeowners and instructors often want one dedicated space that supports a holistic martial arts practice, but most homes can’t spare a room that functions like a full-time dojo. The core challenge in home remodeling for training is creating a multipurpose wellness space that handles hard sessions, recovery work, and quiet decompression without feeling cramped, fragile, or overly specialized. When flexible training room design is treated as wellness infrastructure instead of a gear dump, it becomes easier to train consistently, manage injuries, and protect mental focus. The goal is a room that earns its square footage every day.

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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Mental Health, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Everyday Mindfulness Tips to Boost Focus and Resilience for Martial Artists

Take a moment for yourself to read today’s post from guest writer Dana Brown on mindfulness. A moment of mindfulness can make a big difference in your martial arts training and your life in general. As the article says, “A consistent mindfulness practice doesn’t require a quieter life; it creates steadier awareness inside a loud one.”
If you would like to contribute a martial arts-related post to Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: What is the Best Martial Art for Self-Defense?

What is the best martial art for self-defense? While my martial art (taekwondo) is primarily a striking art, the type I’ve trained in includes grabs, joint locks, and takedowns from hapkido. One of my current school’s masters has also been training the black belts in BJJ and judo-based defense, ground fighting, and throws. This gives me a diverse arsenal to have at the ready.
Krav Maga expert Jake Randall provides his insight on which martial arts can provide a solid foundation for self-defense. If you would like to write a guest post for Little Black Belt, please visit the guidelines here.

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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Strength & Conditioning for Combat Sports & Martial Arts: Train Smart to Fight Easy

Guest writer Richard Bennett doing S&C with pro heavyweight boxer Simon Ibekwe

In the last few months I’ve been adding strength and conditioning work to my martial arts training. I feel great, and my martial arts performance has improved. Guest writer Richard Bennett, coach and trainer for combat athletes and martial artists, shares his expertise on how you can create a strength and conditioning practice that enhances your martial arts performance. If you would like to contribute a guest article for Little Black Belt, please review the guidelines here.

Strength & Conditioning for Combat Sports & Martial Arts: Train Smart to Fight Easy

Combat sports demand it all: strength, speed, power, endurance, and resilience. Whether you’re a boxer, judoka, or martial artist, you need the ability to go the distance and explode on command.

However, many fighters still equate “harder” with “better.” More rounds, more circuits, more fatigue. But strength and conditioning (S&C) isn’t about doing more work — it’s about doing the right work. A smart programme builds the physical foundation that allows your skill and technique to shine.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, The Poomsae Series, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Kata in Aikidō: Form, Principle, and Transformation

I’ve always been a fan of forms (poomsae in Korean) and appreciate their ability to focus the practitioner on technique, execution, proper form, and breathing. Forms are practiced across many different martial arts, including Aikido. Josh MacDonald, Calgary Rakushinkan Aikidō, shares his expertise about the history and current practice of forms (kata) in Aikido. If you would like to be a guest writer for Little Black Belt please review the guest writer guidelines and contact me.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Injury and Recovery, Training Tips

Guest Writer: 5 Training Mistakes to Avoid in Taekwondo Conditioning

Aquaphor, the Best Friend of Irritated and Aggressed Skin SweetCare

I was recently approached by the team at Parana Sports Industries requesting to submit a guest article. The topic they pitched was intriguing: mistakes to avoid in taekwondo conditioning. Over my nearly 15 years of practicing taekwondo, I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and as I get older, those become more costly to avoid. Whether you’re an aging martial artist like me or a spring chicken, proper training and care for your body will make you less prone to injuries and ensure you can practice for a lifetime. 

If you want to submit a guest article for Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: A Beginner’s Guide to Select the Right Martial Art for Your Personal Goals

Karate Class Practicing Stances image - Free stock photo - Public ...

Are you interested in martial arts training but aren’t sure which one is right for you? Guest writer Justin Mark’s guest post can help you align your martial arts training with your personal goals. Don’t get lost in a Google rabbit hole; find the martial art that fits your unique needs. 

If you would like to submit a guest post to Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here.

A Beginner’s Guide to Select the Right Martial Art for Your Personal Goals

You want to try martial arts, but, uh, you have no clue where to start. Maybe you saw a brutal knockout in MMA and thought, Yeah, I need to learn that. Probably an old-school Kung Fu flick that left you fired up.

Whatever your reason, you now face the question: Which martial art is right for you?

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Melanie Gibson Class Diaries, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

Leaders Let Others Soar

Balance Bikes Overtake Training Wheels for Teaching Young Riders - NBC News
Image from nbcnews.com

Like most children first learning how to ride a bike, I used training wheels. The more confident I became, the more I enjoyed riding my bike, within the parameters of the training wheels of course.

One day my dad was helping me ride my bike without training wheels. At first I was afraid I might fall. But in a seamless moment, my dad let go. The moment of joyously soaring down the driveway is etched into my memory. I felt like I could do anything. After that, I loved riding for miles with my brother and friends (it was the 1980s in rural West Texas, so riding bikes all over town was no big deal).

Sometimes all it takes for someone to soar is for their leader to let go.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Beginner’s Guide to BJJ Rash Guards – Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

How Should a BJJ Rash Guard Fit? - Granite Bay Jiu Jitsu
Image via Amazon

It’s a new year and a new season to get back into your favorite martial art. But what if you don’t know where to start with things like gear or clothing? Josh Henry has created a beginner’s guide to selecting the BJJ rash guard that’s right for you. Happy rolling!

If you would like to contribute a martial-arts or wellness-related article for Little Black Belt, please refer to the guest writer guidelines here.

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