Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Mental Health

Guest Writer: How Martial Arts Can Boost Family Fitness and Bonding

Something I started in 2024 and am carrying into 2025 is lessening the time I spend staring at and doomscrolling on my can’t-live-with-it/can’t-live-without-it phone. Real life is happening all around us, and it’s sadly easy to miss with the access we have to screens in our daily lives. Sometimes it’s necessary for things like work and school, but there are things we can do to turn screen time into quality time with our loved ones. In this guest post, Hamza Abbasi from Carlson Gracie RafaSantos Lakeland, offers tips for swapping screen time with quality family time through martial arts.

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

In today’s world, many families spend their time on the screen without physical exercise. Adults and kids mostly use their gadgets, which can lead to poor physical activity that can negatively impact health as well as the bonding of families. Martial arts allows families to stay active, build relationships, and promote healthy lifestyles while having fun or enjoyment. Here’s how martial arts can improve your family fitness, including impacts and other tips for staying active with family.

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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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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Mental Health

Guest Writer: Cultivating Calm: Effective Ways to Tackle Daily Stress

Image via Pexels

The holidays are over, and we’re back in full swing! Busy schedules, yaaaaayy! Part of being a well-rounded martial artist is caring for one’s mental health and well-being. Emma Grace Brown has contributed several articles on wellness and self-care to this blog. In this article she shares several tips for balancing a busy life with effective stress-reducing actions.

If you would like to write a guest article for Little Black Belt, see guest writer guidelines here. ~Melanie

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Melanie Gibson Mental Health, Self-Development and Leadership, Work and Martial Arts

When the Flames of Imposter Syndrome Loom Large

Fire Images On Black Backgrounds - Wallpaper Cave

I’ve explored imposter syndrome a few times on this blog, once during a period of depression and loneliness and more recently when I was offered the opportunity to do something new at work.

I’m happy to report that (1) I’m no longer depressed and lonely and (2) I’ve gotten a pretty good handle on that new thing at work.

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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Mental Health

Guest Writer: Take These Steps to Build a Healthier Home Life

Photo via Pexels

While this blog is primarily focused on martial arts, I also devote quite a bit of time to something that is inextricably intertwined with martial arts practice: mental health and well-being. Emma Grace Brown has contributed several articles on wellness and self-care in the past, and she has written another great article about how to care for yourself and your family. It’s tempting to get caught up in the bustle of Q4 work deliverables and holiday planning, but it’s most important for you to make sure you and the people you love are healthy and happy. 

If you would like to write a guest article for Little Black Belt, see guest writer guidelines here. ~Melanie

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Melanie Gibson Self-Development and Leadership, Work and Martial Arts

The Satisfying Alternative to Leadership

Over the course of my career, people ranging from my dad to multiple bosses have asked, encouraged, and even pressured me to pursue leadership positions. Many seemed surprised or baffled at my aversion to it. Twenty years into my tenure at my company and nearly thirty years of being employed in some fashion, I can still say with confidence: NOPE.

And that’s not a bad thing.

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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Mental Health

Guest Writer: The Essential Guide to Building an Introvert-Friendly Self-Care Routine

Remember that time I wrote a blog post about wondering why I spent my days doing corporate training and nights yelling at people in the dojang? Yeah, I still wonder about that, and I still TREASURE my quiet time by myself. That’s why I was delighted when Emma Grace Brown, writer and frequent contributor to Little Black Belt, pitched a self-care guides for introverts. Just in time for hibernation season! If you would like to write a guest post for Little Black Belt, please see guest post guidelines here. 

Image via Pexels

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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Taking Your Boxing Performance to the Next Level With Smart Training

5 Boxing Workout Routines to Get in Lean Fighting Shape - Men's Journal
Image credit: mensjournal.com

We have another great guest post in the books! I’m pleased to share my first ever boxing-focused article on Little Black Belt, courtesy of Josh Henry. Josh is a Muay Thai enthusiast with five years of experience in combat sports and has written several articles about combat sports and fitness. 

If you would like to be a guest writer for Little Black Belt, see guest writer guidelines here.

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Melanie Gibson Class Diaries, Mental Health

Thinking Too Much vs. Being Mindful

15 Basic Taekwondo Kicks for Beginners and Advanced Students
Chambering is easy as pie until you hit 45.

Even though I’ve been writing this blog for a decade and published a memoir about how practicing martial arts changed my life for the better, I’m still surprised sometimes at the moments of clarity I have when I’m on the mat. 

The most recent moment was this past week when I was working with my master on side kicks. 

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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Mental Health

Guest Writer: Leaving My Martial Arts Cult

In 2022 I wrote an article for the online web magazine Martial Journal about being in a martial arts cult. It was something I was reluctant to talk about but felt it was important to say. Since then I’ve had a steady stream of messages from people who could relate. Obviously this is something that needs to be talked about openly.

Martial arts can be wonderful and beneficial influences in our lives, but anything taken to an extreme can have a dark side, especially if the person or people in power take advantage of those who just wanted to do something they enjoyed. 

S [identity protected for privacy], a fellow martial artist, bravely shares her story of the pain of realizing she was in a bad situation and the joy of freedom. 

If you would like to contribute a martial arts-related article to Little Black Belt, please follow the guest post guidelines here.

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