Attack Life, Not Others: Recent Episodes
Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman
This show is intended to help you become a better, stronger version of yourself.
The martial arts are a way of life. But what exactly does that mean?
Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman use martial arts principles as the foundation for discussion, but in a way so the concepts are appreciated by everyone. Even if you don’t train in the martial arts, this show will enhance your life.
The essence of this podcast is realizing we all have an enemy within ourselves that must be defeated. Together we can Attack LIFE, Not Others!
Most people fear pushing too hard. The bigger risk? Never pushing hard enough. Your legacy is built by the lives you impact.
Tim opens up about wrestling with the feeling that he always expects too much from himself and others. But over time, he realized that drive wasn't a weakness — it was the very thing that shaped his character, purpose, and impact.
In this episode:
- The regret of playing life too safe
- Why comfort quietly steals potential
- How to build a life that actually matters
- Why growth always requires discomfort
- The connection between purpose, legacy, and love
If you want significance, you have to be willing to do what most people won't.
Foster accountability by pushing yourself and others you care about.
What makes someone relevant? It's not age. It's not status. It's whether you're still growing, contributing, and showing up with purpose.
Tim and Steve share powerful lessons from two remarkable men in their 80s who prove that relevance has no expiration date. They discuss:
- How to find the right room where your value is recognized
- Why too many people become the "walking dead" long before they die
- Why your greatest responsibility is to remain useful to the people around you
The conversation also explores something that's disappearing in today's distracted world: genuine presence. Real conversations. Real listening. Real connection. Whether you're leading a business, raising a family, or simply talking with a friend, being fully present is becoming one of the rarest — and most valuable — skills you can develop.
Staying relevant isn't something that happens to you — it's something you intentionally make happen.
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." — Mario Andretti
Your phone isn't the problem. Your relationship with it might be.
Tim and Steve compare today's most powerful technology to the very first one that changed humanity: fire. Both can improve your life. Both can destroy it if you stop respecting it.
They introduce FFAA — Focus. Form. Activity. Awareness. Four areas that technology is quietly attacking every single day.
If your attention is fractured, your posture is collapsing, your movement is disappearing, and you're becoming less aware of the world around you — your phone may be costing you far more than you realize.
Technology should be a tool — not your master.
In This Episode * Why smartphones are today's version of fire * The hidden cost of a fractured attention span * How screens silently destroy posture and movement * The four pillars of FFAA: Focus, Form, Activity & Awareness * Simple ways to take back control before technology starts controlling you
The goal isn't to reject technology. It's to become stronger than it.
While most people spend their lives preparing for the threats around them, the greatest danger often comes from the battles raging within. Stress, poor choices, fear, distraction, and emotional reactivity quietly rob us of our peace, purpose, and quality of life long before any outside force ever can.
Drawing lessons from martial arts, nature, and everyday experience, Tim and Steve explore why bees accomplish extraordinary things without unnecessary conflict and why water never wastes energy fighting the rock — it simply finds another way. True strength isn't found in confrontation. It's found in awareness, adaptability, and self-control.
The conversation also examines the timeless principles of self-defense, where avoiding conflict, creating distance, and de-escalating are signs of wisdom rather than weakness. Whether in relationships, work, or everyday challenges, they remind listeners that the goal isn't to win every battle — it's to become a little wiser, calmer, and more disciplined than you were yesterday.
The greatest victory isn't defeating an opponent. It's committing to the lifelong pursuit of mastering yourself.
"The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important." — Bobby Knight
Tim and Steve explore one of life's biggest questions: Where does truth actually come from? In a world consumed by opinions, politics, social media, and constant noise, they challenge listeners to stop searching outward and begin looking inward — where God placed His image and where lasting truth is ultimately found.
Drawing from faith, martial arts, leadership, and decades of life experience, they discuss why purpose isn't discovered by following the crowd but by aligning your life with truth. They examine how authenticity, integrity, and honest self-reflection shape every relationship, every decision, and every step of personal growth.
The conversation also explores the danger of simply going through the motions — whether in training, work, faith, or family — and why living intentionally is the antidote to a life filled with regret. If truth really does set us free, it must first become something we live, not just something we believe.
This episode is a challenge to quiet the outside noise, embrace the truth within, and become the kind of person who changes the world by first changing themselves.
The Most Valuable Currency You're Wasting Every Day Everyone talks about chasing success. Almost no one talks about the one resource you can never earn back.
Time.
Tim and Steve challenge the way we think about the past, the future, and the only moment we truly own — the present.
Sparked by a powerful conversation with an older man who said he wasn't afraid of death ... he was afraid of time, this episode digs into a reality most of us avoid: every heartbeat is one you'll never get back.
You'll discover why so many people spend their lives distracted, emotionally absent, or waiting for the "right time" to start living — and how that mindset quietly steals the moments that matter most.
Tim and Steve explore why your first breath and your last breath frame the most important gift you'll ever receive, why being fully present is a competitive advantage in relationships, leadership, parenting, and business, and how small decisions made right now shape the legacy you leave behind.
If you've ever caught yourself saying, "I'll do it tomorrow," this conversation is your wake-up call.
In this episode:
- Why the present truly is a gift — and why most people never unwrap it
- The surprising difference between fearing death and fearing wasted time
- How distractions rob us of the life happening right in front of us
- Why "Hold on a second" may be costing you more than you realize
- Practical ways to become more present with your family, your work, and yourself
- How embracing the moment creates a richer, more intentional life
Stop waiting.
Your life isn't happening someday.
It's happening right now.
Tim and Steve explore the balance between control and delegation, drawing on lessons from business ownership, martial arts, and motorcycle riding. They discuss why trust is essential to effective leadership, how fear often fuels the need to control everything, and why letting go can actually make you a stronger leader. Discover the difference between leading everything and leading well — and why great leaders know when to step forward and when to empower others to take the lead.
Quote Worth Remembering "Leadership isn't about having your hands on everything. It's about knowing when to take the wheel — and when to trust someone else to drive."
Episode Highlights * The hidden cost of micromanagement * Fear often sits behind our need for control * Letting go of control doesn't mean losing influence * Why trust is one of the most valuable leadership skills * Strong leaders know when to lead — and when to follow * How delegation creates growth for both leaders and their teams * The motorcycle group ride analogy and what it teaches about teamwork * Understanding the Yin and Yang of leadership: when to push and when to pull back
Key Takeaways ✅ Focus on what you can control ✅ Micromanagement limits growth ✅ Trust capable people to do their job ✅ Leadership requires humility and self-awareness ✅ Fear creates control, and confidence creates trust ✅ Great teams thrive when everyone knows their role ✅ Sometimes the best leadership move is stepping aside
We've learned that:
"Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it." — Andy Rooney
The Push-Pull of Life Life moves whether you're ready or not. The question is: are your actions pushing you forward — or pulling you backward?
Tim and Steve dive into the concept of complementary (reciprocal) motion and how it impacts far more than martial arts. From athletics to relationships, career growth to personal development, every action creates a reaction — and every movement forward requires balance. The decisions you make today determine for tomorrow whether you will reap rewards or suffer consequences.
Key Takeaways: * Every action contributes to the life you're creating * The push-pull principle drives efficiency in athletics, martial arts, and everyday life * Strong relationships thrive when all parties move together toward a common goal. * What you put into the world often comes back to you * A victim mindset keeps you stuck; ownership creates momentum * Success is rarely accidental — it's the result of intentional actions repeated over time
Life is always in motion. Learning to work with that motion instead of against it is the key to growth. Stop waiting for life to happen to you. Create momentum, embrace complementary motion, and start shaping the future you want.
Fear is universal. Every one of us feels it. The question isn't whether fear exists — it's whether you're going to obey it.
Tim and Steve tackle one of the most powerful forces shaping our lives: fear. Left unchecked, fear becomes anxiety, self-doubt, procrastination, and missed opportunities. But when disciplined and confronted head-on, fear can become fuel for growth, resilience, courage, and better decision-making.
Drawing from years in private investigations and martial arts, they break down how fear drives people in completely different directions. Some allow fear to control their choices. Others use it as a catalyst to become stronger, more capable, and more confident.
Tim also shares the powerful story of a donkey trapped in a ditch — a lesson in persistence, grit, and the reality that the very thing burying you today may become the path that sets you free tomorrow.
Most importantly, they discuss the role of faith in overcoming fear. Because courage isn't the absence of fear — it's moving forward despite it.
In This Episode: * Why fear itself isn't the enemy — obedience to fear is * How fear turns into anxiety, self-doubt, and inaction * The difference between destructive fear and disciplined fear * Lessons from the detective world and martial arts training * The donkey-in-the-ditch story and what it teaches about perseverance * Why faith is one of the most powerful weapons against fear * How to face fear, move forward, and help others do the same
Fear is coming either way. The question is: will it stop you, or will it sharpen you?
We've learned that:
We can always pray for someone when we don't have the strength to help them in any other way.
Tim and Steve welcome Sammy back for Part 3 of our Flow series as they explore what happens when we lose our flow — and how to get it back.
In This Episode: * Why flow is essential for physical, mental, and emotional health * The connection between the circulatory system, lymphatic system, and overall well-being * Sammy's story of overcoming a serious head injury and rebuilding momentum * The critical role of family, friends, and community during recovery * How distractions, negativity, and poor influences disrupt progress * Practical ways to restore flow through discipline, routine, and consistency * The power of mental exercises and training the mind * Understanding neuroplasticity and the brain's ability to heal and adapt
Key Takeaway: Flow isn't an accident. It's built through intentional action, strong relationships, disciplined habits, and a commitment to moving forward — one step at a time.
We've learned that:
"One should keep their words both soft and tender because tomorrow they may have to eat them." — Andy Rooney
The conversation on "flow" continues — diving deeper into purpose, discipline, and staying focused in a world of distractions.
They explore the shift from old-school workplace culture — built on face-to-face interaction, accountability, and shared mission — to today's remote, always-online world, where focus and motivation have to be created intentionally.
Steve breaks down how mission-driven work creates connection and purpose, even across screens and time zones. Sammy introduces the difference between "relational flow" and "task flow," explaining how flow can come through meaningful relationships or deeply immersive work.
Key takeaways:
- Purpose must be protected through discipline and repetition
- Flow strengthens purpose — and purpose strengthens flow
Tim closes with a story about protecting his chickens from predators — a powerful metaphor for protecting your peace, focus, and purpose in a world constantly pulling at your attention.
We've learned that:
Sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
Tim, Steve, and Sammy dive deep into "flow" — and why it feels harder than ever to access in today's distraction-heavy world.
They break down how flow isn't accidental — it's trained. With earlier generations, focus was built through repetition, silence, and discipline. Today, the constant pull of the iPhone, notifications, and "always-on" living has rewired attention and made sustained focus a real challenge.
A key thread in the conversation is the subconscious mind — often described as driving up to 95% of our thoughts and behavior. If that's being shaped by external noise, stress, and distraction, then your ability to enter flow gets fragmented before you even start.
Takeaways from the episode:
- Your environment either supports focus or destroys it
- Distraction is not harmless — it trains your mind to stay scattered
- Flow is not a mood — it's a skill built through discipline and repetition
- Intentional discomfort (challenge + structure) is what unlocks flow states
Bottom line: flow isn't something you "find" — it's something you build, protect, and earn through consistent mental and physical discipline.
"We do not rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training." — Archilochus
Steve Mittman and Tim Hoover cut through the self-help fantasy and get brutally honest about the difference between motivation and discipline. Motivation is temporary. Discipline is the engine. Waiting to "feel inspired" is why most people stay stuck.
The conversation drills into a hard truth: external motivation fades fast. Videos, quotes, coaches, hype — none of it matters if you can't self-start when nobody's watching. They break down why personal responsibility is the real catalyst for growth and why discipline, not emotion, is what builds businesses, relationships, fighters, and leaders.
They also unpack the role of real coaching. A legit mentor doesn't create dependency — they teach you how to operate without needing constant encouragement. From martial arts to entrepreneurship, the message is clear: success isn't glamorous. It's repetition, sacrifice, consistency, and showing up long after the excitement disappears.
This episode is a wake-up call for anyone addicted to motivation but avoiding commitment. Inspiration may light the fire. Discipline keeps it burning.
Being "good" is comfortable. Greatness isn't. The difference between average and exceptional rarely comes down to talent — it comes down to who's willing to suffer for the outcome they say they want.
This conversation hits on the war between comfort and growth, why complacency quietly destroys potential, and why pain is often the price of transformation. Tim and Steve unpack the mindset required to keep moving forward when life gets heavy, uncertain, unfair, or exhausting. They also tackle:
- Why "good enough" kills greatness
- The danger of chasing comfort over purpose
- Learning to shake hands with pain instead of running from it
- The discipline required to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually
- Why adversity reveals character instead of creating it
- How faith, resilience, and consistency separate leaders from spectators
This isn't motivation wrapped in soft language. It's a reminder that if you want a stronger life, a stronger body, a stronger mind, or a stronger faith — something has to be sacrificed to build it.
Late nights. Early mornings. Discipline over excuses. Pressure creates depth. Sacrifice creates greatness.
"If you don't love what you do, you won't do it with much conviction or passion." — Mia Hamm
Life doesn't hit you when you're ready — it hits you when you're exposed. That's why this episode goes straight at the truth most people avoid: If you only train from a position of strength, you're lying to yourself.
Tim and Steve break down how real martial arts — and real life — are won from disadvantage. Not when you're comfortable. Not when you're in control. But when you're behind, off-balance, and forced to think instead of react.
This isn't theory. It's a reality-based approach to problem-solving under pressure. They dive into:
- Why training from weakness builds actual confidence — not fake toughness
- The dangerous trap of the "victim mindset" (and how it quietly kills growth)
- The mindset shift that separates people who adapt vs people who collapse
- Letting pressure work for you — using patience, timing, and strategy instead of panic
Drawing from fight philosophy and real-world experience, Tim and Steve highlight how greats like Muhammad Ali didn't just rely on power — they relied on patience, letting opponents burn themselves out before striking with precision.
They also unpack a powerful lesson from Chuck Norris — at the top of his game, he still chose to become a beginner again, training with the Machado family. Why? Because mastery isn't a destination. It's a decision to keep evolving.
This episode hits hard on one core truth: You don't rise to the level of your expectations — you fall to the level of your training. So the question is: Are you training for comfort or for reality?
If you want resilience, you better start solving problems when it's inconvenient.
This episode is direct and unfiltered: your mind is prime real estate — and too much is living there rent-free. Tim and Steve break down the idea of a "chaos-brain barrier" — a mental self-defense system against distractions, stress, and noise that quietly drain your focus and energy.
Key Takeaways
- Distractions steal time and clarity
- Unresolved conflict becomes mental clutter
- If you don't control your inputs, they control you
The Fix
- Handle conflict quickly — don't carry it
- Set hard boundaries, especially with technology
- Be intentional about what you allow into your mind
Bottom Line Protect your mind or lose control of it. Build the barrier. Clear the space. Stay focused.
"To be successful you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can't just accept the ones you like." — Mike Gafka
This is a tribute episode to Chuck Norris — a man who defined discipline, control, and quiet strength.
Tim and Steve revisit the rise of martial arts in the late 60s and early 70s, highlighting Norris's impact alongside Bruce Lee. His role in The Way of the Dragon wasn't just iconic — it helped ignite a generation.
Key moments hit hard:
- The "wow moment" that pushes you to level up
- Chuck's evolution from fighter to cultural force
They keep it real — Chuck wasn't a natural actor, but he earned everything. In Walker, Texas Ranger, he embodied a code: calm, capable, and always ready.
A powerful story from someone who knew him off-camera reinforces it — what you saw was who he was.
They wrap with some classic humor and Chuck Norris jokes, but the message is clear:
Strength is controlled. Legacy is earned. No excuses.
"When you are not practicing, remember, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you meet him he will win." — Ed Macauley
Tim and Steve break down the mindset that separates disciplined performers from everyone else: consistency over convenience. Nearly a decade into podcasting, they reflect on showing up no matter what — and why missing once can turn into a habit you don't want.
This episode hits on daily non-negotiables, personal agreements, and how small actions (even feeding deer and birds) build structure in a chaotic world. They connect it to real discipline — military-style habits, making your bed, and controlling your environment when everything else feels unpredictable.
Bottom line: you can't control everything — but you can always control something. And that's where momentum, purpose, and a no-regret life begin.
"I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet." — Nadia Comaneci
Easter and Passover aren't just holidays — they're a wake-up call. Tim and Steve break down the real message: freedom isn't a moment, it's a daily decision.
Most people are stuck on repeat — same habits, same excuses, same results. But renewal isn't something you wait for. It's something you choose.
They talk about:
- Why you're either renewing or repeating every single day
- What "bondage" actually looks like in modern life (and how it's hiding in plain sight)
- The power of slowing down and reflecting before life runs you over
- Letting go of what's comfortable so you can step into what's real
- Why you can't do this alone — and weren't meant to
- The truth nobody wants to hear: freedom requires sacrifice
Spring is the reminder — but the responsibility is yours. New life doesn't just happen. You fight for it.
"April 1st. April Fool's Day. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other 364." — Mark Twain
Tim and Steve don't tiptoe around it — this episode is a straight shot to the gut on accountability. Not the watered-down, feel-good version people post about … the real thing. Ownership. Discipline. No excuses.
They break down what accountability actually looks like when it's lived out — not just talked about — in your family, your work, and on the mats. Steve drives it home: if you don't respect yourself enough to hold the line, don't expect anyone else to. Period.
The conversation gets uncomfortable (on purpose) as they call out "fake accountability" — the lip service, the half-effort, the illusion of trying. They challenge listeners to check their intent: are you really doing the work, or just convincing yourself you are?
This isn't about perfection — it's about reps. Mental reps. Daily decisions. Showing up when it's inconvenient. Owning it when you fall short. And doing it again tomorrow.
Bottom line: accountability isn't a phase — it's a lifelong fight. And most people are losing because they won't get honest.
If you're serious about leveling up, this episode doesn't coddle you — it calls you out.
Tim and Steve strip risk down to what it really is — pressure, timing, and consequences that don't wait for you to feel ready.
Framed by The Gambler, this episode isn't about playing it safe — it's about playing it right. Knowing when to lean in, when to hold, and when to cut bait without hesitation.
Tim pulls from the executive arena, where decisions get made in rooms full of competing interests and no clear "win." His "rubber band man" moment hits hard — a reminder that stretching yourself too far to keep everything intact eventually leads to failure, not success.
Steve brings the combat lens: aggression without awareness is a liability, and passivity gets you run over. The advantage belongs to those who can read the moment and respond with precision.
This isn't theory — it's operational thinking for real life.
Key Takeaways:
- Risk isn't the enemy—misreading it is
- Overextension ("rubber band man") is a silent career killer
- The best operators don't react — they assess, then execute
- Value isn't just skill — it's how you communicate under pressure
- Every move has a cost — know it before you make it
Bottom line: Stop gambling blindly. Start playing with awareness.
Tim and Steve talk about one of the most powerful drivers in life: hope for the future.
Quoting Walt Whitman, the conversation dives into why having something to look forward to can pull you through tough days and keep you moving forward.
Steve shares how his father, Mike Mittman, stays energized by always working toward the next project.
The takeaway: build a strong foundation — faith, family, discipline, and purpose — so no matter the season of life, you always have a reason to keep going.
Tim and Steve cut through the noise and challenge listeners to take full ownership of their lives. In this episode, they unpack the power of self-reliance, why waiting to be saved is a losing strategy, and how living on offense — rather than reacting to life — changes everything.
Inspired by the idea of "paying it forward," Tim and Steve discuss how small acts of courage and kindness can create powerful ripple effects — while still maintaining healthy self-preservation.
A sharp conversation about awareness, responsibility, and what it really means to not just survive — but thrive.
Repetition builds the foundation, but experience brings refinement. Speed. Decisiveness. No hesitation. Indecision is failure.
Using a simple metaphor — pouring a drink into a glass — Tim explains how repetition fills the cup, while the "bubbles" represent growth, adaptation, and sharpening the edge over time.
Quoting Zig Ziglar, Steve reinforces a powerful truth: repetition isn't boring — it's the key to mastery.
Same principles. Sharper delivery. Constant evolution.
Tim and Steve explore the meaning of ethics and the deeper root word ethos. They discuss how ethics goes beyond rules and laws — it reflects a person's internal moral compass and lived character. Ethos, they explain, represents the guiding beliefs and values that shape identity, culture, and leadership.
Tim shares a personal story that powerfully illustrates ethics in action — choosing integrity when it would have been easier not to. The story reinforces the idea that ethics is not situational; it is revealed under pressure.
The episode emphasizes that real character is built through consistent alignment between belief and behavior, and that leadership begins with personal accountability.
In this emotional episode, Tim shares a powerful personal story about acceptance, leadership, and the impact one person can have. Tim recounts meeting Ron, a Vietnam veteran and former jet fighter pilot, during a difficult season in Florida. Ron survived ejecting from his jet twice during the war and became a mentor and friend whose courage and leadership deeply influenced Tim's life and martial arts journey.
Following his passing, Tim recently visited Ron's wife and was honored with Ron's flight jacket — a symbolic reminder of legacy, friendship, and service. It's a moving tribute to mentorship, gratitude, and the call to attack life — not others.
"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants." — Epictetus
You don't escape fear—you face it. And who you identify as determines how you live. Tim and Steve break down how thoughts, words, and actions shape identity — and why identifying as a victim can quietly trap people in fear and stagnation. They challenge listeners to confront fear instead of avoiding it, choose courage over comfort, and stop outsourcing real communication to avoidance and social media.
They recommend listeners proactively choose their identity — confidence, worth, strength, and happiness. Everyone has tools: faith, prayer, trusted relationships, reflection, and action.
The takeaway is simple: who you identify as determines how you live — and fulfillment requires intention, resilience, and action.
"If January is the month of change, February is the month of lasting change. January is for dreamers. February is for doers." — Marc Parent
Now a month in to 2026, Tim and Steve cut through New Year noise to focus on what actually drives a purposeful life.
They unpack the power of choosing a word for the year, share insights from friends and guests like Big Steve on making a difference and Bernie on staying relevant, and stress that real growth demands resilience, consistency, and sustainable habits.
Pulling from Einstein and Socrates, they spotlight self-awareness, the people you keep close, and the daily choices that compound into a life with impact.
This episode is a call to reflect, commit, and grow—without excuses or regrets.
Key takeaway: Growth isn't accidental — it's built through commitment, clarity, and consistency.
"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness." — John Steinbeck
We often turn simple, ordinary things into something mystical, when the truth is usually much simpler. The black belt in martial arts wasn't born from magic — it began as a white belt that was worn down over years of training, sweat, falls, and perseverance. Its transformation came from consistency, not mystery.
Life works the same way: confidence, wisdom, strength, and success aren't special gifts, but the result of showing up, putting in the reps, and staying disciplined long enough for the work to change you.
"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." — Albert Camus
The concept of Kaizen, the idea of making small, steady improvements over time is what Tim and Steve discuss. They explain how focusing on baby steps helps people avoid feeling overwhelmed and keeps them moving forward.
Using examples from martial arts, business, health, and everyday life, they show how progress comes from consistency, not big breakthroughs. Even setbacks are OK — as long as you keep moving forward. The message is simple: fall forward, stay focused, and let small wins add up to lasting change.
"Every single year, we're a different person. I don't think we're the same person all of our lives." — Steven Spielberg
Tim and Steve break down why life's hardest moments happen in the gaps — and why you're not meant to cross them alone. Using the powerful image of Superman laying himself across broken train tracks, they point to a biblical truth: "Two are better than one" and we are called to "bear one another's burdens."
This episode challenges listeners to stop powering through solo, trust God's design for community, take ownership of their spiritual journey, and build the support systems that make real, lasting growth possible.
"A man is great not because he hasn't failed. A man is great because failure hasn't stopped him." — Confucius
This episode challenges listeners to stop hesitating, take ownership of their actions, and lead — on the mat, in conversations, and in life. Tim and Steve break down a powerful idea that applies far beyond self-defense: whoever acts first controls the outcome.
Drawing from a real-world drill, they show how being even a split second late puts you at a serious disadvantage. In self-defense, that delay can cost you the encounter. In life, it can cost you opportunities.
Through a hands-on demonstration, they explain why awareness and distance matter. Let someone get too close and move first, and you're already behind. The same principle shows up in arguments, negotiations, and everyday interactions — when someone else sets the frame, you're forced to react instead of lead.
Create space before responding, just as Abraham Lincoln would write letters and wait before sending them. That pause created clarity, control, and better outcomes.
The core message is simple and direct: don't live in reaction mode. Take the step. Say the thing. Make the move. Waiting for the perfect moment often means missing it entirely. Life rewards those who lead, not those who hesitate.
Whether it's the holidays or all year long, giving matters. Tim and Steve share a short quote from St Francis of Assisi: "It is in giving that we receive."
They explain that giving is not only about gifts. It can be spending time with people, listening, and being there for someone. Time is important and something everyone can give.
Life can be busy and full of distractions. This episode is a good reminder to slow down and make time for people who matter.
Controlling chaos through disciplined systems is what Tim and Steve discuss:
- Chaos is the universe's default; order must be intentionally created
- You can't control everything — focus on the controllables
- Disciplined systems help you respond, not react, to chaos
- Rituals and routines create structure and stability
- Modern life (news, social media) feeds chaos and distraction
- Remove temptations and distractions proactively
- Discipline = choosing order over chaos, consistently
- Systems make the right choices easier over time
- You can't eliminate chaos — but you can manage it with structure and intention
"Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind." — President Calvin Coolidge
Life runs on patterns — and the faster you learn to spot them, the faster you grow. Tim and Steve break down how recognizing patterns in your career, relationships, and personal habits becomes a superpower.
Just like AI and in martial arts, once you read the rhythm, you can adapt, respond, and win. Pattern recognition isn't just awareness — it's the key to living smarter, stronger, and more intentionally.
"Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribable whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad. And perhaps there is no need to do so, either." — Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Tim and Steve break down how steady practice — in martial arts or anything else — can shape who we become at any age. They share how training together strengthened their friendship and why the core principles matter far beyond the dojo.
Key ideas they highlight:
- Repetition builds discipline. Small actions done daily create real change.
- Grow in little steps. Progress comes from consistency, not big leaps.
- Choose purpose over comfort. The hard things are usually the things that help us grow.
- Find good people. The right mentors and community can push you to be better.
They also talk about why staying committed is tough in a world full of distractions — and why sticking with something meaningful pays off. An honest look at how steady effort, good guidance, and a strong community can help anyone grow.
In this special Thanksgiving 2025 episode, Tim and Steve explain that saying "thank you" is good, but gratitude means really feeling thankful in your heart.
Steve talks about teaching kids to enjoy the small things. Tim shares how laughing in the dojo helps people stay positive.
They remind everyone to celebrate the good things in life — family, friends, and blessings. Happy Thanksgiving.
Tim and Steve dive into how powerful experiences can reconnect us to our emotions and the world around us. Steve shares a recent trip to the Grand Ole Opry — a night of clean humor, incredible acoustics, and nostalgic energy that reminded him what it feels like to be fully present.
The guys talk about feng shui and how the spaces we live in can boost our mood, focus, and creativity. They reflect on how inspiration can hit anywhere — on a walk outside, at home with family, or in those quiet moments when everything just feels right. It's a conversation about joy, presence, and the experiences that help us grow.
Tim and Steve cut through the fluff and get real about leadership and teaching. A leader isn't your friend or parent — their job is to push you toward your goals, even when you don't know what they are. Listening beats talking, every time.
They share stories about teachers who were tough but fair — the kind who demanded respect and made people grow.
They also talk about spotting potential in others before they see it themselves. That drive to push people forward is what keeps them passionate about teaching and leading.
"Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one." — Eleanor Roosevelt
Tim and Steve take a closer look at what "meta" really means — not just in tech or gaming, but in everyday life. It's about self-awareness, reflection, and the inner work needed for real growth. Through the lens of martial arts, the discussion breaks down the balance of mind, body, and spirit. True strength comes from looking inward.
The takeaway: understanding yourself is the key to improving in all areas of life.
"We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down." — Eleanor Roosevelt
As technology races ahead, artificial intelligence is becoming part of nearly every corner of life. This episode explores how we can use AI to enhance learning, boost productivity, and spark creativity without losing what makes us human.
Steve shares his take on schools restricting AI for research and assignments, suggesting that while students should learn to think independently, AI can also deepen understanding and save time. Together with Tim, the conversation uncovers the fine balance between embracing innovation and staying grounded in the natural world.
While AI can guide and assist, it should never replace our imagination, individuality, or human connection.
"Fear is natural, but panic is fatal. You train your mind as much as your fists to stay cool under pressure." — Gene Tunney
The Breath of Greatness: Tim and Steve talk about commitment and what it really takes to be great at something.
They share a story about a young football player who wants to learn from a retired coach. The boy keeps asking the coach to teach him, showing how much he really wants it. Finally, the coach agrees — but he teaches the boy in a very surprising way.
He takes the boy into the water and holds him down for a few seconds. When the boy comes up gasping for air, the coach tells him, "When you want to be great as badly as you wanted to breathe just now, that's when you'll be great."
Tim and Steve explain that this means you have to want greatness every single day, not just sometimes. Being good is nice — but when you work hard, stay focused, and never give up, that's when you become truly great.
"A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships." — Helen Keller
For any task, you need the right tool to get the job done — for instance — a hammer for a nail, a screwdriver for a screw. Having the right tools and information makes success easier.
Tim and Steve discuss staying open to new tools, people, and experiences that push you to improve.
"Don't speak negatively about yourself, even as a joke. Your body doesn't know the difference. Words are energy and they cast spells, that's why it's called spelling. Change the way you speak about yourself, and you can change your life." — Bruce Lee
Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman dive into what it truly means to live in a “ready stance.” Drawing from lessons in martial arts, they explore how readiness isn’t just physical — it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual. The conversation expands beyond the dojo, reminding listeners that in today’s chaotic world, no one’s coming to save you — you must be prepared to rely on yourself.
Tim shares how the simple act of standing in a ready position, practiced for decades, evolved into a mindset of self-awareness and focus. Steve connects this to everyday life — staying alert, calm, and grounded no matter what’s coming your way.
Whether you’ve trained in martial arts or not, this episode is about cultivating awareness, confidence, and readiness in every part of life.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle
In this 400th episode of Attack Life Not Others, Tim and Steve reflect on 8 years of podcasting and over 600 episodes:
- They share lessons from their martial arts journey, including how tragedy reshaped teaching to focus on resilience, awareness, and positivity
- They address recent feedback from last week’s episode, reaffirming their commitment to honest conversations that uplift, challenge, and inspire
- This milestone episode is a celebration of growth, leadership, and the power of speaking from the heart
Mindset and action are what Tim and Steve discuss, opening with the quote from Carl Jung: “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.”
Their message is clear: real growth requires consistency, effort, and a willingness to struggle. Change comes gradually, but only when mindset and actions truly align.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” — Vincent van Gogh
Habits — good or bad — are powerful. Steve shares a quote from Samuel Johnson: “The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.” It’s a reminder that habits can sneak up on us, and building the right ones takes effort but pays off in the long run.
Tim and Steve touch on how it usually takes a few weeks to make a new routine stick and how too many people give up before they see results. That’s why a strong foundation and a supportive community are key. Consistency, discipline, and community matter. Stick with the process, stay committed, and surround yourself with the right people.
“Pressure is a privilege” — Billie Jean King
Consider pressure to be a privilege. It doesn’t happen TO you, it happens FOR you. It means great things are expected of you.
Tim and Steve break down why keeping life simple makes things easier and more meaningful. They touch on Hick’s Law — the idea that too many choices slow us down — and show how focusing on a few core habits and skills leads to better results.
With personal stories and down-to-earth examples, the guys remind us that health, family, and simple moments matter most.
"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." — Benjamin Franklin
Tim and Steve take a look at the power of small, steady improvements by exploring Kaizen and Parkinson’s Law — the idea that work expands to fill the time we give it. They discuss why setting deadlines (and beating them) is a game-changer, freeing up more space for the things that really matter.
They share real-life stories, from martial arts lessons to a friend’s passion for restoring cars, showing how dedication to little steps can lead to big results. Listeners are encouraged to think about their own routines, how they spend their time, and the way everyday choices add up to long-term growth.
It’s a reminder that whether in training, personal projects, or daily life, consistent effort and conscious choices move us forward.
Tim and Steve talk about how big goals don’t happen overnight — they come from small steps every day. They share how even a champion like Larry Holmes had to win one fight at a time to reach the top. The message is simple: stick to a winning process, focus on little wins each day, and you’ll get closer to your dreams.
Tim and Steve talk about how things have changed from the old days to now. They remember when food, like McDonald’s fries, used to be made in a healthier way, and laugh about kids today not even knowing what a pay phone is. They explain how life with Siri and smartphones can be helpful, but we still need old-school habits like moving our bodies, sitting up straight, and eating real food.
The big message is that we need to balance new technology with smart choices and lessons from the past.
“You know, I never looked down the road and said, 'Hey look, one day, the Hall of Fame.' It's always about playing each and every game 100 percent and I thank my teammates for getting me into the Hall because football is a team sport, not an individual sport.” — Jerry Rice
Tim and Steve take a deeper look at what “true fame” really means. It’s not about followers, headlines, or being in the spotlight. Instead, it’s about lasting fulfillment: feeling healthy, secure, connected, and at peace with yourself.
The conversation breaks down the four pillars of a truly fulfilling life — mental health, physical health, financial freedom, and meaningful relationships. These are what create those rare “perfect days” where everything just feels right.
Fame in the traditional sense often fades. Too many celebrities and athletes struggle once the applause dies down. Real success is found in resilience, balance, and living in line with your values — not in chasing temporary recognition.
At its heart, this episode is about redefining success. True fame is building a life you don’t just remember, but cherish — one filled with joy, strength, freedom, and connection.
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” — Albert Einstein
Tim and Steve explore the enduring power of words, reflecting on the wisdom of historical religious figures like Buddha, Christ, and Muhammad, along with Seneca and other Stoics. They discuss history’s peaks of enlightenment, the lasting truth found in the written word — especially the Bible — and the importance of seeking light and wisdom in a world often filled with disorder.
“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” — Albert Einstein
Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman dive into how martial arts shaped Tim’s life — and how its principles can apply to anyone seeking purpose. From childhood inspiration to becoming a sensei, Tim shares how discipline, growth, and passing on knowledge fuel fulfillment. They discuss the danger of “mailing it in,” the power of taking small steps, and why purpose matters more than ever in today’s world.
Whether or not you practice martial arts, this episode will inspire you to live with intention, face fear, and keep learning.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Tim and Steve talk about the power of everyday conversations — especially with strangers like Uber drivers. Some drivers are quiet, others love to chat — but each ride shows how a small moment of connection can brighten someone’s day.
They also touch on how society is becoming more disconnected — and how even a smile or quick “hello” to a waiter, cashier, or stranger can make a difference.
It’s a simple message: be kind, be open, and don’t be afraid to talk to people. You never know the impact you might have.
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” — Marcus Aurelius
Tim and Steve explore the power of being present and attuned to the moment, especially in how we connect with others. They reflect on how rigid expectations and a linear mindset can hinder growth — whether in personal relationships or martial arts.
Drawing from real experiences, they emphasize the importance of sensitivity, receptivity, and creating space for genuine connection.
“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius
- Tim Hoover shares how a cancer diagnosis at 36 became a life-changing blessing
- The power of adversity to teach gratitude and perspective
- Why doing the hard work matters — especially when life gets tough
- The vital role of community, family, faith, and friendship — your “tribe”
- Steve Mittman highlights the importance of taking ownership of your circumstances
- A call to action: find your tribe — whether through faith, martial arts, or meaningful relationships
- A powerful reminder: resilience grows through connection and support
Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman talk about endurance — how going through hard times builds real strength.
Tim shares how he trains his martial arts students to push through both physical and mental challenges. He explains that nothing worthwhile comes easy, and even young kids can understand the value of earning something.
They discuss how today’s generation often avoids struggle, but real growth only comes when you push past your limits. Endurance isn’t just about the body — it’s about the mind staying strong when things get tough.
“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” — Seneca
Discipline today creates freedom tomorrow. Tim shares a recent conversation with Bernie, a living example of vitality and wisdom, to explore the true meaning of the "golden years." Bernie talks about the four pillars of a fulfilling life — mental health, physical health, financial freedom, and meaningful connection.
From daily prayer and stair climbing to lessons in hard work and shared happiness, Bernie reminds us that a rich life is built with intention. The golden years, Bernie teaches, aren't just for the elderly — they start whenever we commit to living well.
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius
Seneca’s quote, "No man was ever wise by chance," sets the tone for this episode as Tim and Steve explore how wisdom isn’t a byproduct of aging alone, but the result of intentional effort, experience, and learning. Aging alone does not guarantee wisdom; it is the experiences we gather and the lessons we learn from them that shape our understanding of life. Growing older comes with a unique opportunity to acquire wisdom, but this process is not automatic. It requires intentional effort — an active engagement with the world and the people around us.
Tim and Steve share a heartwarming Father's Day story that shows why the little moments in life matter most. In this episode, Tim talks about how his daughter Chelsea surprised him to train together — just like they did when she was a kid. They rode bikes, laughed, shared a drink, and created an unexpected memory that reminded Tim how special these times are.
Listen to hear:
- A real-life reminder of how powerful father-child connections can be
- Why it’s important to stay present and appreciate the simple joys
- How even an ordinary day can turn into a memory you’ll never forget
If you’re a parent, a child, or just someone trying to make the most of life, this episode is a feel-good reminder to slow down and cherish what really matters.
Understanding Life’s Archetypes
In this episode, Tim and Steve talk about four powerful roles we all play at different times in life:
- The Hero – pushes through hard times with courage and purpose
- The Healer – helps others and brings comfort
- The Victim – feels stuck, powerless, or overwhelmed
- The Villain – acts out of pain, fear, or anger to protect themselves
They explain how we shift between these roles depending on what’s going on in our lives — and why it’s so important to notice when we’re slipping into the Victim or Villain. By staying connected to our values, we can choose to step into the Hero or Healer more often and live with purpose.
Takeaway: Which role are you playing today — and is it helping you grow?
"June is the month of potential — halfway through the year, and still time to become everything you set out to be." — Unknown
Avoid the corrosion of inaction: If we neglect our space, it can quickly become cluttered with negativity and stagnation — much like debris filling an empty room. The key is to keep moving and shaking things up! Whether it's going for a run, surrounding yourself with uplifting people, or simply trying something new, these actions can prevent your space from becoming unmovable and corroded. Remember, a flat soda loses its appeal, just like a stagnant life loses its vibrancy. Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman talk more about “chasing your space” — taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. They compare it to blowing up a balloon. If you don’t fill it with good things like positive thoughts and actions, it will fill up with negativity instead. Tim says if you don’t pay attention to your space, it gets messy and unhelpful. He also compares personal growth to the fizz in soda — movement and energy keep life exciting, and being around positive people helps you grow.
The message: Don’t ignore your space — fill it with things that help you grow and stay happy.
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Tradition matters — in martial arts and in life. It teaches discipline, respect, and perseverance.
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Old-school practices like kata still have value, even if modern systems move away from them.
- Tradition connects us — like family meals and passed-down customs — helping us stay grounded.
- Be present — Tim ties in the four dimensions (height, width, depth, time) to explain how being mindful of posture and breath can keep us aware in both martial arts and daily life.
- Life is short — every breath matters, so walk with confidence and make each day count.
Some fitting Memorial Day quotes:
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."
"Home of the free, because of the brave.”
“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” — Nathan Hale
“America without her soldiers would be like God without His angels.” — Claudia Pemberton
“We don't know them all, but we owe them all.”
Their sacrifice lives on in the freedoms we cherish. Honoring our heroes today.
Sensei Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman talk about a scary real-life incident where a woman was threatened and attacked in a movie theater parking lot. They break down why being prepared and aware in dangerous situations is so important. Tim shares lessons from his weapons training and Steve explains why "self-protection" is better than "self-defense." This episode will help you think differently about staying safe.
“No one is dumb who is curious. The people who don't ask questions remain clueless throughout their lives.” — Neil deGrasse Tyson
Introducing the Boomerang Theory — the idea that what you put out comes back to you. Tim shares a childhood story about learning to throw a boomerang and how it taught him the value of practice, patience, and consistency.
Whether it’s in faith, relationships, or personal growth, success takes steady effort — not just being a “weekend warrior.”
The love and energy you put in always comes back. Thanks for listening — and keep throwing your boomerang!
The 80/20 Rule for a Better Life is what Tim and Steve discuss on this podcast episode. It’s a new spin on the 80/20 Principle, also known as the Pareto Principle:
- Health: 80% eating, 20% exercise
- Wealth: 80% habits, 20% math
- Talking: 80% listening, 20% speaking
- Learning: 80% understanding, 20% reading
- Achieving: 80% doing and taking action, 20% vision and dreaming
- Happiness: 80% purpose, 20% pleasure and fun
- Relationships: 80% giving, 20% receiving
- Self-Improvement: 80% persistence, 20% ideas
Focus on the vital 80% — and the rest will take care of itself!
“If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals.” — Albert Einstein
There’s a powerful, often cyclical connection between teaching and learning. Tim and Steve explore how the best teaching stems from a desire to understand more deeply, and how teaching others is one of the most effective ways to grow ourselves.
Key Takeaways:
- Teaching Is Learning: Tim shares his personal journey as a teacher and how every lesson he’s ever taught helped solidify his own understanding. The process of teaching, as Steve says, often forces us to internalize knowledge more completely.
- Learning What You Want to Teach, Teaching What You Want to Learn: The hosts unpack the idea that our desire to teach something often reveals a deeper desire to master it. And as we teach, we discover new insights that reflect our own ongoing growth.
- The Student-Teacher Relationship Is a Two-Way Street: Great teachers remain open to learning from their students. Sensitivity to the needs and emotions of others is vital, not only in classrooms but in all areas of life — relationships, work, parenting, and leadership.
- Lessons from Master Hawk: Tim reflects on wisdom passed down from his mentor, Master Hawk, who taught that teaching is as much about knowing yourself as it is about educating others.
- Peeling the Onion: Teaching — and life — is like peeling an onion. As layers are removed, self-awareness and deeper emotional truths are uncovered. Growth often comes from vulnerability and reflection.
- The 80/20 Rule of Giving and Receiving: The episode closes with a guiding principle: effective teaching (and living) involves giving 80% and receiving 20%. In the act of giving, we often receive far more than we expect.
A universal message: Whether you're a parent, coach, friend, or professional, this episode reminds us that when we teach with humility and openness, we grow in ways that continue to shape us long after the lesson ends.
Tim and Steve explore the powerful, often cyclical connection between teaching and learning — how the best teaching stems from a desire to understand more deeply, and how teaching others is one of the most effective ways to grow ourselves.
Key Takeaways:
- Teaching Is Learning: Tim shares his personal journey as a teacher and how every lesson he’s ever taught helped solidify his own understanding. The process of teaching, as Steve says, often forces us to internalize knowledge more completely.
- Learning What You Want to Teach, Teaching What You Want to Learn: The hosts unpack the idea that our desire to teach something often reveals a deeper desire to master it. And as we teach, we discover new insights that reflect our own ongoing growth.
- The Student-Teacher Relationship Is a Two-Way Street: Great teachers remain open to learning from their students. Sensitivity to the needs and emotions of others is vital, not only in classrooms but in all areas of life — relationships, work, parenting, and leadership.
- Lessons from Master Hawk: Tim reflects on wisdom passed down from his mentor, Master Hawk, who taught that teaching is as much about knowing yourself as it is about educating others.
- Peeling the Onion: Teaching — and life — is like peeling an onion. As layers are removed, self-awareness and deeper emotional truths are uncovered. Growth often comes from vulnerability and reflection.
- The 80/20 Rule of Giving and Receiving: The episode closes with a guiding principle: effective teaching (and living) involves giving 80% and receiving 20%. In the act of giving, we often receive far more than we expect.
A universal message: Whether you're a parent, coach, friend, or professional, this episode reminds us that when we teach with humility and openness, we grow in ways that continue to shape us long after the lesson ends.
"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." — G.K. Chesterton
Tim and Steve dive into what it really means to push through life’s tough moments — taking inspiration from the incredible life and legacy of boxing legend George Foreman.
We talk about resilience, personal growth, and that powerful idea of finding your "second wind" — that hidden reserve of strength you only discover when you’re tested. George’s journey from an intimidating knockout artist to a wise, enduring champion reminds us that real strength isn’t just physical — it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual too.
We also reflect on how easy it is to take things like our health, stability, and loved ones for granted. Life’s challenges — whether it’s illness, money troubles, or personal hardships — have a way of teaching us what really matters. And often, it’s in helping others that we find true purpose.
Plus, we celebrate Foreman not just for his boxing career, but for the humor, heart, and generosity he shared with the world. His story is a beautiful reminder that strength can be soft, and that giving back is one of the most powerful things we can do.
“In my first boxing career, I never ran more than three miles at a time during training. I didn't need much stamina, I always knocked opponents out in the early rounds. I knew it would be a different story the second time around.
My wife would drive me eight or ten miles, then drop me off so I could run home. I found out what athletes meant when they described getting their 'second wind.' I realized I had more willpower than I thought.
Once I got past the initial pain, I felt I could run forever, that’s how a lot of things are in life. You might be in a situation that's uncomfortable or even painful at first, but once you push past the pain, you find your second wind - and then nothing can stop you.” — George Foreman
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” — Albert Einstein
There’s a balance between chaos and order — in the universe and in our everyday lives. While the world around us can seem messy and unpredictable, we believe our purpose is to bring meaning and structure to it.
Tim and Steve explore the idea that being made in God's image means we’re meant to make a positive impact, even when things feel out of control. They also touch on the importance of accepting that we won’t always have all the answers.
We encourage you to find peace and purpose in the middle of life’s chaos.
Life is a journey — and much like the belt system in martial arts, it’s made up of different stages of growth. Each stage brings new challenges, new lessons, and a deeper understanding of who we are.
In martial arts, the white belt represents a fresh start — a blank slate, full of curiosity and potential. As you move through each belt color, you gain more knowledge, skill, and confidence. Eventually, the black belt isn’t just a symbol of mastery — it’s a reminder of everything you’ve learned along the way.
Tim and Steve talk about all of this, but point out how it’s not limited to martial arts. It applies to all areas of life.
We grow by showing up, staying curious, and being open to learning. Life is both a playground and a battleground — there are moments to laugh and play, and there are moments that challenge us to dig deep, face fear, and keep moving forward.
Growth is never just about getting to the "next level." It's about becoming more aware, more responsible, and more connected to who we are and what we’re here for. Each stage is meaningful, and each color along the way teaches us something new.
So wherever you are in your journey — whether you’re just starting out or years into your path — know that you’re exactly where you need to be. Keep learning, keep playing, and never forget: your body is a temple, and your life has purpose.
“Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.” — Samuel Smiles
Tim and Steve explore the powerful influence of energy and presence in everyday interactions. They share a heartfelt story about a young martial arts student who was deeply impacted by a simple act of support.
The conversation touches on the value of acknowledgment, positivity in the workplace, and the importance of being an "energy transmitter" rather than an "energy vampire." A reminder that small gestures can leave a lasting impact.
They also highlight the creative spirit behind Sensei Troy and Sara’s wedding, and the role of music in setting the tone in martial arts classes.
“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” — Bruce Lee
Discipline makes life easier by being difficult. It’s about doing what needs to be done before what you want to do.
Tim and Steve discuss how self-respect is the precursor to self-discipline and how it lays the foundation for personal growth and relationships — loving yourself allows you to care for others. Plus, they explore the importance of finding your "why" — the driving force behind your actions, from daily habits to self-defense.
“The more disciplined you become, the easier life gets.” — Steve Pavlina
Inspired by Chuck Missler, Tim and Steve discuss how embodying positivity not only fuels personal growth but also strengthens those around us.
Mentorship and community are key, and love is at the heart of everything. They talk about the ripple effect of positivity — what we put out into the world comes back to us. This is especially important when teaching kids, as they pick up on our energy.
The takeaway? By consistently choosing love and light, we can uplift others and live more fulfilling lives.
“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” — Jim Rohn
Ever notice how people tend to talk about others instead of going straight to them? In this episode, Tim and Steve break down why that happens and what it says about human nature.
They dive into the fear of confrontation, the need for validation, and how gossip can sometimes feel easier than a tough conversation. With real-life examples, relatable stories, and even referencing Ted Lasso, they explore how this plays out in friendships, family, and even at work.
You'll walk away with a better understanding of your own communication habits and some simple tips to have more open, honest conversations. Ready to step up your communication game?
We explore the difference between mediocrity and greatness, emphasizing that while mediocrity may seem acceptable, it often leads to disappointment. As William Arthur Ward said, “The price of excellence is discipline; the cost of mediocrity is disappointment.”
Those searching for purpose must not only strive for greatness but also recognize the right moments to showcase it. Inspired by Unstoppable, the story of a one-legged wrestler who achieves success through discipline, Tim and Steve highlight the importance of timing in reaching one’s full potential.
Greatness isn’t just about effort — it’s about knowing when to seize the moment.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.” — Jim Rohn
Life is both a playground and a battleground — perspective shapes our growth. Challenges may put us at a disadvantage, but they also create opportunities to learn and improve.
Growth comes from discomfort, and true success is earned, not given. Patience is key — there are no shortcuts to mastery. Overcoming obstacles is what brings purpose and fulfillment.
“The 4 predominant factors that determine who you’ll become in life:
- You’ll become your thoughts
- You’ll become the people that you hang out with the most
- You’ll become what you watch and listen to
- You’ll become what you consume
All 4 of these factors are 100% within your control.” — Bedros Keuilian
All things in life — including faith, family, relationships, and careers — require eliminating casualness and embracing focus. Tim and Steve disuss how casualness may be fine for relaxation, but when it comes to what truly matters, we must be intentional.
A strong relationship, a fulfilling career, or a deep spiritual connection doesn’t thrive on half-hearted effort. Just as we dress formally for important events, we should approach our commitments with the same seriousness.
In a world full of distractions, staying focused on what serves our growth allows us to build discipline, purpose, and a meaningful life.
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Disconnecting from Devices – The importance of stepping away from screens to experience the real world and nature
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Physical Awareness – Engaging in real, tactile experiences, feeling the ground beneath you, and being present in your surroundings
- Strength Through Adversity – Pushing past challenges to develop resilience while also finding balance and flow in everyday life
- Awareness & Breath – The role of mindfulness, breath control, and staying present, similar to practices like yoga or meditation
- Real Human Connection – Encouragement to engage in authentic, face-to-face communication and meaningful interactions beyond digital distractions
Tim and Steve discuss insights from business guru Alex Hormozi. Believing you have plenty of time is false. First, tomorrow is never guaranteed. Second, tomorrow will arrive sooner than you think. Success requires hard work, discipline, and consistency.
Four key takeaways:
- Start early to get ahead
- Challenges are inevitable — expect and embrace them
- Improvement demands effort — there are no shortcuts
- Procrastination is dangerous — time waits for no one
“Any new beginning is forged from the shards of the past, not from the abandonment of the past.” — Craig D Lounsbrough
Ponder on living in the moment and the importance of mindfulness, through the lens of two significant moments: the moment we live and the moment we lose.
Feelings of doubt, fear, anxiety, and anger detract from our ability to fully experience life. Reflect on your daily choices and the impact of living in a fresh moment versus being consumed by negative thoughts.
Join Tim and Steve as they challenge conventional thinking and inspire a deeper understanding of what it means to truly live in the moment.
Tim shares a heartfelt conversation he had with 83-year-old Bernie, who shares his reflections on the importance of staying relevant and connecting with genuine people.
As Bernie continues to embrace life through travel and physical activity, he emphasizes the need for authentic interactions in a world that often feels disconnected. He candidly expresses his desire to surround himself with real individuals and challenges himself to be present and engaged in conversations.
Join us as we explore the significance of meaningful connections and the quest for relevance at any age.
“I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring.” — David Bowie
Tim shares a valuable nugget of wisdom from his daughter, a nutritionist, who reminds him that "motion is the lotion."
It far too easy to succumb to discomfort and inactivity, opting for sedentary habits like lounging or binge-watching TV. Moving our bodies — whether it's walking the dog or engaging in a favorite sport — can significantly improve our emotional and physical well-being.
Tune in for insights on maintaining an active lifestyle and the positive impact it can have on our health.
“The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.” — Neil deGrasse Tyson
We should not expect the cosmos to neatly fit into our preconceived notions. These mysteries are reminders to embrace faith as a complement to reason, trusting the process of discovery and inspiring growth in knowledge, perspective, and awe.
The impact of words and actions carry a responsibility. Tim and Steve reflect on the irreversible nature of choices made in anger, illustrated by a metaphor of a wolf chasing a bird off a cliff.
It’s a great reminder for all of us to be mindful of our expressions and the lasting effects they can have.
Tune in for insights on self-reflection, emotional control, and the importance of thoughtful communication.
“You are what you eat. You are what you think. You are who you hang out with. You are what you watch and listen to. You have more control than you think fellas.” — Bedros Keuilian
Tim and Steve liken the new year to boarding a flight — Flight 2025.
If you lose your positive attitude under pressure, we suggest reaching up for a prayer, which will be activated by faith. This faith can then help others who may be struggling. Our captain, God, has cleared us for takeoff with a destination set for greatness.
We wish everyone a new year filled with new hope, joy, and beginnings. Let's take off and embrace the journey ahead!
The importance of nothing.
“You get up every day, you're entitled to … nothing. Nobody owes you … nothing. You could have talent, but if you don’t have discipline, if you don’t execute, you don’t focus, you get nothing. If you’re complacent, and not paying attention to detail, what does that get you? Nothing.” — Steven Yates
There is a critical distinction between motivation and discipline. While most people believe motivation is essential to cultivate discipline, the reality is that discipline must come first.
Tim and Steve compare discipline to railroad tracks that guide a train — without a solid foundation of discipline, motivation can easily fade. They explore the excitement of starting new endeavors, and how that initial motivation often wanes if you don’t develop the necessary discipline. Tune in to discover how to shift your mindset from seeking motivation to building lasting discipline for success.
“Fear is an insidious and deadly thing. It can warp judgment, freeze reflexes, breed mistakes. Worse, it's contagious.” — Jimmy Stewart
THE POWER OF APPROPRIATE CONFRONTATION
Build Strength by Facing Your Weaknesses: Confronting (different than confrontational) is key to personal growth
Personal Insight: Steve shares how bullying led to martial arts and self-empowerment
Key Lesson: Tim explains how strength comes from facing challenges, not avoiding them
Embrace life’s obstacles as opportunities for transformation
“Love the giver more than the gift”
Timely and appropriate for Christmas — as it reminds us to cherish the love, generosity, and thoughtfulness behind the act of giving, which embodies the true spirit of the season.
Tim and Steve talk about innovation versus tradition, highlighting the importance of thinking outside the box to solve problems. They reference Albert Einstein's assertion that we cannot solve problems with the same thinking that created them, emphasizing the insanity of repeating the same actions while expecting different results.
The discussion delves into the evolution of martial arts, focusing on Bruce Lee's groundbreaking approach that challenged conventional systems. Tim shares his journey of embracing an eclectic and progressive training style, advocating for the idea of discarding what doesn't work and cultivating what does.
Tune in for insightful perspectives on growth, change, and the courage to think differently in both martial arts and life.
Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard.
Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard.
Being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard.
Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard.
Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard.
Choose wisely.
In this brief episode, Tim and Steve highlight the value of sparring with more skilled opponents to learn and improve — rather than taking the easy route.
The takeaway: Embrace challenges, learn from those at a higher level than you currently are at, and treat every experience as a chance to grow.
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Tim and Steve revisit a timeless and impactful discussion on the importance of respect and gratitude, both in martial arts and in life. They reflect on the value of giving thanks, emphasizing that gratitude should be a daily practice, not just reserved for holidays.
The conversation explores the etymology of "holiday," tracing its roots to the Hebrew word kadosh, meaning "holy" or "to separate." This separation from ordinary days underscores the respect and appreciation that make holidays meaningful and significant.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, this episode serves as a heartfelt reminder to cherish the people and moments that matter, express love and gratitude openly, and cultivate a positive outlook on life.
Discipline is key to achieving success in every part of life, and Tim and Steve dive into what it really means and how it works.
Tim explains that discipline is a personal journey, not just a set of rules or religious ideas. He shares how it shapes his mind, body, and spirit — reflecting on a conversation with his wife, who pointed out how discipline drives his faith, workouts, and mentoring.
Together, Tim and Steve break it down, showing how discipline is a practical way to live rather than some big, abstract idea. They encourage listeners to embrace it and discover its power to transform their lives.
Someone makes 10x more than you do in a 9-5 job because they have more "leverage" with their work.
Distraction is the greatest killer of success. It stunts and destroys your brain.
It's no secret that fear is pervasive in today's society. Tim reflects on his own experiences with fear, noting how it hindered him in his early years until he broke the chain through martial arts training and faith. He discusses the current climate of anxiety surrounding politics, weather, and everyday life, highlighting how people are overwhelmingly fatigued by these stressors.
As a sensei and coach, Tim shares how he finds peace in various aspects of his life, including prayer and the dojo, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining high expectations for both himself and his students.
“I run at 4am because I know my opponent is still asleep. It gives me an edge. If I found out my opponent was running at 4am, I would start running at 2am. And if someone trained at 2am, I would stop sleeping to keep training. Without discipline, no matter how talented you are, you are nothing.” — Mike Tyson ”When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful.” — Eric Thomas
A few weeks ago the iconic song "Hotel California" by The Eagles was discussed, particularly focusing on the profound lyrics that resonate with personal struggles and societal issues. On today's brief episode, it's a follow-up on the importance of breaking free from old habits and the necessity of self-reflection instead of judging others.
We all must confront our inner demons in order to take charge of our lives. Join Tim and Steve as they explore the journey of self-discovery and the strength required to "kill the beast" within.
Working together beats competing against each other. Tim and Steve talk about how teaming up with people who have strengths that you may not is a great way to grow and learn, instead of seeing things in life as binary — in other words, just "winning" or "losing."
Tim shares how the dojo shows the value of real skill — there’s no faking it, only the truth of practice and hard work. They also discuss how today’s younger generations sometimes fall into an "all-or-nothing" way of thinking, and they encourage keeping an open mind, learning from others, and staying humble.
Your mindset is not static; it is fluid and can be adjusted based on our circumstances. Tim and Steve note that we encounter unique situations daily, and our ability to adapt and respond hinges on our mental framing. When faced with adversity or unexpected challenges, it is crucial to cultivate a mindset that embraces resilience and adaptability. This perspective is particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced world, where we often grapple with stress and uncertainty.
The discussion touches on a broader philosophical view of life itself. Tim reflects on the significance of birthdays, suggesting that rather than fixating on a single day, we should view life as a series of moments spread across 365 days. This approach encourages you to seek fulfillment in everyday experiences rather than waiting for a single event to define your happiness.
On this past Monday's podcast episode Tim and Steve dove into the thought-provoking lyrics of Don Henley's "Hotel California," exploring themes of self-indulgence, materialism, and the metaphorical traps of modern society. They discussed how these things have only intensified in today's world, particularly with the rise of technology and social media.
They continue the conversation with the growing disconnection felt by both younger and older generations, with many feeling overwhelmed and hesitant about the future. It’s crucial to find an activity or a "tribe" that helps you cultivate resilience, discipline, and balance. You must adopt a mindful approach to AI and other tech while fostering personal growth through physical and mental training.
Tune in for a deep reflection on the challenges of contemporary life and the power of self-awareness.
The song "Hotel California" can be seen as a critique of the darker side of the American Dream — how the pursuit of wealth and success can ultimately leave people feeling hollow. The luxurious hotel is filled with people who have seemingly achieved their dreams, yet they are stuck in a cycle of superficiality.
The line: "They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast" suggests the futility of trying to escape the consequences of their choices, as they remain trapped in their pursuit of superficial happiness.
"Mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champagne on ice
And she said, ‘We are all just prisoners here of our own device’
And in the master's chambers, they gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast" — "Hotel California" by the Eagles
In this episode, the focus is on the powerful connection between attitude and success. In fact, you may have heard Tim and Steve in past episodes talk about how success is determined more by your attitude than your aptitude.
Many people have unique talents but hold back due to self-doubt or fear. Tim and Steve discuss why it's so important to just put yourself out there and share your talents. Too many people possess incredible gifts that remain hidden simply due to a lack of confidence. As a matter of fact, Tim shares his personal story of overcoming these struggles which held him back.
Recognize your worth, step out of your comfort zone, and share your abilities with the world!
“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking.” — Steve Jobs
Following up on last week's discussion from "Reviving the Tribe" — Tim and Steve dive deeper into the concept of "tribe" and its relevance in today's fast-paced world. They talk about how technological advancements, meant to create more time, contribute to feelings of disconnection. You’ll hear:
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The cyclical nature of life
- "Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times"
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Parallels drawn between this life cycle and current societal issues
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Self-indulgence, materialism, and vulnerability
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Importance of finding a supportive community
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Through spiritual organizations or shared interests
- Emphasis on maintaining hope for a better future amidst life's ebb and flow
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disney In other words: Enough talking — get up and make it happen. Now!
Tim and Steve delve into the concept of "tribe," exploring what it means to be part of a community united by shared values and goals. They reflect on their journey since launching the podcast, discussing the challenges they faced and the doubts from others about their credibility. Over the course of nearly 7 years and 500 episodes, they emphasize the significance of building a supportive tribe, drawing on their experiences in martial arts and personal growth.
Tim shares his journey of teaching and the evolution of his martial arts community, highlighting the blessings and lessons learned along the way. He also addresses the potential downfall of a tribe when leadership falters and self-interest takes over. Drawing a parallel to the current state of our country, he highlights how self-centeredness and a lack of sacrifice have led to a weakened collective spirit.
The episode concludes with a powerful message: the change must start with us. Only by rekindling the values of sacrifice and collective well-being can we hope to transform our leadership and society.
Tim and Steve delve into the concept of "tribe," exploring what it means to be part of a community united by shared values and goals. They reflect on their journey since launching the podcast, discussing the challenges they faced and the doubts from others about their credibility. Over the course of nearly 7 years and 500 episodes, they emphasize the significance of building a supportive tribe, drawing on their experiences in martial arts and personal growth.
Tim shares his journey of teaching and the evolution of his martial arts community, highlighting the blessings and lessons learned along the way. He also addresses the potential downfall of a tribe when leadership falters and self-interest takes over. Drawing a parallel to the current state of our country, he highlights how self-centeredness and a lack of sacrifice have led to a weakened collective spirit.
The episode concludes with a powerful message: the change must start with us. Only by rekindling the values of sacrifice and collective well-being can we hope to transform our leadership and society.
“When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return. You should give a good thought to happiness that you can give out.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Pride is pervasive in modern society. It manifests in various forms, from the bravado displayed on social media to the egos that often dominate corporate leadership. This unchecked pride leads to a false sense of superiority and entitlement, allowing individuals to justify their actions, regardless of their moral implications. Tim and Steve believe this mindset creates a dangerous environment where individuals feel empowered to act without accountability, ultimately leading to failure.
One of this episode's central themes is the fine line between confidence and cockiness. Confidence is a healthy acknowledgment of one's abilities and accomplishments, while cockiness — rooted in pride — can foster arrogance and a disregard for others. This distinction is crucial; confidence encourages growth, learning, and collaboration, while pride breeds isolation, conflict, and stagnation.
When you allow pride to dictate your actions, you risk slipping into a cycle of self-importance that can cloud your judgment.
“Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.” — Unknown
Tim and Steve have a lighthearted, yet meaningful discussion of personal growth and lifestyle changes. Tim shares his recent decision to get chickens for organic eggs, highlighting the humor in transitioning from conversations about children to caring for backyard animals. He reflects on the idea of pursuing passions at any stage in life, emphasizing that he's not retiring but rather adding new experiences to his routine.
Caution and Awareness Just as bees can react defensively when approached aggressively, people can also become defensive or hostile when confronted in a confrontational manner. By taking a step back and approaching situations with caution, we can create a more conducive environment for dialogue and resolution. This means being aware of our surroundings, understanding the emotions involved, and recognizing the potential for conflict before diving in headfirst.
Different Angles The idea of approaching from different angles is crucial. In conflicts, there are often multiple perspectives to consider. By examining a situation from various viewpoints, we can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying issues and motivations at play. This not only helps in formulating a more effective response but also fosters empathy and connection with others involved.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race Tim emphasizes the importance of taking things slow in both beekeeping and conflict resolution. Rushing into a situation can lead to misunderstandings and heightened tensions. By allowing ourselves time to think through our responses, choose our words carefully, and avoid unnecessary escalation, we can foster more thoughtful interactions that lead to positive outcomes.
Embracing Natural Instincts Just like bees, we have natural instincts that can guide us in conflicts. Instead of succumbing to fear or aggression, we can tap into our ability to respond thoughtfully and assertively. The lesson here is to recognize our power in situations and to use it wisely, much like how bees defend their hive when necessary.
"It is only when we take chances, that our lives improve. The initial and the most difficult risk that we need to take is to become honest." — Walter Anderson
This podcast episode delves into the themes of sacrifice, suffering, and consistency on the path to success. Tim reflects on the enduring relationships cultivated through “The Push” — as he calls it. In his case, it’s martial arts training, but we all need that “push” in whatever it is you hope to succeed at. With anecdotes from their own experiences, Steve and Tim emphasize the value of perseverance and dedication in achieving long-term goals.
“No great achievement is possible without persistent work.”
“The end of labor is to gain leisure.”
“There is no substitute for hard work. There will be disappointments, but the harder the work, the luckier you will get. Never be satisfied with less than your very best effort. If you strive for the top and miss, you'll still beat the pack.”
“Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is the lightning that does the work.”
Explore the concept of the OODA loop, a decision-making process used in various fields like military and law enforcement, for agile and effective responses in competitive environments and life situations.
Learn how adapting and evolving responses based on current circumstances is crucial for success in a dynamic world.
Join Sensei Tim Hoover and Sensei Steve Mittman as they discuss the importance of situational awareness, critical thinking, and self-leadership in navigating life's chaos.
"Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path." — Paulo Coelho
Explore the importance of relaxation, reflection, resolution, and return in daily life. Discover how these practices can help you become a stronger, more capable individual. Draw inspiration from martial arts philosophy and the journeys of great masters and leaders throughout history. Join Tim and Steve as they delve into the significance of incorporating these "Four Rs" into your daily routine, regardless of your background or circumstances. It's valuable insight on personal growth and empowerment.
Being taught to avoid talking about politics and religion has led to a lack of understanding of politics and religion. What we should have been taught was how to have a civil conversation about a difficult topic.
Exploring the concept of free will and choice, Tim and Steve discuss a thought-provoking story about God and evil.
Delving into a classroom debate between a professor and a student, they challenge the notion of evil's existence in relation to God. Tune in to unravel this intriguing discussion on faith and perception.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” — General Douglas MacArthur
Want to increase your self-esteem? The respect you receive from others? Your confidence? Your marketability? Your relevance? Basically, do you want to become a stronger, better person? Then place more value on TWO:
- Your TIME
- The WORDS you choose
- The OPPORTUNITIES that come your way
Consider where you invest your Time, choose your Words carefully, and seize every Opportunity.
Your perception is YOUR reality. Everyone sees things differently because each person's perspective is unique. Always keep that in mind.
Btw, "crocodile" is spelled just like that.
In violent situations, such as what we prepare for in martial arts training, there are no rules. One must act swiftly and decisively to address the situation. By being clear and decisive, we become more powerful and better equipped to handle challenging and potentially dangerous situations. Be decisive, rather than indecisive. Apply this to all areas of your life. Eliminate the gray.
“8 Mile” from Eminem is a song is about the troubles one goes through trying to become a success.
“I'm a man, I'ma make a new plan; Time for me to just stand up and travel new land; Time for me to just take matters into my own hands; Gonna make it, can't give up now; Once I'm over these tracks, man, I'ma never look back …” — “8 Mile” by Eminem
Reflecting on last week's episode honoring Corey Comperatore, Tim talks about how we shape our lives and focus our priorities.
We all know life can be difficult. Cultivating a warrior spirit will help you focus and tackle life's challenges. This spirit is not rooted in aggression or violence but rather in inner strength, resilience, and determination. It involves developing a mindset that allows you to confront difficulties head-on and overcome obstacles with courage and grace.
Reflecting on last week's episode honoring Corey Comperatore, Tim talks about how we shape our lives and focus our priorities.
We all know life can be difficult. Cultivating a warrior spirit will help you focus and tackle life's challenges. This spirit is not rooted in aggression or violence but rather in inner strength, resilience, and determination. It involves developing a mindset that allows you to confront difficulties head-on and overcome obstacles with courage and grace.
“You must build practices that prevent you from falling prey to those basic instincts that make you a short-term thinker.” — Dave Asprey (best known as the founder of Bulletproof Coffee and the entire Biohacking movement)
This episode pays a tribute to firefighter Corey Comperatore — the hero.
Tim and Steve discuss the recent attempted assassination of former President Trump, emphasizing the importance of focusing on positivity and purpose in life. They stress the human aspect of such events and urge listeners to seek help if they are struggling with controlling their emotions.
As always, they maintain a non-political stance and highlight attacking life's challenges rather than attacking others.
In light of this past weekend's attempted assassination of President Trump, we share this quote:
"There is beauty and power in unity. We must be united in heart and mind. One world, one people." — Lailah Gifty Akita
Tim and Steve discuss the frustrations and anger many people feel about the state of the world today. They talk about ways to channel that energy into positive action and making a difference.
Tim draws parallels to the movie "Network" and urges listeners to break free from feeling like just a cog in the wheel, and instead, strive to create change.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation on turning frustration into motivation.
"For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?" — Bell Hooks
Reflecting on Independence Day, Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman discuss the true meaning of freedom and independence in the United States.
They highlight the courage of the Founding Fathers and the sacrifices made throughout history to secure the freedoms enjoyed today.
Emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and moral principles, they explore how Independence Day extends beyond celebrations to embody a deeper sense of patriotism and gratitude.
Exploring the concept of repetitive patterns in life, Tim and Steve discuss finding opportunities in challenges and lessons from negative experiences. They delve into the idea of learning from recurring situations, touching on spiritual beliefs and historical references like the Jews fleeing Egypt and the importance of religious texts in guiding one's life.
Hear insights on breaking negative cycles and embracing lessons for personal growth.
“Jump” from Van Halen is a song about perseverance and going for it — "might as well jump" — in the most difficult of times.
“I get up and nothin' gets me down. You got it tough, I've seen the toughest around. And I know, baby, just how you feel. You got to roll with the punches to get to what's real.” — “Jump” by Van Halen
The evolution of risk-taking over time is what Tim talks about, as he shares some personal experiences — from taking significant risks in his youth to adopting a more cautious approach as responsibilities and assets accumulated. He brings up the importance of "anticipation" and how it can help to make informed decisions while balancing risk-taking and caution.
Steve talks about the yin yang and the balance it represents in every aspect of life. Understanding this balance allows us to navigate through life more effectively and gracefully.
“Crazy, but that's how it goes. Millions of people living as foes. Maybe it's not too late. To learn how to love and forget how to hate.” — “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne
Discover the distinction between happiness and joy in this thought-provoking podcast episode.
Happiness is a fleeting emotion based on temporary circumstances, while joy is a deeper and more lasting state of being.
Tim and Steve discuss how the pursuit of happiness can sometimes lead to a continuous cycle of seeking more without ever feeling satisfied. Consider the difference between these two emotions and aim for a state of joy that transcends momentary happiness.
Engaging in activities that require energy can actually generate more energy in return. It's very simple: energy breeds energy. Tim and Steve share some of the physics behind kinetic and potential energy from "Big Steve" Turoscy, an engineer.
Expending energy through physical activity, mental stimulation, or social interactions tends to boost one's energy levels. Contrast this with the notion that "laziness breeds laziness," meaning that inactivity can lead to a lack of energy.
“That is what life is about. We do not get redos, but we do get second chances.” — Jeffrey Fry
Tim reflects on the saying "No Pain, No Gain" and how it applies to life's challenges. He shares a touching story of a young student's journey in martial arts, emphasizing the value of perseverance and preparation for life's challenges.
The main takeaways are to always be prepared for obstacles, to understand that progress often comes from pushing through difficult times, and to never underestimate the power of words.
“Whatever luck I had, I made. I was never a natural athlete, but I paid my dues in sweat and concentration and took the time necessary to learn karate and become world champion.” — Chuck Norris
Exploring the dynamics of relationships and the impact of different individuals in life, Tim and Steve reflect on the significance of meeting people for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. They discuss the influence of mental fortitude in achieving extraordinary accomplishments, drawing parallels to Olympic gold medalist Lanny Bassham's winning mindset.
The two invite listener George to join the conversation, reminiscing about past experiences and the evolution of their paths. It's an insightful discussion on the interconnectedness of people and the importance of the mental game in life's journey.
"Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals. I get my back into my living. I don't need to fight to prove I'm right. I don't need to be forgiven." — Pete Townshend, The Who
Timestamps:
0:30 - Rule 1: Make Peace with Your Past
0:40 - Rule 2: Others' Opinions Don't Matter
0:53 - Rule 3: Time Heals
1:00 - Rule 4: You Control Your Happiness
1:08 - Rule 5: Don't Compare or Judge Others
1:26 - Rule 6: Overthinking and Its Remedies
2:15 - Rule 7: Smile and Perspective on Problems
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” — Lewis B Smedes
Discover the power of motivation and passion on this episode with Tim, Steve, and Sammy. Some say motivation is a myth and it's not real. Whether you call it motivation, momentum — or you're looking to avoid pain and gain pleasure as Tony Robbins talks about — there's something to it.
Join them as they delve into the essence of motivation and how to ignite it in others. They illustrate how pushing past limitations can lead to transformation and unity. Uncover the key to unlocking motivation and the importance of finding your passion to drive you forward in life.
Tim and Steve reference Dan Millman and Jimmy V, both of whom have spoken about the importance of living life to the fullest. They emphasize the need for enthusiasm, motivation, and pushing boundaries to achieve greatness in all aspects of life, striving to make every moment extraordinary.
Discover how ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things in life through the inspiring story of Jimmy Valvano, the basketball coach turned motivational speaker. Embrace the idea that every moment has the potential to be extraordinary — and seize opportunities that come your way.
Join the journey of self-reflection and empowerment as you learn to appreciate the gift of life and strive to do extraordinary things, no matter how ordinary you may feel.
Key Takeaways:
- Ordinary people have the potential to achieve extraordinary things
- Embracing challenges and continuous self-improvement can lead to a fulfilling life
- Adopting a mindset that seeks excellence can transform every aspect of life, making it extraordinary
- Inspirations like Jimmy Valvano and Dan Millman provide frameworks to live passionately and purposefully
“I’m going to be EXCITED and ENTHUSIASTIC every day that GOD gives me on this earth.” — Jimmy Valvano
“We all have inner demons to fight. We call these demons fear and hatred and anger. If you don't conquer them, then a life of a hundred years is a tragedy. If you do, a life of a single day can be a triumph.” — Yip Man
Discover the power of cultivating happiness as a habit rather than a goal, inspired by a profound quote from Richard Branson.
Join Tim and Steve as they discuss the importance of being present, practicing gratitude, and embracing life's challenges as opportunities for growth.
Learn how happiness can be within reach for anyone willing to let it grow, even during tough times.
“Don’t be the reason someone feels insecure. Be the reason someone feels seen, heard, and supported by the whole universe.” — Cleo Wade
Tim encountered an 80-year-old man on the beach who was moving with incredible speed and determination using a walker. Despite his age, the man exuded vitality (he did not let the old man in). This is a reminder that age is just a number, everything is relative, and our mindset and attitude towards life matter more than the years we've lived.
Tim's conversations with the 80-year-old in Florida and the 40-year-old black belt underscore the idea that our mindset shapes our experience of life.
“My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people do not know.” — Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
Long-term commitments and hard work lead to a well-lived life with purpose. There are no shortcuts to success.
Tim shares a personal anecdote about his daughter Chelsea and a powerful story about a man facing a terminal illness who expresses contentment and no regrets due to living a life filled with love, positivity, and faith.
Steve stresses staying true to the path of hard work despite societal pressures promoting shortcuts.
This podcast episode underscores the fulfillment and pride that come from achieving long-term goals through consistent effort and determination.
Tim and Steve discuss the concept of perishability in martial arts and beyond. They emphasize the importance of maintaining and sustaining anything of value in all aspects of life to prevent decay. The hosts delve into the significance of upkeep to keep skills and values alive throughout one's lifetime. Tim shares how he can spot trained martial artists based on their demeanor, highlighting the impact of consistent training.
“The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.” — Mark Twain
“Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it.” — Henry David Thoreau
“Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools that don't have brains enough to be honest.” — Benjamin Franklin
Taking chances and risks is important, but having a backup plan is crucial. This episode picks up from a few weeks ago when Tim told Steve about the "yes column, no column, and what ifs" in making decisions. While it's good to consider possibilities, dwelling too much on "what ifs" can lead to paralysis.
The discussion highlights the balance between taking calculated risks and being prepared for the unexpected.
Excuses can lead to destructive cycles, trapping you in negative behaviors. Tim shares some real-life stories of how excuses began with justifying little things and escalated into criminal habits.
Excuses can become a comfort zone, hindering personal growth and positive change. To break this cycle, make small, positive changes daily, such as choosing healthier options and surrounding yourself with positive influences. Success comes from commitment and incremental progress, not just achieving milestones.
There is wisdom and power in being silent. Thoughtful communication is valuable in today's fast-paced world filled with online criticism and judgment. Tim and Steve reference a quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (as Sherlock Holmes), emphasizing the importance of listening before speaking. They reflect on the lost art of being silent, waiting for the right moment to contribute to a conversation.
The example of Abraham Lincoln's practice of writing letters to himself before responding to disagreements illustrates the value of reflecting before communicating. This practice allows for a more thoughtful and measured response, preventing impulsive reactions and promoting better understanding in conversations.
"You have a grand gift for silence, Watson. It makes you quite invaluable as a companion." — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Complete Sherlock Holmes
"The Sound Of Silence"
“It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life.” — Gaius Julius Caesar
Tim shares another Florida story and some life lessons from a hot tub encounter.
This podcast episode highlights the significance of always considering the "what ifs" when making decisions.
Be proactive, prepared, and able to adapt in all situations.
“Just watching an animal closely can take you out of your mind and bring you into the present moment, which is where the animal lives all the time — surrendered to life.” — Eckhart Tolle
A few weeks ago Tim and Steve explored the concept of humans being created in God's image and our desire to create. Drawing wisdom from a Tony Robbins quote, this episode emphasizes the importance of being leaders, defying odds, and setting new standards to create a positive impact.
They stress the significance of cultivating the next generation of leaders and being stewards of the earth to ensure the creation of good things. It’s a thought-provoking discussion on harnessing creativity and embracing our role as forces for good in the world.
“Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius.” — Arthur Conan Doyle
Steve talks about a TV pilot episode he shot for a new show that reunites teachers of all kinds (school teachers, professors, coaches, senseis) with former students to explore their lasting impact on each other. The show focuses on the mutual influence between students and teachers, creating a ripple effect that affects many. Listen to hear more about the meaningful reunions and the inspiration behind the show's concept.
Tim shares insights on choosing weekly podcast topics.
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” — John F Kennedy
Lifestyle choices have a direct impact on the preservation and quality of our lives. Everything from our diet and sleep patterns to the company we keep shapes our existence. The concept of self-defense goes way beyond physical protection if we view it as a holistic approach to safeguarding our well-being against all potential harms.
Tim and Steve pay tribute to the late country music icon Toby Keith, reflecting on his song
Through a personal anecdote about a large beehive, Tim underscores the connection between humans and bees in maintaining a harmonious relationship with the environment. On this podcast episode with Tim and Steve:
- Gain a deeper appreciation for the crucial role of worker bees and how they preserve their community
- Consider why we may all want to be like worker bees: selfless and fulfilled knowing their purpose in life
“True happiness is found in simple, seemingly unremarkable things. But to be aware of little, quiet things, you need to be quiet inside. A high degree of alertness is required. Be still. Look. Listen. Be present.” — Eckhart Tolle from Guardians of Being, Spiritual Teachings From Our Dogs and Cats
Some of the topics Tim and Steve discuss on this podcast episode:
- Starting the day with a prayer, fostering a positive mindset and connecting with spirituality
- Daily reflection on accomplishments to help assess progress and make adjustments for the next day
- Practices to maintain a childlike wonder and get more enjoyment out of life
- The importance of routines and rituals for a fulfilling life
- The role of external factors, like exercise, in improving mental well-being
- Purposeful actions in relationships, such as active listening and genuine interest
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The power of intentional behavior to positively impact yourself and others
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00:48 - Dojo Story: Low Energy and a Mat Chat
- 01:35 - The Value of Mat Chats
- 02:05 - Sensei Bausch's Take on Adulthood
- 03:43 - Breaking Down Mind, Body, Spirit
- 05:33 - Rediscovering the Child Within
- 05:55 - Making Adult Life Purposeful
- 07:28 - Daily Rituals for a Purposeful Life
- 08:50 - Facing Fear of Death and Living Right
- 09:48 - Evening Reflections and Starting Fresh
- 10:30 - Agreeing on Life Approaches
- 11:00 - Outside In: Addressing Anxiety and Depression
- 12:18 - Finding Purpose in Daily Actions
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview to life's coming attractions.” — Albert Einstein
Consider that God desires humans to be creative beings and to collaborate with Him in creating good things. Tapping into the creative part of the brain and bringing something cool to life is one of the most fulfilling endeavors one can undertake.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." — Albert Einstein
Tim and Steve discuss the importance of imagination and creativity in problem-solving and encourage listeners to embrace their creative abilities to find innovative solutions. They explore the idea that being creative and producing things is a means to fulfill one's purpose and be a co-creator with God. They emphasize that God is the ultimate creator and that humans are created in His image. This image does not necessarily refer to physical appearance but rather the ability to create and be creative beings.
“Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth.” — Chuck Norris
Last month, Tim and Steve explored the word agency — both in terms of personal purpose and as a physical agency, such as a private detective agency.
As a seasoned private investigator, Tim has witnessed the darker side of life, a stark contrast to his martial arts school dedicated to fostering goodness and fortifying the minds, bodies, and spirits of its students.
Life unfolds with its mix of virtues and vices. In this episode, Tim and Steve talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly, and how when you’re aware of deception you can remove the fake and fraudulent elements from your life. Embracing the yin-yang principle, they navigate the intricate balance between light and dark aspects of the world, drawing valuable lessons from these contrasting experiences.
"The distinction between what is real and what is fake is often blurred, for reality is shaped by perception and perception can be manipulated." — Anonymous
Earlier this week, on Monday’s KYW episode, Tim and Steve discussed René Descartes' famous philosophical principle: "Cogito, ergo sum," or "I think, therefore I am."
On today's episode they delve into that further, talking about how humans, unlike other creatures, are self-aware and can shape their own destinies.
Humans are conscious, and our unique ability to co-create with God allows us to design the lives we desire.
Listen and explore the power of consciousness and our role in shaping the world around us.
Reflect upon the level of significance you attach to your actions and the manner in which you carry them out. Consider how deeply you care about both what you do and the way in which you do it. This seemingly simple concept holds profound insights into your life and character, offering clarity on your purpose and priorities.
Tim and Steve explore the value of caring across diverse facets of life — be it in relationships, academics, marriage, or martial arts. Tim summarizes care as "Creative Adjustment during Rare Events," emphasizing the dynamic nature of genuine concern. Steve interprets care as "Creating A Real Experience," highlighting the transformative power of genuine engagement.
By pondering these perspectives, you can gain a deeper understanding of your personal philosophy and the meaningful connections between your actions and the essence of who you are.
“A worthy New Year's resolution, perhaps, is to take no hatred into the New Year without requiring it to restate its purpose.” — Robert Brault
“You expect good things from the New Year, you expect hope, but the New Year also has something to tell you: You create both the good things and the hope yourself, so don't expect anything, do it yourself, create it yourself, don't wait!” — Mehmet Murat ildan
A topic Tim and Steve often discuss is how nobody can control what happens, but we can all control how we react to what happens. Tim tells a story of a recent series of events that occurred, where the cops were called unnecessarily due to an alarm going off.
It can be a challenge navigating what is real and what is not, determining what to respond to and what not to respond to. Many things that happen "to" us turn out to either be nothing at all, or later on, are realized to be something that happened "for" us.
As we head into 2024, let this be a healthy reminder not to overreact to false information or things beyond our control. Stay level-headed and focused on what truly matters.
“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things, not the great occasions, give off the greatest glow of happiness.” — Bob Hope
“Peace on earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day.” — Helen Steiner Rice
“Christmas is forever, not for just one day. For loving, sharing, giving are not to put away.” — Norman Wesley Brooks
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” — Peg Bracken
We dive into the concept of coincidences and their impact on all of us. Earlier this week, on Monday’s KYW episode, Tim and Steve discussed the famous quote by Einstein: "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous."
They expound on that further, exploring the idea that coincidences may not be as random as they seem. The two agree that coincidence is not just random chance, but rather a series of interconnected events and choices that shape our lives.
Steve emphasizes the importance of showing up, engaging in life's arena, and seeking out opportunities rather than waiting for them to come. Tim recounts the early days of opening his Whitehall dojo, the conflicts he faced, and the perseverance required to build a successful martial arts school.
They reminisce about a keychain with a Zig Ziglar quote that Steve hung above the water fountain at Tim's original martial arts school in Whitehall, which read, "The key to success occurs when opportunity meets preparation." That quote sums up today's podcast episode, highlighting the need to be prepared for when opportunities — or so-called coincidences — arise.
Tim and Steve talk about the concept of agency and its significance in all of our personal and professional lives. Acting with agency means making intentional choices that align with your values and goals. It’s about living proactively, actively shaping your life to align with your true self. It empowers you to be the architect of your own destiny.
Tim discusses the role of communication with his private detective agency, emphasizing the value of truthful and genuine interactions to understand clients' stories and find the truth.
agency /ˈājənsē/
-
noun:
-
a business or organization established to provide a particular service, typically one that involves organizing transactions between two other parties
-
action or intervention, especially such as to produce a particular effect
Here are key points to understand in order to act with agency:
- Autonomy: Recognize and embrace your power to make choices that shape your life
- Purposeful Decision-Making: Make choices that align with your goals and values, considering the consequences of your actions
- Responsibility: Take ownership of your decisions, whether they lead to success or failure
- Adaptability: Navigate uncertainties and adjust your strategies when necessary (CEE)
- Continuous Learning: Embrace ongoing growth and gain insights from both successes and failures
- Self-Awareness: Understand your values, motivations, and emotions to make authentic decisions
“When you change your thoughts, remember to also change your world.” — Norman Vincent Peale
You'll hear Arnold Schwarzenegger expressing his lifelong commitment to training and feeling good, and how he'll be pumping iron until the day he dies. For similar reasons, Tim, Steve, and millions of others train in martial arts.
Personal growth, self-improvement, and as Tim talks about — becoming a better person and fulfilling our responsibilities as stewards of the Earth — are just some reasons why it's so healthy to find a passion you can practice your entire life.
“The secret to living well and longer is this: Eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure.” ~ Tibetan Proverb
“Root before you expand” is a concept that can be applied to various aspects of life, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation before growth. For instance, in martial arts, physical stability is crucial for effective execution. So, physically, it's crucial to root before expanding.
Similarly, when it comes to our emotions, Steve reminds us how a strong foundation (emotional intelligence or EQ) aids resilience in life's storms.
However, spiritually, Tim poses the idea of expansion actually BEFORE rooting. Looking up to the heavens and expanding our minds encourages us to think beyond current circumstances. After all, it's heaven on earth; not earth in heaven.
Whether we're anchoring first then reaching out, or vice-versa — ultimately, balance of mind, body, and spirit is vital for true growth. We should strive to keep these three elements in harmony. Tim talks about three horses and the gift he gave Steve as a metaphor for this.
On this Thanksgiving podcast episode, as in years past, Tim and Steve discuss the importance of gratitude and being thankful. They emphasize that expressing gratitude on a regular basis can be life-altering and beneficial not just for you but also for those around you.
They talk about the distractions and self-pity that can hinder gratitude and suggest starting with being grateful for the little things in life to counteract negativity. They also touch upon the significance of teaching children the value of appreciation and gratitude.
“That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed without a doubt, a real superhero.” — Stan Lee
Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman's presentation on sacrifice is highlighted — emphasizing the distinction between sacrificing one's life in vain and living a life of purposeful sacrifice. Sacrifice is seen as a necessary component of personal growth.
- The younger generation is cautioned against false expectations and the belief that success can be achieved overnight
- Tim and Steve encourage giving up time, resources, and knowledge for the benefit of others
- Sacrifice and discipline are essential components in the pursuit of success.
Sacrificing certain pleasures or activities, separating oneself from negative influences, and making choices that align with personal goals are crucial steps toward personal growth.
Discipline, on the other hand, involves commitment, perseverance, and the ability to endure hardships and adversity.
By embracing sacrifice and discipline, you can pave your way to success in various aspects of life, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me … Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” — King David
Steve recaps a recent program he attended presented by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a leading trainer for military, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and school safety organizations. The power of love was emphasized.
Tim often tells us the enemy of greatness is simply being good. Similarly, the opposite of evil is not necessarily good, but love. This idea challenges the conventional notion that good is the opposite of evil. Love is infinite and has the power to eradicate evil.
"Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you." — Aldous Huxley
underdog /ˈəndərˌdôɡ /
- noun: a competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest
Tim and Steve reflect on 300 podcast episodes, bringing up the 300 Spartans and the movie "300" based on the ancient Battle of Thermopylae — one of the most prominent battles of the ancient Greco-Persian Wars.
They discuss feeling like underdogs and fighting against disadvantages in their own lives. They emphasize the importance of inspiration, faith, direction, and relationships. They express their excitement for the future and their commitment to continue producing positive content.
Maren, Tim's martial arts student, joins him and Steve to talk about buffalo charging. The three reflect on the state of the world — the turmoil, chaos, violence, hatred, and overall upside-down nature of society.
Buffalo moving towards storms is a great metaphor for facing challenges head-on, but there's a time and place for that. There's not just one solution for all of life's problems. For instance, while many of us may feel fed up with things, we can't be "fighting" every day. That leads to exhaustion and feeling miserable. Being in “attack mode” all the time is not sustainable. We all must take breaks and pauses to allow for physical and mental recovery.
With that said, sometimes — fighting — is the ONLY thing that will get us out of certain situations. Just like in the boxing ring, freezing or fleeing from punches is ineffective, and the only thing that will end the threat or suffering is to move forward.
Ultimately, to be strong and vital, one must adopt a balanced approach to life — fighting when necessary, pausing to rejuvenate, and stepping back to reflect.
“The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.” — Gloria Steinem
Growing older brings wisdom, making us more cautious about our hard-earned possessions and less prone to vulnerability. Tim and Steve delve into vulnerability and value. True worth lies in sharing and inspiring others, as material possessions ultimately fade away.
- True Value: It's not in material possessions but in sharing experiences and inspiring others
- Nurturing Home and Relationships: Prioritize creating a comforting home environment and maintaining meaningful relationships
Do you find it hard to be true to who you are while trying to conform to societal expectations? Tim and Steve talk about this quote from Seneca:
“Inwardly everything should be different but our outward face should conform with the crowd.”
Steve discusses the dangers of becoming fake and losing one's sense of identity by conforming too much. Tim shares an anecdote about Funakoshi's student and a lesson he learned about avoiding unnecessary confrontations. He wraps up the show with his concept of 3 circles — and as simplistic as it is — it’s something that might help a lot of us to hear.
“I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan
On this past Monday's KYW episode, Tim started to talk about being proactive. Being proactive means taking action and continuously moving forward in life. On today's feature episode, Tim and Steve draw a parallel between martial artists and boxers who are always moving in the ring. By staying in motion, you’ll be harder to stop and more likely to achieve your goals. It's about taking control, and not being passive or reactive.
pro·ac·tive • /prōˈaktiv/ • adjective • creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened
Being proactive is not just about physical movement, but also staying mentally engaged. It's important to stay active even after retirement; retiring from a job does not mean retiring from life. It’s crucial to stay mentally and physically active to maintain overall well-being.
A proactive approach to life involves taking initiative and not waiting for things to happen. By being proactive, you will create your own opportunities and shape your destiny.
This episode is kicked off with a quote from Abraham Lincoln: "Whatever you are, be a good one." Tim expresses his belief that being good is not enough. Very often what holds us back are self-pity, doubt, and fear. They can trap you in a dark pit, making it difficult to escape. The ability to struggle and persevere is crucial in overcoming these challenges.
The discussion takes a personal turn as the hosts share their own experiences with the three enemies — self-pity, doubt, and fear. The daily struggle to overcome them includes a maintenance program of faith, prayer, and positive relationships.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb
Life is a constant climb, filled with obstacles and challenges. But it's in pushing that boulder up the mountain that we become stronger and better. Tim and Steve emphasize the need to have a realistic perspective on life and the pursuit of goals.
- “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” — Babe Ruth
- Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger — not easy to hear, but true
- Don’t fall for the illusion of arrival — there's always another mountain to climb
Reaching a milestone or achievement is not the end — but rather just another step in your journey. Strive to continuously seek new challenges and push yourself to grow and improve. It’s about perseverance and the wisdom gained along the way.
#AttackLifeNotOthers #Perseverance #Strength #Wisdom
“If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can't hear them anymore.” — Michele Ruiz
This episode is about the importance of forgiveness and its impact on one's mental well-being. Tim and Steve share the analogy of "free rent in your head" — where harboring negative emotions is like a background program running in our minds, detracting from our ability to engage in life. They delve into that and other topics including:
- The power of forgiveness: Clearing your mind for a thriving life
- Finding wisdom from centenarians: Secrets to a long and happy life
- Never go to bed mad: The 15-minute rule for a stronger relationship
"Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.” — Epictetus
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John F Kennedy
Several years ago, Tim and Steve recorded a few episodes about the Blue Zones and how people in these specific regions live longer and healthier lives:
- Ep 080 - Live Longer and Feel Better with Dr Al Peters
- Ep 081 - Eating Habits in Blue Zones with Dr Al Peters
- Ep 082 - The Importance of Faith, Family, and Friends in Living Longer
But you don't need to live in Okinawa or Costa Rica to live longer. Today they outline the 10 concepts of the Blue Zones, which include diet, physical activity, social engagement, and stress reduction.
It's a short episode, but a great reminder to prioritize our health and happiness for a long and fulfilling life. With good habits — we can all create our own Blue Zone — by making wise diet and lifestyle choices.
Want a better life? Watch the words you choose to use. Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman explore how words hold immense power — and how the word "will" is particularly impactful.
We all must have the will to conquer ourselves, rather than focusing on conquering others. Will you thrive? Tell yourself you WILL. #willpower
“Life is like a book. Some chapters are sad, some are happy, but all are necessary for the full story.” — Unknown
Your feet are your foundation. They support your entire body. With your heels together and toes apart, your foundation is compromised and you exhibit humbleness. Katie Mendez embodies humbleness. She is referred to as the "turtle" in contrast to the "rabbit," symbolizing someone who takes their time to understand the process and develop their skills. Despite challenges and slow progress, Katie's consistency and dedication have allowed her to achieve a first-degree black belt and become a teacher in the dojo.
She shares a touching, personal story about her son who joined the Marines.
“A seed grows with no sound, but a tree falls with a huge noise. Destruction has noise, but creation is quiet. This is the power of silence. Grow Silently.” — Confucius
Excuses are a slippery slope. All it takes is one. Before you know it, you have a domino effect.
From a roll of toilet paper to over $150,000 — you'll be shocked by Tim's story.
Eliminate excuses, embrace discipline, and avoid negative influences.
Brian Miller joins Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman. They discuss the concept of losing in order to win, and alternatively, how you can actually lose by winning — emphasizing the importance of focusing on the process and development — rather than just the outcome. The three of them point out that losing on purpose can lead to significant growth and improvement. This applies not only to martial arts, but also to various aspects of life.
They share personal anecdotes, including the story of Larry Holmes, who became one of the greatest boxers ever after being a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Controlling our emotions is crucial for overall effectiveness in life — although it's easier said than done. Tim and Steve emphasize that unchecked emotions can significantly hinder us.
They further mention how primal instincts and unfamiliar emotions can emerge during a fight, making it essential to maintain control. We must keep our composure and avoid letting our emotions dictate our actions. Step back from the situation, and NEVER give anyone free rent.
Controlling our emotions is crucial for overall effectiveness in life, although it's easier said than done. Tim and Steve emphasize that unchecked emotions can hinder us significantly.
They further mention how primal instincts and unfamiliar emotions can emerge during a fight, making it essential to maintain control. To be a skilled fighter, one must avoid letting emotions dictate actions and must retain composure. Step back from the situation at hand, and NEVER give anyone free rent in your head.
"Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option." — Mark Twain
The Power of Persistence: Climbing Out of the Hole
A few weeks ago, you heard the story of the fish that forgot who and what he was. Today, hear the story of the donkey trapped in a hole. It’s a metaphor for life's challenges and the importance of persistence. It illustrates that no matter how deep the hole is — whether it be a physical, emotional, or mental obstacle — one can overcome it through consistent effort and determination. The donkey's unwavering commitment to climbing out of the hole despite the odds serves as a reminder that success is achievable if we refuse to give up.
Tim and Steve point out that we are all in a hole, each facing our own unique struggles. They acknowledge that the depth of the hole may vary from person to person, but the key to overcoming it lies in maintaining a warrior-like spirit, never saying die, and never losing hope.
“Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.” — Marcus Aurelius
If you know your purpose and dig deep to realize why you do what you do, you'll have a much clearer vision. Your "why" is like a guiding force to help you stay on track and face challenges.
Brian Miller joins Tim and Steve to share his perspective on this. Miller recommends asking tough questions and reflecting on why we do things. He introduces the idea of having a compass, which provides direction and motivation.
- Don't just seek comfort in being mediocre, strive to be the best
- Know that your motivations will change over time and in different life stages
Tim and Steve discuss the “Triangle of Success” — emphasizing the importance of having a strong support group (family, friends); finding good teachers (coaches, mentors); and showing up consistently — in order to achieve success in any area of life. They also highlight the significance of character development and personal growth.
This week, in honor of Independence Day here in the United States, Tim and Steve explore the relationship between freedom and happiness. They discuss the fundamental principles that shaped America and acknowledge the sacrifices made by individuals to safeguard our freedoms.
Don't miss out on the captivating tale of the fish, which serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of rooting and maintaining a solid foundation while embracing growth and flexibility, much like a skilled martial artist.
“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius
Tim and Steve explore the concept of self-discipline and its significance in personal development. They bring up the "six selves," which include discipline, respect, control, confidence, defense, and awareness.
Tim highlights that discipline is the foundation for acquiring other virtues and is essential for improving relationships, maintaining physical well-being, and becoming a better person overall. The two discuss the need to work consistently and demonstrate discipline to achieve success in various areas of life.
"A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves." — Lao Tzu
Ben Mudge joins Tim and Steve again to emphasize the importance of appreciating what we have and cultivating a positive internal dialogue. Ben encourages his clients to focus on the things their bodies can do, rather than what they can't do, in order to improve their mental health. The conversation ties in with the quote from Marcus Aurelius about the privilege of being alive on this week’s KYW episode.
Quotes and timestamps:
00:13 - "We want to make that place in your head the nicest environment it can possibly be."
03:51 - "If you had to speak out every thought you had about yourself in front of your family and the people who loved you, would you be confident to say those things that you're saying about yourself?"
06:35 - "That was the glimpse into the future for me that most people don't get."
08:48 - "That fight is in your mind, and yes, you are a tough man, but really it comes from a soft source. It comes from love."
10:33 - "Thank GOD for life. I just want it so bad. I want my family, I want my happiness, and I'm going to pursue it with everything I got."
14:48 - "Can we not agree that 20% is better than zero?"
15:06 - "All of us that have that fighter mindset, we don't win every fight, we just don't go down."
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive — to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." — Marcus Aurelius
Hear why Tim chooses to be a weed. The long and short of it is: weeds don’t just survive, they thrive in tough times. He reflects on events such as 9-11, COVID, and the recent wildfires burning in Quebec and Nova Scotia and affecting the air quality in the Northeastern United States. He questions whether these events have taught us anything and whether we have become better for them. He also shares his belief in having a warrior mindset, conditioning both body and mind for strength and resilience.
- Train in the extreme to be able to handle the extreme
- Better yourself to better everybody else around you
"And if there is a next, if there's a tomorrow for me, I want to be as prepared as I possibly can be spiritually, physically, and mentally." — Sensei Tim Hoover
#neverforget #whatevercomesnext
"Everything is the product of one universal creative effort. There is nothing dead in Nature. Everything is organic and living, and therefore the whole world appears to be a living organism." — Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Sammy Kelly, Tim, and Steve discuss the importance of being intentional about where you choose to spend your time and energy, and how letting others make decisions for you can pull you in directions that aren't best for you. They also talk about the value of finding your niche and excelling at one thing rather than trying to do everything.
Sammy practices what she preaches, as she excels in the martial arts and is a talented video editor.
“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live.” — Dalai Lama
This episode’s message is clear: Find the truth, speak the truth, and you will live a more authentic and fulfilled life. When you’re in the “arena” of life, you must fight the fight and continue doing good work. That includes creating relationships and experiences where you seek out and share accurate and factual information. But you must find THE truth, not the truth you want to be.
Knowing the truth allows you to make better informed decisions. We often go through life with our minds chattering all the time, and sometimes the chatter masks the spirit within us. Spend your time and energy being truthful and being held accountable to the truth.
Heading into the Memorial Day weekend, this episode reminds us of how great we all have it in the United States. Thanks to the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation with their selflessness and unwavering commitment, we are able to enjoy freedom.
Dr Bernie joins Tim and Steve to share his gratitude and reflect on a lifetime of political and social change in America, which he has seen in his 83 years. He believes in the power of positive individuals to persist and keep making progress. Having seen massive societal upheaval, Bernie exhorts the younger generations to challenge themselves to create a better future.
We are responsible for our own actions and behavior. No one else is. We decide how our day is going to go and what attitude we will have. It's all on us, not on anyone else.
“If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present — gratefully.” — Maya Angelou
This episode was prompted by a recent testing event at Tim's karate school, during which parents were asked what they hoped their children would gain from their training, with many responding that they wanted their kids to gain more confidence.
Steve and Tim emphasize the role of sports, martial arts training, and other activities that involve one's mind, body, and spirit together in building self-confidence. They share personal anecdotes about their own experiences with confidence, and how it's a major factor in determining whether one will fight, flee, or freeze in the face of adversity.
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." — Albert Einstein
Brian Miller returns to the show with Tim and Steve, continuing the conversation about "the process" that he introduced in his previous appearance. He shares a compelling story about his experience with obstacle course racing, emphasizing the importance of hard work, dedication, patience, and even a bit of stubbornness to achieve our goals.
Brian advises listeners to concentrate on the process rather than the outcome, and to seek out a mentor and trust in their guidance.
However, it's also crucial to maintain balance in life by devoting time to other areas of importance. While this can be challenging, finding equilibrium between commitments, passions, and family is critical for overall satisfaction.
Moreover, having faith in something greater than oneself can aid in achieving balance and success. Faith can provide the strength to persevere when faced with adversity and help to remain focused and grounded. Additionally, faith can inspire gratitude and humility for the blessings in one's life.
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” — Tony Robbins
You'll often hear people telling you to "enjoy the journey" rather than just the destination. However, sometimes you just need to do what it takes to get past difficult moments in order to get to your destination. Tim recounts a story from a recent plane trip when a 15-year-old started to be loud and use foul language in the crowded cabin.
This was a situation where the wisest thing to do, in order to get home, was just get through the uncomfortable experience — proof that the journey to our destination can be long and difficult. You may encounter people or situations that try to deter you from your goals. You may even come across people who criticize you for trying to reach those goals. But if you stay focused on the destination, you can push through, do what it takes, and be better for it.
"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." — Ray Bradbury
Ben Mudge is a social media influencer, life coach, personal trainer, and fitness model (who happens to look like the superhero Thor) — and he joins Tim and Steve.
Ben lives in Ireland, but will be in the Lehigh Valley on Friday, April 28th. If you hear this episode before then, head over to Sports Factory of the Lehigh Valley in Allentown to meet him. In the meantime, you'll hear these topics and more:
- How we all crave to be part of a tribe
- His belief on being unique to make life fun
- Life is not guaranteed, appreciate every day
- Ben's greatest fear of taking energy from people
- Why he'd rather be an instrument than an ornament
- His thoughts on how time is going to pass regardless of what you do
- How the prioritization of words and sentences in a certain order makes all the difference
Buy Tickets and See Details: A Celebration of Health and Wellness to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Abraham Maslow was a famous American clinical psychologist. He became best known for his theory on the Hierarchy of Needs. The model depicting this is known as Maslow’s pyramid. On this episode Tim and Steve discussed the following quote:
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” — Abraham Maslow
NOTE: At the time of recording, they only discussed the first sentence from Maslow, and were not aware of the second part. With the second part taken into account, you’ll see Tim and Steve’s thoughts are congruent with Maslow’s.
Maslow believed that each level in his needs hierarchy must be met in order to focus on the next. Starting from the bottom of the pyramid:
- Physiological Needs: These are the basic needs for survival, such as food, water, shelter, and sleep.
- Safety Needs: Once the physiological needs are satisfied, people seek safety and security, including personal and financial security, health and well-being, and protection from danger.
- Love and Belonging Needs: Humans have a fundamental need for social interaction, including friendship, intimacy, and a sense of community.
- Esteem Needs: This level involves the desire for respect, recognition, achievement, and self-esteem.
- Self-Actualization Needs: The highest level of needs involves the realization of one's full potential and the pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment.
According to Maslow, we all must satisfy lower-level needs before we can move on to higher-level needs. When lower-level needs are not met, they become the primary focus, and we cannot fully devote ourselves to satisfying higher-level needs, and ultimately achieve self-actualization.
"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate." — Linda Grayson
Dr Robert "Bobby" Livingston, a 1988 Olympic Cyclist and Doctor of Chiropractic, realized early on that one of his strengths was the ability to embrace suffering. Bobby joins Tim and Steve as they discuss these topics and more:
- Fight or flight
- Self-discipline
- Olympic cycling
- Yin yang philosophy
-
Staples “Easy Button"
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Mind-body connection
- Healthy lifestyle choices
- Holistic, integrative medicine
- Diabetes and other chronic diseases
- The value of suffering (no pain, no gain)
To live a quality life you must stay vigilant in protecting and preserving what you have. Self-defense is not just about physical tactics and techniques. It’s defending “The Pillars” — your faith, your mind, your body, your spirit, your relationships, and your finances.
- Faith is not a magical thing. Nurture it through prayer, gratitude, and reflection.
- Being mindful of your mental health means avoiding toxic people and bad situations.
- Eating right and exercising are essential in keeping your body strong and maintaining physical health.
- Set meaningful goals, fight to find purpose, take on responsibility, and find ways to contribute to the world to keep your spirit alive and thriving.
- Be aware of the people around you. Surround yourself with people who help you grow.
- Financially, we must take care of our families and the people who depend on us. We must be wise with money and make smart decisions.
Self-defense is about self-preservation — so you and those around you can live a greater life. It’s being aware of your faith, mind, body, spirit, relationships, and finances — and taking the steps to ensure you’re living a life of quality and purpose.
Are our lives random or predetermined? Many factors contribute to the journey. Nature and nurture both play a role. Many things we have no control over — but we can control how we respond to circumstances and the opportunities we are presented with.
We can use our talents, resources, and blessings we have been given to create a life full of purpose and meaning — helping others less fortunate, and leaving a positive impact.
Thirty years ago, Brian Miller and Steve Mittman got their first black belts together — training under Tim Hoover at his karate school in Whitehall, PA.
On this episode, you'll hear the process Brian discovered that can help you in all aspects of life. Brian, Tim, and Steve talk about achievement, bullying, confidence, how good things take time, patience, philosophies of Bruce Lee, Royce Gracie and the early days of the UFC, sacrifice, suffering, the “eye of the tiger,” and so much more.
"The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.” — Confucius
The phrase “the luck of the Irish” was originally an insult. It was used to describe Irish immigrants who had come to America to mine for gold. They had to overcome great obstacles, including a famine in Ireland at the time. Many others felt that the Irish were not deserving of their success and good fortune.
Carol, Tim's wife, is on the show. She shares the Cinderella-like story of her mom. Just as Tim and Steve discussed earlier this week (on the KYW episode), hard work and determination are the real keys to success — not luck.
"Luck? I don't know anything about luck. I've never banked on it and I'm afraid of people who do. Luck to me is something else: Hard work — and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't.” — Lucille Ball
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” — Seneca
“Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“You make your own luck.” — Ernest Hemingway
“The harder I work, the luckier I get.” — Samuel Goldwyn
“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” — Dalai Lama
The phrase “work smart, not hard” has become commonplace in our modern world. This sentiment is especially important for those of us in the martial arts world, where physical prowess is of the utmost importance. As we age, our physical abilities may diminish, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on our craft.
#RespectAllAgesAndStages — As we age, it’s easy to become complacent and forget that we still have much to offer. We should respect each stage of life and the skills, knowledge, and experience that comes with it.
In the workplace, the martial arts, or life in general, it is necessary to constantly adjust and stay relevant. On this episode, Aaron Cerrone joins Tim and Steve again. Aaron, a black belt in jiu-jitsu, discusses “working smarter” as he gets older. He mentions how he was inspired by YouTuber Nick “Chewjitsu” Albin, who talked about what it means to be an aging black belt.
Aaron’s advice is to take a “holistic approach” to everything. This means having honest conversations with ourselves about our capabilities and taking the time to enjoy the journey. It also means looking to the younger generation for inspiration and knowledge. This is key to staying ahead of the game, as the younger generation is often more tech savvy and able to work smarter. He believes that we should look for things to learn, to stay enthusiastic, and always keep growing.
#StayRelevant — Staying relevant is an important part of living a quality life. It keeps us engaged, motivated, and helps us find joy. Tom Parker (who will be on again in a few weeks) is a great example of someone who stays relevant. At the age of 62, he began his journey in the martial arts, and he continues to learn and grow. He has found joy and purpose by sharing his wisdom and experiences with others. Staying relevant doesn't just mean staying up to date with the latest trends and technology. It also means staying connected to our passions and interests. Whether it's martial arts, writing, or something else entirely, it's important to find something that we are passionate about and to nurture that passion throughout our lives. Being relevant keeps us connected to the world around us, and helps us make the most of every stage of life.
Life skills and character development. Are they things you work on? Tim and Steve tell you when it comes to martial arts training it's not about physical techniques. It's about mental and emotional strength. It's about your emotional intelligence — your EQ. They talk about:
- Respect for oneself and others
- Perseverance and resilience
- Honesty and integrity
- Self-awareness
- Self-control
These traits build strong relationships. They also help you to overcome adversity and to make ethical decisions. By cultivating both life skills and character development, you can lead a more fulfilled life and make positive contributions to your community.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” — Mark Twain
Breaking through figurative walls is necessary for personal growth and achieving goals. It helps to overcome mental and physical barriers that hold us back. We need to be pushed beyond our comfort zone to reach new heights. It also provides a sense of accomplishment, empowerment, and confidence to tackle future challenges.
Being part of a constructive, positive group provides support, encouragement, accountability, and diverse perspectives — making it easier to knock down these walls and attain new levels you might not have thought possible. Any good coach, instructor, teacher, or sensei knows this — and works hard to promote it. Tim and Steve discuss that and more on this episode.
The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi is a classic text on strategy and martial arts, but it also contains valuable lessons about motivation. Motivation is a crucial aspect of achieving our goals and fulfilling our dreams. It is what drives us to take action and make progress, even when faced with obstacles and challenges.
The Moody Blues song "22,000 Days" is a reminder of the limited time we have to pursue our passions and achieve our goals. With approximately 22,000 days in the average human lifespan, each one is a precious opportunity to live a fulfilling life. When it comes to motivation, remembering the finite nature of our time on this earth can be a powerful tool. Knowing we have a limited amount of time can motivate us to take action and pursue our goals with greater urgency.
The song encourages us to "find the joy in life" and to "live before we die." Motivation is not just about achieving specific goals, but also about finding meaning and enjoyment in the journey. Let us use the limited time we have to pursue our dreams, find joy in the journey, and make the most of every day. Tom Parker joins Tim and Steve as they discuss all that and more.
“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” — Nora Ephron
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” — Lao Tzu
“Where there is love there is life.” — Mahatma Gandhi
With Valentine's Day coming up, and the experience Tim just had this past weekend (of which he tells the beautiful story), he and Steve decided to talk about L-O-V-E. Love is considered one of the most profound human experiences. It's very hard to define, and it can take many forms — including romantic love, familial love, platonic love, and self-love. There's nothing weak about love. In fact, love makes you stronger. Also, love should have no agenda.
Love can bring happiness, joy, and fulfillment. It can also bring pain and heartache. It's a key factor in building strong relationships, creating meaningful connections, and promoting well-being.
If you search for love, it may elude you. But be open to love when it’s present, or you might just miss it. Most importantly, always work on loving yourself. Because like anything else, you can’t give what you don’t have.
What does LOVE mean to you? What kinds of love do you have in your life? Let us know in the comments OR send us a voicemail. On the right side of AttackLifeNotOthers.com you’ll see the button to do that.
“The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.” — Thomas Szasz
When you think of rituals, you probably jump to religion; however, rituals don’t have to be religious. They're often part of religious communities — but that's not what makes them rituals. A ritual is simply a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, or actions performed according to a set sequence.
Just like anything, there can be good rituals and there can be bad ones. Additionally, too much of even a good ritual can become a bad thing. Meaningful rituals can enhance our lives and make us more accountable. The more accountable we are, the more we’ll continue performing them, further improving our lives. Rituals — similar to traditions, systems, and routines — help create stability in our lives. They provide confidence and frameworks.
What if you don’t have good rituals? And do you need them in order to be a responsible person? It's a chicken and egg question: Do rituals lead to accountability and responsibility? Or does accountability lead to life-improving rituals and traditions? What are your thoughts?
“Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” — Albert Camus
Even good people can do bad things in moments when emotions are high. It’s all too easy to lose control. We must strive to have a certain level of stoicism. And that must be maintained. Funakoshi emphasized that karate training is about spiritual development and the perfection of character. Tim and Steve discuss this and more on this episode.
"A truly great man is not disturbed even when suddenly confronted with an unexpected event or crisis, nor angered upon finding himself in situations not of his own making. This is because he has a great heart and his aim is high. An ordinary man will draw his sword when ridiculed, and will fight risking his life, but he may not be called a courageous man." — Master Gichin Funakoshi, “Father of Modern Karate”
"It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart." — Suzanne Collins
“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” — JK Rowling
Jaciel Cordoba, Steve Mittman's colleague at WFMZ-TV, joins us to discuss some ways to reduce the impact that alarming news has on our mental health.
- Filling our minds with good things combats the negative
- Working on the “inside” helps us deal with the “outside”
- Rituals make our lives richer and create a framework
"In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.” — Robert Frost
”I’m the one that has to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.” — Jimi Hendrix
Tim and Steve talk about what they feel this quote from Hendrix means. At first they agree. Then they don't. Then they do. Like many other things, this can't just be black or white. Much of its meaning is determined by the context around it.
What are your thoughts on this? We want to hear from you. Leave a comment. Or better yet — send us a voicemail by hitting the button on the right side of AttackLifeNotOthers.com
It's a new year, we've got new tools under our belts to attack life and some exciting news:
- Stand-alone website: AttackLifeNotOthers.com
- Featuring a voicemail system. Leave a voicemail for Tim and Steve directly from the website. Comments, questions, topic suggestions — we want to hear from you.
- All podcast episodes will still be on HooverKarate.com/podcast
- You no longer have to wait a week for a new episode. We now have two episodes per week! “Kick-start” your week every Monday with inspiring quotes, thoughts, and words to live by. ALNO feature episodes continue dropping every Thursday.
- Out of thousands of podcasts, blog.feedspot.com ranks the best in the world — by traffic, followers, authority, and freshness. We are proud to tell you on their list of the Top 25 Karate Podcasts worth listening to in 2023 (drum roll) — we’ve been ranked #1!
Forget New Year's resolutions. Instead, make the decision to first hold yourself accountable, then find accountability partners — and you'll see changes in your life take place.
Accountability begins with accepting responsibility for your own actions. Show up! And when you show up — don’t just be there — be 100% there.
Here’s to accountability in 2023! Happy New Year!
EXCITING NEWS: You no longer have to wait a week for another episode! We will now have two episodes per week! “Kick-start” your week every Monday with a brief episode as Tim and Steve share some inspiring quotes, thoughts, and words to live by. And you can count on our feature episodes continuing to drop every Thursday.
A plane trip, an encounter with a young woman and her credit card, a 5-year plan, some life wisdom, and philosophy — hear that and more on this episode. One thing's for sure: not much is free these days, certainly not on a plane.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face." — Mike Tyson
"Water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend." — Bruce Lee
The word "warrior" is thrown around a lot today, even being used in marketing and on names of products that have nothing to do with warriorship. So what is a warrior? What do you think being a warrior means? That's what Tim and Steve discuss on this episode.
warrior | (ˈwȯr-yər)
- (noun) — A person engaged or experienced in warfare; a soldier
- (noun) — A person who has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness
- (noun) — One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity or cause
warriorship | (ˈwȯr-yər-ship)
- (noun) — The state of being a warrior
Besides your Creator, you are alone on this journey. It’s YOUR body, YOUR mind, and YOUR spirit having this experience, taking this trip. Your choices, your mindset, your decisions to move forward — they’re all yours to do what you want with. Bernie shares his “closet concept” (similar to Jodi’s real story) with Tim and Steve to put all of this and more into perspective.
The MOST valuable thing anyone has, more than money, real estate, gold, stocks — more than ANYTHING — is time. Time is the most valuable commodity. That’s indisputable. And we all have the SAME amount of it! Let that sink in. We all have 24 hours in a day. No one has more, no one has less. On a daily basis, we all have the same amount of time to spend.
Choose to spend it wisely so that you:
- Don’t have regrets at the end of your tape measure (you’ll understand after listening)
- Do good things with your time — both for yourself and others (living a purposeful life)
This episode originally aired 4 years ago — on Thanksgiving 2018. It is so appropriate and relevant today that we decided to replay it. As you’ll hear, Steve and Tim even kicked it off stating the subject matter will still be relevant years from now. With more chaos than the world has seen in a long time — you might even say it’s MORE timely than before.
This is a testament to all we talk about on this podcast. We discuss universal principles that transcend time and space. We don't talk about trends or fads.
The Hebrew word Kadosh (קדוש) translates to "holy" but really means "to separate" or "to set apart." Therefore, a HOLIday is a SEPARATE day — a day that is to be treated unlike others. There is appreciation, respect, and caring that isn't present at other times. On this holiday — Thanksgiving 2022 — Tim and Steve talk about all we can be grateful for.
Being thankful makes your life better in more ways than we could ever cover in our podcast. One thing is for sure — the more thankful we are, the better life becomes. And the better life is, the more there is to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving! We appreciate you. Thanks for listening.
With the holidays coming up it’s a good time to discuss something most of us, if not all of us, do wrong: eating. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again — you’re only as good as the quality of things you consume. That includes everything you consume — mentally, physically, and spiritually. Obviously, quality food is a major component of your health.
Chelsea joins Tim and Steve to discuss “Mindful Eating” — because WHY you eat, WHAT you eat, and HOW you eat all matter.
We often talk on our podcast about being mindful. We talk about our actions, decisions, how we generally conduct ourselves, and the importance of controlling how we react to things. A good life involves having awareness and making appropriate choices. In this episode we relate that directly to food. You’ll hear about coping mechanisms — why we eat when we’re anxious, stressed, and bored — and how to change that to deliberate, intentional, mindful eating.
Chelsea’s business mentioned: Fuel for Thought Nutrition
Leadership is in every one of us. You just need to recognize what traits all leaders have.
First, you must understand that the most important person you'll ever lead is yourself.
A true leader:
- Must have a clear purpose and intent — the mission has to be agreed upon by all involved
- Doesn't let obstacles, intersections, or forks in the road get in the way — neither for themselves, nor for who they are leading
- Sometimes leads from the front and sometimes from the rear — with patience and understanding — setting ego and glory aside for the better good of all
Leadership is in every one of us. You just need to recognize what traits all leaders have.
First, you must understand that the most important person you'll ever lead is yourself.
A true leader:
- Must have a clear purpose and intent — the mission has to be agreed upon by all involved
- Doesn't let obstacles, intersections, or forks in the road get in the way — neither for themselves, nor for who they are leading
- Sometimes leads from the front and sometimes from the rear — with patience and understanding — setting ego and glory aside for the better good of all
Energy is everything. If we don't have energy we can't do much of anything. It's important for you to have energy not just for yourself, but so you're there for others. Furthermore, we may have energy — but what if we're full of negatively-charged energy?
Students of many Okinawan, Japanese, and Korean martial arts styles — including Shotokan, Taekwondo, Aikido, Karate, Goju-ryu, Kobudo, Kendo, Kyokushin, and Judo — use a kihup (sometimes spelled kiai, kihap, or kyup) to startle an opponent, intimidate, or to exude confidence.
Kihup comes from two root words. "Ki" is energy or life force. "Hup" means to gather or concentrate. Therefore, a kihup is a gathering or concentration of energy and power.
A kihup serves many purposes, but it's always synchronized with movement. It conjures up greater force when striking. It protects our bodies by exhaling and preventing getting the wind knocked out of us if we get hit. It intimidates an opponent or assailant. And it increases our confidence while relieving anxiety as it releases negative energy at the same time it's "working in" good energy. Tim and Steve talk about this amazing burst of air, which some even call a spirit shout.
Jodi Jill from last week’s show joins Tim and Steve again. She is so passionate about puzzles that she has designed about 12,000 puzzles and has even created #NationalPuzzleDay.
She sees life like a puzzle consisting of many pieces, and we get to decide how we want all those pieces to fit together. As she says: letters are symbols that when put together make words. Words makes sentences, sentences make paragraphs, and books are made of many paragraphs that transfer information. That information could be good or bad — all depending on the makeup of its words. This applies to both written and spoken words.
This episode is a reminder that just like our thoughts — we must choose our words wisely.
Jodi Jill from last week’s show joins Tim and Steve again. She is so passionate about puzzles that she has designed about 12,000 puzzles and has even created #NationalPuzzleDay.
She sees life like a puzzle consisting of many pieces, and we get to decide how we want all those pieces to fit together. As she says: letters are symbols that when put together make words. Words makes sentences, sentences make paragraphs, and books are made of many paragraphs that transfer information. That information could be good or bad — all depending on the makeup of its words. This applies to both written and spoken words.
This episode is a reminder that just like our thoughts — we must choose our words wisely.
For the first decade of her life, Jodi Jill basically just survived one day to the next in a storage unit — with one meal a day, not going to school, and always wondering about the outside world. She didn’t even learn to read until later on in life.
Despite all of that, she always maintained hope and faith. These days, Jodi lives by the simple premise: Make someone smile every day. She has learned to develop a laser-like focus — working to stop thinking about where she came from, and instead thinking about where she wants to go and what she wants to do next.
Jodi says, “If you can see it, you can do it.” As she also says on this episode, “There will be trials and tribulations. You will be kicked around unmercifully and you will have tears. But if you pick yourself up, you have not failed — if you lay down and cry you have.”
“See it, Believe it, Live it!” — David Hasselhoff
Life is both a privilege and a responsibility. Tom Parker joins Tim and Steve to discuss that.
Also hear about the "Journey Field" — the unique outdoor training facility that challenges Sensei Tim Hoover's martial arts students and pushes them to their limits.
Last year Tim and Steve talked about Lessons We Can Learn From Dogs. On this brief episode Tim reflects further about “Man’s Best Friend” and how it’s a good thing they can’t speak. He brings up deception, communication, body language, and more.
Tim and Steve talk more about The Ripple Effect including:
- Inspire before you expire
- What you do for others stays behind
- Some decisions are easy, some are not
- The theory of Karma, the cycle of cause and effect
- Make a conscious effort to help others and do the right thing
Tom Parker, Tim, and Steve talk about being in the moment. Certainly there’s value to being aware, being present, and being mindful. But living in the moment is not always attainable — and we might not desire it as much as we’re led to think we should with how often the mantra is used. That and more is on this episode.
You can’t give what you don’t have. No matter what it is — if you don’t have it, you can’t give it. The more you strive to get it, the more elusive it may become. It is many things. It is all good. It is what Bernie, Tim, and Steve talk about this week.
- It needs to be pursued
- It is having awareness
- It is compassion
- It is confidence
- It is gratitude
- It is energy
- It is grace
It is love. It’s simple: First you must have love for yourself before you can have love for others.
“The only easy day was yesterday” — US Navy SEALs
This mantra should instill true hope in us. We say true hope because the only thing worse than no hope is false hope.
We should all strive to have positive outlooks. But we also must be grounded in reality. Expecting no obstacles is not realistic, and that sets you up for failure. Alternatively, if you wake up realizing there's a good chance there for challenges and obstacles in the coming day — you will be better prepared to handle whatever you encounter.
Every day that goes by without challenges becomes a gift.
In this brief, yet profound episode, Tim talks about the truth. First, what is truth?
"A man who lies to himself, and believes his own lies, becomes unable to recognize truth, either in himself or in anyone else." — Fyodor Dostoyevsky
From Britannica: Truth is the aim of belief; falsity is a fault. People need the truth about the world in order to thrive. Truth is important. Believing what is not true is apt to spoil people’s plans and may even cost them their lives. Telling what is not true may result in legal and social penalties.
From Wikipedia: Truth is the property of being in accord with fact or reality. In everyday language, truth is typically ascribed to things that aim to represent reality or otherwise correspond to it, such as beliefs, propositions, and declarative sentences.
"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." — Mark Twain
"When people can not change things, they change the words." — Jean Jaures
"A lie told often enough becomes the truth." — Vladimir Lenin
In this brief, yet profound episode, Tim talks about the truth. First, what is truth?
"A man who lies to himself, and believes his own lies, becomes unable to recognize truth, either in himself or in anyone else." — Fyodor Dostoyevsky
From Britannica: Truth is the aim of belief; falsity is a fault. People need the truth about the world in order to thrive. Truth is important. Believing what is not true is apt to spoil people’s plans and may even cost them their lives. Telling what is not true may result in legal and social penalties.
From Wikipedia: Truth is the property of being in accord with fact or reality. In everyday language, truth is typically ascribed to things that aim to represent reality or otherwise correspond to it, such as beliefs, propositions, and declarative sentences.
"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." — Mark Twain
"When people can not change things, they change the words." — Jean Jaures
"A lie told often enough becomes the truth." — Vladimir Lenin
A couple weeks ago, Tim Hawk, Tim Hoover, and Steve Mittman discussed some differences between principles and trends.
Some trends can be good, but it's principles that most often help you and those around you live a better life. This is Part 2 from that conversation — basic, yet profound:
- Principles can have long-term effects
- There are mental, physical, and spiritual principles
- Some of these “eternal” concepts apply to your mind, body, and spirit all together
- Embracing tried-and-true, time-honored principles enhances your life and others’ lives
Your martial arts training becomes a vehicle — allowing you to experience things in life that you may not have been able to access otherwise.
All things at some points hit plateaus. If it's a priority for you, and you value its purpose, you need to push through.
Martial arts is exactly that — an “art.” It becomes YOUR art. It becomes YOUR vehicle.
Maintain your vehicle. It will take you many places.
Principles stand the test of time. Trends, similar to fads, come and go. Principles are fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for systems of belief or behavior. Trends are the directions in which things develop or change.
In martial arts — and life in general — time and trust are two of the major differences between principles and trends. Some trends can be good, but it's principles that most often help you live a life with greater pride and fulfillment.
Tim Hawk joins Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman to discuss these things and more.
Principles stand the test of time. Trends, similar to fads, come and go. Principles are fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for systems of belief or behavior. Trends are the directions in which things develop or change.
In martial arts — and life in general — time and trust are two of the major differences between principles and trends. Some trends can be good, but it's principles that most often help you live a life with greater pride and fulfillment.
Tim Hawk joins Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman to discuss these things and more.
Tim shares a recent experience where the wrong words were spoken.
"Words have meaning and names have power." — Author Unknown
"Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often." — Mark Twain
“I AM: Two of the most powerful words, for what you put after them shapes your reality” — Gary Hensel
"Some day we’ll be able to measure the power of words … They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally in to you." — Maya Angelou
To attack life you must stay physically active with at least some type of exercise. Chelsea Hoover, MS, RD, LDN from Fuel for Thought Nutrition tells us how get the most out of whatever activity it is that you do — martial arts, running, strength training, etc.
She talks about coconut water and other natural sources of electrolytes, omega 3s for your joints, beetroot juice, and more.
On this episode Dave, Tim, and Steve discuss the importance of finding a "second" family. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Or better yet — surround yourself with positive people who uplift and empower you, and perhaps those you aspire to be like.
"Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future." — Dan Peña
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” — Jim Rohn
On this episode Tom, Tim, and Steve discuss these things and more:
- A reason, season, and a lifetime
- The importance of finding your true, authentic self
- What might be the most engaging aspect of a person
- The question Tom almost always asked a job applicant
- How we have a lot of false images and projections of people
- The Scorpion and Frog fable which teaches that a bad person can’t resist their true self
“Don’t try to be someone or something you’re not — it’s just a waste of time in which you could be spending perfecting who or what you truly are.” — Steve Mittman, 1994
**Last week Tom, Tim, and Steve discussed the book Sacred Pauses** by April Yamasaki. This is Part 2 from that conversation. As Yamasaki says — in a fast-paced world full of distractions, these pauses offer ways to find everyday personal renewal.
How many of these 18 "Pauses" are part of your life?
* Creating space
- Slowing down
- Becoming quiet
- Engaging scripture
- Praying it like it is
- Getting outside
- Being alone without being lonely
- Valuing relationships
- Giving
* Praying the Lord's Prayer- Making music
- Fasting
- Having fun
- Paying attention
- Confessing
- Praying scripture
- Living simply
- Ending well
Do you feel stuck in the rat race? Are you unhappily going through the motions in life — feeling unfulfilled, unchallenged, and uninspired? Do you feel as if you're not accomplishing anything unless you're constantly busy?
Tom Parker joins Tim and Steve in the first of several episodes discussing "Sacred Pauses" and the importance of creating a type of oasis from the chaos and busyness of life.
“And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, "Well, how did I get here?"
— Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads
Anna — a black belt student who has been training for over 20 years — joins Tim and Steve to discuss some of the differences between women and men training in the dojo:
- There are no weight divisions or gender divisions in life — life is not fair
- Women often have a disadvantage in the dojo when training with men
- Many men can learn a thing or two from women in the dojo
- Frustration is a part of our lives — we must deal with it
“There's something so special about a woman who dominates in a man's world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.” — Rihanna
2 weeks ago Marc, Tim, and Steve discussed Marcus Aurelius and the Touchstones of Goodness. This is Part 2 from that conversation. More on Marcus Aurelius is discussed, and much of it you can read below. We also talk about:
- The importance of finding a community where positive growth is cultivated
- Creating a “current” — a flow of what it is you ultimately want through consistency
Marcus Aurelius called them the “Touchstones of Goodness” — Courage, Temperance, Justice, Wisdom.
These are guides to what to do, who to be, how to behave, how to respond in every situation — with bravery, fortitude, honor, sacrifice, self-control, moderation, composure, balance, fairness, service, fellowship, goodness, kindness, wisdom, knowledge, education, truth, self-reflection, and serenity.
These are the key to a life of excellence, in every sense. “If, at some point in your life,” Marcus wrote, “you should come across anything better than justice, prudence, self-control, courage — if you find anything better than that, embrace it without reservations — it must be an extraordinary thing indeed.” That was almost 20 centuries ago. We have discovered a lot of things since then — automobiles, the Internet, cures for diseases that were previously a death sentence — but have we found anything better? No, we have not. It’s unlikely we ever will.
Tim and Steve talk about the abundance of fear right now. It’s time to replace fear with:
- Hope
- Truth
- Faith
- Love
fearmonger | (ˈfɪərˌmʌŋɡər)
- (noun) — someone who deliberately spreads fear among people
Marc Berardinelli, Tim, and Steve discuss Marcus Aurelius and the Touchstones of Goodness:
- Many call them “cardinal virtues” — they have been adopted by Christianity, most of the Western world, as well as Buddhism, Hinduism, and just about every other philosophy
- They’re called “cardinal" because they originate from the Latin cardo which means hinge
- It’s pivotal stuff — the hardware upon which the door to the "good life" hangs
There must be a strength that comes from your heart to stand up to the world and still do good things
- Courage is built around Faith
- Courage and Faith together create Compassion
Bob Vidoni joins Tim and Steve to discuss one of his favorite profound excerpts from *Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind* — the book of teachings by the late Shunryu Suzuki. We should always strive to be the best we can be, however, "the best" is relative. If you think you're always going to "win" simply because you're the best, you'll be mistaken.
- Overcome the pain and grow through facing obstacles
- There's always going to be something that knocks us back
- Slow down and don't worry about being the "first to get there"
***“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast” — Navy SEALs***
Tim and Steve talk about sparring in the dojo. When people fight in a controlled atmosphere it’s often best to use that experience to grow from — rather than win.
It’s about embracing and purposely losing in the short term — in order to win in the long run.
It’s our “Ninja vs Samurai” concept. There’s a time and place for each.
Some of the profound thoughts Bernie, Tim, and Steve share:
- Strive to not take things personally, and not be concerned with being popular
- Own your thoughts, your words, and your space — stop renting these
- Confidence must grow in all different types of situations
- Controlling fear is a lifelong struggle
Bernie, Tim, and Steve talk about:
- A simple way to take conflict out of discussions
- How you are responsible for yourself — and that is all
- How controlling your ego allows you to make good choices
Like the song “Joy and Pain” this episode reminds us that life’s beauty often comes after pain.
- Learn through your mistakes
- One of the biggest fears people have is failure
- You've got to experience failure before you can succeed
- Sometimes you must taste the “sour” before you can enjoy the “sweet”
“Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Over and over you can be sure
There will be sorrow but you will endure
Where there's a flower there's the sun and the rain
Oh and it's wonderful they're both one in the same”— Frankie Beverly (Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock)
Pat Shea has more guts than most. His courage to share a social media post is commendable. It might be what you need to hear. It will resonate with a lot of people, but very few would be as brave to admit the things he says. Listen to this episode and let us know if you can relate.
“The most important day is the day you decide that you're good enough for you. It's the day you set yourself free.” — Brittany Josephina
When you want to become great, when you want to make a difference in people's lives, when you want to live a purposeful life — things happen when you want them as much as you want to breathe. Hear the story about the football coach and the aspiring athlete.
“If you desire to make a difference in the world, you must be different from the world.” — Elaine S Dalton
On this episode we talk about choices, grit, discipline, willpower, and more.
The way you think, the words you speak, and the actions you take — it's all energy.
Focus your energy on what you want, rather than what you're looking to avoid.
"I will never attend an anti-war rally. If you have a peace rally, invite me." — Mother Teresa
Tim and Steve talk about how training in the martial arts is unique to other forms of physical exercise. Some of what's discussed includes:
- Martial arts training "rewires your brain"
- No place for electronics — you're "unplugged"
- Relationships are not only mandatory, but necessary
- A unique way to approach mental focus and spiritual awareness
- Eliminating external noise and dealing with real distractions that are within you
“Any man could, if he were so inclined, be the sculptor of his own brain.” — Santiago Ramón y Cajal
“Because of the power of neuroplasticity, you can, in fact, reframe your world and rewire your brain so that you are more objective. You have the power to see things as they are so that you can respond thoughtfully, deliberately, and effectively to everything you experience.” — Elizabeth Thornton
Steve Fleisher joins Tim and Steve. When people ask exactly what it is he does, he tells them he does a little teaching, a little preaching, and a little reaching. Some of the topics include:
- “Top of the Main Line to the bottom of the drain line”
- If you can put a price tag on something, it's not that valuable
- Who is rich? A rich person is one who is content with what they have
- It’s the intangibles that have the greatest value: life, love, health, family, friendship, happiness, time, and reputation — these can’t be bought; therefore, they’re priceless
“It's not your aptitude, but your attitude that will determine your altitude.” — Zig Ziglar
Kevin McGee joins Tim and Steve. Some of the topics discussed include:
- Forget the phrase “It is what it is” — because it is what you make it
- A warrior shows up and puts in the hard work
- Become comfortable and confident
- Reading people
“A warrior doesn’t seek pain, but if pain comes, he uses it.” — Dan Millman
"If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm." — Frank Lane
If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times: Life is about choices. You and those around you will live a fuller, richer life, and perhaps discover the reason you're here if you decide to:
- Become a better person
- Become more responsible for your own actions
- Learn to acknowledge the noise and distractions and let them go
“We rise by lifting others.” — Robert Ingersoll
Do an online search on “how to focus” and you’ll find many “expert” blogs recommending to get rid of distractions. Good luck with that! You’ll NEVER be able to eliminate all distractions life throws at you. Paul Vrabel discusses realistic ways to improve your focus:
- Focus on one thing at a time
- Don’t get wrapped up in what could be
- Focus on the problem in front of you and work it
- Acknowledge the distraction, let it go, and come back to where you are in the moment
<>A means to an end helps achieve what you want, although it may not be valued or important itself. Tim and Steve suggest examining your motives, goals, and priorities in your life.
Are you doing something to ultimately achieve a goal? Or because it's what you're "supposed to do" according to society and culture? The answer to this will determine where your energy is focused and if you're living the life you want — or the life others tell you that you want. In other words, are you driven internally or externally?
This episode was inspired by the fact that — and this may be surprising — Bruce Lee never had any kind of ranking in any martial arts. Eye opening, right?! Here you have the person practically everyone would agree was the most dynamic, accomplished martial artist ever to live — yet he didn't have a black belt in any style, let alone multiple degrees.
There is no doubt we are living through a dark time. As Theodore Roethke wrote: “In a dark time, the eye begins to see …”
Collectively, our eyes are opening up to the external world. Individually, we are seeing into our subconscious more. Many are now questioning things that before we just accepted — how we think, how we act and react, and our neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).
There’s a better understanding that the animal we feed will be in charge of our lives. This is similar to last week, when we talked about how you can choose to be a duck or an eagle.
Tim and Steve share a story with a duck and an eagle. You can be either. The choice is yours. If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you’ll rarely disappoint yourself. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd. Don’t be a duck. Be an eagle.
“I want to fly like an eagle to the sea, fly like an eagle, let my spirit carry me” — The Steve Miller Band
Controlling and learning about fear and anxiety has been the topic the last couple weeks with Tim Hawk, Tim, and Steve. We continue this week with these topics and more:
- Fear is a gift given to us (trust your instinct)
- Exercise, meditation, nutrition
- Control your breath
- Build relationships
Last week Tim Hawk, Tim, and Steve discussed fear. On this episode, they dive deeper into understanding anxiety (especially through the pandemic). You’ll hear things you can do to eliminate both fear and anxiety — or least control them — including:
- Take small acts of bravery (“bridging”)
- Get to know your anxiety — learn as much as you can
- Change your perception — at minimum confirm your perception is truthful
Tim Hawk — with a background in psychology — joins Tim and Steve to discuss being afraid. Fear is a primary emotion we all experience at times, in different ways and at different levels.
What can we learn from fear? How can we control it? Can it be good? Hear that and more.
Tom Parker is on to talk about ikigai — the Japanese concept of finding purpose in your life.
Ikigai • 生き甲斐 • A reason for being
Enough fear already. We’ve grown weak and it’s long past time to get our inner strength back. If you feel weak and afraid — you must replace that with hope and courage. If you feel brave and strong — you must become even stronger for others, especially children who are having an even tougher time making sense of the world right now.
Our martial arts systems are reality based. We know reality. We also know fear. And we know that if you allow fear to run rampant, aggression sets in. With aggression, bad things happen. Raul and Julie join us discussing ways to make good things happen as we head into 2022!
Any boxer, martial artist, or any kind of athlete knows what it's like to be in the "zone" — where you're not thinking about the past, the future, or anything else — you're just in the moment. That's mushin. You might have experienced this while mowing the lawn, painting, or playing a musical instrument (like Eric Mintel talked about on last week's show).
Mushin in Japanese is a mental state. Zen and Daoist practitioners attempt to reach this mental state during everyday activities.
We all could use some time where our brains are not preoccupied with anything else other than just "being." That's easier said than done though, especially these days. Why do we need that? And how can we achieve it? That's what Tim and Steve talk about on this episode.
Eric Mintel joins us for part 2 of our conversation. (Check out last week’s show, where we spoke about the universal rhythm and cadence in music, martial arts, and all things in life.)
- Find mentors that live (or have lived) the lifestyle you want (Eric credits Dave Brubeck)
- Prioritize your time and focus your attention (Eric credits Bruce Lee)
- Surround yourself with like-minded people
We’ve talked extensively about the desired balance between the "crash" and the "flow.” Homeostasis wants to occur. It can be seen all through nature, systems, structures, and relationships between all kinds of things.
There’s a universal rhythm and cadence that can be found. Just by realizing that, we’re better able to navigate and “dance” through life. Jazz music might be one of the finest examples of that crash and flow at play. When a song is expertly composed and performed, we are naturally drawn to it like a moth to a flame — hence the phrase “music to my ears.”
Eric Mintel — Tim and Steve’s guest on this episode — is uniquely qualified to talk about this. As both a talented jazz musician and martial artist, he sees this universal principle from both of those perspectives.
It’s our 200th episode! Tim and Steve talk about what *Attack Life, Not Others* means to them. We have an all-star cast of special guests — including Master Tim Hawk, Dr Jarrod Spencer, Chelsea Hoover, Len DiNote, and Dr Bernie. Make sure to listen all the way to the end for a surprise appearance!
What does the phrase “Attack Life, Not Others” mean to you? Please tell us in the comments.
We often fear change because the outcome may be unknown. However, there's a difference between just change and purposeful change. It's OK to not always be in control of things, especially when the purpose behind change is out of love for another.
We can't change:
- The time period we were born in
- The location where we were born
- The parents who we were born from
What we can do is purposely change to be a better person — and better for those around us.
“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.” — Roy T Bennett
In past episodes, we’ve discussed Bruce Lee’s famous quote pertaining to water. On one show in particular we said: “When in an adversarial situation, take the path of least resistance and ‘flow’ with it.” After contemplating that further, we clarify our thoughts on when you should and when you should not go with the flow.
We want balance between the "crash" and the "flow.” Hopefully, we’ll have the right thoughts to think, the right words to speak, the right choices to make, and the right actions to take.
Tom Parker is back to continue where he left off from last week discussing character development. What does developing your character mean? Where does one cultivate bravery, integrity, intelligence, and other traits for a winning personality — in today’s difficult world?
Tom Parker takes his expertise from the corporate world managing “soft work” (interpersonal skills) and “harder work” (facts, figures, and research) as he, Tim, and Steve discuss:
- Education: content, knowledge, intelligence
- Character: bravery, honesty, faithfulness, integrity
- Performance consists of not only what we do — but how we do it
- The true purpose of education is to create intelligence plus character — not just one
Chelsea from Fuel for Thought Nutrition talks about using food as medicine and the power of nutrients and antioxidants that come from foods such as:
- Dandelion
- Cinnamon
- Mushrooms
Steve Turoscy joins Tim and Steve to talk about group energy. Thoughts discussed include:
- Share your energy with those around you, because what goes around comes around
- True leaders don’t need titles or letters behind their name to be a leader
- Having compassion is a form of sharing your energy
"Get comfortable being uncomfortable." — The US Navy SEALs
"Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself." — Rumi
"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." — George Bernard Shaw
Tim Hawk is back to continue where he left off from last week discussing a few things we can do to improve our energy — including exercise and meditation.
Tim Hawk joins us to discuss energy from his perspective — with a background in philosophy, psychology, and spirituality.
Last week Tim and Steve talked about surrounding yourself with positive people who support and motivate you — while staying away from people who are often negative and are "energy vampires." Other ways to get more energy — and therefore have more joy and happiness in your life include:
- Put yourself first
- Volunteer or help others
- Do more of what you love
Energy. It’s elusive. We all need it. What can we do to maintain what we have and get even more of it? Tim and Steve discuss this in Part 1 of a series on energy.
energy | (ˈenərjē)
- (noun) — the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity
Many people are feeling disconnected. If this describes you, this episode may help. We talk about finding a way around obstacles and excuses. These obstacles or "walls" that we put up might be labeled as anxiety, depression, fear, confusion, insecurity, self-doubt, or countless other things.
Life Coach Dr Bernie joins Tim and Steve talking about busting down these self-imposed walls — or taking the path of least resistance — like water. Either way, you must move forward.
***"Be water, my friend. Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend." — Bruce Lee***
Around 75 to 100 tons of food is what each of us consume in our lifetime. We hold on to the nutrients in order to live and continually reshape and rebuild our bodies.
How much mental vigor and spiritual energy do we take in? And aside from the quantity — what is the quality of what we’re putting in to our minds and spirits to keep them vital?
Having consistency, intensity, and purpose can be used for good or for evil — as in the yin yang principle. There’s a lot of “noise” in the world right now. Life Coach Dr Bernie says most of it is nonsense. He joins Tim and Steve as they talk about these things and more:
-
Life can be confusing, chaotic, indifferent, and cruel
- If you allow it — it will swallow you
- If you stay focused and disciplined — you’ll move forward
- As long as you have faith and remain a good soul, you already have everything you need
Moves, techniques, skills — all those can be taught and learned. Some people will always be better than others with physical expressions, and everyone can improve upon them, but that's the "hardware." The "software" inside us, as part of our programming, includes consistency and intensity. Most of those internal traits are driven by how strong we feel our purpose is.
“We need emotional content ...
I said emotional content, not anger!" — Bruce Lee
In Enter the Dragon (one of the most influential action films of all time), Bruce Lee reminded his student of his purpose — so that he'd kick with intensity (emotional content), rather than just going through the physical motions of performing a kick. As in his quote above, intensity is not synonymous with anger. Additionally, simply “showing up” doesn’t guarantee you’re actually present. A reminder that the "what" doesn't matter without the "why."
Tim shares a recent incident that happened to him and what we all can take from it:
- Time and place
- Two sides to every story
- Three fights — internal, external, the law
- We were never meant to be on this journey alone
- The right thoughts to think, words to speak, choices to make, actions to take
"And you may find yourself
In another part of the world
And you may find yourself
Behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house
With a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, well
How did I get here?"
— Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime"
Your thoughts. Your words. Your actions. Are they “absolutely” yours? Or have they been programmed by others? If you’re consistently unhappy and don’t know why, Steve contends the possibility of an internal struggle as the cause — and what to do about it.
What are electrolytes and why are they important? Chelsea from Fuel for Thought Nutrition talks about these essential elements and compounds that occur naturally in our bodies — and how they control crucial physiologic functions. Electrolytes include:
- Calcium
- Chloride
- Magnesium
- Phosphate
- Potassium
- Sodium
The concept of “to whom much is given, much will be required” is that we are responsible for what we have been blessed with — talent, wealth, knowledge, time, etc. We should use these blessings to be a good soul and help others. Tim and Steve are joined by Phillip Causey, who until recently was a complete stranger to them. In Phillip's journey, he has found pain to be inevitable — but misery and suffering to be optional. In this episode, you'll hear the following:
- We are not here alone
- There's got to be something more than just me
- Gratitude without action is just a pleasant moment
- Pain will teach me a lesson that pride will not let me learn
- My mind's like a bad neighborhood, and I'd rather not walk through it alone
- Is man's passion for others out of love? Or just to convince him of his own ideas?
"One of the most beautiful things in this world is free: a smile" — Phillip Causey
Tim and Steve talk about how dojos can be microcosms of the world, but at the same time — they’re very unique environments — unlike any other places.
“There are more good people than bad people, and overall there’s more that’s good in the world than there is that’s bad. We just need to hear about it, we just need to see it.” — Tucker Elliot
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” — Martin Luther King Jr
We can all agree the last year or so has been very difficult. Now it’s time to quit whining and get tough. Tim and Steve talk about this quote:
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.” — G Michael Hopf
To say 2020 was a difficult year is an understatement. In this episode, hear what Tim's family did to literally and figuratively bury the year. #FaithFamilyFriends
And as Dr Jarrod Spencer said last week: the good of the past, and the bad of the past — they’re both in the past. The difference is — we can learn and become stronger from the bad — if we allow ourselves to.
- “Out of these ashes beauty will rise.” — Steven Curtis Chapman
- "I'd save every day like a treasure and then ...Again, I would spend them with you" — Jim Croce
Tim and Steve continue the conversation from last week with Dr Jarrod Spencer from Mind of the Athlete, LLC. Some of the things you’ll hear include:
- Reset every morning with prayer
- Another reminder to focus on today, because yesterday does — not — matter — anymore
- "What-ifs" occur when our minds drift too long, too intensely, or too fearfully into the future
- Look for those who have done what you want to do, gone where you want to go, act how you want to act, etc
- Take pages out of other people's playbooks; Actively search for mentors and be open to them when they appear
- Mentorship can come in the form of reading books, watching videos, etc; With this, we can be mentored by people from long ago, including sages and saints
Dr Jarrod Spencer from Mind of the Athlete, LLC is an expert on emotional health and how to handle anxiety. He’s back with Tim and Steve to share more helpful tips and to talk about his exciting new series with iFIT involving workouts to strengthen your mind. A few of the things you’ll hear include:
- Catastrophizing — what it is and how to avoid it
- Find a mentor and emulate them if you like how they move, act, speak, etc
- More on the "what-if" state we've been discussing and not falling for the “feints”
“When the student is ready the teacher will appear”
In combat sports, feinting is used often to deceive an opponent. For example: pretending to hit the body but then going for the head instead. If you react to every feint in life (as in something that will hurt you minimally or not at all) you'll live in constant fear and anxiety. It's that "What-if" state we've been discussing.
Learn to build yourself up to take some of those lesser blows — so that you're not lured into a knockout blow, and so that your defenses are stronger to handle a big blow, if it comes.
Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery; today is a gift, which is why we call it the present.” — Bill Keane
A couple weeks ago Tim mentioned he’s noticed that more and more he’s appreciating certain things his dog does. And Steve just got a new puppy. So this episode has “gone to the dogs!”
We’re joking around, but in all seriousness, there are so many things we can learn from dogs — from their behavior, personality, and resilience — to their unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship until their very last breath. There's a reason we call them “man's best friend.”
Fear of all the "what-ifs" slows you down, inhibits you, and reduces the quality of your life.
This fear leads to chronic anxiety. Tim and Steve talk about eliminating these "What-Ifs" — living in the silent space of your mind (the gaps between thoughts), ignoring the unnecessary “chatter," and developing your true inner voice. Strengthen your inner self — your feelings, intuition, values, beliefs, personality, thoughts, emotions, and purpose.
“Silence isn’t empty, it’s full of answers.” — Unknown
“Quiet the mind and the soul will speak.” — Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati
Tim has noticed that he’s become more ritualistic the older he gets. He’s realized to get the things he wants, to feel the way he wants to feel, and to have a happy life — the importance of consistency and rituals cannot be understated. Tim Hawk is also on this episode, reminding us to make rituals “our own.”
"If you love life, don't waste time — for time is what life is made up of.” — Bruce Lee
- Time is the most valuable commodity.
- To get ahead in life, we must not waste time.
- Choose wisely who and what you spend your time on.
In the 70s, when the song “22,000 Days” by The Moody Blues was written, it represented the average life expectancy of a person — around 60 years. In recent years, that has increased to about 75 — which brings it to roughly 27,000 days. Regardless, the song’s not about numbers and statistics. It's about making the most of our time on Earth, knowing it won't last forever.
A couple weeks ago when Master Tim Hawk joined Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman he talked about the benefits he’s experienced from training in the martial arts for 60 years — including confidence, discipline, patience, and fitness. Continuing where he left off, he discusses what he’s gained mentally and spiritually.
Can you have too much discipline? What about confidence? Can it get out of control? Speaking of control — can one have too much self-control? Or how about being so aware of everything that you become paranoid. Life is all about having a perfect balance. It’s the ancient philosophy of yin and yang.
“I hold this as a rule of life: too much of anything is bad.” — Terence
After training for 60 years, Master Tim Hawk has learned a thing or two that have carried over to everyday life. He shares his observations with us on these things and more:
- Confidence
- Discipline
- Patience
- Fitness
Soon-to-be Doctor Cyrus Sholevar joins Tim and Steve to discuss how the martial arts have impacted his life. He attributes self-discipline to being able to focus on reaching goals, achieving difficult tasks, and overcoming discomfort — while pushing himself to new heights.
Getting back to basics is the simplest way to find calm in this chaos. Forget biohacking or looking for the next healthy fad, let’s stick with straightforward, commonsense health basics.
“There is absolutely nothing more important than meeting our basic human needs.” — Abraham Maslow
“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful.” — Eric Thomas
Bernie shares his version of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which he views as:
- Ignorance
- Gullibility
- Stubbornness
- Foolishness
He, Tim, and Steve also talk about fear — how some use it for control to make you do or say things you might not otherwise. Focus and awareness are good — and both are necessary — but too much focus (and not on the right things) can lessen your overall awareness.
"Listen to the whispers, and you won't have to hear the screams." — Cherokee proverb
"Two things are infinite — the universe and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." — Albert Einstein
“Life is everything and nothing all at once.” — Billy Corgan
Tim and Steve talk about seeing nothing while seeing it all, along with:
- Attitude
- Awareness
- Focus
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” — Zig Ziglar
Len, Tim, and Steve talk about faith, family, friends, and fellowship. If you have something positive to share, it's important to do so, because you can never underestimate the effect you may have on others.
After listening to our podcast episode, watch this video with Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly:
As we talked about before, the flagship school of Hoover Karate Academy has been sold. Many memories live on, and so does HKA's Allentown location. Tim, Frank, and Steve have one last conversation inside the old dojo — about the reality of truth and other lessons learned.
“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” — Arthur Conan Doyle
Exactly two years ago, long before the pandemic, we had Anthony Droz on the show. Now, with the pandemic upon us, so much of what we talked about is more important than ever:
- How and why you must maintain the warrior ethos, otherwise you lose it — as the case with anything important in life
- Who does Anthony believe was mentally, physically, and spiritually evolved in a way that we, today, can not even fathom
- Proof of how responsibility, challenge, and adversity leads to one becoming stronger mentally and physically — and creates confident, self-reliant individuals
- We’ve talked before about the importance of embracing being uncomfortable; Anthony further reminds us of how that’s the place where we learn to grow and thrive
Listen to the entire show from 2019: Ep 056 - What Is Your Passion? What Is Your Purpose?
***“Any change, even a change for the better is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.” — Arnold Bennett
”If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” — Maya Angelou
”You must welcome change as the rule, but not as your ruler.” — Denis Waitley***
If you have a favorite memory from the iconic Hoover Karate Academy (American Karate Studio back in the ‘80s) dojo at Eagle Point in Whitehall, PA please tell us in the comments.
Chelsea from Fuel for Thought Nutrition explains which foods to eat — not just for our bodies to be healthy — but for our minds and emotional health also.
This brief episode prompted Steve Mittman to question if the length of the show really matters as long as there is something inspiring, thought provoking, energizing, or informative. In other words: quantity vs quality — what is more important for you? Do you need both? He suggests it depends on what your priorities are — and just another reason to determine goals and priorities in the first place.
Do you agree with Steve’s thoughts? Or do you have a different take on quantity vs quality? Let us know in the comments, via social media, or on the side where it says Reach Out here.
Last week, Tim Hawk talked about some of the amazing benefits of meditating. In this episode, he takes us through a very simple guided breath meditation that anyone can do — anywhere, anytime.
You don't need to be a Buddhist monk sitting for hours in lotus position to meditate.
A simple breathing meditation is something you can do — anywhere, anytime — and it’s free! It's scientifically proven to reduce stress, control anxiety, promote emotional and physical health, lengthen one's attention span, reduce memory loss, generate kindness and compassion, fight addictions, improve sleep, control pain, lower blood pressure, enhance self-awareness, and so many other great things.
In this episode, Tim Hawk talks about some amazing benefits of meditating. Next week, he'll take us through a very simple guided breath meditation that anyone can do.
If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted — you’re not alone.
Symptoms associated with emotional exhaustion include: irritability, frustration, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, lack of focus, brain fog, and feeling disconnected from others. And those are just some signs! Actual physical issues include: headaches, muscle aches and tension, stomach pain, sleep problems, and more.
So what do you do? Tim and Steve share a few suggestions on this episode, and will continue over the next few weeks with special guests we’ll be having on the show.
Last year in January, we suggested letting go of the new year’s resolution mentality. A few months ago, we recommended finding accountability partners to help achieve goals, identify weaknesses, and capitalize on strengths. In this episode, Steve Mittman talks about using an external force to get you where you want to be, and how it’s actually a Law of Nature:
***“There is something profoundly satisfying about sharing a meal. Eating together, breaking bread together, is one of the oldest and most fundamentally unifying of human experiences.” — Barbara Coloroso***
All of us at the Attack Life, Not Others podcast and Hoover Karate Academy wish you and yours a Happy and Healthy New Year!
If you’re a regular listener of our show, you’ll know we are big proponents of positive rituals and traditions. Sharing a meal is a tradition that builds relationships. It brings families closer and contributes to their well-being. At work, eating together encourages cooperation between colleagues. In this episode, Tim shares a dinner discussion his family recently had:
How has this past year made a difference in your life? What have you learned? Let us know in the comments.
When it comes to mind, body, and spirit, some find it hardest to strengthen and maintain their spirit (especially now). Chris Butynskyi suggests ways to build spirituality. He explains why faith doesn’t have to compete with intellect, nor does it need to clash with reason or science.
“To philosophize is to learn to die.” — Michel de Montaigne
Master Tim Hawk joins Sensei Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman. For every action there is a reaction — the ripple effect as we’ve been saying. It’s the description of karma. In a very profound way, Tim Hawk shares his insightful explanation of karma with us.
Karma /ˈkärmə/ noun — destiny or fate, following as effect from cause
“Realize that everything connects to everything else.” — Leonardo Da Vinci
Whether we describe it through physics, or refer to it as the Golden Rule from the Bible, karma is a natural law of the universe. We should take responsibility and be mindful with our actions — because they always have consequences.
“Contrary to popular misconception, karma has nothing to do with punishment and reward. It exists as part of our holographic universe’s binary or dualistic operating system only to teach us responsibility for our creations — and all things we experience are our creations.” — Sol Luckman
“Men are not punished for their sins, but by them.” — Elbert Hubbard
Next week we have Master Tim Hawk on the show. Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman explain who he is, their relationship, why he'll be on our podcast, how it came to be, and what you'll get by listening to him. Also on this episode:
Freezing is fight-or-flight on hold. You’re neither fighting nor fleeing. Realize you’re not necessarily safe, you’re just prolonging what needs to be done. And by not acting or deciding (freezing), circumstances may be chosen for you — because time does not stand still.
As we continue discussing the ripple effect, imagine it as a "blanket" that transcends space and time, affecting everyone and everything. Our goal is to constantly position ourselves so that we both create and receive positive ripples. When we're gone, those ripples continue. What you do for others stays behind.
Our special guest on this show is Tony Grigoli. A few episodes ago we talked about how if you don't like the results you're getting — the “ripple” so to speak — that you might consider jumping into a different pond. In Tony's situation, he literally crossed the pond to the United States to create a better life for his family. Listen to Tony's story.
- No matter how bad things may appear with COVID, politics, and social unrest, Americans still live in the greatest country on earth. There’s a reason people risk everything to come to the US.
- Life is all about decisions. Decisions can be frightening, and the choices we make have consequences. Tony took charge and made many decisions, practicing what we call CEE.
- We often talk about adversity, consistency, courage, and fear. Hear all of those applied in real life.
Just like COVID-19 is spread one person at a time — like a ripple effect, we can spread hope and positivity — one by one by one. Tim and Steve are joined by Len DiNote to talk about what his son, Matt, is doing. More than ever before, we all need to make the good come about. Matt the Travelin' Hat is doing it his way. Find your way. Put a purpose behind your intention. You'll find commitment — as excuses will be eliminated. Our brains are hardwired to connect — to be selfless, not selfish.
Coach Aaron Cerrone returns, and Tim and Steve pick up from last week’s show where they talked about every action having a reaction.
Ripple effect /ˈripəl ə fekt/ noun — the continuing and spreading results of an event or action
This episode is a reminder to choose wisely who and what you spend your time around — because they will affect you. You, in turn, will affect others — whether you realize it or not.
For every action there is a reaction. Regardless of whether it’s positive or negative, everything has a ripple effect.
- Don't look for someone else or something else to put you in a better mood
- The way you think, the words you speak, and the actions you take all affect others
- Negative energy turns into anger, and anger drains you of your lifeforce and vitality
Life is always changing. In fact, the only thing constant — is that things will change. Changes affect everyone, and we all deal with them differently. Tim Speiss joins Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman on this episode.
- Most things in life are outside of our control
- Dealing with changes is a skill that can be improved
- Self-defense is not just about defending our physical bodies
What changes have been hard for you to deal with? What changes in your life have turned out to be for the better in hindsight? Let us know.
Whatever you’re going through — no matter how big or small — it’s just a moment in time. It is up to you how you decide to handle it. Fight back in your own way. This episode is a simple reminder of a couple age-old adages:
- This too shall pass
- When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
Aaron Cerrone is the owner and head instructor of Mid America Martial Arts in Omaha, NE. He started his martial arts journey with Sensei Hoover while in 6th grade— roughly 35 years ago. This episode reunites Tim and his former student, Aaron, to discover the profound and long-term impact they had on each other.
It’s a reminder that not only do we never know who we might influence, but also how that influence may continue spreading for years to come. This is the case with positive and negative influence — just another reason to “Attack Life, Not Others.” By taking care of yourself, those around you, and living a life of quality — one helps improve the entire world.
“Invisible and inevitable, like a butterfly that beats its wings in one corner of the globe and with that single action changes the weather halfway across the world.” — Alice Hoffman
Tim briefly recaps the last couple episodes based around Cobra Kai — leading to two thoughts he shares:
“We learn from the things we suffer.” — Aesop
“Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today.” — Lorenzo Snow
As we continue to discuss Cobra Kai, Steve’s topic is the motto of the show’s dojo: “Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy!” Is there anything wrong with that? In The Karate Kid — the answer would be yes — considering that sentiment came into play in the tournament at the end of the movie. But life is not a tournament.
Steve presents that the real answer to that question lies in the context of any situation and the intent behind why one would “deploy” the concept of “Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy.”
Tim and Steve discuss Cobra Kai — the very popular TV series based on The Karate Kid films. Tim brings up philosophies of two martial arts movie icons — Mr Miyagi and Bruce Lee.
Incidentally, it was on this date — October 1st — back in 1893 that Yip Man was born. It was while training under Yip Man and in Wing Chun, that Bruce Lee's philosophy began developing. When punching water, Bruce noticed that no matter how hard he struck, the water did not suffer damage. The nature of water is to flow and adapt to its surroundings. Lee decided he wanted to "be like water." Water can be soft and it can reshape itself; but it can also be very powerful when faced with resistance. People need a balance of both to live life to the fullest.
- When in an adversarial situation, take the path of least resistance and "flow" with it
- Life is hard and it's not fair — learn when and how to work against resistance in order to grow
“Wax on, wax off.” — Mr Miyagi
“Be water, my friend.” — Bruce Lee
Who are YOU more like — and why — Mr Miyagi or Bruce Lee? Tell us by commenting below.
We frequently talk about the importance of good choices and quality rituals. If you’re like most people, you're finding that being consistent with these practices is taking more effort these days during the pandemic.
With martial arts, you'll often hear Tim speak about the benefits of training in a dojo or gym — as opposed to on your own. The energy is contagious, motivating, and reciprocal. Also, the people you train with become your accountability partners. Having an accountability partner (or partners) might be the boost you need to achieve consistency with important things.
Accountability partners:
- Help each other achieve goals, identify weaknesses, and capitalize on strengths
- Develop discipline and improve self-awareness
Find accountability partners in all areas of your life. As they say: There’s strength in numbers.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
Bernie, Tim, and Steve talk about:
- The noise, frustration, and angst people are feeling
- Experiencing the state of grace — the condition of being in God's favor
- What you read, what you do, what you think about, and what comes out of your mouth is what you put out into the universe — shaping what you see and feel around you
compassion | (kəmˈpaSHən)
- (noun) — sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others
Today — September 10, 2020 — is the 40th anniversary of Sensei Tim Hoover receiving his first black belt. He reflects on what it meant to him then, what it means to him now, and what it should mean to you.
“It’s not what we can’t do, it’s what we CAN do that matters.” — Sensei Tim Hoover
Right now is an opportunity to think about what things in your life are real and what are illusions. It’s a great time to realize what your purpose is. Decide what makes you happy. Recognize what makes you stronger — and do more of that. Reflect on what is essential to you. Set your priorities, but also learn to adapt.
"United we stand, divided we fall" — John Dickinson
“A house divided against itself cannot stand” — Abraham Lincoln
- This is not a time to be on cruise control
- Believe in yourself, never say die, and have the spirit of a peaceful warrior
- Now more than ever, we must be focused and mindful of our thoughts and actions
During the pandemic it’s all too easy to get stuck in a rut. When you lack motivation, get yourself going by doing what boxer’s have been doing for decades. Getting started is usually the hardest part of anything. Once you get momentum, it's much easier to keep going.
Now, more than ever, during the pandemic, it’s important to be healthy and strong — mentally, physically, and spiritually. There’s plenty of information and inspiration to be found, including on our podcast, on how and why to do that. Much focus is given to adults, but we must not neglect the health of our kids. What they hear and see greatly affects them, too.
As we discussed last week, you cannot rely on others for answers. You must take control of your own health by making wise decisions. With the way schooling and education looks like it’s going, much will be different with kids. Keeping them mentally and physically active is crucial. Sensei Darla is very talented at that; and the way she communicates with children when it comes to mature, sensitive subjects is amazing. Many parents appreciate how she handles topics which often can be difficult to discuss. Rather than scaring and worrying kids, she empowers them — all while being honest and respecting their emotional maturity and the laws of reality in the world. Hear how she goes about doing that. You’ll also get a handful of ideas you can do right now to empower your children even if they don’t take karate.
- Stop waiting for someone else to give you the answer
- Learn to be your own leader by trusting your gut and listening more
- Rather than aptitude — it's your attitude that determines your altitude
Chelsea from Fuel for Thought Nutrition offers advice on nutrition to help with inflammation and keeping your immune system strong. Last week we talked about the role our minds play in our overall health — now we talk about food we consume and its effect on how we feel.
Dr Jarrod Spencer from Mind of the Athlete, LLC joins us as he talks about the role our mind plays in our overall health, well-being, and performance.
Hear his advice on how to stay motivated and sharp, even if we can’t be as active as we’d like.
Contact Jarrod if you’re interested in his keynote speech for business leaders or his signature keynote speech for athletes.
Tim shares a neat story of how during the pandemic he’s been forced to quiet his mind and rewire his brain — strengthening inner senses:
- Instinct
- Intuition
- Inspiration
- Imagination
Life Coach Dr Bernie joins Tim and Steve to talk about “The Camouflage Effect” — and how it’s more prevalent these days because of the stress the world is feeling with the pandemic. In other words, people’s true colors are coming out more often. On this episode:
- How to know who you can trust
- Learn what “The Camouflage Effect” is
- What to do if you realize someone is hiding an agenda
- Everyone gives off signals — learn to trust your gut instinct in reading telltale signs
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Learn to observe people’s eyes and behavior — what they do, and what they don’t do
"Arrogance is the camouflage of insecurity." — Tim Fargo
camouflage | (‘kam-uh-flahzh)
- (noun) — behavior designed to deceive or hide
- (verb) — to hide, conceal, or disguise oneself
- Refuse to waste this time
- There’s nothing quite like “the fight”
- A few simple words can greatly help others
- We all must be fighters as we step into “the unknown”
“Happiness consists more in conveniences of pleasure that occur every day than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom." — Benjamin Franklin
- Don’t rely on outside sources for happiness — not people, nor things
- You must actively do what it takes to make yourself happy — before you can help others
“It isn’t what you have — or who you are — or where you are — or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about." — Dale Carnegie
"The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage." — Carrie Jones
"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." — Dalai Lama
"We can't control the world. We can only (barely) control our own reactions to it. Happiness is largely a choice, not a right or entitlement." — David C Hill
91-year-old “Pop Pop” joins us to share some life wisdom. He’s seen a lot over his years and he has lived through tough times before. Hear how he is handling the coronavirus pandemic.
- Hard work pays off
- Sacrifices are necessary
- Strength often comes from family
We continue where we left off from last week’s show talking about firearm safety with Mark Schlofer from Eastern Arms and Outfitters. Whether you’re a current firearm owner or are considering purchasing one, do it the right way — legally, safely, and wisely.
Mark Schlofer from Eastern Arms and Outfitters joins us to discuss the current uptick in gun sales due to the coronavirus pandemic and because it’s an election year. Violence of all types is also increasing. With everything going on in the world, we’re all feeling the pressure. Now, more than ever, we must strive to control our emotions. Our podcast says it all: “Attack Life, Not Others!”Whether you’re a current firearm owner or are considering purchasing one, it is not acceptable to be uninformed on proper procedures and safety protocols. This week, in Part 1 of 2, we talk about that. Part 2 is next week.
“Once you pull that trigger, you cannot call that bullet back.” — Eddie Yurickones, Sr.
Len joins Tim and Steve as they discuss:
- The importance of just showing up
- Aspire to inspire — before you expire!
- The enemy of “great” is simply being “good”
- We are not defined on regular days, but rather by our most difficult moments
"True strength is the courage to admit our weaknesses.” — Simon Sinek
Self-awareness is "an awareness of one's own personality or individuality". If we’re made of three parts — mind, body, and spirit — it only makes sense that when all three are balanced we’re at our best. To achieve that — we either need to evaluate objectively, or trust family and friends to help us consider the facts, rather than our personal feelings. Otherwise, our ego takes over and we become selfish.
Between Dave’s own awareness and his wife and son’s help, he’s become skilled at keeping his mind, body, and spirit firing on all cylinders. He joins us to talk about that, along with the story behind the Tree of Inspiration 2020.
- The LION represents the MIND. Its traits are majesty, strength, courage, justice, and military might. It symbolizes balance and sound judgment. Because the lion shares the world of both night and day, it bears a message of prudence — reminding us not to overdo certain things. Rather, keep an even mind and an overall balance in our activities.
- The BEAR represents the BODY. As a protector, it symbolizes courage, physical strength, and leadership. Bears are strong, agile, and quick. The bear is a good omen, and conveys authority and emotional healing. This animal has been worshiped throughout time, inspiring those who need courage to stand up against adversity.
- The EAGLE represents the SPIRIT. It conveys the powers and messages of the spirit, and is man’s connection to the divine because it flies higher than any other bird. It bestows freedom and courage to look ahead. The eagle is symbolic of honesty and truth, and its presence brings you closer to your true self. It serves as a reminder to be ready to take advantage of any opportunities that come to you.
- The more you give, the more you receive
- Practice “physical distancing,” not “social distancing” — we must be socially connected
- There are all kinds of free opportunities to connect virtually — engage in these online opportunities and possibly try something you’ve always had interest in
No one knows for sure what the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic will be in 6 months — let alone 6 years. The world is changing, and a phrase being tossed around is the “new normal.” But it’s important to realize “new normal” is an oxymoron. It’s a contradiction. Things can be “new.” Or they can be “normal.” But they can’t be both — not for some time yet. It may seem as if we’re quibbling over semantics, but words have meaning. Words have power.
If you’re feeling confused — that’s OK. Many of us are. Until the dust settles, very little is normal. So don’t bother trying to make sense of it, because it might just frustrate you more.
Accept this period of vulnerability and confusion in order to grow, because one thing that IS definitely normal — is feeling confused. Use that emotional energy to Attack Life, Not Others.
One thousand days to learn; ten thousand days to refine. — Japanese Proverb
Len joins Tim and Steve as they discuss:
- The “new normal”
- Say goodbye to the handshake
- Use this time to reset, recalibrate, and reflect
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." — John Lennon
Hear life lessons Tim picked up from the early years of developing his martial arts schools, and how his observations can help everyone during the coronavirus crisis.
- Grit and Sacrifice — What are you doing during the COVID-19 pandemic? Taking it on? Or packing it in? After most hardships throughout history, came times of greatness.
- Bridging — While earning one belt after another, martial artists progress towards a black belt. They must practice patience, otherwise, they’ll never reach that goal. As we work towards getting back to “normal”— we must take one step at a time, day by day.
- Phases — In Sensei Hoover’s martial arts system there are Four Phases of Fighting, representing different ranges. With quarantining we are closed up and living restricted. Gradually we will expand, the threat will diminish, and we will be less vulnerable.
- Be Water — Like a chameleon, we need the ability to adapt our behavior according to the situation. Nothing expresses this better than Bruce Lee’s famous quote below.
"Be water, my friend. Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend." — Bruce Lee
During this coronavirus pandemic, acts of loving kindness matter not only to others, but they hold more spiritual weight for your own soul. Dr Bernie joins Tim and Steve as they focus on the Spirit component of Mind, Body, and Spirit. They talk about our Creator, how we have been given free will to choose between good and bad, and how our choices define us.
“It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” — Epictetus
Many of us are driven by external factors — such as training for a race, or looking good in a bathing suit. Many of these external motivators currently don’t exist or won’t be happening because of the coronavirus pandemic. So how do we stay motivated when no one’s watching?
Chelsea from Fuel for Thought Nutrition joins Steve with thoughts from her blog including:
- Create new routines pertaining to meal times, exercise, work, bedtime, etc
- Reassess your priorities and find deeper reasons to achieving and maintaining them
- “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” — Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
- “When you face difficult times, know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They're sent to promote, increase and strengthen you.” — Joel Osteen
- “I don’t count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. When I feel pain, that’s when I start counting because that’s when it really counts.” — Muhammad Ali
From a scrawny kid with asthma who was abused and bullied, to a world champion martial artist with multiple black belts — Matt Stait is our guest on this episode. When Matt was a teenager his father committed suicide. Shortly after that, he was diagnosed with PTSD. He spent many years working as a bouncer and a bodyguard, and now runs a martial arts gym in the UK. He is the CEO and co-founder of Team Fightback CIC — an organization which helps military veterans through martial arts. Matt is an author of books and magazine articles, a creator of online courses, along with being a public speaker, and corporate trainer.
If you could use some positive energy and inspiration amid all the uncertainty and startling news with the COVID-19 crisis — this episode will do it for you. You’ll hear:
- How everything goes back to your mindset
- Ways to practice having an “attitude of gratitude”
- How to change your perception so that many so-called problems disappear
- How just like Tim and Steve discussed last week — Matt, too, is cautious of who he surrounds himself with and what information he is taking in
Please visit Matt’s Modern Samurai website. You’ll find links to his books, courses, and more.
“A truly great person is not disturbed even when suddenly confronted with an unexpected event or crisis …” — Gichin Funakoshi
- Now, more than ever, with the coronavirus pandemic, we should be cautious of what we consume — this includes food we eat and thoughts we take in
- It’s also very wise to have greater awareness, so that we don’t overreact or underact
- Tim shares how every day he prays for: Faith, Courage, Hope, and Patience
As the world struggles to contain COVID-19, many are stricken with fear. Fear is an emotion triggered by a perceived threat. Notice we said “perceived.” Make sure your reality is your perception, and not dictated to you by someone else or something else (such as the media). The coronavirus outbreak is reminiscent of past global epidemics like SARS, MERS, the Zika virus, and the swine flu — and just like those, this too shall pass.
Fear can be healthy. Fear keeps us alive. It prompts us to take the necessary steps to handle situations accordingly. However, once there is a course of action, perpetuating additional fear serves no purpose. In fact, living under chronic fear and anxiety takes a toll on our health with very serious consequences.
Lenny DiNote joins Tim and Steve to share some very personal, powerful, and profound words. He sees adversity coming in two forms:
- The adversity we bring on ourselves. We still have to decide on how to deal with this adversity, but it’s a result of our choices — either directly or indirectly.
- The adversity that we have no control over. It presents itself in our lives. The only thing we control is how we choose to handle it. This is what you’ll hear on this episode.
Adversity is an opportunity to strengthen your moral principles and values. Run into it, rather than away from it. Hear how and why we can all learn a thing or two from Len’s son, Michael.
The Inklings, the Victorians, and the Moderns reminds us of the importance of creativity and imagination. The author, Chris Butynskyi, joins Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman to discuss:
- Faith requires imagination
- We were made to be communal
- Education, meditation, religion, and spirituality should act as tools to get us where we need to be
- Why creativity and imagination are the keys to our humanity — how they are tied to our intellect and reason
- How we can learn from teachers that came before us — the present is fleeting, we can't predict the future, the only thing we have to study is the past
When ordering The Inklings, the Victorians, and the Moderns use code UP30AUTH20 to receive a 30% discount through 12/31/20.
In martial arts a Sensei is a person who has knowledge and is willing to teach that knowledge to others. The title of Master is used to describe or address a very experienced practitioner.
Mastery in life, however, is very elusive. It might never be possible to achieve. Once a person starts believing they are different, that often is the beginning of their failure.
Danny Blowe is a senior level Security & Safety professional with almost 30 years combined experience in private security and law enforcement. He is located in Topsail Island in North Carolina — where Tim and Steve recently visited. Immediately, upon meeting for the first time, it was apparent to Tim and Steve that Danny exudes the lifestyle promoted on this podcast. Danny can be an inspiration to us all.
- He practices gratitude for his blessings every day
- He speaks about the importance of faith, family, and friends
- At nearly 60 years of age, he competes as a triathlete regularly
- Hear how he combats dark times — both with triathlons and life in general
Willpower is defined as the ability to control your own actions, emotions, and urges. It is strong determination that allows you to do something difficult.
- Most of our bad habits are due to lack of willpower
- Willpower leads to consistency and momentum — and they lead to confidence
- Combat doubt: challenge yourself, step up to the plate, walk into the lion's den — deliberately place yourself in difficult situations
"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." — Vince Lombardi
Last week we talked about excuses — how there are plenty to go around. With most people, if they faced any single one of the setbacks today's guest has dealt with — let alone all of them — they would have many excuses. Sensei Dave Pohlmann, however, doesn't have any. He continues to train, teach, motivate, inspire, and "Attack Life!" You’ll hear:
- How to be an effective leader
- How being sedentary never leads to good things
- The difference between challenges and true limitations
- Motivation for those that think everything has to be perfect before doing something
- Life is a state of mind, body, and spirit — realize one will lead the way at different times
AMERICAN = A Message Everyone Remembers: I CAN
January is almost over and most people's New Year's resolutions are disappearing. Are yours?
Gyms are becoming less crowded. Fad diets are being broken. It’s easy to get off track. If you want an excuse — you'll find one. Get your mind in the right shape and your body will follow.
Most people fail to achieve their New Year’s resolutions. The last couple weeks we’ve talked about making smarter food choices and making gains with your workouts, but first we have to discipline our minds for any of that to stick.
Dr Jarrod Spencer from Mind of the Athlete, LLC suggests we should let go of the resolution mentality and try a new approach that is more beneficial and realistic to achieve.
The most common New Year's resolutions are to lose weight and exercise more. Last week we had Chelsea on the show talking about common sense ways of eating. Today Tricia Butynskyi, MPT, DPT joins us to discuss simple concepts for you to reach new levels in working out:
- A well-rounded full body workout routine
- Warming up, stretching, and flexibility
- Cardiovascular conditioning
- Dealing with sore muscles
It’s our 100th episode! Special guest Chelsea from Fuel for Thought Nutrition helps us kick off 2020! If your New Year's resolution is to get healthier and eat better, she’ll help you get rid of that “all or nothing” diet mentality and start thinking of food as fuel.
Learn about the 80/20 Rule — where you eat high-quality, whole foods 80% of the time and allow yourself to enjoy a few indulgences 20% of the time. Not only is this a healthy lifestyle, but it’s a realistic diet that’s sustainable. Chelsea also explains:
- Intuitive Eating
- Mindful Eating
Dr Jarrod Spencer from Mind of the Athlete, LLC joins Tim and Steve to discuss the power of visualization and also his personal daily ritual of prayer.
When things look bad, the first thing people often do is turn to prayer. We propose turning to prayer when things are good. This time of the year has been celebrated for millennia by many cultures, and there is no denying it is full of miracles and magic. There’s no better time to connect with prayer than now — in the present — and during this time of year.
Catch Jarrod’s previous episodes with us including: Ep 071 - How to Focus Better, Ep 073 - The Importance of Good Sleep, Ep 076 - How to Avoid Depression, and Ep 077 - How to Reduce Anxiety. Contact him if you’re interested in his keynote speech for business leaders or his signature keynote speech for athletes.
Lenny, Bernie, Tim, and Steve talk about the importance of making memories — not just for your sake, but for those you’re making the memories with.
***”Your self is created by your memories, and your memories are created by your mental habits.” — Rick Warren
”The more often you share what you've learned, the stronger that information will become in your memory.” — Steve Brunkhorst***
How do you prioritize your time? Where do you focus your attention? WHO gets most of your time? WHAT gets most of your time? Call it The Secret, The Law of Attraction, or whatever else you want to call it. The fact is — your character is determined by what you focus on, along with who and/or what you surround yourself with the most.
Ideally, we all want to put ourselves in the right place at the right time as often as possible.
*“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.” — Albert Einstein*
Bernie’s back on the show with Tim and Steve talking about how he didn’t always like who he was. He realized he was trying to keep up with the Joneses, and yet still wasn’t happy even once he obtained many material things. He talks about his insecurity, depression, anxiety, and why he felt he wasn’t as good as others — along with what it took to change all of that.
Sometimes all you need is a different way of looking at things:
Today was the absolute worst day everAnd don't try to convince me thatThere's something good in every dayBecause when you take a closer lookThis world is a pretty evil placeEven ifSome goodness does shine through once in a whileSatisfaction and happiness don't lastAnd it's not true thatIt's all in the mind and heartBecauseTrue happiness can be obtainedOnly if one's surroundings are goodIt's not true that good existsI'm sure you can agree thatThe realityCreatesMy attitudeIt's all beyond my controlAnd you'll never in a million years hear me say thatToday was a good day
Now read this from bottom to top, and take comfort in knowing you have the power to change your perspective. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
It’s “Zen with Len” as Lenny DiNote joins Tim and Steve to share some wisdom. Discussion includes focusing on the goal (no matter what that is — personal, professional, financial, etc) for the greater good of all, and not worrying about getting credit for it.
- Strive to keep your ego in check
- Remember — if you strengthen your internal you will see the external world improves
- Your mind, body, spirit, family, and finances all need to be in balance — if any one of those are not, the others will be compromised
- Keep your eyes on the end result if you want a strong team — whether that team is your family, your coworkers, sports teammates, or any group of people
"When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.” — ConfuciusTrue success and happiness can only be found by working on ourselves. Strengthen your internal, and you will see the external world improves. This basic principle lies at the core of “Attack Life, Not Others.” Everyone benefits when YOU focus on YOUR:
- Mind
- Body
- Spirit
- Family
- Finances
This month — October — is National Bullying Prevention Month. The Camel Project is an organization working to stop bullying once and for all. The Executive Director, Pam Gockley, joins Tim and Steve to discuss how we all can play a part in ending the bullying epidemic.
Because so many things in today’s world are automated and digital, we are losing simple face-to-face social interactions very rapidly. As social animals, we crave these interactions. Yet if we don’t prioritize them, they will continue to diminish — and we will pay the price.
- You must find people that you connect with — people that you relate to
- Prioritize interacting with people who bring you joy and enhance your life
- Use technology and digital devices to facilitate — not replace — human interactions
That last statement even includes this podcast. It’s wonderful that you’re listening to our show and reading these words right now, but please don’t hesitate to reach out so we can have a real conversation. If you like the show — tell us! If you have a question — please ask! If you want to be a guest on our podcast — we’d love to have you join us! If you live near us (just north of Philadelphia) — let’s grab coffee! Seriously. No matter what the reason — just reach out! We want to hear from you!
Being consistent leads to momentum. Just as consistency can be good or bad, so too can momentum. If you focus your efforts on positive things, consistency and momentum will give you a better quality of life. Momentum is like the current of a small stream — turning into a creek — and eventually a powerful river.
For every action there is a reaction — whether it’s positive or negative. For Jews across the world, this week is Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement. This holiest day of the year in Judaism is a chance to wipe one’s slate clean of wrongs committed. It’s interesting how the holiday coincides and parallels many points Dr Bernie, Tim, and Steve bring up on this episode including:
- How to make better choices
- How to have a clean start and begin fresh
- How to get yourself out of the negative energy trap
- How the OODA Loop that law enforcement uses relates to a new you
In this short, but very profound episode, Dr Bernie joins us to share his “closet story.”
“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” — Albert Pike
Dealing with things in a chronological, linear manner is not always ideal. The OODA loop is a strategical military and law enforcement concept that stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. Tim and Steve talk about how it can be applied by everyone to more effectively handle situations we experience in everyday life.
Energy. What is energy? How does your energy affect your relationships and interaction with others? How do we get more energy? Yes, there are physical elements we need — proper nutrients and rest. But mentally what is necessary to energize yourself and defeat laziness?
According to this website, here are the 10 Main Causes Of Laziness that we discuss:
- Procrastination
- Distraction
- Poor lifestyle choices
- Exhaustion
- Indecisiveness
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of motivation
- Lack of self-worth
- Irresponsibility
- Too much to do
Back by popular demand, it’s Dr Bernie. He talks about making every moment count, being a good soul, helping others we encounter along our journey, staying mentally alert and aware, respecting yourself, rituals, exercise, food, and so much more:
- Timing and distance — how to be in the right place at the right time (2:00)
- Why and how to truly be in the moment (3:24)
- What happened that caused him to shift his mindset and priorities (4:03)
- Dr Bernie’s beliefs on how to be successful and live a vibrant life (4:50)
- ”Live in the moment” isn’t just a pie-in-the-sky phrase — its meaning is explained (5:38)
- We were not meant to live in the past — that leads to depression (7:30)
- Become the person you want to be (8:50)
- What our purpose is here on earth (9:37)
- An epidemic that will kill you if you’re not aware (11:23)
- Why you should believe what Dr Bernie has to say (13:07)
- What he witnessed that made him determined to always move forward (15:36)
When you do something — anything at all — for a long time and you’re passionate about it, there’s a tendency to expect others to do it too. Because it’s become routine for you, and you’re comfortable with it, it can be hard to imagine that may not be the case for everyone. Rather than always being the one speaking, be sure to listen as well.
”Not everyone can be an oak tree.” — Carol Hoover Being consistent dictates results, but of course it’s easy to be consistent with something that you’re good at and you enjoy doing. Learning to get comfortable in uncomfortable situations keeps us humble and more relatable — strengthening our relationships. Realizing where others are coming from takes understanding, awareness, and an ego check.
The last couple of weeks we’ve been talking about the world’s Blue Zones. There are 9 common lifestyle habits the world’s longest-living cultures all have. The first 3 habits involve staying physically active, finding a sense of purpose, and having ways to shed stress. Then we talked about not overeating, incorporating beans in your diet, and drinking alcohol regularly in moderation. Tim, Steve, and Dr Al Peters continue with the last 3 longevity secrets:
- Choose to be around a small group of friends with similar values and lifestyles
- Have faith and prayer in your life — no matter the religion or denomination
- Put your family first — invest time and love in your spouse and children
What are Blue Zones? Why do so many residents in these places live to 100 and longer? They all seem to have 9 commonalities that lead to longer, healthier, happier lives. On the last episode we talked about some of those lifestyle habits.
Dr Peters joins Tim and Steve again to discuss a few more longevity secrets that cultures in blue zones have in common. Talk includes what to eat, when to eat, and even how to eat:
- Stop eating when you feel 80% full — you’ll lose about 17 pounds
- Incorporate various types of beans into your diet
- Drink alcohol moderately and regularly
Dr Albert Peters is the owner and medical director of the Center for Anti-Aging Medicine & Hormone Wellness. In this episode, learn how to transform your family and your community to live longer and better.
Dr Peters joins Tim and Steve to share some of the longevity secrets that cultures in the blue zones of the world all have in common. The first 3 lifestyle habits include:
- Move naturally and stay physically active
- Have a sense of purpose in your life
- Have a routine to get rid of stress
It's pretty hard to “Attack Life” if you're living in fear and anxiety because of extreme violence which seemingly is becoming more prevalent. The US Department of Homeland Security's official recommendation is to “Run, Hide, Fight.” Timothy Spiess, retired Senior Special Agent with the US Secret Service joins us to break that down even further.
There are no guarantees, but here are some practical and tactical things you can do to increase your chances of surviving an assault by an active shooter:
- Immediately crouch down
- Seek cover or concealment as quickly as possible
- If possible, move laterally to the shooter(s) and work your way back to where they have been — typically they don’t return to the entrance or area they came from
- As a last resort — or the opportunity arises and you feel you’re able to safely attack and neutralize the shooter — commit using any available means and extreme aggression
Most importantly, work on becoming more aware. Eliminate distractions. Get rid of the noise. Having more awareness won't just make you safer — it will enhance your life in so many ways.
Contrary to what many other podcasts similar to ours are telling you — YOU CAN’T CONTROL CERTAIN THINGS. A trending topic these days seems to be people telling you things such as “Take control of your life!” and “You’re in control of what happens, so take charge!”
While these people are attempting to empower and embolden you — what they’re really doing is setting you up to fall harder when circumstances strike.
Saying you are in control is simply not true. Don’t misunderstand. We are big proponents of energy. In other words, if you work on being positive you’ll see more good things in your life. Alternatively, if you’re a negative person you’ll see a lot of negativity showing up in your world. Either way, things in life are thrown at you — things that you have no control over.
- Life is a fight — show up and take it on
- Life isn't as pretty as some would make it out to be
- What you CAN control is how you choose to handle what you’re dealt
- Why it’s important to have a support system of faith, family, and friends
- Why it’s important to maintain a strong mind, a strong body, and a strong spirit
Anxiety is something we all deal with to some degree. What most people don’t realize is how dangerous and detrimental it can be if it’s allowed to grow. It can get out of control, lead to other issues, and ruin lives. Dr Jarrod Spencer from Mind of the Athlete, LLC is back again to offer his expertise on how to reduce anxiety. Some of the things discussed include:
- Why for the first time in history an entire generation is over-scheduled and overwhelmed
- One of the commonalities of poor sleep and anxiety is cell phone addiction
- What the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are
- We can't stop feeling anxious if we don't first get better sleep
- If you’re feeling anxious, what the best way to relax is
In case you missed it, last week Jarrod gave us ways to keep our emotional energy high and positive — thereby avoiding depression. He’s also told us how high performers focus. In Ep 073 he went into more detail on how important good sleep is. Contact him if you’re interested in his keynote speech for business leaders or his signature keynote speech for athletes.
SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts! And while you’re there, we’d appreciate a quick RATING and REVIEW on Apple Podcasts!
Dr Jarrod Spencer from Mind of the Athlete, LLC has been on the show a couple times before. First he talked about how high performers focus, then he proved to us how important good sleep is. Contact him if you’re interested in his keynote speech for business leaders or his signature keynote speech for athletes.
Last week Tim and Steve shared some personal stories about emotions getting out of control, and now Jarrod joins us again to provide his knowledge and firsthand clinical experience on:
- How to keep your emotional energy high and avoid emotional depletion
- Why we need to improve our emotional regulation management skills
- What a truly tough person does to manage their emotions
- What causes depression, self-pity, and negative thoughts
Tim shares a recent story about anger and rage. It could have ended very badly. Other things discussed include:
- Tim’s 15-minute rule with his wife
- The reason why indignation can be good, even though rage is bad
- The major difference between combat sports, such as MMA, and real-life fighting
- If you want to see what real focus looks like, try to observe yourself when you get angry
It’s our July 4th Special Episode — some thoughts and reflections on Independence Day 2019.
“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” — John F Kennedy
Dr Jarrod Spencer from Mind of the Athlete, LLC is back on the show. This time the guys talk about sleep — one of the most important things of all if you want to be healthy, powerful, and productive. You’ll hear the following and more:
- What the #1 reason is that people are sleep-deprived
- What can be done about sleep deprivation
- What we know from yawning
- How to nap properly
The last time Jarrod was on the show he spoke about the ability to “shift” and focus on goals and things that matter to you. If you missed it, check it out here.
Having the ability to focus on what needs to be done is something we talk about often on our show. Focusing is what got Brad out of jail and it's what allowed Eddie to reclaim his life after tragedy. Last week Dr Jarrod Spencer talked about it from his clinical experience dealing with athletes and high performers. He also talked about shifting in order to achieve focus.
We dive deeper into shifting on this episode. Tim and Steve discuss how being able to shift leads to focus, how they are different skills, how to avoid regretting losing time, and more.
Next week Dr Jarrod Spencer is back as we talk about the importance of sleep. You won’t want to miss it. You may be shocked to hear what not enough sleep is doing to your health!
Dr Jarrod Spencer is a sports psychologist, professional speaker, author, and consultant. President and founder of Mind of the Athlete, LLC — a sports psychology company — he is committed to improving the emotional health of athletes all over. He joins Tim and Steve for the first of a several-part series. Hear how reading Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman had a major influence on him.
On many previous episodes of the podcast you’ll hear us refer to the importance of focus. Why must we have it? How do we get it? How do we maintain it? How do high performers achieve it on command? What do they do to “shift” into having focus and a clearer mind? All of that and more is discussed on this episode.
Sensei Steve Turoscy joins us to share the 10 Rules for Fighting he has devised over the years. Not only do these principles apply to the martial arts, but to everyday life, as the case is with all discussions on the show. Listen and hear how these universal concepts played a major role in helping Steve combat adversity a few years ago.
The 10 Rules for Fighting:
- Always be in control.
- When anger arises, think of the consequences.
- Master the basics and you will be a good fighter.
- Technique before speed — not speed without technique.
- You can’t think and hit at the same time.
- If an attacker is within striking distance, then so are you.
- Even a poor chess player will sometimes make a remarkable move.
- Train like you fight and fight like you train.
- You cannot be a good fighter if you are always afraid of what might happen.
- Be diverse — set yourself up for success.
The Takeover is a book that will help you program your thoughts and actions to perform at your highest level. In this episode authors George “GK” Koufalis and Brad A Modrich join Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman to share a few of their top 20 essential ingredients that highly successful people utilize. Similar to Attack Life, Not Others — these gentlemen are on a mission to help others live a more productive and fulfilling life. Their book is very easy to read and certainly holds its own in the self-help and self-development category. We strongly recommend reading The Takeover and listening to this inspiring podcast episode. It is jam packed with “golden nuggets” that will lead you to “success files” — some of which include:
* Energy
- Rituals
- Fellowship
- Self-awareness
- High standards
- Posture, presence, and confidence
- You can't go back and start a new beginning, but you can always change the ending
Be sure to listen straight through to the end for Brad and George’s incredible “wake-up calls!”
***“Life is a series of choices and those choices create the life we live.” — The Takeover***
The last two weeks we told the story about tragedy and survival — Episode 066 and Episode 067. Truth be told Tim and Steve weren’t even sure to begin with if they wanted to discuss it — because of the painful, sensitive subject matter. This week, the plan was to pivot and move on to another topic. However, the universe had something else in mind. Feedback validating it was good to have the conversation with Eddie came in many forms. This included a message from a gentleman named Anthony — a message that brought tears to our eyes and exposed a story about Eddie Yurickones, Jr that even his family didn’t know about.
There are way too many variables involved in bringing that message into existence that it’s coincidental. Notice how many times Eddie said the word “focus.” If you ever needed proof that by focusing on positive thoughts a person can bring positive experiences into their life, today’s episode is your proof. For this reason we talk about the Law of Attraction, manifesting more good in the world, and how everything is energy with our special guest Carrie Beleno — Intuitive Reiki Master/Teacher, author, podcaster, and speaker. Our discussion also includes:
- Why anxiety is so dangerous
- Why it's important to trust your instinct
- What Reiki is and how it’s relevant to all of us
- The movie Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark coming to theaters in August
***”Intuition is our direct line to our higher self.” — Carrie Beleno***
On last week’s show we set the stage for this powerful episode you’re about to hear. Eddie Yurickones joins Tim and Steve as they talk about the horrific tragedy in 1995 — the loss of Eddie’s teenage son. He was shot and killed by a 13-year-old neighbor.
How did Eddie face this? How does he go on? How does he deal with the pain? What can we all learn from this inspirational man? Who is his hero that gives him strength? As you listen notice how often he says the word “focus” and how being focused is the key to his survival.
If you think shootings are becoming more frequent and worse — you're right. The term “active shooter” is now a part of our everyday language, and often media portrays these incidents as “the new normal.”
Politics aside, how does one go on after a tragedy such as this? Faith, family, and friends are often what it comes down to. Next week on the show Tim and Steve have a good friend join them to tell his story. His life and our lives changed forever back in 1995 when he lost his son. That horrific time, in fact, had a lot to do with forging our message of Attack Life, Not Others.
If you’re going to listen to only one episode, this might be the one to “reset” the way you view your life. Our guest — Life Coach, Dr Bernie — explains how the only true reality is the present moment. Hear why he says every moment of every day is your chance to be “reborn.” He shares his “closet story” along with what he’s determined to be our purpose here on earth. Other key takeaways include:
- The importance of being a good soul and helping others
- If there’s something you don’t like about yourself — you can change — right now
- Why most of us don't know how to activate what we already have in our possession
- Once you learn to activate your innate knowledge you will understand your existence
- Time is an illusion; you can’t hold on to anything; all you have is the moment — and in that moment you can change
- The past is gone, it’s in the “quicksand of time” — it holds nothing over you, and has no relevance other than memories
- Everybody makes mistakes; the beauty of living in the moment is those mistakes are in the past; learn from them and move on — because you have no other choice anyway
Previously we’ve talked about the connection between fear and courage along with the importance of getting comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. Today Tim and Steve talk about the recent competition Steve took part in — the results, thoughts, and what we all can take from it. Key takeaways from their discussion include:
- You cannot expand unless you root
- One also needs depth of root (depth of experience) in order to expand
- Never stop expanding — experiences, friendships, knowledge, relationships, love, etc
- When you have to engage and move forward you can't fall back — you must root first and then move forward
We talk about customs, rituals, and traditions. Every society, every culture, every religion, and every nation has them. Many of us have our individual rituals. The martial arts run deep with rituals. Most rituals — if performed regularly and properly — improve our lives, keeping us on track. However, too much of a good thing sometimes can be bad, especially if the ritual isn’t relevant any longer.
- Challenge and question rituals to see if they make sense
- The key to a good ritual is awareness of how it's affecting you and those around you
- Be aware of your absolutes and priorities — keeping in mind where these rituals rank
Clarence Cook is a well-known personal trainer in Allentown, PA. Anyone that knows him knows he is a stand-up guy — the perfect example of what our podcast is about. He attacks life, not others. He consistently trains and maintains things that are meaningful to him. Faith, family, and friends are of paramount importance in his life.
“C” has been taking care of himself in order to help others around him consistently for many decades. And just like Tim and Steve spoke about last week — not surprisingly, C is also thankful for what he has been given from family members no longer here. You’ll benefit by hearing what he has to say.
After 33 years of being the Fitness Director at the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley, Clarence currently offers private personal fitness training. For those interested in his services you may get in touch through his Facebook page.
"They may forget what you said — but they will never forget how you made them feel.” — Carl W Buehner
In this touching episode, Tim and Steve talk about people in their lives that have had long-term influences on them. Those that have a person (or people) like that are fortunate. We should strive to refine ourselves regularly to honor them.
- Like some batteries, sometimes we need to be depleted in order to recharge or refine
- You can’t be ordinary and do the extraordinary
In the martial arts we have “rank-ups” — when students work towards the next belt level. Sensei Hoover explains that can be interchanged with the term “refine up.” However, unlike ranking up that occurs every couple years, we should strive to refine up daily.
Our guest, Gary Shankweiler is a martial artist and an NRA Certified Instructor with over 50 years of experience with firearms. Keeping politics out of it — whether or not you are a proponent of more gun control laws, the fact is the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." That being the case, if you’re purchasing a gun you MUST take it seriously. Our talk includes the following and more:
- What to do before you purchase a pistol for self-defense
- Some factors you should consider before choosing a firearm
- How to safely and responsibly handle and store firearms in your home
For those living in and around the Lehigh Valley area, Gary offers an Introduction to Firearms course as part of HKA’s Streetwise Self-Defense Seminars.
It was on this date — March 21st — one year ago that we launched Attack Life, Not Others. By now you know there are several principles that much of what we talk about is based on. One of those fundamentals is the way of the peaceful warrior. There are many things outside our control. Often all we can control is not letting anyone steal our peace. On this episode we talk about that and more, including:
- What is the martial arts mindset?
- Why is it important for everyone to have?
- How can we get better at “fighting the fight?”
- As a warrior you become strong for yourself, for your family, and for others
- We should strive to be constantly aware — not to be paranoid, but to be aware
- With better awareness we have more time and space to effectively handle situations
After listening to Tim’s story of purchasing the DVD at Best Buy, do you have a similar story where you kicked yourself because you wish you handled something with a better response?
Last week we talked about Steve jumping on (or shall we say ”dancing with”) the opportunity to help a good cause and grow outside his comfort zone. Getting outside your comfort zone is a fundamental principle we reference often because it’s crucial in becoming a stronger person.
On today’s episode we are joined by Shelley Brown, President & CEO of the State Theatre in Easton, PA. Next month — Thursday, April 18th — Steve Mittman will be competing at the State Theatre in Dancing With The Lehigh Valley Stars. What does this have to do with the martial arts and becoming a better, stronger person you ask?
There are, in fact, many things that are related. We talk about the connections between DWTLVS and our show, ALNO. Some of the topics included are:
- Why The FREDDY© Awards (which DWTLVS helps to support) are a perfect example of helping young students find their purpose and also find their passion
- How cha-cha dancing changed Bruce Lee’s life and helped him become the icon we know
- How Steve is choosing to replace fear with courage
It’s a great conversation filled with some neat information and thought-provoking insight. Listen to all the ways DWTLVS is tied in to our podcast right here.
If you live anywhere in the Greater Philadelphia area please consider coming to Dancing With The Lehigh Valley Stars on Thursday, April 18th to support The State Theatre and also Steve. It is NOT televised. You (the audience) will help pick the winner with your vote at the show!
If you know someone who would enjoy this episode — or might like to attend DWTLVS on April 18th will you please share it with them?!
Tim and Steve talk about the yin yang principle — the duality of opposing forces — and how all things exist as inseparable, yet contradictory opposites. By recognizing, being aware, and capitalizing on this universal truth — one will be better off. Topics discussed include:
- You can't find courage unless you have a certain amount of fear
- Steve is choosing to get outside his comfort zone in a few weeks (details here)
- There's a time and place for everything in the right amount — a cadence or rhythm
Next week Shelley Brown from the State Theatre in Easton joins us and we’ll talk more about the special event coming up in April — and how it’s tied in to our podcast in many ways.
***“The key to life is service; not to a device, but to your home and humanity.”
“We each have a choice to make when confronted with hardship, but what we do before that can make it easier.” — Anthony Droz***
On last week’s episode we talked about how our human hands are used in many ways — for both destructive and peaceful purposes. On today’s episode Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman are honored to have Marine Corps Veteran Anthony Droz from Outward Bound as their special guest. Some amazing and profound topics are discussed, some of which include:
- Energy vampires and positive-energy providers
- Why and how you’re actually hurting someone if you enable them to be unhappy
- The “warrior ethos” — what it isn’t — and feeling secure and comfortable in your skin
- The martial arts are NOT about getting “banged up” — rethink your training if that’s your take on it
- How and why you must maintain the warrior ethos, otherwise you lose it — as the case with anything important in life
- Who does Anthony believe was mentally, physically, and spiritually evolved in a way that we, today, can not even fathom
- Proof of how responsibility, challenge, and adversity leads to one becoming stronger mentally and physically — and creates confident, self-reliant individuals
- We’ve talked before about the importance of embracing being uncomfortable; Anthony further reminds us of how that’s the place where we learn to grow and thrive
- The concept of the different belts in the martial arts — changing color and leading up to a black belt by itself — simply by training and being engaged with the elements
- Why keeping a fire is similar in many ways to finding, nurturing, and continually pursuing your purpose here in this world — “What is your passion? What is your purpose?”
Here are some of the topics on this episode:
- Faith, family, and friends
- The definition of “martial arts”
- Strength through relationships, tribes, and “villages”
- Keeping life simple — learning what’s real and what’s not
- Human hands are used in many ways and for many purposes
- Our hands can be used in a destructive way or in a peaceful manner
- Life is chaotic — we're on a “collision course” all the time — whether we like it or not
- Some of these “collisions” are good, some aren’t — but the better we get in navigating through life’s chaos, the better off we will be
- Communication in society today is structured where we are being removed from direct, immediate contact to avoid "bumping" into people
- While sometimes a situation calls for the avoidance of chaos, doing it all the time destroys our ability to effectively handle adversity when it arrives
- Discussion on the words "transference" and "experience" while previewing next week's episode with Marine Corps Veteran Anthony Droz from Outward Bound
In Episode 051 we talked about healing from injuries and dealing with pain. Tricia Butynskyi, MPT, DPT from Good Shepherd in Macungie, Pennsylvania is back again — this time to talk about the integration of the martial arts and Western medicine. We talk about the proper way to breathe, why our breath is so important, and more.
We’ve talked before about the importance of maintaining a high quality of life. We’ve also discussed how even though martial arts are rough and physical, training should not decrease your longevity. If it does, that would be counterproductive. Because, after all, martial arts are ultimately about the preservation of life — and with that comes life quality.
Sensei Hoover talks about how he treats days that he trains a little differently. This includes drinking more water, eating greater nutrient-rich food, and getting good sleep the night before. Ideally, we’d be better off if we could treat every day like a training day. Realizing that’s not possible, we should strive for at least a few days like this per week.
In Episode 047 we talked about eliminating the word “almost” in order to become better, stronger people and have greater relationships. On this episode we talk about the opposite. It’s good to be aware of absolutes in life. With absolutes, we feel secure, safe, and strong. They are black and white, there are no gray areas. Absolutes are foundations we can lean on — pillars upon which we can build our lives. They provide a framework for everything else.
Realize what you absolutely feel and know to be true. These absolutes will be your priorities. Your priorities will be valuable to you. Because they are valuable, you need to maintain them so they don’t lose that value. In turn, these absolutes in your life will guide you in the right direction and serve you well.
“Are you absolutely sure there are no absolutes?” — Patrick Friar
Pain can be felt emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Last week we talked about how we all deal with adversity, and how no one gets by without dealing with some type of pain and hardship.
Today we're talking about pain as it pertains to physical injuries, surgery, or overuse. Our guest on this episode is Tricia Butynskyi, MPT, DPT from Good Shepherd. She is the Site Manager at their Outpatient Physical Therapy location in Macungie, Pennsylvania. She has successfully treated a wide variety of neck, back, hip, knee, and shoulder injuries, as well as arthritis, neurological disorders, and work-related and sports-related conditions. Tricia has a bachelor’s degree in general science, a master’s degree in physical therapy, a doctorate in physical therapy, and she is a 4th degree black belt training under Sensei Hoover.
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a weekend warrior — you will appreciate this episode. Key takeaways include:
- The importance of stretching
- How long you should hold a stretch
- If you need to stretch every body part
- What you should NEVER do while stretching
- Why it's crucial that you warm up BEFORE you stretch
- How to know the difference between good pain and bad pain
- Which warm up exercises could be dangerous for your age and fitness level
- Why you should not only stretch before working out, but also AFTER your workout
- Ice and heat — how to know when and which to use to reduce pain and promote healing
We talk about all these things — and more!
Is there an injury or physical pain you’re dealing with that you have questions about? Let us know. We’ll have Tricia talk about it and answer you in a future episode.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and please leave a rating and review!
In case you missed them, be sure to check out the last two episodes where Mike Mittman joined Sensei Hoover and Steve Mittman. They talked about the struggle Larry Holmes had against the odds to become the Heavyweight Champion, how he was determined to fulfill his dreams, and what we all can learn from how he did it. This week's conversation includes:
- How hardship builds character
- When you give up on one thing, you start giving up on a lot of things
- We all deal with adversity — no one gets by without dealing with hardship
- The hardship Sensei Hoover’s dad lived with all his life, yet never did he pity himself
"If you’re going through hell, keep walking until you reach heaven.” — Matshona Dhliwayo
We preview next week's episode when our "resident" physical therapist joins us to talk about:
- The importance of stretching and flexibility for overall health
- A holistic view of our bodies — how everything is connected and affects everything else
Last week Mike Mittman joined Sensei Hoover and Steve Mittman. Mike shared his unique insight and some rare stories about Larry Holmes. He talked about the boxing legend’s struggle against the odds to become the Hall of Fame Heavyweight Champion we now know him as. Part of his rise to the top included being a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Earnie Shavers. But “The Champ” eventually realized to live his dream he would need to become his own boss and prevent getting “sparring partner syndrome.”
The sparring partner mentality is an example of how consistency dictates results. We talked before about how powerful consistency is — good or bad. When a boxer consistently "holds back" in the gym (because that might be his job as a sparring partner), they tend to not be able to push into high gear in an actual fight. Although at that point it’s not necessary to hold back — that limiting mindset kicks in — as a result of constant repetition.
This week, in this special several-part series, key takeaways include:
- A sign of leadership is to be humble
- Be confident and humble at the same time
- Immediately after Larry Holmes defeated Muhammad Ali, hear what they had to say to each other in the dressing room
- Mike Mittman talks about Bruce Lee, while Sensei Hoover brings up how he was another icon that rose to the top against all odds
- It takes a bigger man to walk away from conflict than it does to fight — in line with an earlier episode’s discussion on there’s no need to act tough
- There's a time for learning and simply doing what you're taught, and there's a time to think outside of the box to take what you’ve learned, make it your own, and improve it — just as Larry Holmes did
Larry Holmes, Hall of Fame Heavyweight Champion, is the topic of discussion as Mike Mittman, Steve’s dad, joins us on the show. Mike has a unique perspective and exclusive insight into both the iconic career of The Easton Assassin, and also the personal side of the boxing legend. Some of the things you'll hear include:
- How and why Larry became a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
- As discussed in last week's episode, Larry didn't believe in "almost" doing something
- How Holmes turned a negative into a positive after Frazier broke his ribs while sparring
- The inside story of the severe bicep injury Larry incurred right before his heavyweight championship fight with Ken Norton — and the handicap he had going into that fight that no one knew about until after Larry won the WBC Heavyweight Title
- How to apply some of the spirit, the work ethic, and determination that Larry Holmes has so that you, too, can be a champ and not a chump
"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter — it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” — Mark Twain
We talk about Twain’s quote and how it can change our lives on this last episode of 2018. We must work on eliminating the word “almost” if we want to become better, stronger people and have greater relationships.
Next episode — the first of 2019 — we kick off a several-part series with Steve’s Dad, Mike Mittman, talking about boxing legend Larry Holmes and what we all can learn from him. Happy New Year!
Tirun Gopal MD, is the Medical Director of the Department of Ob-Gyn at St Luke's Hospital in San Francisco, CA. After completing an internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Bombay, he came to the US in 1974. He completed a second round of internships and a residency program in the US and began his practice in Allentown, PA. Dr Gopal received formal training in Ayurveda from the Open International University of Complementary Medicine and the New England Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine. Having incorporated this into his Ob-Gyn practice, he realized that other modalities would enhance the care he provided.
Dr Gopal is the doctor that delivered both of Sensei Hoover’s daughters, and he’s our special guest on this episode. Hear him talk about:
- Why we must respect our bodies by providing appropriate food AND thoughts too
- How every single sense should be involved with the process of eating
- How undigested thoughts are just as harmful as undigested food
- Why he purposely consumes very few calories
- The ritual he practices every single day
- Yoga, pranayama, and meditation
We talk about the importance of good choices, good practices, and quality rituals.
- The definition of a ritual is: “An act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner.” Another way of saying “regularly repeated” could be consistent.
- Two things that help us become more consistent are leadership and fellowship.
- Even though consistency is so powerful, results are not able to be observed right away. And because we are hardwired to seek instant gratification (especially in today’s world), it is often difficult to maintain and sustain being consistent.
- Being consistent means you commit yourself to a task, activity, or goal — and to stay engaged without distraction over the long-term. It sounds very simple, but it's not easy. And although it's not easy, it simply works. It's the most important factor in leading to accomplishment and success.
- Hear some of our suggestions on how to become consistent in making wise choices and developing beneficial habits.
“What You Do Every Day Matters More Than What You Do Once In a While” — Gretchen Rubin
“Whatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is exactly what you will experience in your life.” — Tony Robbins
“It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” — Tony Robbins
What do you do consistently that makes your life better? Tell us in the comments.
We consistently release a new episode every single Thursday. To get the most benefit, you should consistently listen! Be sure to catch every episode by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts for Android users. And we’d love it if you could leave a rating and review!
Out of an impromptu talk with a teenage black belt came the discussion for this episode:
RELATIONSHIP
It’s important to cultivate REAL relationships. People are in our lives either for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Learn the difference.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership is like an arrow. The arrow’s tip (the leader) must have mass behind it (quality relationships), otherwise it’s nothing. Find good leaders and mentors (ones with no hidden agendas). Follow them and emulate them.
HARDSHIP
Realize that not only WILL you fail, you NEED to fail in order to grow. Endure hardship. Know that there WILL be suffering at times. We must learn and grow (mentally, physically, and/or spiritually) from failure and suffering. Last week we talked about remaining calm to “weather the storm.”
If you’ve heard our show before you’ll know we use principles from the martial arts as the foundation for discussion, but in a way so that the concepts can be appreciated by everyone — even those who are NOT martial artists. Our show is intended for anyone who’s looking to live a healthier, cleaner, more vibrant, fulfilling life and become a better, stronger person.
We continue to follow that format, however, if you ARE a martial artist you’ll really appreciate this episode. Sensei Tim Speiss, who is also a federal agent, is another very experienced, accomplished martial artist. He and Sensei Hoover, in fact, have a common teacher. For many years they both trained under Master Tim Hawk.
They discuss how martial arts are seamlessly woven into the fabric of their lives. Hear about:
- The 45 degree angle principle to get a different perspective on things
- The hurricane concept, and how remaining calm when faced with “high winds” and dynamic activity can help you “weather the storm”
The Hebrew word Kadosh (קדוש) translates to "holy" but really means "to separate" or "to set apart." Therefore, a HOLIday is a SEPARATE day — a day that is to be treated unlike others. There is appreciation, respect, and caring that isn't present at other times. On this holiday — Thanksgiving 2018 — Sensei Hoover and Steve Mittman talk about their blessings and blessings we can all be grateful for.
Being thankful makes your life better in more ways than we could ever cover in our podcast. One thing is for sure — the more thankful we are, the better life becomes. And the better life is, the more there is to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
What does Madonna have to do with this episode? You’ll have to listen to find out!
Anger, aggressive behavior, and conflict is on the rise among drivers, coworkers, all over social media, and even within families — locally where we are based in Allentown, PA and the Lehigh Valley area — and also worldwide. There are scientific studies that prove this, but even setting those aside it’s very apparent that aggression is rampant.
- Aggressive behavior sneaks up on you when you're least expecting it
- It’s easier said than done, but we must strive to ignore what other people are thinking
- When aggression is directly in front of you and it cannot be avoided — that is different
- In that case it needs to be handled accordingly — hopefully self-discipline and control of your emotions kick in to address the situation appropriately
This episode is especially for anyone in a leadership position — teachers, coaches, managers, etc. It's a great reminder that by helping others — YOU will be more fulfilled. Conversely, by taking care of yourself — THOSE AROUND YOU will be more fulfilled. Again, the duality of yin and yang is present. Raul and Julie, husband and wife, are two martial arts students from HKA. They join Sensei Hoover and Steve Mittman to talk about the opportunities teachers have to change lives. Julie has been a teacher for many years and has used her position to positively affect countless students, in numerous and various ways. She's able to do these things — major to minor — because she comes from a source of mental, physical, and spiritual strength. She has this strength because she does what it takes to nurture it. Because she is "in a good place" she has "it" to give to others. She takes her role as an educator very seriously, as all teachers should. Listen and you'll see for yourself. You'll also hear us talk about:
- How we breathe and bleed the same
- Why we bow in class and to each other
- How neither culture nor religion separate us
- Why we wear the same uniform, and sometimes no belts
- How our martial arts dojo is a microcosm of the larger world
- Why Julie prefers the word “acceptance” over the word “tolerance”
- The principle we all abide by is to work hard and strive to be the best we can be
- Our own unique stories and backgrounds, yet how we are ultimately all the same
We all need something that comforts us. If you don’t have someone, something, or some place — you MUST find one. Having a source of comfort allows one to handle uncomfortable moments. Just like the song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” says, “There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn), and a time to every purpose under Heaven” — there is a time to be a “tough guy or gal” and a time to not be. Being kind, compassionate, loving, thoughtful, and considerate, does NOT make one any less tough. In fact, embracing those traits makes one even stronger — stronger mentally, physically, and spiritually. Having a comfort zone is one of the ways you can deal with being uncomfortable.
No need to “act” tough. True strength comes from within when you own your space. A peaceful warrior is a good soul — a good person — one who doesn’t care what others think about them.
It's Sensei Hoover's birthday — and being the kind of guy he is, his idea of celebrating is working on becoming a better person and helping others do the same. He and Steve Mittman are joined once again by Frank Grigoli. They all share thoughts on ways we can fix some of the problems in the world today.
Hear the following and more:
- The paraphrased version of a statement Mother Teresa made — “I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.”
- Being selfish is a good thing; No matter what you’re talking about — money, love, compassion, respect, or ANYTHING else — one needs to be selfish and acquire it for themselves in order to give it to others; You can’t give what you don’t have
- A little cold water on your face can set the tone for your entire day
- Perseverance is a guard against helplessness and self-pity
- A dark room can be lit with just one match
As a gift for Sensei Hoover’s birthday, please leave a rating on Apple Podcasts. It’ll only take a minute! The more ratings, the more people will find the show, and hopefully we’ll be able to spread more good energy around the world.
You can’t respect others until you respect yourself, and that begins with respecting your own body. Martial arts exist to strengthen and preserve our minds, our bodies, and our spirits — not tear them down. While we are the first to say hardship builds character — and just like muscles, sometimes things need to be broken down in order to grow stronger — we’ve seen many regret wearing out their bodies simply for ego and financial gain. Unfortunately, that’s what primarily is being promoted with the sport of MMA. And that’s what often attracts young practitioners.
Mixed martial arts are what we study at Hoover Karate Academy, yet NOT for the combat sport of MMA in which two competitors attempt to achieve dominance over one another. Our system is reality-based and intended for life outside the ring or cage, where there is no referee present and no rules. The physical tools are designed to save your life if needed, yet we understand the importance of avoiding injury. Training shouldn’t interfere with work and school. It should enhance the quality of your life — not lower it. (Obviously, things can always happen. It’s still not chess.)
We’d like to see people train and reap the benefits of martial arts for a lifetime, not just 5-10 years. This applies to anything — relationships, careers, even diets. Going at it full steam ahead can be good, but be cautious not to fizzle out because you can’t maintain what you’re doing long run. Strengthen — maintain — and preserve your assets.
We’ve talked before about becoming comfortable in your own skin and how to deal with uncomfortable situations. “Owning your space” is self-explanatory when it comes to the physical. If someone invades your space with intent to harm your physical body — it’s obvious that self-defense could, and should, be used. No one has the right to touch you with bad intent, and certainly not hurt you — physically.
But think about this. On a metaphysical level, how often do you let people “hurt” you? Make no mistake about it. If they pull you into “their space” — by influencing you to think something or participate in something that deep down inside you know isn’t the right thing, the safe thing, or simply the good thing to do — you are allowing them to harm you. It definitely harms you spiritually, but possibly mentally and even physically as well.
The world is full of bullies. They will draw you into their negative space. They will eagerly invite you into their inappropriate conversation. Or they will pull you into their low level of vibration by imposing their will. Some know they are being a bully. Others don’t even realize they are bullying. Either way, they can’t do it if you don’t let them. Don’t engage. You be the “Master” by owning your space. Let them come to you, not the other way around. In other words, be a leader — not a follower.
Get comfortable feeling uncomfortable.
- EMBRACE being uncomfortable — and find a way to make it comfortable
- Getting out of your comfort zone is the ONLY way to get more out of life, to be successful, or to possibly get out of a rut
- Contrary to what you might believe — happy, content, passionate, successful people are not always comfortable
- Becoming comfortable in your own skin and becoming stronger — is only achieved by forcing yourself to deal with uncomfortable situations
“The moment will arrive when you are comfortable with who you are, and what you are — bald or old or fat or poor, successful or struggling — when you don't feel the need to apologize for anything or to deny anything. To be comfortable in your own skin is the beginning of strength.” — Charles Handy
“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” — Unknown
“When we get too comfortable, we stop dreaming.” — Joyce Rachelle
What uncomfortable situation was there where you stuck it out and it became comfortable? Comment below — or reach out via the Form on the right — we’d really like to hear from you. We appreciate your support. If you like our show please share it with a friend! Also make sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts.
Our motto with Attack Life, Not Others is Mind, Body, Spirit — meaning one must be equally well-conditioned in all 3 of these areas in order to attack life and thrive. Mind and Body are both pretty straightforward, yet we often get asked about the Spirit. What is it? Does it have to do with religion. Can one have spiritual strength without being religious? In this very brief, yet profound episode, Sensei Hoover talks about:
- Find your faith — find your purpose — find your life
- We were never meant to be on this planet alone
- Simply be a good soul, do the right thing
- Believe in a Creator, believe in God
“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.” ― Albert Einstein
“We must become so alone, so utterly alone, that we withdraw into our innermost self. It is a way of bitter suffering. But then our solitude is overcome, we are no longer alone, for we find that our innermost self is the spirit, that it is God, the indivisible. And suddenly we find ourselves in the midst of the world, yet undisturbed by its multiplicity, for our innermost soul we know ourselves to be one with all being.” ― Hermann Hesse
Does spirituality go hand-in-hand with religion in your opinion? Let us know in the Comments below. Do you feel more fulfilled when your purpose is clearly defined? Have you discovered your purpose(s)? Does one’s purpose change over time? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Again, comment below or reach out via the Form on the right. And if you like our show please share it with a friend! Also make sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts.
Sensei Hoover and Steve Mittman talk about anticipation. Is anticipating something good, bad, or neither? Anticipation leads to preparedness. Preparedness allows one to handle a situation more effectively. It puts time on one's side. Time is the most valuable commodity anyone has. With more time we have more distance. With more distance there is greater security and safety. That equals a greater quality of life. As with everything discussed on Attack Life, Not Others — this applies to everything that everyone may encounter in their day-to-day activities.
Anticipation = Preparedness = Time = Distance = Safety = Self-Preservation = Greater Quality of LifeAs Sensei Hoover says in this episode, "Anticipation is what we're supposed to do if the information is available," and also, "Keep your guard up against anything that's going to take your quality of life down."
What do you anticipate that allows you to be better prepared? It could be something small or something major. Let us know by commenting below. And be sure to subscribe to our weekly show on Apple Podcasts or Google Play. A Rating and Review would be much appreciated.
Sensei Hoover and Steve Mittman talk about Combat Chaos™ — the self-protection/self-defense curriculum Steve instructs at HKA. Then they get into the difference between sparring in a respectful, controlled, class environment and a real fight — where it can be pure chaos with all kinds of uncontrollable variables. While on the surface, this may seem strictly “martial arts talk” — remember practically everything discussed on this show can be carried over to everyday living. For instance, whether we’re talking a fight or a random day in our lives — chances are it will be chaotic. As Jimmy Mozz, a guest on an earlier episode said at 3:35 into it, “You can’t control other people. You are in control of one thing — your response." A lot of that has to do with strengthening one’s self-discipline, as we’ve also discussed before.
As we've discussed before, in addition to Hoover Karate Academy, Sensei Hoover owns and operates a private detective agency — Confidential Investigations, Inc. He shares a recent occurrence where the situation could have ended much differently. It's a perfect example of our CEE principle in action. You might not be a private investigator, but it's safe to say you could find many things in your day-to-day activities where CEE could improve your life, increase your efficiency and effectiveness, and even make you a better person.
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"Never forget where you came from — but don't let that stop you from where you're going."Hear a story that was told to Sensei Hoover by one of his instructors decades ago. You'll see how profound it is and why it has stuck with him all these years.
Sensei Hoover also talks about some memories from one of his belt tests as he was ranking up to eventually become a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. If for no other reason, listen to hear how moisture from a toilet played a part in getting him through the test!
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A couple guests — Frank and Jim — share a story and how they've learned to deal with altercations that have the potential to escalate.
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Here is the final part in our series about the law and self-protection. Sensei Hoover continues the discussion with Judge Steinberg, as they go into more specifics with the castle doctrine, also known as a castle law. In the midst of this very serious topic there's a rather funny story thrown in as well; we think you'll enjoy it. If you missed Part 1 of the conversation with Judge Steinberg, make sure to check it out. And you'll also want to listen to the first part of this series where we set the stage for this entire discussion by revealing CEE — Commit, Execute, and Evaluate.
Like what you hear? Rate and review by clicking here, then “View in iTunes” and go to Ratings and Reviews
Our discussion about self-protection and the law continues in this episode, part 2 in a series of 3. Last week we set the stage, and now Judge Steinberg of Lehigh County, PA joins us.
Self-defense is defined as the right to prevent suffering force or violence through the use of a sufficient level of counteracting force or violence. This definition seems pretty straightforward, however, very rarely is that the case when applied to actual situations. You'll learn exactly what constitutes a sufficient level of force or violence when defending oneself, and what would be considered force beyond that level. What if the victim provoked or instigated the attack? Is one required by law to retreat from a violent situation if possible? What happens when someone perceives a threat even if the threat doesn’t actually exist? And what if someone's perception of an attack is subjectively genuine, but objectively unjustified?
As you'll hear, we recorded this interview several years ago, yet hadn't aired it yet. After all this time, we had it scheduled to be released this week. The timing is uncanny, as it happens to be very timely information that many people in and around South Whitehall Township (about an hour north of Philadelphia and where our podcast originates) will appreciate because of the recent police-involved fatal shooting on Hamilton Blvd near Dorney Park.
By listening to this episode, you'll have a better understanding of why Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin has decided to charge the police officer with voluntary manslaughter.
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We reveal CEE — Commit, Execute, and Evaluate. CEE is another principle Sensei Hoover has developed as a reminder how to go about handling anything that is valued. Obviously, defending one's life is of great importance and value — so is getting that job, improving that relationship, making more money, and getting healthier. These are just a few examples of things we value. Although just because we value something, that doesn't mean we have the tools necessary to see it through. Understanding and implementing CEE will help you achieve your goal(s).
We also set the stage for the next 2 weeks when we will have the Honorable Robert L Steinberg on the show. Hear how the state of Pennsylvania looks at our right to self-protection. In the next 2 episodes Judge Steinberg will go into further detail on the castle doctrine, also known as the castle law, which in PA (and certain other states) provides protections and immunities in a person's home and vehicle permitting, in certain circumstances, the use of force (up to and including deadly force) to defend against an intruder.
This episode and the next couple are very timely, especially with this past week's police-involved fatal shooting on Hamilton Blvd across the street from Dorney Park in South Whitehall Township. Our podcast, which is heard around the world, happens to originate in South Whitehall. This shooting is making headlines all over. In fact, because of it, #SouthWhitehall is currently trending on Twitter. Was the police officer acting within his right to defend himself? Or was the shooting unjustified and a case of police brutality? That is for the Lehigh County DA and investigators to determine officially. But after listening to this episode, and once you hear the facts involved, you'll have a better understanding of the ruling.
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The best defense when being attacked, is going on the offense as quickly as possible. That could mean going on the offense with violence greater than the attacker's, or actively and purposefully removing yourself from the situation. Either way, you are taking charge of the situation at hand. Sensei Hoover and Steve Mittman discuss ring generalship in boxing — the ability of a boxer to dictate the pace, style, and tactics of a bout. The definition of ring generalship includes:
- having the ability to quickly grasp and take advantage of every opportunity offered
- the capacity to cope with all kinds of situations which may arise
- to foresee and neutralize an opponent’s method of attack
Once again, these principles can be applied to everyday life — not just martial arts or fighting. And they are further examples of what is meant when we say Attack Life, Not Others!
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As you know by now, martial arts are the foundation of this podcast. But we take the principles, concepts, and philosophies and try to make them relatable to everyday life and everyone — even non-martial artists. Once again, that is what Sensei Hoover does in this episode as he discusses 3 fundamentals of his style with Steve Mittman. Those 3 principles that can be applied to most of our daily lives are:
- Brake = Stance
- Steer = Redirect
- Accelerate = Attack (if need be)
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Hear about the two different "worlds" Sensei Hoover is involved in, and how even though they are opposites, they feed off each other to coexist and create balance. His martial arts schools are positive and they build character. They're a celebration of success. His private detective agency can be negative. It deals with the dark side, and often is needed to patch wounds in society. This is a perfect example of the duality of yin and yang.
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Last episode Sensei Hoover and Steve Mittman talked about texting and how we need more face-to-face interaction to become aware of ourselves, along with picking up on nonverbal communication. This episode we talk about verbal communication. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Sometimes by saying things slightly different, the meaning changes. Sensei Hoover points that out with an example of the 6 Selfs — Self-Discipline, Self-Respect, Self-Control, Self-Confidence, Self-Defense, and Self-Awareness.
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As technology continues to progress, we have more ways than ever before to communicate with others. However, we think most would agree we are actually more out of touch than ever before. Not only are we out of touch with others — not knowing there true intentions, wishes, needs, even personalities — but we are also growing more out of touch with ourselves. How can one begin to know others when they don't even know him or herself? We feel you get to know others by knowing yourself. And much of how you get to know yourself is through your personal interactions with others.
When training in the martial arts, we tap into our training partners' rhythms, energies, and cadences. Not only do we supply, but we also receive more data through multiple senses with eye contact, physical contact, body language, etc. This carries over to the outside world where we are better prepared to communicate with others. Whether it's good, bad, or ugly — we're better equipped to handle the interaction. With text, email, and social media, we are losing the ability to effectively interact and communicate with others in person. Don't text for a day, a week, even a month. Call that person or go talk to them face to face. See how your life changes.
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After recording last week's episode, we got to talking with Brian Billig more about fundamentals, and how important they are. Fundamentals played a crucial part in his football coaching. He still focuses on the basics in everything — from parenting, to relationships, to his career, and more. Mastering the basics will serve you well in the martial arts, and life in general.
"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals." - Jim Rohn
"Can I jump over two or three guys like I used to? No. Am I as fast as I used to be? No, but I still have the fundamentals and smarts. That's what enables me to still be a dominant player. As a kid growing up, I never skipped steps. I always worked on fundamentals because I know athleticism is fleeting." - Kobe Bryant
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Senseis Aurora Brunovsky and 11-year-old Brian Billig (who recently earned his black belt) along with Brian's dad join us on this episode. We discuss how baseline experimentation can be used in all aspects of life to always improve. You'll also hear about Aurora's upcoming fundraiser — The Give Back Softball Tournament
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The day this episode was recorded, it happened to be "What You Think Grows Upon You Day." Sensei Hoover and Steve Mittman talk about focusing thoughts and manifesting things into existence. This, in fact, is how the Journey Field at HKA came about. Life is a journey. Enjoy the journey. The journey field represents that.
It's important to control your thoughts, because whatever you focus on — good or bad — you'll start seeing more of in your life. However, thinking about something alone doesn't necessarily bring it into being. Combine it with taking action, and that's a powerful combo. For instance, focusing on restored health isn’t necessarily going to make all illnesses go away. But focusing on health and making healthy choices may allow for healing and health to occur. Certainly the opposite is also true. Focusing on pain, will reinforce the strength of that pain. You will notice more the impact of that pain. You will focus on the unfairness of that pain. Again, the goal is always to focus our energy and thoughts toward the positive, all the while enjoying the journey.
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At HKA there is what we call the 6 “Selfs” — the most important one being Self-Discipline. Without self-discipline none of the other selfs are possible. Often self-discipline comes down to having an argument with yourself, not others. Fight the voices inside, so you don't have conflict on the outside.
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The Ready Stance and Relaxed Position are some of the first things one learns when training in the martial arts. Additionally, while other elements of training constantly evolve with the times, these positions have remained unchanged. As simple as these positions are, their value should not be underestimated. Not just in the martial arts but with life in general, it's so important to "be on" when necessary. In other words, to be focused, prepared, primed, and ready for action — no matter what that looks like. Conversely, in this increasingly hectic and chaotic modern world, it has become all the more difficult to handle stress. Imagine being able to truly relax when you're trying to relax — and not being preoccupied or focused on a single thing. That's a wonderful thing when you can do it.
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There are very few things you can practice that collectively improve your mind, body, and spirit all together. Training in the martial arts is one of them. In previous episodes, we talked about strengthening your mind, your body, and now your spirit. When you build your spirit, you become comfortable in your own skin — not something a lot of people ever achieve. There's nothing mystical involved, mostly it comes down to choices you make, along with being a peaceful warrior. When you're comfortable in your own skin, you're better equipped to help others and make the world a better place.
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As we said before, most people when they train typically see changes occurring physically first, then mentally, and spiritually last. In the last episode, we talked about some of those physical changes — getting stronger, faster, more flexible, more agile, etc. This episode, Sensei Hoover talks about remapping, or in a sense rewiring your brain and the way you think through movement, motion, newly-created habits, and rituals.
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Continuing where he left off last episode, Sensei Hoover shares what he has experienced in the progressive development of his own mind, body, and spirit. The essence of this podcast — Attack Life, Not Others — is realizing we all have an enemy within ourselves that needs to be defeated. As part of a Native American Prayer says, "I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy — myself."
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In this brief episode, you'll hear these main points:
- There's a reason we say martial arts, and not martial sports
- Martial arts seem to have some level of mysticism attached, however, everything still needs to be (or at least should be) tested with experimentation and validation, or in other words, trial and error
- When training you should see differences in yourself — typically with your body first, then your mind, then your spirit
If you enjoy Attack Life, Not Others we’d greatly appreciate you leaving a Rating and Review on iTunes by clicking here (then “View in iTunes” and go to Ratings and Reviews). It will directly help the show’s ranking in the iTunes directory — and in turn help others Attack Life, Not Others.
We all face fear and anxiety at one point or another. Faith, family, and friends are what pull you through. This episode was recorded LIVE from the fundraising event to honor the Florida HS victims we talked about in Ep 004. Thanks to some of the young students of HKA — being the leaders they are — $5,000 was raised to benefit the following 3 charities. These 3 were chosen because victims of the tragedy had connections to them in some way:
- St. Judes Children's Hospital
- Summer Camp Opportunities to Promote Education (SCOPE)
- Global Camps Africa
If you enjoy Attack Life, Not Others we’d greatly appreciate you leaving a Rating and Review on iTunes by clicking here (then “View in iTunes” and go to Ratings and Reviews). It will directly help the show’s ranking in the iTunes directory — and in turn help others Attack Life, Not Others.
There's nothing wrong with being a gamer, but it's important to get out, get involved, and see the physical world. Look for a bigger and brighter world.
If you enjoy Attack Life, Not Others we’d greatly appreciate you leaving a Rating and Review on iTunes by clicking here (then “View in iTunes” and go to Ratings and Reviews). It will directly help the show’s ranking in the iTunes directory — and in turn help others Attack Life, Not Others.
Last episode Chelsea Hoover from Fuel for Thought Nutrition talked about the best way to fuel your body before you work out, no matter what your workout is. This time you'll hear exactly what — and when — to eat after you train to get the most benefit. Those that trained with Sensei Hoover 25+ years ago, you'll appreciate the trip down memory lane with the "Pork Line" throwback. Because, after all, you are what you eat.
If you enjoy Attack Life, Not Others we’d greatly appreciate you leaving a Rating and Review on iTunes by clicking here (then “View in iTunes” and go to Ratings and Reviews). It will directly help the show’s ranking in the iTunes directory — and in turn help others Attack Life, Not Others.
Chelsea Hoover, MS, RD, LDN joins us to talk about the best way to fuel your body and get the most out of whatever you're doing — whether it's martial arts, running, strength training, or any other workout.
If you enjoy Attack Life, Not Others we’d greatly appreciate you leaving a Rating and Review on iTunes by clicking here (then “View in iTunes” and go to Ratings and Reviews). It will directly help the show’s ranking in the iTunes directory — and in turn help others Attack Life, Not Others.
In a reality-based martial arts system, there are no rules. Or are there? When one immerses him or herself in a RBMA, it filters through and translates to everything in their life. There are no rules in the context of competition or combat — however, everything matters. From the way you eat, to how you sleep, to how you conduct your life in general — everything matters. So in reality, there are rules — self-imposed rules to make one a better, stronger human being. Using a reality-based martial arts system as the foundation, welcome to a "reality-based podcast." Our pledge is to keep it real, speak from the heart, and share what we've learned over many decades. Get ready for the next couple episodes. We're bringing in a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist to talk about what's best to eat — both before and after you train or work out. Whether you're an elite-level athlete or a weekend warrior — you'll hear what in reality is optimal for your body. If you enjoy Attack Life, Not Others we'd greatly appreciate you leaving a Rating and Review on iTunes by clicking here (then "View in iTunes" and go to Ratings and Reviews). It will directly help the show's ranking in the iTunes directory — and in turn help others Attack Life, Not Others.
With multiple styles of martial arts blended into one (or “mixed” as some would say, therefore the term “MMA” — mixed martial arts), Sensei Hoover has developed 6 different formats designed for the specific needs of each particular age group:
- Pre-K Format (Ages 4 & 5)
- Kids Format (Ages 6 – 9)
- Junior I Format (Ages 10 – 12)
- Junior II Format (Ages 13 – 17)
- Adult Format (Age 18+)
- Traditional Adult Format (Mature Adult)
If you enjoy Attack Life, Not Others we would greatly appreciate you leaving a Rating and Review on iTunes by clicking here (then choose to “View in iTunes” and go to Ratings and Reviews). It will directly help the show and its ranking in the iTunes directory — and in turn help others Attack Life, Not Others.
In a recent "mat chat" Sensei Hoover asked students of the Junior class 3 questions:
- Why are you here?
- What is the enemy of greatness?
- Who ate nine?
Hear their answers, along with his take on those questions. Also, Sensei shares his thoughts on when it comes to things that matter — things that have value — they must be maintained to keep that value. Not just in the martial arts, but life in general.
Registration Deadline is April 7th | Register by sending an email to: HKAfundraiser@gmail.com
“Whatever the problem, be part of the solution.” The world needs great leaders like these amazing HKA high school students.
February 14, 2018 marked a day of sorrow and frustration in our nation. This was the day Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida was brutally attacked in a school shooting, resulting in the loss of the lives of 17 innocent people. As a lasting tribute to their memory, Hoover Karate Academy is holding the first annual Attack Life Not Others Fundraiser in their honor.
On April 21, 2018, Hoover Karate Academy will be hosting a fitness challenge fundraiser at HKA North from 9am – 2pm. This fundraiser will honor the 17 victims who lost their lives in the recent school shooting. The event will work much like a spartan run; teams of 4 will work through 17 fitness stations as a group until all stations have been completed. We ask you to create your team of 4 and sign up at either HKA location!
Please feel free to contact us at hkafundraiser@gmail.com with questions. You may also follow our event pageto receive information as it becomes available.
We would like to commend the students who have taken the initiative to put this fundraiser together in the hopes of making a difference. Please support their venture and their cause by joining us on April 21st.
Martial arts are about discipline, respect, control, confidence, and awareness — along with strength of mind and body. Defending oneself physically is only a last resort. A person with these qualities and this mindset is a Peaceful Warrior.
The belt system in martial arts. How did it start? How do you know when it's time to test for the next belt? Is it up to you or your instructor? Martial arts are about the development of the individual. You are competing against yourself, not anyone else. Belts certainly have a place, especially with younger students — however, at HKA belts don't represent "time attended." It's perfection of skill and your individual journey.
For Sensei Tim Hoover and those around him, the martial arts are a way of life. "Attack Life, Not Others" — Hoover Karate Academy's podcast — is an insight into that life.
By listening and subscribing, you'll gain a better understanding of HKA, the martial arts in general, and Sensei Hoover's reality-based, eclectic system — Kwon Ryu Fu Chi Do.
You'll also see that mind, body, spirit, balance, loyalty, camaraderie, self-discipline, self-respect, self-control, self-confidence, self-defense, and self-awareness are more than just words and how they can become part of your life — for a better life.*Attack LIFE, Not Others!***