I am grateful that in my life I got to experience and work with all sorts of coaches: from modern styles such as BJJ or wrestling to traditional styles such as Hung Gar Kung Fu or Shotokan Karate. Then I suppose it is no wonder when I realize that positioning myself as a teacher is not that easy. I respect the traditions and the wisdom of the generations before us, but also I am very excited about modern coaching, mental performance tools, and coaching science.

But there is for sure a picture of a typical traditional martial arts teacher that pops into your mind, no matter if that comes from an 80s movie or your personal experience in a local kung fu school.

So here are 3 things how I differ from that guy or woman in your mind:

1. Teaching Methods and Kung Fu Curriculum

   What systematic styles such as Karate or BJJ taught me was the way how to work with information and categories. In Chinese martial arts systems, teaching is usually not very systematic and simply said if you "stick around" you will get more to learn. Repetition is the main teaching method. What I changed, is that I acknowledge that repetitions are important, however repeating until failure doesn't serve us. On the other hand, we need a mindful approach, being aware of the correct standards and modern methods often achieve that. Here, you would still repeat a movement, but sometimes you won't notice that since the technique is reorganized, analyzed, built on, or in other variations, or exercises. There are much deeper levels than just repeating parts of the forms. Coaching has made a huge leap forward regarding methods. I hate to see some people teaching in a non-effective and lazy way, and hide behind "it's traditional". No. My methods and curriculum are often the first things my students comment on and are surprised by.

   
   

2. Mental Tools and Guidance

   It may be no wonder since I studied for my Doctorate in Sports Psychology and I work with therapists, mental coaches, and sports psychologists. The importance of the mind is extreme. This is what brings you to your goal. What will push you to train when you start to feel lazy? The mindset is very important and I work with my students to equip them with the tools. I believe that mindset is the key to unlocking true potential. We work on cultivating self-awareness, emotional resilience, and the mental tools needed to navigate life’s challenges.

   
   

3. Your Weapons: Strong Body and Knowledge

   Do you still have that picture of a typical martial arts coach in your mind? Ideally the 80's movie one? When I was growing up, typically martial arts coaches were men in their 40s with a belly. I never gave it a second thought, until I got into MMA and others. Then I realized, that if kung fu is health and longevity promoting, why are people not healthy? Especially the teachers!

   So when I teach, I always include mobility and prehabilitation, which is rehabilitation that happens before an injury - to avoid any injuries. It is often already a huge benefit to people because most of us just sit at the computer all day long. And you will experience a light version of strength and conditioning, that is well programmed and thought through. Not just throwing some push-ups on you...

   Talking about the body, your knowledge is another topic. As you know, the warrior is KNOWLEDGABLE and STRONG. We want to be warriors, not to fight on the street (even though self-defense is the reason for martial arts to exist and it is still important), but to be warriors in our lives: be healthy and strong until old age, be able to achieve work goals, family goals, etc with a sharp mind and good health, etc. So part of training the mind is also the theoretical framework: a bit of Cantonese language, stories behind kung fu, biomechanics, alignments, geometry...

   
   

   Hopefully, the image in your head is now a bit different, more educated, more smart, and with a much smaller belly :)