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For more than 20 years, music has played an essential role in the way i teach and motivate students. Many instructors today simply stream music from their phones and let an algorithm decide what comes next. There’s nothing wrong with that approach, but it has never been my style. I’m old school. For over two […]

People love to talk about their why — their reason, their motivation, their driving force. That’s fine, but here’s the problem: reasons without a method don’t get results. You can have the most powerful why in the world, but if you don’t know how to make it happen, you’ll just spin your wheels. I’ve seen it countless times in […]

My two most influential teachers are Tom Weissmuller and Frank Shamrock.                  One of Tom’s teachers was Matt Hume. Hume founded United Full Contact Federation in order to sanction amateur pankration events that Tom competed in. Hume is the co-founder and head trainer at AMC Pankration in Kirkland […]

Would you’d rather look fashionable than keep your earlobe attached? It never fails to amaze me. After years of teaching martial arts I still encounter people who step into class with jewelry on. Rings. Necklaces. Earrings. Belly-button studs. Toe rings. I don’t know if it’s stubbornness, laziness, or just not giving a fuck about the […]

Do you have friends that love relay or obstacle races in Washington such as Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, or Warrior Dash? Many people do for the physical challenge, sense of camaraderie with a team, or for that sense of accomplishment at the finish. Do you ever wonder how much energy is expended at these events […]

How long does it take the average school to give out a black belt? In America average schools give out black belts all the time. What does a black belt mean? Is the wearer an expert in the field of martial arts? That sounds like it’s based purely on a person’s physical skills. Can people […]

Is it just me or does the membership outlined in this video seem highly manipulative? I’m so appreciative I grew up taking karate in Bellingham when I did and not nowadays!  Not that at elementary-school-age I was overly involved in what my parents paid for my lessons, what I did know is there wasn’t any […]

As a consumer in martial arts education is it obvious when a school has imagery that misrepresents who is training there and what they personally get out of it? For example, how do all these different schools from across the United States all have the same people testifying how great their individual experience has been? […]

The less people want your product, the more you need the tactics, sales, and marketing. Sukiyabashi Jiro is a three-Michelin-starred Japanese sushi restaurant in Tokyo where diners must place reservations a minimum of 2-months in advance.  A plate of sushi costs $300.  Its success is not in the novelty of its meal being so expensive.  Its recognition […]

Members of Unbridled Martial Arts have access to ready-made music compilations containing an assortment of songs to workout to, including many local band favorites! The UMA Workout CDs are an ongoing series available to all active members for a nominal fee of $3 to cover production costs. What began as a small project to compile […]