I was lucky to find my passion early in life. Unfortunately many who I’ve met have never found their passion, let alone made it their career. Martial arts kept me out of a lot of trouble over the years, gave me guidance, gave me goals and taught this massive introvert how to be an extrovert when needed (or at least act like one). I’ve watched close friends make poor choices, dropping out of high school or college, falling into drugs and heavy alcohol use, even choices that have led to death, all due to a lack of passion to guide them away from bad influences by attempting to fill gaps in their life.

While I love martial arts, the striking of the bag, the throwing of a man twice my size, the slight movement or touch that creates excruciating pain in the opponent, the fire that burns in the gut while competing or performing in front of hundreds or even thousands of people cheering; it’s not my passion. You heard right, martial arts are not my passion. So did I start-up my school to make loads of money? Nope, and my bank account can attest to that! Was it to be popular? Nope, my small list of friends and lack of dates over the years will tell otherwise. Was it because I have no other skills? Once again, no. I have a degree in Architectural drafting and was quite good at my previous job. So why did I do it? While family, friends and students may be confused by this, my fellow instructors will hopefully understand. I Love martial arts deeply, but my passion is helping others discover what martial arts can offer. The look in someone’s eyes when the moment they realize strength and power have nothing to do with how big your muscles are. The mile wide smile on a student’s face when that seemingly impossible technique finally “clicks” and is done flawlessly. The look of attained confidence on a student’s face who spent their childhood being bullied and a victim due to a lack of confidence. The adult student who gets out of his or her car with the weight of the world on their shoulders and stress so high the steam seeps out their ears and eyes, though once they step on the training floor…it disappears to be replaced by focus, concentration and a sense of control over their body and life. This is my passion. Creating all of those instances and writing these articles in hopes that I can reach those who I can’t physically reach to help. My passion is not physically hurting people (though inflicting harmless pain from time to time can be quite fun), I’ve already been down that road and it doesn’t fill any holes in my heart or give me a sense of accomplishment. Helping others does. When my efforts have failed me, when friendships or relationships have hurt me, when life has seemingly let me down…martial arts, teaching, my passion has always lifted me back up, no matter how hard I was knocked down.

Why do I write this? To win the next instructor of the year award? No, I don’t believe we have one to win. To boost my ego and let others know I’m a better instructor than others? Nope, and I am not. I write this for two reasons. First, to help others try to discover their own passion in life, their purpose, their own personal answer to the question, “Why am I on this earth?” Secondly, like many of my articles, I want to break the stereotype that martial arts are all about a bunch of brutes who like to fight. It’s an ongoing battle, but it’s a battle I will fight until I die if needed. “Fighting” is just a tool that is used to build character, responsibility, discipline, inner strength, health…I could write for another hour the benefits but you get the idea. Martial arts steered me away from bad choices and lead me to my passion for helping others and it does so for all who take the life long journey in martial arts.

Are you a martial artist? What have you discovered? Did you find your passion? I would love to see replies and comments on this article about you and what you or your child has gained through their ongoing martial arts journey!