The business aspect of martial arts and sport.
—Kent Nelson talks about martial arts culture Continuing our interview from this summer, we talk how the teacher/student relationship is evolving and how it changes how to manage a martial arts business. Even maintaining a more traditional environment—and sorry to always use this example, but having students sweep the floor is the classic—the mere fact[…]
It doesn’t matter if they have the whole system. They just need to make you better than you were When searching for a teacher of a specific art, prospective students have an image in their head, and a natural question is, “does this person have the whole system?” They are thinking tiger-emblazoned sleeveless gis, catching[…]
Kent Nelson on learning, teaching, and being a pioneer in the digital space [sg_popup id=1] Finally had some time to film and sit down and talk with Kent Nelson on learning by himself, figuring how to teach, and what works for him. We talk his learning history, distance learning via seminars, and how he pieced[…]
Stop talking about yourself! Learn about prospects by asking questions. You may be an expert in martial arts, but you’re not an expert in what a prospect wants. Too often this is the pitch, “Here we do xxx under yyy’s lineage” and then an implied question is left hanging that I guess is, “(please) would[…]
School Formality is a tool or road block depending on how you use it Many people expect a certain ritual in their martial arts. Ritual brings focus, and for parents especially, it warms their heart to see their kids lined up in uniform being a little more formal than in their daily life. Even adults[…]
The Social Martial Artist — I’ve become what I used to make fun of — and couldn’t be happier So back when we were training harder, we all remember the people who would hang out and talk more than get their reps in. Like getting weaker, fatter, or less tough (not that I was EVER[…]
Cross training doesn’t have to be the typical Muay Thai, BJJ, FMA, yoga mix Shawn Zirger shares his perspective about the beautiful space he’s created at FAC Toronto Shawn speaking about his space One thing I love about Shawn and many of the people I meet doing this project is the independent spirit while still[…]
Organizing our first local training meet up for instructors and advanced students. What to work on? So we’re trying to organize our first training meet up, and I noticed a couple things, which are the things I’m trying to fix: I don’t know that many people outside my own training lineage I don’t know what[…]
Let’s not wait for seminars to bring us together At the recent Maul Mornie seminar in Detroit, I was delighted that it brought people from all over: East Coast, Chicagoland, Minneapolis, and Toronto. I of course took the opportunity to film and play around with those who could spare the time. But we all agreed[…]
A rational look at authenticity People often search for and advertise, “authentic (martial art here).” There are many forms of authenticity, most of which don’t have tremendous value to your life. Let’s look at some: With technique of a past era. So either tactics, tools, requirements, or rules have changed. Maybe the art has become[…]