I've been training for about 6 years in total! Not very consistently at times, which is why I'm still a 3-stripe blue belt haha. Hoping to get my purple belt this year
On another note, I appreciate how you call to mind the virtue of training. Unfortunately, it's been spread assumed that training and Christian masculinity are incompatible. Yet, too often people forget the moral fortitude that men such as the apostles, church fathers, and all the martyrs had to have had. If anything, training--through disciplined and voluntary suffering--is exactly what so many guys need today.
Oh that's awesome brother, and totally relatable. I have a buddy who was a "purple" belt for 10 years because of him having to take some time off here and there for work, and he's genuinely one of the best leglockers I've ever met.
I just love talking with other guys on Substack about it--writing and jiujitsu are niche by themselves, it's great to chat with others who do both.
Another buddy of mine is a blue and he's publishing a book early next year. Before we know it, there's going to be a small fraternity of writing-grapplers!
Yeah, sandbagging has its benefits hahaha. But on a serious note, I do hope to stay consistent from now on, since it's difficult to make solid progress otherwise. Definitely interested in the writing-grappling niche! If you ever make that into a community, do invite me
My martial arts training long predates my conversion, and in childhood it arose from my love of fantasy. I'm not a naturally violent guy, and I was fired up by the idea that the goodies could train themselves up to beat the baddies at their own game. 25 years of training later, I recognise a lot of my own reflections in this piece. I would only counsel, as a 40 year old still training, to go a little steady with the idea of smashing your own body up because it's going to decay anyway. Train smart, pay attention to what your body is telling you, and you'll keep training for much longer.
Love to hear you got confirmed last May brother! Praise the Lord. Also, kudos for sticking with BJJ for the first 6 months which are always the toughest. You'll get good in no time and then it becomes way more fun lol.
I just checked in on your substack after at least a half-year away. Looks great, and strong work raising the bar in the seriousness and spiritual focus of your writing!
I love this post. An important and oft-misunderstood topic.
I've trained in the Russian Martial Art Systema since 2008, with a few years in other martial arts before that. It has been an incredible blessing for my faith life.
One thing I love about Systema is that there's a specifically Christian component, as it's rooted in Russian Orthodox culture. It's often taught without the religious aspect being centered, but dig in a little deeper, and guys are doing breath holds and 2-minute pushups while reciting the Jesus prayer, asking God for mercy as they test their bodies to the max.
The philosophy around violence I've learned in Systema is that as a Christian man we're called to have self-mastery and control of our power, both physical and psychological. Training increases our capacity for violence, but equally it increases self-awareness and balances the nervous system, making it easier to avoid violence in actual real-life settings. The best Systema practitioners are able to take out opponents while intentionally doing minimal or no harm to them, because of a deep understanding of how bodies work, and also how to do professional 'work' without acting from fear and the fight/flight response.
One exercise I've done before with students is to literally practice 'turning the other cheek'. You let your practice partner slap you on the cheek (as hard as you're ready to take) and then you need to breathe and regulate your nervous system, and then stay in mental control and turn the other cheek to signal you're ready to be slapped again. If you can learn how to do this and stay in self-control, you have the free choice to follow Jesus' command. Most men can't do this at the start - their pride flares up, and they can't handle the 'insult', even in a training setting. Now, this doesn't mean we can't ever defend ourselves, but with self-mastery you make a conscious choice of how to act from a place of interior freedom.
It's the former soldiers in the Systema community that are usually the most gentle and relaxed in the gym, and when faced with intense conflict. They have nothing to prove.
Like you wrote, this all has immense (positive) implications in the realm of spiritual warfare....
I’ve had both my children in martial arts for years now (boy and a girl) and I couldn’t agree more. There’s far more benefit in so many areas of life, not just self defense. Thanks for this. Really, really great article.
Hi Margo! I'm not an expert but I would recommend avoiding grappling martial arts and going for something lighter and lower contact like karate. The most important thing is to have a good instructor, especially for your daughter!
Couldn’t agree more as a BJJ coach and someone who practices boxing/kickboxing. How long have you been training for, what belt are you?
I've been training for about 6 years in total! Not very consistently at times, which is why I'm still a 3-stripe blue belt haha. Hoping to get my purple belt this year
On another note, I appreciate how you call to mind the virtue of training. Unfortunately, it's been spread assumed that training and Christian masculinity are incompatible. Yet, too often people forget the moral fortitude that men such as the apostles, church fathers, and all the martyrs had to have had. If anything, training--through disciplined and voluntary suffering--is exactly what so many guys need today.
Loved this piece, brother, hope all is well.
Yeah, exactly. Physical training truly is a highway to building spiritual and moral qualities, when done with the right intention.
Glad you liked the article and God bless you brother! Hope you're well too.
God bless you too my man, have a great weekend.
Oh that's awesome brother, and totally relatable. I have a buddy who was a "purple" belt for 10 years because of him having to take some time off here and there for work, and he's genuinely one of the best leglockers I've ever met.
I just love talking with other guys on Substack about it--writing and jiujitsu are niche by themselves, it's great to chat with others who do both.
Another buddy of mine is a blue and he's publishing a book early next year. Before we know it, there's going to be a small fraternity of writing-grapplers!
Yeah, sandbagging has its benefits hahaha. But on a serious note, I do hope to stay consistent from now on, since it's difficult to make solid progress otherwise. Definitely interested in the writing-grappling niche! If you ever make that into a community, do invite me
Noted, this would be a great group.
My martial arts training long predates my conversion, and in childhood it arose from my love of fantasy. I'm not a naturally violent guy, and I was fired up by the idea that the goodies could train themselves up to beat the baddies at their own game. 25 years of training later, I recognise a lot of my own reflections in this piece. I would only counsel, as a 40 year old still training, to go a little steady with the idea of smashing your own body up because it's going to decay anyway. Train smart, pay attention to what your body is telling you, and you'll keep training for much longer.
Well said brother! I agree
I really enjoyed this piece. As a new Catholic (confirmed last May) and new to jiujitsu (about 6 months), this article resonated with me.
I’m 51 and feel like life is just beginning. Man, the advice I would give my 21-year-old self if I could go back in time.
Love to hear you got confirmed last May brother! Praise the Lord. Also, kudos for sticking with BJJ for the first 6 months which are always the toughest. You'll get good in no time and then it becomes way more fun lol.
Hi Juan,
I just checked in on your substack after at least a half-year away. Looks great, and strong work raising the bar in the seriousness and spiritual focus of your writing!
I love this post. An important and oft-misunderstood topic.
I've trained in the Russian Martial Art Systema since 2008, with a few years in other martial arts before that. It has been an incredible blessing for my faith life.
One thing I love about Systema is that there's a specifically Christian component, as it's rooted in Russian Orthodox culture. It's often taught without the religious aspect being centered, but dig in a little deeper, and guys are doing breath holds and 2-minute pushups while reciting the Jesus prayer, asking God for mercy as they test their bodies to the max.
The philosophy around violence I've learned in Systema is that as a Christian man we're called to have self-mastery and control of our power, both physical and psychological. Training increases our capacity for violence, but equally it increases self-awareness and balances the nervous system, making it easier to avoid violence in actual real-life settings. The best Systema practitioners are able to take out opponents while intentionally doing minimal or no harm to them, because of a deep understanding of how bodies work, and also how to do professional 'work' without acting from fear and the fight/flight response.
One exercise I've done before with students is to literally practice 'turning the other cheek'. You let your practice partner slap you on the cheek (as hard as you're ready to take) and then you need to breathe and regulate your nervous system, and then stay in mental control and turn the other cheek to signal you're ready to be slapped again. If you can learn how to do this and stay in self-control, you have the free choice to follow Jesus' command. Most men can't do this at the start - their pride flares up, and they can't handle the 'insult', even in a training setting. Now, this doesn't mean we can't ever defend ourselves, but with self-mastery you make a conscious choice of how to act from a place of interior freedom.
It's the former soldiers in the Systema community that are usually the most gentle and relaxed in the gym, and when faced with intense conflict. They have nothing to prove.
Like you wrote, this all has immense (positive) implications in the realm of spiritual warfare....
Keep up the good work brother!
Mark
https://churchofthelostsheep.substack.com/p/sense-of-urgency?r=4rk7md&utm_medium=ios
I’ve had both my children in martial arts for years now (boy and a girl) and I couldn’t agree more. There’s far more benefit in so many areas of life, not just self defense. Thanks for this. Really, really great article.
Recommend an 'art' for a 65 yr old woman and her 21 yr old daughter with Trisomy 21, to do together !
Hi Margo! I'm not an expert but I would recommend avoiding grappling martial arts and going for something lighter and lower contact like karate. The most important thing is to have a good instructor, especially for your daughter!