What is the definition of an athlete?

So, what is your definition of an athlete?

I have asked several people recently and each time have received a different response. Some of them are:

Someone who plays professional sports
Someone who is athletic


A search on google provided these:

Someone whose idea of a workout doesn't involve a playstation or xbox
An athlete practices even when it's not fun, because they want to get better.

The dictionary defines it as:

: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina

I bring this up because I have never considered myself an athlete. I have always thought of an athlete as someone who was in shape and very athletic having endurance and strength. However, in class last week Soke told me, “Lisa you’re an athlete, trust yourself, your ukemi and your technique.” I have pondered those words since. Of course, he was absolutely correct (he usually is…lol). I was holding back and not trusting myself. But his comment that I was an athlete really stunned me. Me, a mom of 5 kids, someone who never did any sport prior to martial arts, an athlete? It was a very foreign concept.

But as I have given it more thought, I’ve wondered, “Am I an athlete?” As I reviewed what I have accomplished to date I realized, I have changed my endurance and strength but I needed to change my perception of myself to move forward. I needed to update the mental aspect as well. Isn’t part of being an athlete the mental part of what you perceive?

Yes, you do need strength, endurance, and stamina but you also need the mental endurance, perseverance, and diligence to be an athlete and you need to think of yourself as an athlete.

I don’t have all the words to describe how that thought made me feel. Just mentally thinking of myself as an athlete made me feel empowered, strong and confidant. It made me realize that I can continue moving forward in my goal towards becoming a black belt. (I was feeling rather intimidated. The advanced classes are a whole different world.) However, I believe it is possible because I have become an athlete as well as a martial artist.

It also made me think, “If I’m an athlete do I really need that piece of chocolate? Do I really want to miss that work out?” hmmm, interesting thoughts.


What about you? Are you an athlete? Are you working you way toward becoming one?

I hope so, because if I can do it so can you.

Keep training,
Lisa

Does it matter how old you are?

I looked at my blog today and realized I need to changed the header. The original header was, "MMA at 43". I started martial arts three years ago. I turn 46 this summer and I'm continuing to learn and train. So does age matter? No, if you really want to do something I believe you can do it! It takes time, patience and hard work.

It's interesting as I reach a new phase in my training I feel like I am starting all over again. When I started I felt so uncoordinated and silly. Learning the techniques seemed so foreign to anything I had ever attempted to learn. This passed as I learned and progressed. Now, as an advanced belt learning advanced techniques I sometimes feel the same way. Sensei Kendall was teaching us the S-kick last week and that feeling of being uncoordinated returned. Again, this past week in our advanced class I was doing other techniques that made me feel equally uncoordinated and silly. However, this time the feeling did not last as long and as I got into the grove of things I began to pick up the concepts quicker.

Soke has always said that earning your black belt is the beginning. As I reach each level I understand that statement more and more.

My training has changed over the last 3 years. I started with doing nothing to just working on the basic techniques, then doing weight training, and lastly extreme cardio. I only worked on each one at a time for a period of time! Now my goal is to combine all of the above. I believe I have finally reached a fitness level where I can combine all of them into one week. It has taken 3 years, some injuries and work juggling family, homeschooling, administration but it's finally beginning to pay off.

I have much to learn before my next belt test and a level of fitness that I want to reach but I've got a plan!

We have a tournament coming up on March 26th. Let me know if you would like to come out and watch. It's free to attend and our demo team is going to be awesome.

Keep training!
Lisa

You will be amazed at what you can do...

You will be amazed at what you can do…..


I started the advanced class this year. To be honest, I was a little intimidated about starting the class especially since we were beginning with a special guest instructor teaching us Brazilian Jujitsu. I just did not think I was flexible or quick enough to be able to keep up with the rest of the athletes in class. All of the advanced belts are in very good shape, younger, and weigh less than I do. The last thing I want to do is hold someone else back in class.

However, I surprised myself. I was actually able to do all of the techniques we learned. Again, it all goes back to technique. We hear that often in class. It is not about strength but more about technique. If you learn your techniques correctly, whatever you are doing will work every time. As a blue belt, you would think, I would have learned this lesson by now!

Don’t get me wrong, I have gained physical fitness since I started martial arts. I am in much better shape and stronger than I have ever been. It started slowly, but as I got better in class I began working out more outside of class. I wanted to continue to see improvement in my abilities as I learned more techniques. This spurred me into lifting weights, doing more cardio workouts and watching what I eat. The transition has been slow and I still have a long way to go. But each time I think, I’m not sure I am going to be able to do ____ I am actually able to. It’s exciting and exhilarating to continue to learn and push past my own insecurities and what I view as my physical limitations.

So, if you are just starting out or if you are thinking, “I’m not sure about doing that”, at least try. You may just surprise yourself too! You may need to start out slow as I did, but give yourself time. I tell people all the time, if I can do it and learn so can you.

Lisa

The Blue Test

As I have prepared for my blue belt test an interesting thing happened in my thinking. I no longer began to be so concerned about how to do the technique but how to control what ever I was doing in order to not hurt the partner I was working with. I also began to view some things differently. Much of this I can’t describe as it has to be experienced by each individual martial artist as they learn.

The closer to the test day I got, the more nervous I became. I make my family crazy when I am going to test because I worry about it so much! Thanks to them for putting up with me.

My test today was grueling. I have been fighting a pinched nerve in my left shoulder for the past 3-4 weeks. I’ve tried everything: Ice, massage, heat, Epsom salt baths, chiropractor trips, and neuro-muscular massage from my wonderful massage therapist Mia. Nothing worked. I almost called off the test this morning because I had such limited mobility. I wondered if I was being selfish to my instructors by pursuing what I wanted so badly that I would not reflect their quality teaching. I knew I could do the test and knew the techniques, but my fear was of lowering the quality of our test in the eyes of my fellow students. I didn’t want to let them down.

It was quite the opposite today in that they all lifted me up. I can’t even describe how wonderful the encouraging words I received from my classmates today made me feel. My instructors guided me, reminded me of important things like not to think so much and breath! It’s so funny. The most common advice I give to our students testing is to remember to breath and today I was receiving the same advice! God continues to remind me of humility and perseverance.

I can honestly say we have the greatest martial arts family in the world. The Godly love and encouragement supersedes any technique that could be learned. My instructors and classmates truly show the love of Christ and of all the things we learn, this is the most important.

So, here is a big THANK YOU to my family at home and my family at martial arts. I couldn’t have done it without you.


With much love,
Lisa

Guard your heart

***NOTE*** Parents please review the following article prior to younger children reading it. This content is for mature discussion, although consideration was made in writing to make it as discrete as possible.***

Warriors:

As martial artists we train to keep our hands up to protect our face and how to block punches and kicks. We spend hours perfecting our kicks, stances and forms but do we practice guarding our hearts?

As you reach the intermediate level you will find yourself grappling with members of the opposite sex or possibly training with someone individually. As you learn to guard and protect yourself physically, are you also working to guard yourself mentally? The bible tells us: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23)

I would like to humbly submit to you several things to do if you are training with someone of the opposite sex:

In all of your training, commit every training session to God. His Word tells us that our bodies are our temples until him. I Cor 6: 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. Have you considered praying with your training partner before you begin your workout session?


If you can train with partners of the same sex or in groups of three or more. However, if you are training with someone of the opposite sex never put yourself in the position of temptation. Always include someone else in your training session. When I work out with my training partner, my son or daughter always trains with us. If they are not available, my other children are always in the same room or in the least in the next room with the door always open. If you are training with someone frequently alone you are putting yourself in the position of temptation. You may think, “Oh, I would never do anything like that!”, but why take the risk? We all sin and fall short of the Glory of God. We are born with a sin nature and our flesh is always weak, never take the risk. Mark 7:21-22 from within, out of our hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, and folly.

When you are working out, it is wonderful to have the affirmation of your training partner encouraging you. One of the reasons people work out together is for the extra push your training partner can give you. If you are married do not rely on this affirmation. You must rely on the affirmation of your spouse! Talk with your spouse and let them know you need their encouragement and support. If your spouse is the one working out with a partner, make sure you are giving them the verbal affirmation they need. Encourage them and tell them you are proud of them constantly and consistently. 1 Thess 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.


Keep your conversations to working out, your faith and the love you have for your spouse. If you find yourself confiding to your training partner your frustrations about your marriage, job or life you are opening a door that will lead to trouble. Those conversations are intimate conversations that should be with your spouse, Pastor or best friend (of the same sex) not your training partner. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.

Never let others get the wrong impression of you and your training partner. If anyone ever questions your relationship be prepared to explain the circumstances with a clear conscience. If you can’t, you have some soul searching to do now. Don’t wait until you have already started down a path that could hurt you and many others around you. Guard your heart now. 1 Tim 1:19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

If you are working with one of our instructors please be careful of not putting them in an uncomfortable situation. Make sure your expectations of the workout/training session are clear up front. 2 Peter 3:14 … make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you even think you are slipping, find someone to confide in and assist in holding you accountable. One of the great things about Warriors’ leaders is that we are very real and understand life’s challenges. Eph. 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Remember it is important to balance our workouts spiritually, physically and mentally. Make sure you are giving yourself a workout in each of these areas.

These tips are applicable in every area of our lives. I hope that you are guarding your heart in all areas of life. Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

In Christ,

Lisa Bethay


NOTE: My thoughts and idea for this article came from a sermon preached by Dr. David Fincher of Campus Church of Christ. If you would like to hear more please visit:

http://www.campuschurch.org/forum-guard-your-heart

Never give up

Its really hard when you train, plan, train and then train some more for a specific goal in mind and then you are injured. The disappointment is the hardest feeling to deal with. Anger and frustration at yourself will dissipate but the disappointment will not fade until the date goes by and you have set a new goal for yourself with a new date.

I’ve been pushing myself harder this training period that I ever have. My body has been telling me I have been doing that as well. My knees were beginning to ache along with my shoulder and last year’s foot injury. This last three weeks I had planned on backing off of my training schedule and work only on technique but yesterday I didn’t listen to my body.

I ran for 1.5 miles, and then did punching drills for 30 minutes barefoot on a concrete floor. My foot was bothering me before the run and during. The ache didn’t feel serious but I felt tired that day. I should have listened. While I was doing my punching drills the floor felt especially hard but I continued anyway. I was in the middle of my last set of kicks when I didn’t land one correctly. Consequently, I ended up with a bone bruise, pulled achilles tendon and pulled plantars fasciitis tendon. I’m to be off my feet for the next week and then will have to begin training again slowly.

All of my training I’ve been doing all year for my test on August 21st just went on hold as did my test. I’ll have to wait for that blue belt. However, waiting only means that my technique will be even better when I am able to test, so I’ll have a great test instead of a good one. Earning my blue belt will mean even more then.

To be honest, I was so disappointed I cried. I didn’t go to class tonight for fear of breaking down in tears. I wanted to test so badly. I’ve put so many things on hold this summer so I could train. Being older means that I have to spend more time training but it also means I have to spend more time healing.

There are many lessons to be learned from this:

1. God’s plan is much bigger and better than ours. He will teach us patience in many ways and remind us to always acknowledge him.

2. Listen to what your body is telling you. Take the time you need, don’t be in a rush.

3.Anything that is worth striving for, perseverance is key you just have to keep striving.

4. You never know how many people love you, until something like this happens. The support from my friends has been overwhelming. God has indeed blessed me.

I know that there are many more things for me to learn. This is what I have figured out in the last 24 hours. However, I do know this, “Being a martial artist means never giving up”. Blue will have to wait, but not for long!

Lisa

Advanced belts

As I continue to progress in our martial art system, I often wonder, "what does it take to be at the next level?" Of course, techniques are one of the key components, but as I continue further up the rank I learn how much more other things come into play.

There are key elements to be figured out between the intermediate level and the advanced level. Basic concepts are fundamental but there comes a point where certain things begin to make a difference. It may sound funny but how to land a kick, especially a spinning kick was a key one for me. A key movement, something I had been told before, seen before but didn't really click, until recently.

There are many other things mentally that begin to make a difference as well. I believe that they must be different for each person. I'm sure there are some common elements, but as each individual progresses what they need to learn for themselves will be different from what I had to learn for me.

I'm not sure this is making much sense. It's hard to put into words what I'm trying to say without being very specific and I don't want to tell specifics because I believe they are individual. I don't want someone to think, "Oh, I can do that, I'm ready to be an advanced belt." Your journey will be yours and only yours as is mine.

One thing I will share is the understanding of the responsibility of being an advanced belt. Are you ready to teach? To be responsible for an entire class large or small? Are you sure that you have your techniques good enough to pass them on? Are you ready for people to watch you and compare themselves to you to see if they are doing something correct? Are you ready for the responsibility of leadership?

These are tough questions that must be answered before you test for our blue belt and the transition from orange to green prepares you for just that. Don't rush through the intermediate level because you physically can. Make sure you are ready mentally as well. The mental aspect of our system is just as important if not more so than the physical aspect.

As quoted in Spiderman, "Remember with great power, comes great responsibility". Leadership is great responsibility.

Keep training and wish me luck on my next test August 21. I'm testing for Blue.


Lisa