The Fourth of July combines two of my favorite things: cherry pie and a lesson in self-defense. I mean, isn’t self-defense really what Independence Day is all about? That’s what this video is all about. If it doesn’t play, check out the transcript below. Keep fighting! Self-Defense and the Fourth of July The American Revolutionary…
Author: Ando Mierzwa
Ando Mierzwa is a martial arts teacher living in Los Angeles, CA.
Teacher Burnout in Martial Arts
Teacher burnout is natural. When I think back to my school years, I remember catching almost every single teacher staring out the window contemplating whether to jump. Or so it seemed. My mother was a career teacher. So was my step-father. And most of their friends. They’ll all tell you how much they loved their…
#20: Sparring and Self-Defense [Podcast]
Welcome to Episode #20 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, Sparring and Self-Defense! When it comes to self-defense, complaining won’t save you. Neither will quitting. In self-defense, you have to take action to protect yourself. Well, guess what? The same is true for dealing with a bad sparring partner! This episode reveals a…
Help! My Sparring Partner Is Out of Control!
An out of control sparring partner can cause you more harm than a real-life attacker. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are some tips to protect yourself on the mats and on the street. You can read the article, listen to the podcast, or watch a video summary. Stay safe! 🙂 How…
Nia Sanchez Is Right on Self-Defense
Nia Sanchez is taking heat for her final answer during the 2014 Miss USA pageant. She shouldn’t be! But apparently, some people are taking a stand against the beauty queen’s views on self-defense. Here’s what happened– When asked about sexual assault on college campuses, the 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do suggested that…
7 Lessons I Learned from Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee got me started in martial arts. But not for the reasons you might think. When I was a kid, I thought martial arts were stupid. Every kung fu and ninja movie I saw on TV was ridiculous. I never wanted to be Chuck Norris, Sho Kosugi, or a young Chinese man wearing robes…
#19: 7 Lessons From Bruce Lee
Welcome to Episode #19 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, 7 Lessons from Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee is probably responsible for more people signing up for martial arts classes than anyone else in history. And I’m one of them! In this show, I share seven lessons from Bruce’s notebook, the Tao of Jeet…