Martial artists are some of the biggest goal setters around. They’ll do anything and everything to achieve their dreams. However, they know that eventually, accomplishing those goals won’t come as easily as they did before. With age come more commitments, responsibilities (let’s face it, practicing martial arts in your 80’s isn’t quite like it was in your 20’s), and time may feel like it’s passing by a little too quickly.
Before you get to that point, there will be times where you’d wish that you would have done certain things differently. Perhaps it may be starting Muay Thai or BJJ as a kid instead of in your 20’s, or to have attended more training sessions when you could. Whatever your what-ifs may have been, there’s no use in regretting them now. Why not make the most of what you can, while you still can? There’s plenty of time to stop and think about it later – now’s the time to seize the day.
Here are a few things you should cross off your list in your martial arts journey:
1) Go on a martial arts vacation
A martial arts vacation is probably every martial artist’s dream. Imagine being able to train as much as you want, meet awesome new friends, explore a place you’ve never been to before, and to top it all off you’ll be able to take your game to the next level. If you haven’t been on a martial arts vacation, you’ll be able to enjoy all the perks we’ve mentioned and a whole lot more!
2) Get promoted
Whether we want to admit it or not, we’d all like to be promoted at some point. Being promoted is an acknowledgment of your skills from all your instructors. It shows that they recognize all the hard work you’ve put into training and know that you have the potential to do more in the future. If that doesn’t motivate you to train harder and become a better martial artist, we don’t know what else does!
3) Train one-on-one with a World Champion
Speaking of taking games to the next level, training with a World Champion would certainly help in that department. Imagine learning how to kick from someone like multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao or work on your guard recovery with BJJ World Champion and ONE Superstar Leandro Issa? When you train one-on-one with a World Champion, he/she can share the techniques and secrets that have helped them win at the highest levels of competition – and you can’t just get that at any regular class!
4) Compete
It is often said that one of the best ways to test one’s martial arts skills is through competition. Your knowledge, mental strength, physical strength, and cardiovascular strength are all put to the test. Training for competition is an experience in itself. Putting in all that extra work will take a toll on anyone, physically and mentally – it’s certainly not for the faint of heart. However, the feeling you get after knowing you left it all in the ring or cage is priceless.
5) Watch a fight live
Nothing is more exciting than watching a fight along with thousands of screaming fans. The adrenaline rush from the crowd, as well as seeing your favorite fighters in the flesh is definitely an experience every martial artist should have. And once you’ve watched a fight in person, you’d probably find yourself wishing that you could always be in the stands with the rest of the fans.
6) Attend a seminar led by your favorite martial artist
Every martial artist has a legend they admire – whether it’s because of their vast technical knowledge, their charisma or just because they’re just the biggest badasses in the sport. Whatever the reason may be, learning from these legends will not only boost your game, but it gives you the chance to interact and learn from people you’ve only watched on YouTube.
7) Get a loved one to train martial arts
Brothers Jonathan and Jason See started Muay Thai together at Evolve MMA.
Remember all those times you’ve tried to convince a friend/loved one to try martial arts but to no avail? They’ve promised that they’d accompany you to training one day but somehow that day never happens. But when they finally show up and fall in love with martial arts just like you did – now that’s an achievement. Finally, you have someone other than your teammates to talk about how awesome multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Petboonchu FA Group’s knee strikes are – and it feels great!
8) Find the ultimate training buddy
The friendships you make through martial arts are priceless.
What makes an ultimate training buddy? Someone you can rely on to show up when they say they will, someone who will teach you the techniques you’ve missed when you were away on vacation, someone to eat with you after training and tell you not to eat too much because you’re cutting weight. Whatever your criteria for an ultimate training buddy would be, finding someone that brings out the best in you as a martial artist and friend is definitely one in a million!
So tell us, which of these can you tick off your bucket list today?
