One of the greatest benefits of training in the martial arts is the development of focus. Think about it, if you are sparring with another individual and you get distracted, you could get kicked in the head. Of course, this will give you greater reason to focus next time. The same applies to business. You lose focus, make a mistake …

Awareness is essential in living a peaceful and calm life. An effective leader not only pays attention to who and what they are doing but also the surroundings and the environment. More of a big picture thinker. They have a keen ability to see and feel beyond their eyes, through a heightened intuition. Tapping into your sixth sense is the …

Selflessness is giving a piece of yourself to benefit another. To put others needs in front of your own. I believe this is an incredibly important trait to have, especially in this day and age. There seems to be too much of the, “What could you do for me?” mindset. As business owners and leaders, it is our duty and …

“There is no I in Team”. I know it is an old saying and is way overused, however I just Love it; and it is more appropriate than ever. As much as one could accomplish great things on their own, it is rarely done without a team behind them, or more likely, along-side of them. For example, in business, when …

In our martial arts training, we recite what we call “Mental Education” which are ten affirmations that we say in class. The main theme of Mental Education is “loyalty”; loyalty to your country, to you parents, to your seniors, to your family are all integrated throughout. The definition of loyalty is, “A strong feeling of support or allegiance”. Where do …

A while back I was having tea with Grandmaster Kim and he shared some of his wisdom about giving back. He said, “Give without memory and receive without forget”. These words have played over and over in my mind and is a huge driving force for me when it comes to doing charitable acts and more notably, raising money for …

This past week I spent two days in California training with Grandmaster Kim, and as always, it never disappoints. What made it even more meaningful was sharing the experience with two other students of GM Kim, Grandmaster’s Keith Winkle and Ed Ciarfella. Great training, great conversations, and the kind of time together that fills your cup in ways that go …

Yesterday I hiked Blackhead Mountain with my good friend Justin, one of the required winter peaks for the Catskill 3500 Club. We are doing the Catskill 3500 challenge together. Great hike… brutal conditions. Snow, cold, wind, and rain…just enough to keep me honest. I like to think I’m prepared in the mountains, and mostly I was… except I forgot my …

It takes roughly 750,000 pounds of pressure to form a diamond. Diamonds aren’t created in comfort. They’re forged deep beneath the surface, under heat, time, and relentless pressure. In many ways, that mirrors the world we’re living in today. Pressure is everywhere. Economic uncertainty. Constant noise. The expectation to lead, perform, adapt, and stay centered while conditions keep changing. Many …

January 1st is just a date on the calendar. Nothing magically changes overnight. Yet for many, it represents a clean slate, a line in the sand. A moment to pause and say, “I want to do better.” That alone has value. Whether people call them resolutions or goals doesn’t really matter. What matters is intention. People start thinking about their …