“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.” Sun Tzu Except for a couple of scraps in high school and college, I never got in a real fight as a ... Continue Reading
Train for Uncertainty: It’s Guaranteed
Discussing the topic of uncertainty is difficult to do without descending into clichés. For instance, how many times have you heard that “the only constant is change?” But in life, and in your martial ... Continue Reading
Obtaining Beast Powers Through Martial Arts
While my friends and I were discussing the amazing feats of the latest superhero program on television, it struck me that learning martial arts is like obtaining superpowers. Heck, Batman doesn’t have much ... Continue Reading
Prepare for Life’s Challenges: Train Martial Arts
My Sifu grew up on the wrong side of the tracks without many opportunities or much family support. But one thing he learned is that no matter what hand you’ve been dealt, you always have the ability to ... Continue Reading
Master Dynamic Tension for Mobility and Strength
There is something primal and satisfying about strong movement. Think of the incredible grace and terrifying power of a prowling tiger, or the way monkeys swing from branches and vines with ease while we ... Continue Reading
5 Underrated Reasons You Should Pick Up a Martial Art
“Why study a martial art?” is a question that has many answers. The benefits of the training are widely touted and the popularity of mixed martial arts has brought new insight and perspective to the arts. ... Continue Reading
Qigong: The New (Ancient) Way of Improving Health and Performance
My name is Chris Holder and I am the head strength coach at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. We are a Division I athletics program competing in 21 varsity sports and on paper we operate and ... Continue Reading
The Beauty of Strength With Artemis Scantalides, Ep 15
Artemis Scantalides is one of nine women in the world to complete the Iron Maiden Challenge. And that's not even the bravest thing she's done. She is StrongFirst Level 2 and RKC Level 2 certified ... Continue Reading
10 Good Reads on the Mental Aspects of Sport Fighting
If you’re in need of some good reading, these books will give you a look behind the curtain at what it is to be a fighter. One of the most underrated aspects of learning martial art or sport fighting is ... Continue Reading
Sparring 101: When, Why, and How to Take a Hit
Other than a couple of minor scraps in high school and college, I had never been in a fight prior to studying martial arts. Getting hit wasn’t something I was used to when I showed up to kung fu many moons ... Continue Reading
New Products for Women and Kids From Submission Fight Company
Breaking Muscle receives no compensation in exchange for reviews. We received this product for free and did not experience typical customer service. The opinions expressed belong solely to the ... Continue Reading
How to Develop Iron Grip Strength for BJJ
Why is specific grip training for BJJ so important? If your grips fail, all your technique goes out of the window. It becomes hard to execute anything. This article will show you how to develop grip ... Continue Reading
The New Combat Sports Line From Adidas: So Far, So Good
Breaking Muscle receives no compensation in exchange for reviews. We received this product for free and did not experience typical customer service. The opinions expressed belong solely to the ... Continue Reading
OSS Kimono Daruma Gi (Product Review)
In my article, How to Practice Perseverance in BJJ, MMA, and Life, I featured my first OSS Clothing gi, The Original. I contacted owner Nick Haloski to find out why he chose OSS to represent his brand and ... Continue Reading
Back to the Grind (Athlete Journal 65)
This has been my first full week of training since the holidays. It’s been tough getting back into the swing of things, but I have to get ready for my super fight in February. Meet the ... Continue Reading
Got Midterms? BJJ Can Help (Athlete Journal 54)
It’s been a challenging week at school, but I still managed to get in a lot of good training. Midterm grades are due next week, so of course all of my teachers decided they needed to give us one last test, ... Continue Reading
6 Life-Changing Ways Your Black Belt Journey Can Transform You
When awarded his fifth degree black belt at the age of 81, Willie Nelson said, "I think martial arts is one of the best exercises you can do. Mentally, spiritually, physically, everything." His achievement ... Continue Reading
Flow Kimonos Air Gi (Product Review)
I rarely have easy rolls in jiu jitsu. Even when the guys are going easy on me, I have to try hard to get anywhere. One missed step and I’m fighting to get my shoulders up to my ears and my chin on my ... Continue Reading
Beyond the Body: How Fitness and the Brain Serve Each Other
As an athlete, you know that the mental state you bring into the gym has a huge impact on your performance. But it goes the other way, too. How you are and what you learn in the gym can impact your life as ... Continue Reading
The 6 Most Important Things Martial Arts Taught Me About Life
When I think of the word martial arts, I think of that old song Kung Fu Fighting. I think of the kid in my neighborhood who thought he was a ninja and would play incessantly with nunchucks and throwing ... Continue Reading
It’s Tournament Time (Athlete Journal 33)
For the eighth time this year, it’s tournament time. Even though I’ve been competing so much this year, it’s always a little more exciting going to a larger event like the IBJJF Boston Summer Open. It’s ... Continue Reading
My Case for Women Only Beginner BJJ Classes
Personally, I can’t say that if I could go back in time, I would choose to start BJJ in a women-only beginner class over a co-ed class, but I think I would strongly lean towards it. I had some shitty ... Continue Reading
Judo for BJJ Practitioners (Athlete Journal 26)
This week I was pressed for time, but I still got four good days of mat time and three days of strength and conditioning. Since my last competition a week ago, I've been focusing on filling some holes that ... Continue Reading
Women’s Self-Defense Seminar (Athlete Journal 38)
Last Saturday I held my free women’s self-defense seminar and it was great! I had a total of nineteen women attend. They all worked hard and did an awesome job. I think we picked the perfect moves for them ... Continue Reading