Do This For Life
There are so many things that we should do, in life and for life, that contribute to the quality and longevity of life.
Exercise, community, good sleep and healthy eating habits are amongst these.
But there are two of the Blackbelt Leadership Principles that we teach at my academy that, I would argue, are the most important of all- to our mental, physical and emotional health.
The first is a principle that I learned from the great Brian Tracy many years ago, started applying to my own life and then built into our Blackbelt Leadership Program at KMMA.
It is L3- Life Long Learning.
In my observations, of all people but especially of those older than me, I have found that those that maintain a love of learning, continue to read great books, listen to educational and inspirational material and that try new things are the happiest, healthiest and most productive I know.
And, sadly, that those that don’t keep learning stagnate in more ways than only that one; and that their mental and physical health seems to often reflect it.
The second principle I learned from Tony Robbins a few years back and applied it to our curriculum as well.
CANI- Constant and Never-ending Improvement.
This one is of course closely related to the first in that, of course, it would be difficult to constantly improve without also being a life-ling learner.
So in this way, the two work hand in hand.
But CANI also applies to attitude and action.
Learning is necessary, but not sufficient.
To be useful, knowledge must be applied. And, to truly experience the joy associated, we must endeavor for excellence in all we do; striving even for perfection.
As the late, great Vince Lombardi said , “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”
So CANI includes life long learning, a striving towards excellence, a positive and optimistic attitude, and also goals and future Vision.
Without going to deep in this writing, and in support of my original premise, L3 and CANI, positive mental attitude, goals and strong Vision for a better future, in addition to exercise, community, good nutrition and adequate rest are the key elements of a real fountain of youth.
In combination, I believe, these elements will develop mental, physical and emotional fitness to make the rest of our life the best of our life.
All of these things are present at KMMA, my Blackbelt Leadership Academy, by the way.
And, though some of my greatest students are well into their sixties, you don’t have to wait to start. 😉
We have great students in the single digits as well as teens and young adults too.
We are an amazing positive tribe and community where you can make friends, have fun, get exercise and learn something new- wherever you are in life.
But don’t take my word for it.
Come see for yourself.
Call 813-948-4844 or visit TampaKravMaga.com for your Free VIP Orientation Program.
Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com StephenDelCastillo.com
p.s. Dr. Mike Reisman is testing for his 2nd Degree, Blackbelt Leader, rank in our Blackbelt Retreat at the end of this month. Mike is a retired pediatric surgeon that has been training with us at KMMA for the last few years now, and is a perfect example of what I wrote about in this blog. He’s still green and growing at an age where others are deteriorating. He is an inspiration to me and I am hoping to you too.
He sent me this draft of the speech he’s planning for this next milestone.
GLORY DAYS
If possible, please play fist one minute and eight seconds of
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUyOZS-PyTA
(LYRICS)
Oh, yeah
Come on
Woah
Huh
I had a friend who was a big baseball player
Back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool, boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside, sat down, had a few drinks
But all he kept talking about was
Glory days
Well, they’ll pass you by, glory days
In the wink of a young girl’s eye, glory days
Glory days
Well, there’s a girl that lives up the block
Back in school, she could turn all the boy’s heads
Sometimes on a Friday I’ll stop by and have a few drinks
AVer she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband Bobby, well, they split up
I guess it’s two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old Times
She says when she feels like crying
She starts laughing thinking ’bout
Glory days
They’ll pass you by, glory days
In the wink of a young girl’s eye, glory days
Glory days
rock it now
Think I’m going down to the well tonight
And I’m going to drink ‘Tl I get my fill
And I hope when I get old, I don’t sit around thinking about it
But I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back
Trying to recapture a little of the glory of
Well, the time slips away
Leaves you with nothing, mister, but boring stories of
Glory days
They’ll pass you by, glory days
In the wink of a young girl’s eye, glory days
Glory days
Well, they’ll pass you by, glory days
In the wink of a young girl’s eye, glory days
Glory days
Well alright, ooh yeah
Well alright (alright)
Come on now (oh yeah)
Well alright (alright)
Ooh yeah (oh yeah)
Alright (alright)
Come on now (oh yeah)
Alright boys, keep it rockin’ now
Keep on goin’
We’re goin’ for home now
Bring it home, yeah
Bring it home, oh oh oh
Alright, well alright
Well alright, well alright
Well alright, well alright
Alright, alright
Let’s go
As I was on my way home from a Blackbelt class at KMMA, I heard this
song for the 100th Time. But this time, it struck a chord with me that it
had not in all the previous Times I heard it. You see I am 66 years old,
and many of the people I engage with people will talk about their “Glory Days”
or “the good old days”. For a few, it is all they talk about, and that is OK
with me.
However, a lightning bolt went through me as I realized that my “Glory
days” are right now. Now don’t get me wrong, I am no longer physically
able to do some things and I am more forgetful than I used to be, but
for possibly the first Time in my adult life, my life is my own and I have a
a lot of gratitude for it.
In high school I enjoyed myself and had a great Time. I played varsity
football and basketball by sheer will and effort as I had li?le natural
ability. I was without question the worst player on both teams. But I
realized I had something that many of the other more talented kids did
not have…the will and determination to go out there every day and get
my butt kicked and tried my hardest. Why? I loved being part of the
team.
Once I hit college, the stakes were higher, and I spent most of my time
studying to get into medical school. When one becomes a surgeon, you
make a deal with the devil so to speak. You get the honor and the
privilege of taking care of and operating on people (kids in my case) but
your time is rarely your own. PaTents and their families come before
you and your family, it is just the way it is. These people are not more
“important” than your family, but their needs are more urgent.
I am retired now; I have lots of time and it is my own.
For the first time in my adult life, I make my schedule. I take care of my grandkids a few
half days a week and it works great for all involved. I have time for
family and friends and even wander by KMMA, on average, 4 days a
week.
For many of you, this may sound like a foreign concept as outside of
school or work you have always had this ability to control how you
spend your time. Enjoy it, embrace it and be grateful for it, it is truly a
gift and should not be taken for granted.
I am grateful that I have found “my tribe” as grandmaster would say, a
place where I can train in Krav Maga, get a good workout and be myself.
Noah Walker’s father gave me a high compliment a few months ago
when he said to me after a stress drill…” Dr. Mike you may be old, but
you don’t act like it!” While I am not trying to act a different age, I try
to make sure I can keep up with you younger folks as best I can. If I can
physically and mentally do these things, continue to use the 6
superpowers in my everyday life and contribute both in and out of the
dojo, then these truly are “my glory days.”
Respectfully,
Mike Reisman
First degree KMMA Blackbelt …seeking blackbelt excellence daily
About Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo: Grandmaster Del Castillo is the founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts and has been empowering lives in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties since October of 2000. He is a 7th degree Blackbelt, MBA, author, mentor and success coach, a US Army Veteran and a proud father and grandfather. He is married to Ms. Barbara Del Castillo who helps him run the school. Grand Master Del Castillo began his training in the early 80’s and has high level blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Premier Martial Arts and Krav Maga Martial Arts as well as experience in kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Jiujitsu. He has high level instructor certifications from BBSI, IKMF, and KMG and has been featured in numerous Martial Arts publications and also Success magazine. He was a competitive sport karate and American Kickboxing instructor until he enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he won an Army Green to Gold scholarship and proceeded to ROTC and the University of Tampa. He was commissioned in 1992 and went on to serve in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division and then in several other posts in the US until he left military service to pursue his dream of creating KMMA in 2000. Today I continue to train, learn, sow and grow under the mentorship of World Champion Grandmaster Jeff Smith, who regularly visits the academy to help sow into my teams and students as well.
The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes BLVD and now our new location in 8836 US 19, Port Richey! Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Port Richey and surrounding areas.
See stephendelcastillo.com for more information and to order my book, Developing Your Superpower, Meditations on Mastery, Volume 1.
Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com