#121: Hero Worship in the Martial Arts [Video + Podcast]

Welcome to Episode #121 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Hero Worship in the Martial Arts.”

We all need teachers and role models in the martial arts… but can following a leader become harmful at some point? Is it possible to show a teacher too much respect?

YES! If we’re not careful, our humility as a student can be transformed into hero worship. Once that happens, it becomes impossible to maximize our skills and build true confidence. And without true confidence, your ability to defend yourself is greatly diminished.

Be careful! It’s happened to me… don’t let it happen to you!

In this episode, I’ll share a couple of stories that not only showed me the dangers of constantly seeking a teacher’s approval, but also helped me figure out how to train with a balance of humility and confidence. As a result, as you may know, I created and awarded myself my own black and white belt! 🙂

Here’s to healthy training habits and learning to become your own hero!

To LISTEN to “Hero Worship,” here’s a link.

• Play the audio podcast below… or download to your device.
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To WATCH the video version or READ the transcript, scroll down below.

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Thanks for listening! Keep fighting for a happy life!

Hero Worship in the Martial Arts

Here’s a video of the podcast. If the player doesn’t work, you can click this direct link.

As always, if you’d like to keep the conversation going, feel free to leave a comment here or through my Contact Page.

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome, my friend. Ando here from Happy Life Martial Arts. This is episode #121 of Fight for a Happy Life, the show that believes even a little martial arts makes life a whole lot better.

Today, heroes, mentors, role models, teachers, we all have them in the martial arts and beyond. But when does following a leader become harmful?

When does admiration transform into adulation? And when does adulation transform into idolization?

Can you show too much respect for a teacher? When does respect transform into hero worship?

Now, yes, I still have teachers. I still seek guidance. That’s what teachers are for.

Teachers can inspire us to get started. Teachers can encourage us to keep going. And teachers can guide us to make sure we’re heading in the directions of our goals.

That’s all good. But I find in the martial arts that oftentimes teachers are elevated into gods. They’re glorified. They’re deified.

And I know this, of course, from my own personal feelings towards some teachers, particularly early on in my martial arts career. I also know this from listening and reading many interviews with martial artists, some famous, some not.

And I also know it from different martial artists that I’ve spoken to in person. You’ll hear people make comments like, oh,