Walking into your first class is daunting. Without question, you will feel fear and doubt. From that first step, you will feel your heart racing with everything you do. This is normal. In fact, it would not be normal if you did not feel this fear.

Even after all of these years of doing martial arts, I still feel fear. I feel it when I walk in the dojo, I feel it before sparring, and I feel it before teaching classes. The reason I feel fear is that I want to do really well, as martial arts is really important to me. I want to help out the entire community. Even though I feel fear, it is courage that keeps me coming back time and time again. Even though I will always feel that fear, I learn how to deal with it and perform anyway. This is what courage is all about.

Courage is not something that is simply isolated to martial arts. Once you develop the “courage trait”, you can apply it in all every area of your life. You see, courage is not a skill. Courage is an attitude, a state of mind. Once you have a courageous state of mind, it will help you achieve anything you put your mind to. It might be telling the teacher you are being bullied, or you know someone who is being bullied. For adults, it might be approaching your manager with a new idea for work, or starting your own business. It might be trying that new activity you have always wanted to do. It could be anything that makes you feel afraid, but you step forward and do it anyway.

Benefits of courage

Having the courage to do the things that are important to you, but you are fearful of, has so many long lasting benefits for you, such as:

It will increase your confidence. You are developing the habit of ‘’action’’, irrespective of the fear you feel inside. When you constantly keep proving things to yourself, it can only increase your confidence.

You will start looking at life in a more positive manner. And why wouldn’t you? You are overcome the things you are afraid of. All of sudden, that “scary obstacle” may not seem so scary anymore. You will start to lose that negativity and look on things more positively;

You inspire those around you. How often have you looked at someone in awe of what they achieved? I see real life examples every day. What you may not see, though, is what that person was feeling before they achieved something wonderful. They could have been filled with incredible fear and anxiety. However, they went out and performed anyway. You can draw strength from this;

You get experienced at taking chances and overcoming obstacles. The more you confront challenges, the more you feel comfortable in dealing with them. I am not saying you will ever feel completely comfortable with challenges. However, you learn your emotions and how to deal with them in challenging situations. This will help you go forth and be courageous in other areas of your life;

You will exude success and rightfully so. You never get anywhere in life by playing it safe. The world makes way for the courageous and disciplined person. Take that courageous step forward and be successful at the things that are important to you;

Most importantly, you will be truly happy as you are having the courage to chase what is really important to you (even if you are afraid). Isn’t happiness what we all want in life? Are you willing to go through a bit of discomfort (such as fear) to achieve your goals and, in turn, be truly happy? I know I would.

Contact American Karate Institute for a Free Trial Class

At the American Karate Institute, we teach a way of life. Our Miami martial arts school and MMA Classes has developed a well thought out curriculum that teaches more than just the art of self-defense. We delve deep into our students’ technique, skill set, intelligence, intuition and overall physical fitness. Contact us today if you’re interested in mixed martial arts and self-defense classes and schedule your free-trial class!

About Angel Gonzalez

A 7th Degree Black Belt, Founder of American Karate Institute, Teacher, Inventor and Martial Arts Consultant. I have been involved with the Martial Arts for more than 43 years.

I was born in Havana, Cuba in 1956. In 1962 at the age of 6, because I was being bullied in school, my aunt enrolled me in Judo. I trained and competed as a child for 3 years with Instructor Heriberto Hernandez. In 1966 I immigrated to the United States to live with my aunt. I lived in several different cities before I moved to Tampa, Fl . At the age of 14, I practiced Uechi Ryu, a Okinawan style karate with Tom Alexander. In 1973 I began practicing a Japanese style of Martial Arts called GoJu Shorei under Sensei Mike Hayashi. In 1976 , after 3 years of hardcore martial arts training, I earned my Black Belt.

Sensei Hayashi’s traditional, intense, and disciplined Japanese training helped me develop a strong traditional martial arts foundation. I was one of the few students who stuck it out and earned my Black Belt. Regretfully, due to unexpected circumstances, Sensei Hayashi had to close the school down.

In 1976, after shopping around and visiting other schools just like you, my wife and I (read her story) enrolled at the Jhoon Rhee Institute of Tae Kwon Do with Master Bill Heimberger.

It took us seven years to earn our Tae Kwon Do Black Belts. We traveled to Washington DC to test directly under World Renowned Grand Master Jhoon Rhee where we were offered a teaching scholarship to become professional martial art instructors.

In 1981 we moved to Washington, DC to learn directly from Grand Master Jhoon Rhee. It was like going to college to learn a martial arts profession. We distinguished ourselves and found our true calling in life – teaching martial arts. After 2 years of intensive training, we moved to Miami, Florida to open our school and live the dream of having the best school not only in Miami, FL, but in the country.

We did not have the funds to open in a shopping center, but in 1983, American Karate Institute was established at the Ron Ehmann Park recreation center in Kendall adjacent to Killian High School.

Not only were we fortunate to have learned Martial Arts and become an instructor from the best, but we also made a great husband and wife team with a rare quality that cannot be taught – CHARISMA. Since we did not have the funds to advertise, we depended upon our charisma and teaching abilities to build the school by word of mouth. Charisma is a quality that often separates the best from the rest in the martial arts profession. There are a lot of instructors that teach martial arts, but there are only a few that teach it with charisma.

In 1989, due to a tremendous following, we were able to open at the location we now have today in the Crossings Shopping Village. Charisma along with a systemized martial arts program is what made the American Karate Institute the best kids program in the country.

In 1991 before MMA and UFC became popular, we made the switch to mixed martial arts. After meeting Royce & Rorian Gracie in Tampa Florida, I saw the value of mixed martial arts and knew that this was going to be the future.

In 2003, I was awarded instructor of the year by North American Grappling Association.

In 2010, I was given a US patent for the invention of the Ultimate Striker, a tool designed to help martial arts practitioners develop more power in their striking techniques and to increase their conditioning.

In 2011, I was given the Paul Harris Fellow award for my work in the community. This organization is devoted to the betterment of humanity.

The Benefits of Courage