by Don Heatrick
@donheatrick
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Complete fighters aren’t only masters of all fighting modes and fighting ranges – they’re also masters of 3 intrinsic qualities that truly complete them as a fighter. They’re masters of the Mental, Physical and Emotional, or the classic Mind, Body and Spirit.
And in this episode, I’m going to show you how these 3 qualities practically translate in fighting.
“Welcome to Heatrick Heavy Hitters, where Thai boxers use science to separate fact and myth… and become COMPLETE fighters”
THE SECRET
Understanding how the Mental, Physical and Emotional, or Mind Body and Spirit plays out in fighting, is a secret that many never realise. And the truth is, without achieving a balance in all three of these qualities, you can’t reach your fighting potential.
In fighting, these three qualities practically translate like this:
Mind refers to a fighter’s technique & fight IQ: their skill, tactics, awareness, range, & timing – it’s the mental side of your game.
Body refers to a fighter’s strength & conditioning: their movement efficiency, balance & robustness – it’s the physical side of your game.
Spirit refers to a fighter’s attitude & heart – their emotional fortitude,: resilience, psychology & “mindset” – it’s the emotional side of your game.
Each quality can’t exist purely in isolation. For example, without either the mental (technical and tactical) side of the game, or the physical (efficiency and robustness), your emotional mindset is easily broken, and you’re defeated.
And despite having the mental fight IQ and the physical strength and conditioning, if emotionally you lose focus and control, again you’re beaten.
FINDING FLOW
For a fighter, when all three intrinsic qualities instantaneously come together in perfect balance, you’ll experience flowstate – a moment where time slows and you respond without thought in a super-effective way. You’ll effortlessly evade incoming strikes, and deliver damaging blows on target, all seemingly on autopilot.
And by mastering these qualities, a complete fighter not only unlocks his highest potential in fighting, but also unlocks his highest potential in every aspect of life….
Because these same qualities are equally important in all other aspects of a complete fighter’s life!
The resilience, tenacity, discipline, and focus developed in training and in the ring… also lead to success in your work, relationships, and every other part of life.
I believe that how you do one thing, is a reflection of how you do everything. Habits are formed not only in physical patterns of movement, but also in your habitual patterns of thought and emotion.
How do you respond when the going gets tough? Do you tend to back off, or do you meet the challenge head on?
Conversely, do you know when it’s time to push, and when it’s time recover?
How you train, is how your fight. But how you are, is how you train.
A fighter who isn’t disciplined in their training, probably isn’t disciplined in other aspects of life either.
And a fighter who doesn’t know how to focus his or her time and energy to hit their Muay Thai goals, probably doesn’t know how to focus their time and energy to hit other life goals either.
HEAVY HITTER
My desire for every single one of my viewers is not to just become a Heavy Hitter in the ring… But to become a Heavy Hitter in every other part of their lives.
One that’s able to face any challenge that comes your way…
And have the courage, focus, discipline and emotional intelligence to overcome any obstacle, no matter how difficult.
Because as ambitious and competitive as we all are…
Even the best competitors, who’ve given their entire life to fighting, still have a life outside of fighting that’s just as important.
And the greatest fighters who’ve ever lived, also tend to be some of the greatest human beings who’ve ever lived.
They’ve thoroughly explored their own habits, motivations and fears. They know themselves, and are honest with themselves.
They are complete human beings, because the mindset that makes them successful in the ring, makes them successful in all other parts of life too.
And every aspect of your life is an opportunity to observe and practice the habitual emotional side of your game.
COMPLETE FIGHTER
In summary… a complete fighter is one who:
Has achieved mastery across in all 3 intrinsic qualities – physical, mental, and emotional – and expresses this mastery both inside and outside of the ring
If this sounds like something you strive for, watch this space.
I’m working on some big things to bring the entire sport of Muay Thai to the next level, by bridging the gap between tradition & science to create the next generation of complete fighters.
If you liked this video, please hit like button below, share with your friends and be sure to subscribe.
And I would love to hear your feedback. So leave me some comments below and let me know what you thought of this episode.
Thank you, and I’ll catch you next time.
Understanding mind, body and spirit in Muay Thai, and practically applying these hidden qualities to your training, not only transforms your fighting, but ultimately your life.
Without mastering these 3 intrinsic qualities, you’ll never reach your full potential.
This video sets you on the path…
Don Heatrick
Founder of Heatrick Strength and Conditioning
Don Heatrick is a family man from the UK, former mechanical design engineer, European Muay Thai silver medallist, former pro Thai boxer (ranked 4th in UK while aged 40-years), a Muay Thai coach, podcast host, and the go-to expert on Muay Thai performance training with over 25 years of coaching experience.
Don helps ambitious fighters and coaches take their game to the next level by bridging the gap between Strength & Conditioning, Performance Science, and Muay Thai.
Follow Don Heatrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donheatrick/
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