Welcome to Episode #123 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “How to Build Courage in Martial Arts.” Many people worry that they won’t have the courage to fight back against a real-life attacker… and that includes martial arts students! It makes sense, really. You can build strong muscles and practice cool moves all... The post #123: How to Build Courage in Martial Arts [Video Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #122 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Yin or Yang: A Tale of Two Black Belts.” There are many paths to choose from in the martial arts… but how do you know if you’re on the right one? Wait—there’s actually an even bigger question to think about— Should you be... The post #122: Yin or Yang: A Tale of Two Black Belts [Video + Podcast] first appeared on Sensei Ando. The post #122: Yin or Yang: A Tale of Two Black Belts [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

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... The post #121: Hero Worship in the Martial Arts [Video + Podcast] first appeared on Sensei Ando. The post #121: Hero Worship in the Martial Arts [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #120 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Use It or Lose It.” Some people say martial arts is like riding a bike… I don’t! I say use it or lose it! The fact is that no matter how hard you train, you can’t practice everything all the time, which means... The post #120: Use It or Lose It [Video + Podcast] first appeared on Sensei Ando. The post #120: Use It or Lose It [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #119 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Lighten Your Load – The Double-Weighted Error.” The art of Tai Chi Chuan is often criticized (or even mocked) in modern martial arts circles. Of course, much of that criticism comes from people who have never researched or practiced the art whatsoever! Typically,... The post #119: Lighten Your Load – The Double-Weighted Error [Video Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #118 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “How to Get More from Your Martial Arts Practice.” You train hard… but are you getting everything you can out of your martial arts practice? Probably not! Don’t worry—in this episode, I share three practice tips that will pay you back with BIG... The post #118: How to Get More from Your Martial Arts Practice [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #117 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Bad Advice in the Martial Arts.” You get a lot of advice as a martial arts student… you probably give a lot of advice, too! But is it possible that all of that good advice is actually bad advice? In this episode, I’m... The post #117: Bad Advice in the Martial Arts [Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #116 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “You Got This.” Confidence is a tricky commodity. If you have too much—trouble. If you have too little—trouble! Especially in the martial arts, place too much faith in your skills, you might wind up dead. But place NO faith in your skills, you... The post #116: You Got This! Confidence in the Martial Arts [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #115 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “How to Be a Good Judge.” Are you a good judge or a bad judge? In the martial arts (and in life!), I’ve definitely been both. But as I get older, I’d like to think I’m getting better at passing judgement. Whether we’re... The post #115: How to Be a Good Judge in Martial Arts and Life [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #114 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Driving Without Brakes.” I’ve done some stupid things in my life… but driving without brakes may be the stupidest! Of course, I didn’t plan on putting myself (and everybody on the road around me!) in danger, but it also wasn’t a big surprise.... The post #114: Driving Without Brakes – A Warning for Martial Arts and Life appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #113 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “The First Technique in Martial Arts.” Do you remember the first technique you learned in the martial arts? Was it a jab? A block? Maybe a breakfall? Whatever it was, let me ask you—would you say it was also the most important technique?... The post #113: The First Technique in Martial Arts [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #112 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Lessons From Being Choked Out.” When I started training in the martial arts, I practiced a long list of moves to escape from chokes. No air, no problem… right? WRONG! It turned out that there’s a big difference between a “practice choke” and... The post #112: Lessons from Being Choked Out [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #111 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “How to Make Martial Arts Techniques Work.” You see a move. You learn a move. You try a move… …but it doesn’t work! ARGH! So frustrating. The truth is, sooner or later, we all hit a wall in our training. We all get... The post #111: How to Make Martial Arts Techniques Work [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #110 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Close Your Mind to Learn More.” We all know that a martial arts student should keep an open mind, right? But should it stay open forever? Is it possible that you can keep learning even when you close your mind to new information?... The post #110: Close Your Mind to Learn More [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #109 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Panic and Pandemonium.” In self-defense, facing a single attacker is never easy. Now imagine defending yourself from 80,000 people! That sounds crazy, but that’s basically what happened to me. In this episode, I’ll share the story of a young, inexperienced security guard (that’s... The post #109: Panic and Pandemonium | Self-Defense in a Crowd [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #108 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “The Hardest Part of Self-Defense.” I have some bad news–the hardest part of self-defense is something you can’t change or stop. What am I talking about? Knowing how far to go when defending yourself. Here’s the problem–bad guys have a plan. They know... The post #108: The Hardest Part of Self-Defense [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #107 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “The Art of Moving Furniture.” I moved twice in the last year—first from L.A. to Raleigh and now to a new place 6 miles up the road. That means I have spent a ridiculous number of hours packing, lifting boxes, and hauling furniture.... The post #107: The Art of Moving Furniture [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #106 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “It’s Okay to Suck at Martial Arts.” After almost two years of hiding out from Covid, I finally stepped outside and joined a BJJ school. Well, re-joined, actually. And guess what? I SUCK! Yup. I may only be two years older, but I’m... The post #106: It’s Okay to Suck at Martial Arts [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #105 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Waiting to Die.” My wife and I once found ourselves in a scary situation. Fortunately, we lived to tell the tale… so I’m going to tell it! Of course, you don’t need to survive a scary situation to remind you that life is... The post #105: Waiting to Die [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #104 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Participation Trophies.” Awarding trophies for participation, as opposed to the actual winning of an event, is a controversial topic. But should it be? Over the years, I’ve seen the good and the bad side of awarding participation trophies… and the crazy side! In... The post #104: Participation Trophies [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #103 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Tools Not Rules.” Is there a difference between sticking to a routine and being stuck to one? YES, absolutely! If you’ve ever felt like a failure for skipping a workout or been stressed out for missing a class, this episode is for you…... The post #103: Tools Not Rules [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #102 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “3 Halloween Self-Defense Lessons.” When I was a kid, Halloween was a big deal. That’s because in our town, you were allowed to “trick or treat” for TWO nights instead of just one! Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that while life can... The post #102: 3 Halloween Self-Defense Lessons [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #101 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “You Are the Dojo.” A few years ago, I made a video called, The World Is Your Dojo. The message—that you can learn anywhere, from anyone, at any time—is still a good one. However… …it’s not the whole story! In fact, I’d say... The post #101: You Are the Dojo [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #100 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Throw the First Punch.” That’s right! We made it to Episode 100. I say “we” because if you weren’t here, I wouldn’t be here either, so thank you for your support! 🙂 In this show, I share my thoughts on two very different strategies for living a happy life. The first I would call, “Quiet and Private,” and the second, “Loud and Proud”. Trust me–I’ve tried both strategies and the difference is significant! Of...