• Tradition matters — in martial arts and in life. It teaches discipline, respect, and perseverance.

• Old-school practices like kata still have value, even if modern systems move away from them.

• Tradition connects us — like family meals and passed-down customs — helping us stay grounded.

• Be present — Tim ties in the four dimensions (height, width, depth, time) to explain how being mindful of posture and breath can keep us aware in both martial arts and daily life.

• Life is short — every breath matters, so walk with confidence and make each day count.

Some fitting Memorial Day quotes:

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

"Home of the free, because of the brave.”

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” — Nathan Hale

“America without her soldiers would be like God without His angels.” — Claudia Pemberton

“We don't know them all, but we owe them all.”

Their sacrifice lives on in the freedoms we cherish. Honoring our heroes today.

Sensei Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman talk about a scary real-life incident where a woman was threatened and attacked in a movie theater parking lot. They break down why being prepared and aware in dangerous situations is so important. Tim shares lessons from his weapons training and Steve explains why "self-protection" is better than "self-defense." This episode will help you think differently about staying safe.

“No one is dumb who is curious. The people who don't ask questions remain clueless throughout their lives.” — Neil deGrasse Tyson

Introducing the Boomerang Theory — the idea that what you put out comes back to you. Tim shares a childhood story about learning to throw a boomerang and how it taught him the value of practice, patience, and consistency.

Whether it’s in faith, relationships, or personal growth, success takes steady effort — not just being a “weekend warrior.”

The love and energy you put in always comes back. Thanks for listening — and keep throwing your boomerang!

“Discipline is remembering what you want.” — David Campbell

The 80/20 Rule for a Better Life is what Tim and Steve discuss on this podcast episode. It’s a new spin on the 80/20 Principle, also known as the Pareto Principle:

• Health: 80% eating, 20% exercise

• Wealth: 80% habits, 20% math

• Talking: 80% listening, 20% speaking

• Learning: 80% understanding, 20% reading

• Achieving: 80% doing and taking action, 20% vision and dreaming

• Happiness: 80% purpose, 20% pleasure and fun

• Relationships: 80% giving, 20% receiving

• Self-Improvement: 80% persistence, 20% ideas

Focus on the vital 80% — and the rest will take care of itself!

“If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals.” — Albert Einstein

There’s a powerful, often cyclical connection between teaching and learning. Tim and Steve explore how the best teaching stems from a desire to understand more deeply, and how teaching others is one of the most effective ways to grow ourselves.

Key Takeaways:

• Teaching Is Learning: Tim shares his personal journey as a teacher and how every lesson he’s ever taught helped solidify his own understanding. The process of teaching, as Steve says, often forces us to internalize knowledge more completely.

• Learning What You Want to Teach, Teaching What You Want to Learn: The hosts unpack the idea that our desire to teach something often reveals a deeper desire to master it. And as we teach, we discover new insights that reflect our own ongoing growth.

• The Student-Teacher Relationship Is a Two-Way Street: Great teachers remain open to learning from their students. Sensitivity to the needs and emotions of others is vital, not only in classrooms but in all areas of life — relationships, work, parenting, and leadership.

• Lessons from Master Hawk: Tim reflects on wisdom passed down from his mentor, Master Hawk, who taught that teaching is as much about knowing yourself as it is about educating others.

• Peeling the Onion: Teaching — and life — is like peeling an onion. As layers are removed, self-awareness and deeper emotional truths are uncovered. Growth often comes from vulnerability and reflection.

• The 80/20 Rule of Giving and Receiving: The episode closes with a guiding principle: effective teaching (and living) involves giving 80% and receiving 20%. In the act of giving, we often receive far more than we expect.

A universal message: Whether you're a parent, coach, friend, or professional, this episode reminds us that when we teach with humility and openness, we grow in ways that continue to shape us long after the lesson ends.

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." — G.K. Chesterton