Self-awareness is "an awareness of one's own personality or individuality". If we’re made of three parts — mind, body, and spirit — it only makes sense that when all three are balanced we’re at our best. To achieve that — we either need to evaluate objectively, or trust family and friends to help us consider the facts, rather than our personal feelings. Otherwise, our ego takes over and we become selfish.

Between Dave’s own awareness and his wife and son’s help, he’s become skilled at keeping his mind, body, and spirit firing on all cylinders. He joins us to talk about that, along with the story behind the Tree of Inspiration 2020.

• The LION represents the MIND. Its traits are majesty, strength, courage, justice, and military might. It symbolizes balance and sound judgment. Because the lion shares the world of both night and day, it bears a message of prudence — reminding us not to overdo certain things. Rather, keep an even mind and an overall balance in our activities.
• The BEAR represents the BODY. As a protector, it symbolizes courage, physical strength, and leadership. Bears are strong, agile, and quick. The bear is a good omen, and conveys authority and emotional healing. This animal has been worshiped throughout time, inspiring those who need courage to stand up against adversity.
• The EAGLE represents the SPIRIT. It conveys the powers and messages of the spirit, and is man’s connection to the divine because it flies higher than any other bird. It bestows freedom and courage to look ahead. The eagle is symbolic of honesty and truth, and its presence brings you closer to your true self. It serves as a reminder to be ready to take advantage of any opportunities that come to you.

• The more you give, the more you receive
• Practice “physical distancing,” not “social distancing” — we must be socially connected
• There are all kinds of free opportunities to connect virtually — engage in these online opportunities and possibly try something you’ve always had interest in

No one knows for sure what the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic will be in 6 months — let alone 6 years. The world is changing, and a phrase being tossed around is the “new normal.” But it’s important to realize “new normal” is an oxymoron. It’s a contradiction. Things can be “new.” Or they can be “normal.” But they can’t be both — not for some time yet. It may seem as if we’re quibbling over semantics, but words have meaning. Words have power.

If you’re feeling confused — that’s OK. Many of us are. Until the dust settles, very little is normal. So don’t bother trying to make sense of it, because it might just frustrate you more.

Accept this period of vulnerability and confusion in order to grow, because one thing that IS definitely normal — is feeling confused. Use that emotional energy to Attack Life, Not Others.

One thousand days to learn; ten thousand days to refine. — Japanese Proverb

Len joins Tim and Steve as they discuss:

• The “new normal”

• Say goodbye to the handshake

• Use this time to reset, recalibrate, and reflect

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." — John Lennon

Hear life lessons Tim picked up from the early years of developing his martial arts schools, and how his observations can help everyone during the coronavirus crisis.

• Grit and Sacrifice — What are you doing during the COVID-19 pandemic? Taking it on? Or packing it in? After most hardships throughout history, came times of greatness.

• Bridging — While earning one belt after another, martial artists progress towards a black belt. They must practice patience, otherwise, they’ll never reach that goal. As we work towards getting back to “normal”— we must take one step at a time, day by day.

• Phases — In Sensei Hoover’s martial arts system there are Four Phases of Fighting, representing different ranges. With quarantining we are closed up and living restricted. Gradually we will expand, the threat will diminish, and we will be less vulnerable.

• Be Water — Like a chameleon, we need the ability to adapt our behavior according to the situation. Nothing expresses this better than Bruce Lee’s famous quote below.

"Be water, my friend. Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend." — Bruce Lee

During this coronavirus pandemic, acts of loving kindness matter not only to others, but they hold more spiritual weight for your own soul. Dr Bernie joins Tim and Steve as they focus on the Spirit component of Mind, Body, and Spirit. They talk about our Creator, how we have been given free will to choose between good and bad, and how our choices define us.

“It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” — Epictetus

Many of us are driven by external factors — such as training for a race, or looking good in a bathing suit. Many of these external motivators currently don’t exist or won’t be happening because of the coronavirus pandemic. So how do we stay motivated when no one’s watching?

Chelsea from Fuel for Thought Nutrition joins Steve with thoughts from her blog including:

• Create new routines pertaining to meal times, exercise, work, bedtime, etc

• Reassess your priorities and find deeper reasons to achieving and maintaining them

• “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” — Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

• “When you face difficult times, know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They're sent to promote, increase and strengthen you.” — Joel Osteen

• “I don’t count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. When I feel pain, that’s when I start counting because that’s when it really counts.” — Muhammad Ali

From a scrawny kid with asthma who was abused and bullied, to a world champion martial artist with multiple black belts — Matt Stait is our guest on this episode. When Matt was a teenager his father committed suicide. Shortly after that, he was diagnosed with PTSD. He spent many years working as a bouncer and a bodyguard, and now runs a martial arts gym in the UK. He is the CEO and co-founder of Team Fightback CIC — an organization which helps military veterans through martial arts. Matt is an author of books and magazine articles, a creator of online courses, along with being a public speaker, and corporate trainer.

If you could use some positive energy and inspiration amid all the uncertainty and startling news with the COVID-19 crisis — this episode will do it for you. You'll hear:

• How everything goes back to your mindset

• Ways to practice having an “attitude of gratitude”

• How to change your perception so that many so-called problems disappear

• How just like Tim and Steve discussed last week — Matt, too, is cautious of who he surrounds himself with and what information he is taking in

Please visit Matt’s Modern Samurai website. You’ll find links to his books, courses, and more.

“A truly great person is not disturbed even when suddenly confronted with an unexpected event or crisis …” — Gichin Funakoshi

• Now, more than ever, with the coronavirus pandemic, we should be cautious of what we consume — this includes food we eat and thoughts we take in

• It’s also very wise to have greater awareness, so that we don’t overreact or underact

• Tim shares how every day he prays for: Faith, Courage, Hope, and Patience