For transcriptions and more detailed show notes, please go to: https://swordschool.shop/blogs/podcast/episode-220-coaching-coaches-with-nathan-weston 

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Nathan Weston is a lifelong martial artist and fencer, who discovered HEMA in his thirties and never looked back. He teaches KDF longsword (and assorted other things) at Athena School of Arms in Boston. he’s in charge of instructor training for the HEMA Alliance, where he’s developed a program based on the principles of ecological dynamics. As part of this program, he runs instructor development workshops both online and in person. He also competes regularly in a few different weapons (and occasionally wrestling).

Nathan has ended up running a couple of clubs, so we talk about the personality type required to start and run a club.

We then talk about how the ecological approach to martial arts training gives students a lot more credit for what they’re capable of than traditional approaches. We go on to discuss lots of aspects of fencing training, including whether it’s better to stuff a sock with another sock or a golf ball and hit someone with it.

We also discuss how to teach people to become coaches, and whether online teaching works for this.

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