In this episode of the Fight Podcast, Sharir visits Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, to sit down with his good friend and ICCS Portugal director, Armando. Together, they explore Armando’s journey from decades of martial arts experience—including karate, kickboxing, and especially Muay Thai—to becoming a respected coach and prison guard with real-life fighting experience. The two share stories about the old-school atmosphere in Armando’s gym, training beneath a soccer stadium, and the deep family spirit that defines their community.

They dig into the importance of real, hard sparring for effective self-defense, calling out the dangers of martial arts instructors who never test their skills under pressure. Armando explains how his background—both on the streets and as a prison guard—shaped his philosophy: fighting is not for everyone, and real preparation comes from realistic, sometimes brutal, training. The conversation covers the challenges of coaching competitors, the politics of fight events, mental preparation, and the life lessons learned through losing and coming back stronger. The episode is filled with stories about humility, dedication, and the power of a true martial arts family.

In this comeback episode of the Fight Podcast, Sharir reconnects with his longtime friend and ICCS instructor Andrea in Genoa, Italy. Together, they take listeners on a journey through the early days of ICCS in Europe, reminiscing about their first seminars, the challenges of building a gym from scratch, and the enduring discipline required to keep pushing forward in martial arts. Andrea shares insights into his thriving school, the evolution from small kids’ classes to a full academy with striking and grappling for all ages, and the recent fight experiences of his students—complete with tough opponents and a few controversial referee calls.

The conversation explores training philosophy, the importance of sparring, balancing family, coaching, and personal fitness, and how recovery and nutrition matter just as much as hard work. They discuss the changing landscape of self-defense and MMA in Europe, the value of full-contact experience, and why more experienced martial artists are joining ICCS for its “fighting solutions” mindset. With plenty of stories, laughs, and a shoutout to Genoa’s legendary focaccia, this episode is both a heartfelt reunion and a window into the passion and resilience behind building a martial arts community.

In this episode of the Fight Podcast, Sharir and Jan dive into a lively and insightful conversation about language barriers, gym culture, and the evolution of combat sports. They start by reflecting on how people learn English through martial arts communities, sharing funny stories about students who “fake” speaking different languages and the unique blend of personalities found in their gyms.

The discussion then shifts to the rich world of combat sports—contrasting old-school boxing with modern styles, exploring the quirks of Savate, and debating what really makes a fighter dangerous. Sharir and Jan break down key differences between boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA, discussing everything from fighting stances and guard positions to the mentality needed for street and sport fighting.

Throughout, they explore the importance of aggressive defense, the role of discipline versus talent, and how true fighting confidence impacts life beyond the gym. They also share their perspectives on grappling, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, and why no single martial art has all the answers. With humor and experience, they show how learning to solve problems under pressure—inside and outside the ring—builds real confidence.

In this episode of the Fight Podcast, we – Shareer and co-host – share our personal experiences and impressions from both military and civilian life, always in our familiar laid-back and humorous style. We start off by discussing the quirks of podcast intros, quickly moving into motorcycle anecdotes – from our own crashes to stories of police and paramedics on motorcycles, especially in Israel. We also talk about the risks of riding without a helmet, accidents, and some of the stranger consequences that can arise.

In the second part, things get a bit more serious: we dive deep into the everyday realities of military life, the unique camaraderie among soldiers, the difference compared to civilian friendships, and the special, often little-known rules and routines of army life. We talk about creative problem-solving, absurd orders, fistfights over bus seats, and the infamous “shit-in-a-bag” principle during deployments. A key focus is on the psychological consequences of combat experiences, such as PTSD: we discuss stigma, recognition, and support for trauma, differences between countries and generations, and share our own observations from both the military and civilian world. Finally, we explore how people cope with trauma, how dark humor can help, why life in crisis regions often continues surprisingly “normally” – and why it’s so important to keep going despite everything.

Jan and Sharir discuss their experiences and insights on training in extreme heat, highlighting the challenges faced during a recent heatwave in Israel. They emphasize the importance of staying hydrated and adapting to varying conditions, mentioning how both extreme heat and cold can impact training. The conversation shifts to specific training techniques, including the use of drop sets for building muscle endurance and the importance of incorporating both strength and cardio workouts. They also discuss injury management, the mental aspect of training, and the necessity of maintaining cardiovascular fitness for both sports and survival situations. Throughout, they share personal anecdotes and practical advice, underscoring the critical role of conditioning in effective training and real-life preparedness.

In this episode, Sharir and Jan discuss their recording experiences in different settings, from a gym in Jerusalem to a studio in Germany. They highlight the training of a dedicated rabbi and the technical aspects of podcast production, including AI sound cleaning. The hosts share insights from their travels and encounters with members of the International Combat and Conditioning System (ICCS), emphasizing its diverse community. Sharir talks about upcoming pro courses in the USA, contrasting Israeli and European security protocols, and the importance of de-escalation in security work. They reflect on the challenges and importance of maintaining vigilance in security roles, concluding with a note on staying hydrated.

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Jan visits Sharir in Jerusalem and they have a chat in the MMA Jerusalem gym. Get to know some of the faces of the Israeli ICCS chapter and what a day in Sharir’s life looks like.

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For the first time, Sharir and Jan introduce a guest to the Podcast. Andrea has been one of the first members of the ICCS family and he runs the ICCS-gym in Genua. Get to know him and the “Fight-Back”-story.

You always wanted to learn how MMA for the street works?

Support us on Patreon and get fight tips from Sharir every day, exclusive insights into ICCS and the Fight Podcast 3 days early.

Plus there's:

Striking Tutorial Videos for MMA & Krav Maga

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You can contact us here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iccskravmaga.official

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Sharir speaks on discipline and on how to build good habits. If you are trying to introduce change into your life you might already have your mind set onto a certain goal. You might also have a strategy to achieve that goal, but there might be days where motivation is just very low. That is why it is important to build discipline to cover for the lack of motivation.

You always wanted to learn how MMA for the street works?

Support us on Patreon and get fight tips from Sharir every day, exclusive insights into ICCS and the Fight Podcast 3 days early.

Plus there's:

Striking Tutorial Videos for MMA & Krav Maga

https://www.patreon.com/iccskravmaga/

You can contact us here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iccskravmaga.official

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In this episode, Sharir and Jan discuss how society views violence and whether or not it is possible to justify the use of it.

You always wanted to learn how MMA for the street works?

Support us on Patreon and get fight tips from Sharir every day, exclusive insights into ICCS and the Fight Podcast 3 days early.

Plus there's:

Striking Tutorial Videos for MMA & Krav Maga

https://www.patreon.com/iccskravmaga/

You can contact us here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iccskravmaga.official

Sharir on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharirICCS