Systema For Life

This week, a deep dive into human psychology and cognition, with author and esteemed psychologist Barbara Tversky.
Professor Tversky an Emirita Professor of Psychology at Stanford and Columbia Univeristies, and is one of the world's foremost authorities on memory, spatial thinking, creativity, and embodied cognition - all highly relevant themes in Systema practice.

Her book - Mind in Motion: How Action Shapes Thought - posits that spatial thinking is the foundation of all thought, and that how we sense and perceive the world shapes our thought patterns, emotions, and decisions.

Her depth of knoweldge on this subject is staggering, and we were barely able to scratch the surface in this extended, 90-minute discussion. But for unabashed brain/movement/cognition nerds, this is well worth the time.

Here, we touch upon:

This week, a frank and friendly chat with verteran martial artist and founder of Tampa Systema, Kenny Gonzalez.
Before finding Systema, Kenny was a former military police officer, Army Tae Kwon Do champion, and expert instructor in both American Kenpo and Filipino Kali. He now lives, teaches, and hosts seminars in coastal, Florida. Here, he we talk about:

His personal journey, from streetfights to Systema
Meeting the masters - Vladimir Vasiliev and Mikhail Ryabko
The primacy of a strong foundation in training and fighting
Adapting to Covid, and keeping his training alive

Find out more about training with Kenny at tampasystema.com.


Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for the 4-day Defining Moment Seminar with Martin Wheeler (Sarasota, FL, Dec 3-6) here.

This week, an intense, mind-expanding discussion with renowned author and scientist John Vervaeke.

John is the Director of Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto, and an enthusiastic student and teacher of movement, meditation and T'ai Chi. Bridging the gap between cognitive science, cognitive psychology, and ancient philosophy, his academic work covers a wide range of topics. But he is most interested in how people create meaning and make sense of the world.

Here, we talk about:

This epsiode is light on the "martial", but heavy on the "psyche", and of interest to anyone who seeks answers through training.

For more information on John Vervaeke's books and lectures, follow him on Facebook here

Also mentioned in this episode:

This week, an unusual and enligthening diversion into ancient philosophies of life, health, and mind - comparing and constrasting the approaches of Systema and traditional yoga. Our guide, Systema Instructor, Yoga Instructor, and founder of Jiyu Movement Pasquale Antonio. Pas joined the ranks of NC SYSTEMA Instructors at the beginning of 2020, and his angles on Breathwork and Systema classes have made him an instant hit.

Here, we explore:

I found this discussion fascinating and uplifting. I trust you will, too.

Pasquale Antonio is currently running online martial arts classes for kids via Outschool. Click here for details and signup.
Find out more about Pas at www.jiyu.us

This week, a challenging conversation with wellness coach and podcast regular Howard Jacobson, host of the Plant Yourself podcast and co-founder of WellStartHealth.com. Here, we address the relative roles of guilt, shame, resposibility, and inner strength in navigating the complexities of current wordl events. Along the way, we wade into:

This week, a deep dive into aspects of internal training, with Toronto-based Systema Instructor and founder of Gaian Heart, Jamie Lippiatt.
Jamie is a personal student of Vladimir Vasiliev and Emmanuel Manolakaki, and teaches regularly at Systema HQ in Toronto. He has also made several extended trips to Moscow to train with the inimitable Mikhail Ryabko and his instructors there.

An accomplished martial artist even before coming to Systema, Jamie is a past member of the Canadian National Judo Team, a 2x Canadian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion, a 4x Toronto Wrestling Champion, and certified Israeli Special Forces 707 Krav Maga Instructor.

Here, we discuss his path into Systema, and some of the deeper insights he has gained along the way. Including:

A rich and varied discussion, and one serious trainees won't want to miss. 

Jamie is currently offering a series of three workshops on Breathing, Movement, and Application through Gaian heart online. For details, visit http://gaianheart.com and subscribe to their event newsletter.

This week, a insightful and practical dicsussion with Systema Instructor, IDF Officer, and Personal Security Professional Joe Gehr. His second time on the podcast, Joe returns here to talk about maintaining health, personal safety, and a sense of calmness during in light of current world events. A mulitfaceted chat, ranging through:

Train at Joe's academy - or seek advice on personal and group security - at https://www.technontactical.com/

Joe is currently raising money for veterans with PTSD via SEALFIT and the Courage Foundation. Sponsor him online here:

Also mentioned in this episode:

Warrior Breathing
Unbeatable Mind, by Mark Devine
Staring Down the Wolf, by Mark Devine

This week - a frank, hard-hitting, helpful discussion with Rafael Mattei - co-founding Instructor at Systema Puerto Rico, and a Federal Law Enforcement Agent with some serious experience facing bad guys in the field. Rafi is a prolific martial artist and a good friend to NC SYSTEMA, having taught workshops on groundfighting, weapons tactics and more.

Here, we talk about:

Many thanks to Rafi for his time and insights.

Getting serious value from these discussions? Please support the podcast at www.ncsystema.com/support

This week, we're once again joined by health and wellness expert Howard Jacbson, host of the profilic Plant Yourself podcast and co-founder of WellStartHealth.com.

Here, against the uncertain backdrop of COVID-19 and the slow shift back toward to everyday life, we chat about:

This week, we catch up with Systema Instructor, Medical Director, and Lifestyle Medicine specicalist Alberto Nacif, with thoughts on staying happy, healthy and sane during the COVID-19 lockdown. A relentlessly uplifting guy, Alberto offers his views and advice on: