This week, amiable and wide-ranging chat with my good friend - and Head Instructor at Roanoake Systema - Lloyd Robrecht. 
Lloyd began his martial arts career in Shotokan karate, and later progressed through Bujinkan ninjutsu, Aiki-jujitsu, and a range of other styles before finding Systema. Here, we discuss what drew him and kept him in Systema, and how it relates to his wider work and family life. Including:

- the integrity and straightforwardness of Systema

- the connection between commitment and progress

- the puzzle of pride vs faith and self belief

- what parents, teachers, and counsellors can learn from Systema

Find out more about training with Lloyd at at his Roanoke, Virigina school here

This week, a fascinating discussion with Michigan-based physician, musician, and Systema aficionado, Alberto Nacif.

As a clinical psychiatrist leading several practices near Detroit, MI, Alberto is a renowned expert in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and mood regulation disorders. As an award-winning composer and musician, his bands have claimed the Detroit Music Awards for Best Jazz Recording and Best World Music Band three times so far. As a Systema instructor and practitioner, he sees the influence of Systema in all of it.

Here, we touch upon:

Alberto is a relentlessly positive and uplifting fellow, and a credit to the Systema community. I defy you to listen to this and not come away feeling more positive about your practice.

Read more on the Science of Systema by Alberto at RMA.com

Check out Alberto’s award-winning jazz combo, Aguanko (I highly recommend them) here.

Enjoy!

This week, a spirited conversation with author, technologist, Tai Chi Instrcutor, and Systema devotee Scott Meredith.  Scott is the co-author and editor of Vladimir Vasiliev's phenomenal trilogy of Systema books - Let Every Breath, Strikes: Soul Meets Body, and Edge. As such, he has enjoyed the rare privilege of many hours, days, and weeks in the company of mastery, and has much to say about just how unique Systema is as a martial training methodology.

Here, we discuss:

- How he found his way to Systema, and helped to spread the word worldwide
- How he views the books, and the process by which he wrote them with the Vasilievs
- His sense of awe and admiration in working with Vladimir
- How he juggles a high-tech job and life with personal practice

Purchase the superb new book, Edge online (along with Strikes, and Let Every Breath) at https://systemavasiliev.com/store/product-category/books-publications/

View Scott's catalog of (non-Systema) martial arts books on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=scott+meredith+books

This week, more musings on life, work, and Systema with our resident health and wellness guru Howard Jacobson. Inspired by our recent seminar (and podcast) with Emmanuel Manolakakis, Howie and I discuss the value, the benefits, and the necessity of play in all aspects of our lives. Inclduing:

- what consitutes play (versus pure work or performance)

- why play is critical for kids

- why play is arguably even more important for adults

- how to approach your life and training with a more playful mindset

Mentioned in this episode:
Finite and Infinite Games - A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility, by James P. Carse

Find out more about Howard's healthy exploits, or transform your own health habits, at www.wellstarthealth.com

This week, a special episode with Fight Club Toronto founder, and regular SFL contributor, Emmanuel Manolakakis - recorded at the close of his recent 2-day seminar here in Durham, NC. This was a game-changing seminar in which we explored the very process of training itself, and looked at ways to optimize development, training time, and results. Here, we discuss the seminar and associated themes, including:

the paramount importance of working on yourself, prior to group training

the necessity of play, trust, and rapport in partner training

how training correctly means making room for intuition and "body knowledge"

the natural progression from play to control and pre-emptive influence in combat

Find out more about training Fight Club Toronto at http://www.fight-club.ca/

Fittingly for our 70th episode, this week we chat with Peter Annazone - US Marine, martial artist, and T'ai Ch'i / Systema Instructor - still teaching and practicing well into his 70s. Peter has been practicing martial arts for over 50 years, and Systema for the last 20. His quests for martial knowledge have taken him all over the world, and he has had the privilege of working with several genuine masters of T'ai Ch'i, Kungfu, and Systema.  Here, we talk about:

Another extended discussion with health and wellness guru - and Systema aficianado - Howard Jacobson. This week, on the subject of change - both intentional and inevitable. Change is a tricky one. Much as we try to assert our good intentions on the world, life has an irritating way of moving, flipping, and shifting our priorities and goalposts. As has been said before: the only constant in life is change. In the face of this:

how can we learn to accept change in our lives?
how can we work to maintain healthy routines in the face of big change?
how can Systema help us anticipate, endure, and facilitate change?

Handy for martial artists and health nuts alike!  Your thoughts and comments always welcomed.

Find out more about Howard's healthy exploits at plantyourself.com and wellstarthealth.com.

This week, an eye-opening interview with Scott McQueen of Systema Japan.

Orignally from Australia, Scott's first experience of Systema was straight in at the deep end - with a weeklong trip to Moscow, training under the legendary Mikhail Ryabko. This turned out to be the first of many such trips, and the beginning of a new phase in his martial and spiritual life. After 25 years in martial arts, and 12 years living and teaching in Japan and Singapore, he now teaches weekly classes in Tokyo, alongside Andy Cefai and Brett Adams. Here, we touch upon:

Find out more about training with Scott and Systema Japan at http://www.systemajapan.jp/

English-language info at http://www.systemajapan.jp/aboutsystemajapan/englishinfo

This week, a deep, frank, and heartfelt discussion with Mark Winkler - Systema Instructor, Karate expert (Mark holds 6th Dan in Wado Ryu Karate), and a veteran bouncer and bodyguard with over 36 years on the job. In that time, Mark has experienced more physical conflict that most people can imagine - including a broken bottle to the throat that required life-saving surgery. In short, you don’t make it this far without learning a thing or two.

A proud Welshman and a dedicated professional, here Mark shares his honest feelings on:

Systema-based insights (that he wished he’d had much earlier in life)

how Systema has changed his work, life, and relationships

why - in his opinion - Systema is the ultimate training method for bodyguards and security professionals

This week, we celebrate the end of the year - and the first full year of the podcast - with a special "Best of" compilation, featuring clips from past interviews. Was tough to choose, since so many great instructors shared so many pearls of wisdom. But hopefully you'll find these clips interesting, inspiring, and thought-provoking.

Featured here are:

If you missed any of the original episodes these clips were taken from, you can still access them all on iTunes, on our website, or any number of podcasting applications.

If you enjoyed the show in 2018, please take a few minutes now to Like, Subscribe, Share, or Support us online - it’s thanks to these small steps that we get to continue the project. 



Many thanks, and Happy New Year!