The Black Belt Podcast

“Your Conscious Mind is So much stronger than the Subconscious, if you allow your Conscious Mind to take control of what is happening.”—Ray Sefo
 
My guest this episode is the one and only Ray Sefo, he has fought in 110 Professional Fights, achieving 54 Knock Outs and 6 World Titles.  He has competed in 4 Combat Sports (Boxing, Muay Thai, Kick Boxing, and MMA).  Mr. Sefo is the President of Fighter Operations for PFL, the Professional Fighters League and is a true martial arts renaissance man.

This episode is filled with golden nuggets.  We cover the lost art of vision, timing and setting up your opponents.  We talk about Ray’s transition from traditional arts like Wing Chun to Sport Combat arts like Boxing and Muay Thai.  My key takeaway is that “Mental Toughness is the courage to step forward and face your fears.”  We dive deep into understanding the inner workings of the Conscious mind and how it must be trained to take control of what is happening around you.  Ray describes that “The biggest battle is always fighting yourself.”  We also discuss his amazing fighting career, his is epic battles with Mirko Cro Cop, Ernesto Hoost, Jerome Le Banner, and the birth of the PFL.  This is an insightful episode filled with great wisdom from a true humble warrior of the arts.

“At the end of the day if you don’t have hope, you have nothing.” – Ernie Reyes Jr.

My guest this episode is Ernie Reyes Jr., a martial artist, actor, and fighter.  He is known for his work in films like The Last Dragon, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Surf Ninjas, and the Rundown starring alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.  I first remember being wowed by Ernie as he burst on to the television screen in the 80’s tv series Side Kicks.  At the age of 6 he joined his father’s famous West Coast Demo Team, he would also go on to a 3-0 professional Kick Boxing record in Strike Force.  He is a father, a stuntman, and action film maker.

This episode is filled with inspiration, wisdom, and the artistic expression of martial arts in film and in life.  My key takeaway is that we must value the gift of life and live it to its fullest.  We dive deep into Ernie’s battle with Kidney failure and how it transformed his life.  Martial Arts gives us the ability to face challenges on and off the matts.  Ernie describes how he used his martial arts training to stay mentally focused, make himself comfortable in uncomfortable situations, and operate from a hope driven mindset as he went through the process of kidney failure, to dialysis, to receiving a kidney transplant, and to making a healthy recovery.  

We also discuss his friendship and training relationship with the Diaz brothers, what makes great fight scenes, and what it takes to be a good teacher and a great martial artist.

Ernie has been a true inspiration to many, first sparking the martial arts interest for generations of kids and adults, and now showcasing the power of the arts, and how to keep hope in the face of darkness.  Tune in this is a great episode with a Martial Arts Cultural Icon.

“A Fight is a Fight, it doesn’t matter what tools you have, all that matters is how efficient your chassis is.” – Tim Kennedy

My guest this episode is Tim Kennedy, a Special Forces Sniper, a Range Qualified Green Beret, a former UFC & Strike Force Fighter, and the President of Sheep Dog Response.  He is one of the few fighters to simultaneously serve in the United States Army while also fighting professionally and is the recipient of the Army’s Bronze Star Medal.  Mr. Kennedy is the founder of the Acton Academy, which is a K-12 Charter school.  He is also active as a television host, producer, and entrepreneur.

This episode is filled with leadership, mindset, and fighting wisdom from Tim Kennedy’s first-hand experience in life and death situations and his experience competing in Mixed Martial Arts.  My Key takeaway is that “Awareness, Assessment, Action, and Analysis” are essential skills to success on the battlefield, in the boardroom, and in the cage.  In this episode we talk about how important it is to build a physical and mental chassis that can adapt and change in chaos.  We dive deep into dealing with Fear and understanding the value of time.  Time is all we have, it is constantly running out, and we can never get it back.  So live a life with intention, discipline, and focus so that we can be ready to serve and protect when called upon. 

“Martial Arts is the Greatest Platform to Unleash Human Potential.” – Chatri Sityodtong

My guest this episode is Chatri Sityodtong who is best known for being the founder, chairman, and CEO of ONE Championship.  Chatri’s diverse background includes over 30 professional Muay Thai fights in Thailand, a brown belt in BJJ, an MBA from Harvard, and in 2019 he was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame.

Chatri Sityodtong is driven by an unbreakable will and drive to fight for his dreams.  My key takeaway is that martial arts is the greatest platform to unleash human potential.  In this episode we talk about dealing with fear, doubt, and adversity.  Chatri shares his inspirational story of how martial arts training instilled in him the grit and determination to overcome obstacles, deal with great loss, and create ONE Championship.  Tune in for an in-depth high performance conversation with a martial arts trailblazer.

“My goal was always to see how quickly I could hurt or paralyze every opponent.”—Master Ken

My guest this is episode is the most famous martial arts master in history, the founder of Ameri-Do-Te, the one and only, Master Ken.  Master Ken is the founder of Ameri-Do-Te which is an American street fighting system.  You may know him as the Professor of Pain, he has a Master’s degree in Mutilation, and a Doctorate in Destruction.

This episode is all about Master Ken’s greatest gift to the martial arts world, the creation of his style Ameri-Do-Te.  In this episode we discuss how he dissected the ingredients of every fighting style to create his own martial arts stew based in Lethality.  Lethality has always been his goal, and his main concern was how quickly he could hurt or paralyze his opponents.  My key takeaway is how honest and free Master Ken’s approach to martial arts and life is, he never worries about what other people think, and always expresses himself regardless of the consequences.  Stay tuned for one of the most exciting, eye opening, and enlightening conversations I have ever had.

“It’s a matter of winning the smallest battles in your head before you win the big battles on a big stage.”—Miesha Tate

My guest this episode is Miesha Tate who is a pioneer and trailblazer of Women’s Mixed Martial Arts. She is the former Strike Force and UFC Bantamweight Champion and was Vice President of One Championship.  She is currently fighting for the UFC.

Miesha Tate has built a career on mental fortitude and going beyond her limitations.  My Key Take Away is that Martial Arts teaches us to stay calm and composed in high pressure situations and gives us the ability to not freakout and be over emotional.  We talk about fight preparation, strategy, and the importance of mental and physical conditioning.  We also discuss the growth of Mixed Martial Arts and how important it is for Athletes to be able to train the individual parts, boxing, Thai boxing, wrestling, and Jiujitsu, and then be able to integrate them into one fluid whole.

“Achieving a black belt is telling you that you can do anything you set your mind to." –Jackson Rudolph

My guest this episode is Sport Karate World Champion Jackson Rudolph.  Jackson is known for his innovative Bo Staff Routines which have led to 14 ISKA U.S. Open Weapons Titles, the most for any man in history.  Jackson is the founder of The Flow Weapons Training System, a representative and now a Coach for Team Paul Mitchell and was inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame in 2018 as Competitor of the Year.

Jackson Rudolph is a remarkable young man and this episode is all about his competitive martial arts and scholastic journey.  My Key Take Away is that Martial Arts Teachings are the Key to Success on the matts and in the Classroom.  Along with being a martial arts world champion Jackson also graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Biology and is currently a USUHS Med Student & US Army 2nd Lt studying to be a surgeon.   We talk about preparing for competitions, entering the flow state, clarity in setting goals, developing concentration, overcoming bullying, and that the biggest thing martial arts gives us is the ability to overcome our doubts and build true self confidence. We also talk about the importance of Creating Art and honestly expressing ourselves and why Martial Arts are a gift for children to discover their full potential. 

“Martial Arts taught me to never accept failure.” – Cynthia Rothrock

My guest this episode is a film legend, a forms World Champion, a Black Belt Magazine Hall of Famer, the one and only Cynthia Rothrock.  Cynthia is a lifelong martial artist who holds 7 Black Belts and is receiving the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Century Martial Arts Super Show.  

This episode is all about Cynthia Rothrock’s journey from training under Ernie Reyes Sr., representing the legendary West Coast Demo Team, becoming a multiple time world champion in forms, to being discovered by the Hong Kong Film Industry.  My Key Take Away is to Never Accept Failure and to Never Quit.  Martial Arts teaches us to overcome adversity, to learn and to grow.  Not everyone is a natural, but with grit, strong determination, and most importantly a Positive Attitude you can keep going and achieve your dreams.  Cynthia is a true martial artist, her passion for teaching, learning, and her quest for adventure in life is inspirational.  

“Know yourself, know your enemy, know your ability and know your surroundings.” – Master Wong

My guest this episode is Michael Wong, known to the world as Master Wong.  He is the first martial artist to successfully use YouTube as a teaching platform with a reach of almost 3 Million followers.  His high energy and dynamic teaching style along with engaging content has inspired and educated millions of viewers.  He is truly an internet trailblazer.

This episode is all about Master Wong’s story and his drive to overcome bullying, gangs, and how martial arts has transformed his life.  My key take away is Know Yourself to Know Your Enemy.  We have to develop an awareness and understand our abilities, be able to read our opponents and gage the threats in our surroundings.  This awareness is vital to choosing the correct tactics and strategies in dangerous situations.  We discuss training strategies, teaching methods, and martial arts mindset and philosophy.  Master Wong’s stories of overcoming adversity are inspirational, and he lives and breathes what he teaches.

“Breathe and Flow with the Go.” – Rickson Gracie

My guest this episode is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Vale Tudo, and MMA legend Master Rickson Gracie.  He reigned as world Jiu Jitsu champion both in the middle-heavy weight and open divisions for almost two decades, retiring with an undefeated record after hundreds of Jiu Jitsu, Vale Tudo and challenge matches.  Since retiring he has focused on unifying the Jiu Jitsu community and spreading his family martial art through his Jiu Jitsu Global Federation and teaching seminars across the world.  He is the author of the NY Times and Wall Street Journal Best seller, one of my favorite books, Breathe – A life in Flow.  Netflix is also developing a film on his life titled Dead or Alive.

This Episode is a master class on the warrior’s way.  Master Rickson is an inspiration and personal hero of mine, he is the embodiment of a modern samurai.  My Key takeaway is that everything begins and ends with the ability to control our breathing so we can relax under pressure and approach both martial arts and life with a fluid body and mind mindset.  Master Rickson details that flow is all about presence of mind and body so we can seek a connection and find harmony through balance.  The art of flow is about cultivating our sensitivity so we can make micro adjustments and continuously make ourselves comfortable in uncomfortable situations.  We discuss training methods, teaching philosophy, and the gift of empowerment.  Master Rickson’s stories are so inspirational, and his lessons are life changing.  I hope you get as much out of this as I did.