My Judo Coach suggested we go to local high schools and do demos for their wrestling teams in an attempt to get new students (off season training since Judo and wrestling are similar). I looked at him and said that if my buddy Dave and I do this, our game has to be top notch because only a big lion can walk into another's den. He said we'll be there to demo, I said I guarantee that we'll get challenged.
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My buddy went to Brazil w/ his girlfriend (she's Brazilian) and she took him to a local BJJ gym down there. He's a Blue Belt here. Luckily he remembered some advice I gave to him a long time ago - I said you don't have to win, just don't get beat. Every white-blue- and purple in that place wanted a piece of him. They were all animals (in a good spirited way) and all were better than he's faced here. He fought to survive, not once did he get submitted but he never submitted anyone either - yet he EARNED their respect and the coach invited him to come back whenever he can and he has many new friends.
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I spent about an hour last night working praying mantis self defense that I KNOW WORKS (because I've invested the time in it and have taken hard knocks) with guys at the local MMA gym. These are tough guys, wrestlers, BJJers, and Boxers. I've earned their respect because I only use kung fu that works or at least has the potential to work. I may not win because most of these guys are younger, and stronger, and in some cases - more hardened than me. But I have their respect.
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You cannot earn respect doing flowery kung fu, relying on mysticism, doing forms, talking hours about theory, trying to use unproven techniques, using stupid chin na - we all know this. But we also can't assume Fighting is Easy - because it's not. Using technique against a resisting opponent is difficult, but you have to be able to do it. You don't have to win, you just have to be able to demonstrate it on someone who's not your student, in a spontaneous instance.