Last Saturday, Sifu Cory Walken along with Kru Kathy Holmes, Kru Brooke Pete and Brian Rhodes underwent the punishing physical conditioning test know as, “The Crucible”.
As outlined in a previous posting, The Crucible is a three part physical challenge consisting of 45 resistance/coordination exercises, running approximately four miles and ending with two sets of line sprints. While the physical challenge of the test is obvious, the mental toughness required to complete the test cannot be overstated.
The true purpose of The Crucible is not to determine how many chin ups a person can do or fast they can run a few miles (although, Brain and Kru Kathy run times were very impressive). The purpose is to drive a person to their perceived physical limit and then beyond – to find that warrior spirit. That spirit, requiring a willingness to honestly challenge one’s supposed limits, is not possessed by most people. It’s easy for an ordinary person “try their best” and when they go as far as they physically can, they quit. A person with that mentality would never survive this test, no matter their physical condition. This test requires you to be extraordinary. Example: Imagine yourself with an injured back and a pair of shin splints. Now run four miles without stopping and then sprint two sets of lines(approximately 0.61 miles) as fast as you can. Do you imagine you could survive that? Kru Brooke doesn't have to imagine it -- she did it!
Strong mental toughness is necessary to complete this test. Razor sharp focus on success and the unwillingness to fail is required. Those characteristics must exist inside you and must then be constantly encouraged. For us that encouragement came from Master David Neal Brown. His mental training (along with physical) taught us to understand and then believe in our ability to succeed. That foundation was created the day we walked in the door at Total Confidence Martial Arts. But his encouragement alone wasn’t going to get us through the day. Moreover… it would not even be available for us.
Master David was not present for The Crucible as he was undergoing his own mental and physical challenge. Therefore, we needed to look elsewhere for that outside encouragement and we found it – in each other. Throughout the whole test (which, by the way, lasted about three hours), we looked to one another for moral support. That team attitude which screamed, “We will not let you fail!” was overwhelming throughout the day.
But in the end, neither Master David nor any amount of team support can negotiate this kind of test for you.
YOU must possess the fortitude to succeed! YOU must dig as deep as you can (and then deeper) into your heart to find the courage to endure! YOU must refuse to accept failure! YOU must defend yourself against the specter of defeat! Those qualities of fortitude, courage and the refusal to surrender are known by few, but are possessed by all. It takes encouragement, support and a commitment to oneself to realize them.
At Total Confidence Martial Arts and Seattle Close Range Tactics, when a person believes they possess that warrior spirit, are willing to prove it and can survive the course, they are and forever will be known as BLACK BELTS!
As outlined in a previous posting, The Crucible is a three part physical challenge consisting of 45 resistance/coordination exercises, running approximately four miles and ending with two sets of line sprints. While the physical challenge of the test is obvious, the mental toughness required to complete the test cannot be overstated.
The true purpose of The Crucible is not to determine how many chin ups a person can do or fast they can run a few miles (although, Brain and Kru Kathy run times were very impressive). The purpose is to drive a person to their perceived physical limit and then beyond – to find that warrior spirit. That spirit, requiring a willingness to honestly challenge one’s supposed limits, is not possessed by most people. It’s easy for an ordinary person “try their best” and when they go as far as they physically can, they quit. A person with that mentality would never survive this test, no matter their physical condition. This test requires you to be extraordinary. Example: Imagine yourself with an injured back and a pair of shin splints. Now run four miles without stopping and then sprint two sets of lines(approximately 0.61 miles) as fast as you can. Do you imagine you could survive that? Kru Brooke doesn't have to imagine it -- she did it!
Strong mental toughness is necessary to complete this test. Razor sharp focus on success and the unwillingness to fail is required. Those characteristics must exist inside you and must then be constantly encouraged. For us that encouragement came from Master David Neal Brown. His mental training (along with physical) taught us to understand and then believe in our ability to succeed. That foundation was created the day we walked in the door at Total Confidence Martial Arts. But his encouragement alone wasn’t going to get us through the day. Moreover… it would not even be available for us.
Master David was not present for The Crucible as he was undergoing his own mental and physical challenge. Therefore, we needed to look elsewhere for that outside encouragement and we found it – in each other. Throughout the whole test (which, by the way, lasted about three hours), we looked to one another for moral support. That team attitude which screamed, “We will not let you fail!” was overwhelming throughout the day.
But in the end, neither Master David nor any amount of team support can negotiate this kind of test for you.
YOU must possess the fortitude to succeed! YOU must dig as deep as you can (and then deeper) into your heart to find the courage to endure! YOU must refuse to accept failure! YOU must defend yourself against the specter of defeat! Those qualities of fortitude, courage and the refusal to surrender are known by few, but are possessed by all. It takes encouragement, support and a commitment to oneself to realize them.
At Total Confidence Martial Arts and Seattle Close Range Tactics, when a person believes they possess that warrior spirit, are willing to prove it and can survive the course, they are and forever will be known as BLACK BELTS!
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