Episode 153 - Miss Elise Lenahan

Miss Elise Lenahan is a taekwondo black belt as well as a black belt in the Marine Corp Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).

Miss Elise Lenahan - Episode 153

Martial arts isn't just about your form or anything like that, it's about your mentality towards it. If you don't come into it with an open mind, I think sometimes it's really difficult to work with other people, because you're like, you're not supposed to do it that way you're supposed to do it this way. But, sometimes you didn't see that this other way has another advantage for somebody else.

Today's guest is someone I've known for years, but she's on here for a reason. Miss Elise Lenahan is the only person I know - though there are certainly others - to have earned a black belt in a traditional martial art (in this case Taekwondo) and a black belt in the Marine Corp Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). On this episode, we discuss what the process of attaining each was like for her, the differences between the two and what she's taken from her varied experience as a martial artist.

Today's featured product is our sparring gloves. When we developed the gloves, we took a hard look at why everyone else's gloves seemed to fail so quickly. Through our better materials, smarter design and extra reinforcement, we've created gloves that simply don't fail. Personally, my pair is now 4 years old. I may not spar as much as some of you out there, but these have had some use. You can learn more about our gloves and maybe get yourself a pair at whistlekick.com

 

For full show notes, please visit:

 

http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/153-elise-lenahan/

Check out this episode!

Episode 152 - Conversations on Women in Martial Arts: Part 2

Mrs. April Pettengill, Sensei Katie Jordan and Miss Jessica Henderson return to discuss topics related to women's involvement in the martial arts world.

Conversations on Women in Martial Arts: Part 2 - Episode 152

Last week's Part 1 of the two-part series on women in the martial arts was our best-ever debut for a Thursday episode. We knew there was demand for these conversations but we had no idea how much. Thank you to everyone for sharing and listening. If you haven't heard it, please check out Conversations on Women in Martial Arts: Part 1. There's no need to hear part 1 before part 2, as they're completely independent shows.

We hear from Mrs. April Pettengill, Sensei Katie Jordan, and Miss Jessica Henderson along with host Jeremy Lesniak as they discuss a number of topics related to women and gender differences in the context of martial arts. We discuss everything from classes to uniforms to psychology, with the hope that both male and female listeners will come away with a better understanding and give some thought to subjects that affect us all.

Check out this episode!

Episode 151 - Soke Joe Droual

Soke Joe Droual is a long-time martial arts instructor from New York. His background includes karate, jiu-jitsu, Kobudo and kung fu.

Soke Joe Droual - Episode 151

The master teacher is the master student, and we're always learning. And I think that that ties in with the martial arts community realizing that their whole lifetime is learning something that is very old, the traditions are showing respect and kindness to everybody and to themselves. Self-development and that is actually, that grounding and that respect, I think, is at the heart of all martial arts.

Soke Joe Droual comes to us from Long Island, New York. A long-time practitioner and instructor, Soke Joe has dedicated his life to martial arts - and you can hear it in his words. On today's episode, we hear why Soke Joe Droual continues to train after so many years, why martial arts is like music and his views on the personal development side of martial arts.

We've seen a lot of sparring gear head out of the warehouse lately - even more so than the weeks leading up to Christmas. Remember, we have four colors now and not a single pair of boots has that silly toe strap. If you want sparring gear that lasts longer and gives better grip on the floor, whistlekick boots are what you want. Find them online at whistlekick.com

Check out this episode!

Episode 150 - Conversations on Women in Martial Arts: Part 1

We unpack some of the differences - and similarities - between male and female martial artists with two past guests, Renshi Lisa Magiera and Master Amanda Meltzer.

Conversations on Women in Martial Arts: Part 1 - Episode 150

Over the last few months, we've had some listeners ask for more group conversations. Feedback on the Women in Martial Arts episode was very positive, and some listeners asked for more discussion, with women. We've combined those two ideas and brought back Renshi Lisa Magiera and Master Amanda Meltzer to discuss a few subjects related to women in martial arts. This is not an episode that's "for women," and I suspect it will make a lot of people think about some things, regardless of gender.

During this episode we reference our past episode on Helping People Find the Right Martial Arts School.

Check out this episode!

Episode 149 - Sensei Cheryl Murphy

Sensei Cheryl Murphy is a competitive karate practitioner, best known for her sparring and being a member of Team USA.

Sensei Cheryl Murphy - Episode 151

 Being able to pull myself up from my bootstraps. Of course, you still have your support system, in order to thrive from.

A lot of our guests come from referrals of past guests, and so it was we were introduced to Sensei Cheryl Murphy. We've heard from a number of martial artists who enjoy competing - and some who compete at a very high level. You may see Sensei Murphy at the Olympics in 2020, though, and that would be a first for our guests. As a competitive kumite fighter, Sensei Murphy travels the world sparring. She has numerous national and world titles to her name, but here on the show we learn why competing is so important to her, why she's still passionate about martial arts and how her Mom has been such a strong influence on her life.

You know whistlekick as making awesome sparring gear - and we certainly do that. But we also have a line of apparel that you should check out. Comfortable sweatpants, functional t-shirts and a lot more. Find everything we offer at our online store at whistlekick.com

Check out this episode!

Episode 148 - President Theodore Roosevelt & Judo

For show notes please visit: 

 

http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/148-theodore-roosevelt-judo/

Check out this episode!

Episode 147 - Mr. Michael Staples

Mr. Michael Staples is a well-respected authority on Chinese martial arts, with several books to his credit. He's written about and studied Kung fu, White Crane and other styles with some of the American pioneers.

Mr. Michael Staples - Episode 147

...but Ron is like a ballet dancer. He's just snipping things left and right, he's not getting hit at all. He's being carried into unique angles. At one point he just kind of pops up in the air and flips around with the back of his head and just smacks Steve in the forehead.

We've been fortunate enough to have a number of guests on the show that have talked about the early days of martial arts in America. Today's guest brings us that perspective on the Chinese martial arts and his early days training in California. We hear several times how Mr. Michael Staples life was altered dramatically, and seemingly by forces beyond understanding. What you hear in today's episode is the story of someone who was destined to be the martial artist they became.

Our sparring helmets are the most comfortable head protection you'll ever wear in a martial arts class. If you don't like them, we'll give you your money back. With free shipping every day, there's no risk. Check them out at whistlekick.com

 

For full show notes please visit:

 

http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/147-michael-staples/

Check out this episode!