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Practicing MMA (but any single art like Boxing, Wrestling, Muy Thai, etc would work) has definitely boosted my mental toughness. Once you step into a ring with
by MediumD 8y ago
Practicing MMA (but any single art like Boxing, Wrestling, Muy Thai, etc would work) has definitely boosted my mental toughness. Once you step into a ring with someone who is trying to attack you, and come out okay, you realize you can handle pretty much anything.
Even if you don't spar, simply motivating yourself to go to practice can be tough. If you can walk into a room knowing you're going to be pinned and choked, you can walk into an interview/negotiation/meeting/date no problem.
- yodsanklai 8y agoI practiced judo and boxing for two decades, and I still have low-confidence and anxiety. At least in my case, it's totally unrelated.
- MediumD 8y agoI'm sorry to hear that. What other things have you tried? Any ideas on what's causing that much low-confidence and anxiety?
- yodsanklai 8y agoThanks. It's not that bad. I think it's just a personality trait. I don't think I'll ever get rid of this.
- MediumD 8y agoHave you ever to talked a therapist? Change is extremely hard, but always possible.
- fluffet 8y agoI agree with this 100%. Though I only do grappling and not any striking (BJJ and Submission Wrestling). When I did my first competition, locking eyes with my opponent knowing he will do everything he can do to choke me, break my joints and knowing I voluntarily put myself there, it changed me :) I especially like how you frame your last sentence. Since martial arts can sometimes be uncomfortable physically, like you I have noticed is that things that used to be uncomfortable are not as uncomfortable as being pinned down by someone much larger than you. I consciously remind myself of this if I ever feel nervous about something, and it works almost every time. I've also read the book by Goggins (loved it) and martial arts really build up your "cookie jar".
- dtujmer 8y ago"Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy." The entire experience, from the first days when I got triangled by girls half my size (choking my ego as much as choking my body), to competition days, with pressure passers and crazy leglock guys... It absolutely changed me - for the better.
- peteretep 8y agoI don’t agree with this at all, having boxed (and sparred) for a while. Getting punched in the face hurts a bit, and that’s about it.
- nicholas73 8y agoFor those who don't agree, I think the difference may be competition experience. It's like other high pressure scenarios, but preparing for a match can teach you how to prepare for others. My level of nervousness is pretty well correlated to how prepared I feel. The best competitors go into a match "knowing" they will win because they had covered all the bases.
- nicholas73 8y agoWe should have a Hacker News MMA meetup :)