Episode 588 - Mr. Mike Abell
Mr. Mike Abell is a martial arts practitioner and a long-time student of the arts.
Try to think two steps ahead and see what’s going on as opposed to just having a tunnel vision.
Mr. Mike Abell - Episode 588
Our usual guests in the show are instructors, high-ranking practitioners, or school owners. Today, we have Mr. Mike Abell, a long-time student of Martial Arts, who is just as passionate as the more well-known guests that we had on the show. Mr. Mike Abell started training in Martial Arts just to have regular exercise in his 20s, but he found out about its mental and physical benefits that kept him training. Mr. Mike Abell’s is a story of starting and stopping training as well as training as he age. Listen to learn more!
Mr. Mike Abell
Show Transcript
You can read the transcript below.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Hello and welcome! You're tuned into whistlekick Martial Arts Radio episode 588 with today's guest Mr Mike Abell. I'm Jeremy Lesniak, I'm your host here for the show. Founder of whistlekick, passionate traditional martial artist. And what is really all you need to know; I love martial arts. I love training all styles. This matter... What it is, you give me something to learn, it's a punch or a kick or a blocker, involves one of those things and I'm game, let's do it. And that's why everything we do at whistlekick is in support of the traditional martial arts. If you want to know more about what we're doing to that end to support the traditional martial arts for the world, check out whistlekick.com. That's our only home, the easiest place to find our products and if something in the store over there which helps fund all the things, we do interest you, use the code PODCAST15. That's going to get you 15 percent off. Everything for the shows on a different website whistlekickmartialartsradio.com. The show comes out twice a week and the purpose of the shows to connect, educate, entertain the traditional martial artists of the world. And if you want to help, support the work that we do. Yeah, you can make a purchase but there are also plenty of other things you could do. Things that some of them don't even cost money. Follow us on social media, tell people about what we're doing, sign up for the newsletter, and join the patreon.com/whistlekick. Yeah, that would cost money as little as 2 Bucks a month. And if you join the patreon, contributing money directly to us and you get free exclusive because you're paying for it but you get exclusive content coming back at you. Stuff that you're not going to see anywhere else. And the more you're willing to part with a few Bucks, the more we're going to give you back. $2, $5, $10, it goes up from there but we're committed to delivering overwhelming value and we very rarely have people stop their patreon contribution. So, that tells me we're doing something right on the front. Here we are. We're knocking on episode 600. And if you look back at the list of guests we've had, we've had a lot of people from all over the world. Different styles but most of them are high ranking martial artists. Whether they're well known or not, they tend to be school owners or really high standing people in their martial arts community. Well, we had some people on the show who bring a different perspective. People who are students for one reason or another and they've got a story to tell. Today's guest is one of those. Mr. Mike Abell is every bit a passionate traditional martial artist, as the other guests we've had on the show. But he doesn't have a claim to fame in the way that you might expect all of our guests to have because we bring on people from all different backgrounds, all different styles because it's really important to me. What he does bring to the show was an incredibly relatable story. One, about starting and stopping what about. One about training as we age and there's some really good inside and hear stuff that whether you're younger and planning on getting older because we all are or maybe you're new to training. You've got a few years on you. When you look around at some of these younger folks and say “thank you. I don't know that I can relate to them all. This is an incredibly relatable episode and I hope that you enjoy it. Hey Mr. Abell welcomed whistlekick Martial Arts Radio.
Mike Abell:
Thank you for having me here.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Hey, it's a pleasure to have you. Thanks for your willingness to do the show and you know, we're going to talk about you. I mean that's the beauty of the show is that in a sense, every Monday we put out the same thing and at the same time it's also so different because everybody's different. We've got a lot in common but we've got stuff that's not common which is what makes for interesting.
Mike Abell:
Never been a good one for talking about myself.
Jeremy Lesniak:
My job is to change that to help you through that challenge. You know, it's one of the things that I love about this show. There was an email that came in yesterday from a listener who we have a Patreon on. it's a way that our listeners can support us. You don't just throw a few Bucks and chipping in to cover off the financial aspects of the show. Whenever we get somebody new who signs up for that, I always email and say “Hey, you know, why? I want to know why”. And he told me kind of a 2-part story talking about his martial arts career. And how much it meant to him and then this dark place that he went into and I’ll spare the specifics to be kind to him. But, listening to the stories of other martial artists on the show was an important part of helping him through that. And now, he's started training again. So, I think that's really interesting to consider that. You know, our stories to ourselves are so, I mean, there in a sense, trivial. We live that, we were there. But you never know when your story, what has normalized to you, can be impactful to someone else. So, given all of that. I’ll start with an easy question for you. I'll usually start off, when did you start training?
Mike Abell:
Maybe in my twenties.
Jeremy Lesniak:
And what was the reason for that?
Mike Abell:
Exercise. I used to work a lot of work with horses. And what I found was the [00:05:30-00:05:32] play softball. I would have a wicked horse running the first base, the first line. [00:05:41-00:05:42]. Something to help stretching and flexibility, martial arts. Yoga wasn't around that much at that time. So, that was roughly 3 months. Yeah, out from the class, soak in the tub. And after 3 months, I kind of realized and I just saw how much more flexibility [00:06:06-00:06:08].
Jeremy Lesniak:
Okay, and what was it... That’s not a question. How were you exposed to martial arts in a way that you knew flexibility was even on the table?
Mike Abell:
It was more for the exercise when I realized the flexibility is so much more. So, it was with that. Yeah, I used to be in the range of movement. I like how much I am lost. Yeah, if you don't use it.
Jeremy Lesniak:
If you don't use it, you lose it, right? So true. So, do you step in for fitness? You find flexibility but you've been going for a little while so you found more than flexibility in there.
Mike Abell:
Yeah, yeah. I really… I’m going to have to say that's really the big thing. When you get older flexibility does go and you got to be careful. More slips and falls. Yeah. I have slipped more times almost on your lower back. You just automatically roll into a wall and I don't know how many times you just want... Just completely [00:07:21-00:07:23] a lot of things that come out. It's part of my job. And I then had to justify the state and have the breathing. Yeah, the focus. Yeah, I just [00:07:40-00:07:42].
Jeremy Lesniak:
Was there a point in your training where you started to notice that stuff? We talked about flexibility. You know, kind of almost in hindsight. You know, 3 months in. But some of those other things that a lot of us find as we train for a while: focus, changes to breathing, self-esteem things, like that. They can take a while and it's really... it’s not something that we took to notice in the moment. That's been easier than martial arts...
Mike Abell:
It's almost until you need it and without thinking about it but it's not because of that training you wanted on and on.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah.
Mike Abell:
So, it was a couple of times where I had to put my martial arts training and such on hold. It stops and starts.
Jeremy Lesniak:
You know that's a far more common occurrence than a lot of long-time practitioners like to talk about. And it's actually... It's something that I think is important to talk about because there's a stigma about it. You know, I stopped training for a while and depending on how I look at it, I either took a big step back or even stopped training for about 2 years just due to some logistics in life... And when I was going through and even not long after, I was embarrassed because martial arts are something I've done for so long and I love. But as I've aged, I look at it a little bit differently now. I'm wondering if you might talk about those times, are one of those times. And what happened, why, and I think that's important how you got back.
Mike Abell:
Yeah. At first, I went back to college and I ended up traveling out of the state. And then back after I got my master's degree, I know I was married at that time and it was a martial arts thing that was… I think from school when I was in the same thing at the time, [00:09:46-00:09:47]. I was really well. I went up to the brown belt. And typical kind of thing. [00:10:01-00:10:12] That was months until I got back my kids. So, I just didn’t go back. Fast forward, got my [00:10:28-00:10:29] forties. Yeah, my son wanted to try. I said “sure”. So, he's the one that I'm sitting on my pants. I remember. You want to sit in the audience. I don't want to try this, no don't do this and I said I want to go back. So, I let him get 4 ranks up. So, I wanted to be his back. [00:11:02-00:11:05] But I went back and my brain still knows how things go but the body just wasn't there again. and I was so, so frustrated. Yeah. time lapse. I still think I’m 25. You know mentally. You just got to come back, he'll come back. Don’t push it. That’s just going to give yourself more injury. Which was frustrating. Very, very frustrating.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah, of course.
Mike Abell:
If you can't laugh at your mistakes. That's the thing I just learned. I'll get frustrated and construct no one’s frustrating because I start to laugh. Because I'm frustrated. That is my way of my release.
Jeremy Lesniak:
A better way to handle it then some of the alternatives. How did you go as your sign progressed? At some point you said okay, he's established enough in doing this that I feel comfortable stepping in. How did that go with your relationship with your son and your son's relationship to training?
Mike Abell:
I think… We have someone to bounce things off. Every now and then. There were some of the colleagues that always happened somewhere to practice with. You know he was like [00:12:40-00:12:45].
Jeremy Lesniak:
How old was he when he started?
Mike Abell:
He started at least 12.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Okay. There's a big difference between working with your kid. If your kid’s 6 versus 12 verses 18.
Mike Abell:
We get goals, we joke at some things. [00:13:08-00:13:13].
Jeremy Lesniak:
It was a healthy competition.
Mike Abell:
Yes, now he's in college. And he's brown belt in Beijing. I asked when you're going to have your black. And he’s still interested and still doing it though. [00:13:36-00:13:37] it's you get what you put into. [00:13:42-00:13:43] college thing else that you're only going at least once a week or something. [00:13:48-00:13:49] cliche but you know it’s his journey or destination.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Was your son's interest in training at all? Tied to what you had done in the past, that you told him stories that you encouraged him.
Mike Abell:
I told him a story. Never asked him why he wanted to get into it.
Jeremy Lesniak:
I can imagine that. You know it made an impact on you. I think it's pretty rare that somebody trains and there isn't an impact. Not everyone goes back but there's usually... If you put in some time, there's some fun memories. There is some acknowledgement of growth as a person. You know, you talked a little bit about that. So, to my mind, thinking you must have some strong influence on this but maybe not. In which case, it's a beautiful coincidence on why you started.
Mike Abell:
Why did I start? I mean things from you know... When I started that one [00:15:09-00:15:12] which was much more flowing than some of the Japanese styles. And I really enjoyed that and enjoyed it with just some techniques that would just be flow or some kind of school better than it. Those are the ones I really like and especially, I was again on. Certain movements have more of a flow once you’re done with. What better. [00:15:45-00:15:47]. Punching drills and after a while, [00:15:52-00:16:01] There are some techniques that almost [00:16:06-00:16:07] flow comes in. [00:16:10-00:16:23]. I'm not so much into sparring anymore. I won’t do it. I don’t do it. But it's come back into the one that I really [00:16:35-00:16:40]. Statute right just walks. To me it's a balanced form, flows as well. You can do it slowly. Almost [00:16:46-00:16:48]. I think that helps my body and is missing.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Sure, sure. And I love forms for similar reasons. When you're doing that form, what's going through your mind? Is it...? I won't even prime the answers. Just that.
Mike Abell:
Kind of funny because you know, the more you think about reform. Kind the stiffer it gets. I guess concentrating on my breathing and then doing the breathing with the movements. The more concentrating on that. It seems the flow is so much better. When you start trying to think of what the next move is. What my steps here and you start. Just letting things. I get it to the point that you know it well enough. Well, that's a good thing. When you started doing something and you said “Ah...”.
Jeremy Lesniak:
I think we've all experienced that for sure, yeah.
Mike Abell:
I didn’t realize that I did this with the flow and the breathing and just almost, I don't want to use the word ‘unconscious’ but more on self-focus on. That you realize that you’re gaining it.
Jeremy Lesniak:
You said something to the effect that sparring isn't... I took it to mean it wasn't as of much interest to you.
Mike Abell:
Oh, no. It’s not easy or doesn't interest you that much but it is needed.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Sure, sure.
Mike Abell:
And all the other things.
Jeremy Lesniak:
But that suggests that it had been of more interest and I'm going to guess that maybe this was more when you were younger, your first, let's call it instance with training. When you reflect on that “you”, the current “you”, there's a bit of a time gap there and a physical gap. Your body is different now than it was then your mind is certainly different now than it was then. Were there things that you regretted not doing at that point or things that you would have done differently at that point?
Mike Abell:
They say hindsight is 2020. And the younger me. I have to say I got the ‘tunnel vision’ thing and got into the guidance of the eagle. You tag me, I can make sure I get the next tag. Instead of just being able to almost step back from yourself. You did tag people, what did I do wrong? Why did you tag and try to step ahead? See what's going on. It's supposed to just be that tunnel vision in it. It still has that kind of a mindset.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah, I get it that makes complete sense. Martial arts are, far as I'm concerned, there are always ways to progress even as we get older and your body maybe doesn't do certain things that used to do. Maybe you start later in life and you line up next to someone who's 18 and is seemingly incapable of injury.
Mike Abell:
Yes.
Jeremy Lesniak:
By the time you know...
Mike Abell:
[00:20:43-00:20:44]
Jeremy Lesniak:
What's that?
Mike Abell:
We cover it times longer.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah. yeah. As we get older, recovery time but we also have life context and a better understanding of what works for our bodies and I think the one that I'd love for you to talk about that I think is most important and the more time they spend on the show, the more time that I'm involved in martial arts because I'm getting older. I haven't figured out a way to go the other way. But it's the reason, it's the why, it’s the motivation. And that as we age, we tend to have a clear understanding of why we do things because let's face it, you don't have to train. You don't have to do it. I don't have to do it. I'm going to guess hardly anybody that is listening has to do it. Maybe some young kids are “forced” to attend classes.
Mike Abell:
Yeah.
Jeremy Lesniak:
But I don't do very many things in life at all that I don't want to do. What training is something I want to do. So, here you are now with whatever age you are, doesn't matter, but clearly older than you were.
Mike Abell:
I’ll say I’m 61.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Okay, there we go. Because there's somebody out there who's 61, maybe 58 and they're nodding along. Saying “okay, yeah”. Because we get people who listen to the show early on in their martial arts career and they find some motivation because let's face it most martial arts classes don't have a lot of folks in their sixties. And so, it to know that you're not alone is valuable. So here you are now 61. Why do you keep going back?
Mike Abell:
There are so many things to learn even if it is no-hand. Even if you twist your hip a little bit more on your roundhouse or very different form or even some of the different weapons. Something different all the time and exercises to exercise the mind as much as the body. The focus, different [00:23:02-00:23:03] on the trigger down to get into the motion. Frustrate [00:23:13-00:23:15] right now because when I start trying to use the left hand. It's like I don't have absolute control over my body. But then again, it's also kind of fun because I'm learning to use the left as much as the right.
Jeremy Lesniak:
One of the things that I love about training is that there is not only is there no shortage of things to learn but there is a seemingly increasing amount of stuff to work. That every time I feel like I get something down, it opens up 3 more doors to other things to work on and you have to be okay with not knowing everything and not being good at everything.
Mike Abell:
My sons would always say if you have to empty the cup. When you come into a class or any class because if your cup is full and you know it all how much you can put in there.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Exactly.
Mike Abell:
Let’s just say your ego at the door.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Was that a lesson that you had to learn when you were younger?
Mike Abell:
Yeah, absolutely and going back.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Okay
Mike Abell:
I thought it was still 25. I have to learn what he has to get those connections to get that muscle memory back. Doesn't matter how much I knew and what I was before. This is the way I am today. Yeah, I just got to deal with it.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Was it hard not to get down on yourself when you remember being at a certain level? A certain capacity with your training and things just isn't working the way they used. You know the body; the muscle memory hasn't come back yet. Was that a struggle emotionally? Did you say maybe I'm going to back out, not push forward on this?
Mike Abell:
Not to the point of backing out. I had a conversation with myself.
Jeremy Lesniak:
What are those conversations?
Mike Abell:
You think it, you like that. Yeah, you should have known that. But also, what was fun is when… Today’s lesson is technique. And sometimes one of the old ones [00:26:04-00:26:06]. In a sense that was kind of cool but I wasn't learning the lesson I'm supposed to learn to make myself step back into those things. Also, it was kind of nice when a [00:26:18-00:26:20].
Jeremy Lesniak:
As you've pushed through there was... I would imagine. Maybe not everything but in many things. A point where you exceeded where you had been. You know I get the sense that your degree of knowledge, the things you've learned and have understanding of is much greater than it had been. What was that transition point like because it sounds like just from the conversation we're having, you've been very aware of the physical differences in your training through these different life stages? So that the contrast of that versus the additional knowledge. Were you cognizant of that as you said I do know a lot more now than I had back then? Do you remember that day, week, year?
Mike Abell:
I can't think of any particular point when I did it. The Sensei that I have now is a Sensei in another style. You want to do like... We became good friends and that he wanted to spread his own wings, start his own studio. Yeah, and I have some of the other Sensei. They also learned some things for me and now I’m going like “huh?”. But it's just the way I trained with the other students, talked to them and asked questions. What I thought was this is not the other thing. Hope they learned a little bit from me and conversation. Which sounds good. Sure.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Absolutely and I think there's something to be said for different perspectives even on the same lessons, the same techniques material. However, you want to look at it because we all learn differently so you hear the same thing I've had. And we have people listening who had me come to their school and I've taught and they've become in a sense frustrated because I've said the same thing sometimes in the same words. And it gets through. What I've been telling you to do it that way for 3 years and Jeremy comes in and tells you to do it. Sometimes there's just a little bit of a different way. And it sounds like that's what you're talking about. Supplemental context. They can be really valuable.
Mike Abell:
I saw a video and he was talking about some of the training and what you do in that style. A series of questions when you know when I checked the stock. The question is what would you do if I came this way. Okay so that's your answer to that question and now I'm in this position. How would you from here I did this and again, I don't do this alone because it’s hard to teach others that it also hurts. You know, learn a lesson. And I like the thought of [00:30:01-00:30:03].
Jeremy Lesniak:
It’s a very Socratic method of you. I hate teachers like that in college. They never actually said anything they just kept asking questions. Until we learn something.
Mike Abell:
Yeah. I had no… One of the students, what would you do if I… This is not I think... What you're asking is why are you doing that. Because I’m asking you what's a defense to this technique if you will do this kind of a punch. More or less kind of a thing. If he wants to know that, I'm still knowing what you know. What would your instinct be? Help and solve the puzzle themselves.
Jeremy Lesniak:
There's value in that. Having to stumble through for the lesson. I think it sticks around more.
Mike Abell:
They are. The forms or the particular techniques about [00:31:05-00:31:07]. With the left hand is the most frustrating but probably the most valuable that means it's going to need work on the left back.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah, that there's something to be said for that new skill acquisition as we age. A lot of studies out there that talk about learning new languages as we get older. And it is really good for maintaining brain health but I would imagine that physical skills as well. Especially something on the “offhand” side. Would be just as maybe even more effective.
Mike Abell:
It's fun to me doing those things. The realization I also what would have. And I have a caricature that I did in the very first parent-teacher class. And it's very blocky but I keep it in my cabinet because it's kind of like the white belt that shows you where I was. Nice to look at the other things where I am.
Jeremy Lesniak:
So, if you don't mind, I'd love to get into some specifics about you and your training. And what it looks like. I'm going to play the age card, I guess. Because here's why, the majority of folks that we have on the show are instructors and school owners. People who have been training a long time. And have kind of their own way of doing things that, let's face it, quite a bit of it is closed off. It's behind the scenes but we do get people who start martial arts at all ages. As I said earlier it's valuable for them to see a path forward and know that okay my body's not doing this. But I wanted to be able to do this “oh, okay. Here's Mike, he's able to do this that helps me see where I might be able to go”. So, would you mind sharing some of those things that you do to get the most out of your training?
Mike Abell:
[00:33:32-00:33:34] Whether it's just a one [00:33:41-00:33:44] that just to get those muscle beaches warm. And then I know a little stretching out there. If I can do a form too and some the forms almost like some kind of a style. [00:34:01-00:34:04]. And I think that helps warm my muscles and get a little bit of a stretch before the training.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Is there anything that you do? Let's say, differently during class that others might do.
Mike Abell:
Differently... My left side is a little lower than the right. [00:34:37-00:34:40]. 3 quarters to class and then it starts to catch up with my right. It’s recognizing those things on your body, I guess.
Jeremy Lesniak:
I think the most important stage for most of us is after you mention recovery earlier which suggests to me that you've got some things that you do after class to set yourself up for the next class. What are those things?
Mike Abell:
Stretching before and after I think is probably and my estimation is better. You get more restrictions, everything's warmed up. Which also helps you set up your next date.
Jeremy Lesniak:
I'm a big fan of stretching after because if you stretch a lot before, those muscles are really loose and then you're asking them to do things and if you're throwing power through it, if you're 15 or 20 that's probably not going to have an impact. But the older we get; those muscles need to be able to stabilize.
Mike Abell:
That's why I like to do a lot of warm up before.
Jeremy Lesniak:
And then I like stretching after for the fact that kind of movement can be helpful in moving the lymphatic system around and flushing stuff. You know, waste products. So, you don't go home and just sit.
Mike Abell:
[00:36:24-00:36:26].
Jeremy Lesniak:
Exactly. Actually, when I was 20, I could hop on the car and go home. You know sit on the couch and not have to worry about it but you know in 40, If I do that then the next day, I don't really like how my body feels right now. The before, the during and the after.
Mike Abell:
There are some days where you know going down the stairs.
Jeremy Lesniak:
For sure. One aspect that you didn't bring up but I'm going to be shocked if this isn't something that's conscious for you. As you know a typical class for most of us is an hour and a half in some places. We're probably not going 100 percent for that whole hour. You're probably picking, okay, this is a place where I'm going to dial it back a little bit this is a place where I'm going to push a little bit harder. What is that thought process like?
Mike Abell:
Being able to listen to my body in the beginning. [00:37:34-00:37:36]. I was going to work outdoors. And the left leg slid back when I was going uphill and I had lunch and it was cold. So, I had a wicked grind ball. I know where my body is tightest. As well I will [00:38:00-00:38:02]. I'll tell the instructor “well, I have this and so I'm just going to dial it back on that leg until things warm up” ... So that's the point that will work long enough and [00:38:18-00:37:22].
Jeremy Lesniak:
Sure, sure.
Mike Abell:
Yeah, I feel like 50.
Jeremy Lesniak:
And sometimes I get pushback on that concept and oftentimes, it's from younger instructors who they don't quite.... Maybe they haven't had to go through any chronic injury or something like that but I'd rather see someone show up and do 80 percent then 100 percent then they can come to class for 2 weeks, right.
Mike Abell:
When I did that. My leg was [00:39:01-00:39:09] for an entire season because of a grind ball. My muscle is no comparison between the 2. [00:39:18-00:38:20] going to put you out for a while. No matter how young you are, you do that to your muscles. Maybe that's when you learn.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Well, we tend to learn from experience. The older we get the more experience we have. The more we've learned in theory. Hopefully we don't repeat those mistakes.
Mike Abell:
It’s just at a slower rate.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Right. You mentioned your instructors, you mentioned your son. I feel pretty strongly that it's certain people that help us guide, help guide us whatever words along our journey and had they not been there, things would be dramatically different. Maybe, we don't make it past the first few classes or we don't go back or whatever it is. Are there people that you want to be knowledgeable that have been really important to you in your martial arts journey?
Mike Abell:
My current Sensei, yeah. [00:40:21-00:40:25]. Sorry, I badly mispronounced his name. He was the original... The other studio that was… That time it wasn't much of an adult class. Because of our interest or whatever. He really worked with me and just helped me dial back. [00:40:56-00:40:58] martial arts also talked to him. Dialing back to heal the body and things and help me with that. I'm just not overtraining. You have the form; you have that just not the speed of a 20-year-old. Now, you just got to work on your time. Which is kind of a concept but some checks are coming aren’t just the way the [00:41:34-00:41:35]. The faster you get to know ahead of time what they're going to do, we’re working smarter and timing things.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Absolutely.
Mike Abell:
Certain joints and some things like that. So, we'll work on the forms. I really enjoyed that he needs help or what.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Here's a question that wasn't on the list that we sent you which one that I like to ask often and it kind of connects a few things that we've been discussing. If you could go back to your early days of training, now take everything that you've learned up until now, all your understanding of who you are and everything, all of it. Go back in and have a few minutes of conversation with the younger you. What advice regarding martial arts that you might give yourself?
Mike Abell:
It just goes back to that we should enjoy because there’s got to be a reason why you’re doing it. Enjoy the things that you're enjoying. Remember that it's just a journey and indulge. Look and let’s say the black belt. Just like any of that black and you're going to get that balck belt. Everything on the stage is preparing and it's the journey. My first try in this particular school that should be called “First degree” or your “second degree”. Whether I have a test again, it doesn't matter to me. The last couple of tests that I have pushed myself too much. Some recovery time on that.
Jeremy Lesniak:
That's what testing is for though, isn’t it?
Mike Abell:
Well, I over trained. Doing 30-40 pushups a day. My shoulders are tight and then we do on the Jiu Jitsu part of it. I can't really pull the bosses of my [00:44:03 -00:44:15] because it's not sliding like it should between the muscle groups. And my daughter is doing a residency now. So, I had my own doctor. And she's doing the manipulation and says it’s okay, it's nerves and the back that I don't have to wait to get a real flow and so on. As I first felt. So, about 59/58 and I called the doctor's office and I got my left arm and went now. The pain down my left arm [00:44:56-00:44:58]. You know I'm telling him these things, I know what's going through your mind, So, how soon can you come in? We got there and he's going to… And rightly so. Squeeze my hands easily. [00:45:12-00:45:20] this is what I know but we got to do this. All those words will come out of my mouth. But that was a long recovery, massage, breaking up the microfibers. I was on a [00:45:41-00:45:43]. But you can overdo it easily. I have to learn to pace myself. I'm still learning.
Jeremy Lesniak:
It's a tough lesson to learn especially when you're doing something that you enjoy. Let’s flip the time table here. Let's look forward. What's keeping you going? If it's not rank. It's not so much other people, what's got you willing to endorse some of these kinds of difficult, challenging, painful things.
Mike Abell:
The challenge. I guess this is the thing. It's not liked the physical challenges. [00:46:30-00:46:32] little bit there's always something else instead. It exercises the mind as much as the body. And so going back on the journey, I'm enjoying the journey. It was always something to learn. Maybe, 5 years, 6 years I’ll be working Taichi more than anything else. Just to give flow in the body and rhythm [00:47:06-00:47:10]. Because there's always something that you can do. You don't always have to be doing just that. [00:47:19-00:47:22]
Jeremy Lesniak:
The intense?
Mike Abell:
Yeah. The intensity. Even now, when you just got a few new ones in the balance of how to do something just for 3 different to get that back a line just so you can feel the form of the technique is. Sometimes it’s just a tiny little thing.
Jeremy Lesniak:
I can identify with that for sure. That the longer you spend training, the winds that make you go, finally those don't come as frequently. I got to be motivated by other stuff. It sounds like you're clear on what motivates you in this also.
Mike Abell:
Yes. I would stop if I wasn't.
Jeremy Lesniak:
I would hope so to spend it doing things you don't want to do, right. Well, you've given a lot of good stuff to think about. You've shared a few of your, I guess, lessons or mantras or philosophies whatever you want to term it. But this is the point where we’ll roll out to the conclusion that outro that I'm going to record later and I was like the gas to kind of send us out to that. So, what would your final words to the people listening be. We have people all over the world. Different styles, different ages, different ways for their training.
What you might say to all of them.
Mike Abell:
Yes. You do want to know why you're still doing, why you want to do it. You just recognize and find those and enjoy them. It’s an age [00:49:31-00:49:37]. Yes, it'll take longer for the body to stretch out. Starting those things. What else you have to know? [00:49:52-00:49:59] you don't grow old because you stop playing. Don't stop playing because you grow old. Do anything. I want to do this or whatever. You've got to do something. You enjoy it. Why don’t you try? That should keep you going.
Jeremy Lesniak:
If you didn't already know I am completely committed to finding ways to support martial artists all over the world. No matter who they are, what they do, they’re why, etc. It's bringing gas on with different experiences. It’s really important to all of us here at whistlekick, that's what we brought you with today's story. Not what you might expect when you tune in but if you've made it this far, I'm sure you've got some value. So, thanks for coming on. Thanks for being so honest and open about your training, your story. I enjoyed it and had a great time talking to you and I am sure that on the other side of pandemic stuff we will connect and have some chances to train together. Really value your time. If you want more like transcripts or show notes, videos links, images, etc. check out whistlekickmartialartsradio.com. Everybody gets a page all to itself. If you're down to support us and the work that we do, you've got some options. You can make a purchase at whistlekick.com with the code PODCAST15. You can also leave a review by a book on Amazon or help out with the patreon. patreon.com/whistlekick. If you see somebody wearing some of the whistlekick on. Make sure you say hello and if you have feedback like guests, topics or anything else, email me jeremy@whistlekick.com. That's all for today. Until next time, train hard, smile, and have a great day.