VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3  
ISSN#: 1555-7723  Publisher: Scott Sonnon - Senior Editor: Ryan Murdock    

Joseph Wilson has been studying and actively training in Martial Arts for the last 23 years. He has black belts and/or instructor certifications in several arts. He owns and operates Memphis Martial Arts Center in Memphis, TN. He has been a full-time law enforcement officer for the last 8 years. He is currently assigned to the training division of the largest sheriff’s office in Tennessee, where he is the lead defensive tactics and PT instructor. He is a P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement instructor, an internal affairs detective, and he holds certifications to teach law enforcement officers in over 10 subjects.


 Nothing Fuels the Mind Like an Able Competitor

by Joseph Wilson, CST Head Coach

At the most recent CST Instructor Certification Seminar (CST Iota) the Head Coaching Staff got together several days early to train.  We did an insane amount of work leading up to the seminar that week, but we did take one day just to train -- or as we like to think of it, to Play.  When I say a day I mean an entire day. 

It went like this. We first went to a martial arts school to play and to learn.  The time FLEW by.  Whenever we are together an egoless-competitive spirit keeps us all smiling and going and going and going… We went from learning Forward Pressure from Coach Sonnon to learning some IMA stuff from Coach Jones, then directly into grappling for countless rounds with Coach Sonnon and Coach Chomycia. Everyone got to take a small break after each round except for Coach Sonnon - he just kept going…round after round!

From there we went into stand-up fighting, going from Softwork to Hardwork and back again.  I was sparring with Coach Murdock (who has to be the fastest learner on the planet when it comes to assimilating new skills) when Coach Sonnon told us that we had to leave so that the school could open by 3:00pm!  We had gotten there at 9:30am and I hadn’t even gone to the bathroom yet!  I swear I thought he was lying. I had no idea where the time went. 

Round Two was RMAX administrative training.  In layman’s terms we stuffed participant’s folders and went over plans for the seminar. Again, the competitiveness was there.  Who was going to finish their stack of folders first?  Who was going to carry the biggest box to the other end of the garage?  After about an hour of this active recovery it was time for Round Three.

Round Three started at about 4:15pm, when we arrived at Coach Sonnon’s gym.  An egoless-competitive spirit is present when we train together that I have never experienced before.  We are all each other’s biggest fans and supporters, and at the same time we all push each other to the next level. 

Like most training experiences with the HCS, it all starts when someone says, “Hey, watch this!”  This particular “Watch this” was Coach Sonnon doing one-arm L-sit pull-ups!  In all my years of pull-ups I never thought to try this. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone accomplish it. But Coach did it, so off we went.  Yeah!  I nailed them first try!  It felt awesome!  Then each of the Head Coaches followed suit.  Coach Murdock was the last to go. He really looked like he was bored with these - he said things like, “Oh, I haven’t done pull-ups since high school” as he was popping off reps like it was his job!

Next Coach Sonnon did clapping pull-ups. We followed the leader, and so the day went.  Before our time at the gym was up we had all reached and exceeded personal bests and firsts on more than one exercise and/or stunt.

There is nothing that fuels the mind like an able competitor.  I think the natural competitiveness between athletes and friends is a very healthy thing.  I know that sometimes competitiveness can turn ugly and cause bad feelings if the wrong people are involved.  The Head Coaching Staff are all exceptional individuals who leave their egos at the door.  I have had more positive things happen while training with these guys than ever before.  We push each other to achieve our absolute best, and are genuinely so happy for each other when we achieve.  It is a team like no other; it is a dream like no other.

We have our team together, which in turn is bringing our dreams together. 

Smile

Joseph Wilson

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ATTENTION: Nothing within this magazine intends to constitute an explanation of the use of any product or the carrying out of any exercise, procedure or process introduced by or within any material in the magazine.  This site and its officers and employees accept no responsibility for any liability, injuries or damages arising out of any person's attempt to rely upon any information contained herein. Consult your doctor before any exercise selection or program.