On Trade Secrets

There’s no such thing as a secret move in martial arts.  As soon as you use it in competition, it’s not a secret anymore.  Yet fighters hoard their best stuff like that ring in that movie.  I understand the mentality.  I used keep my secrets, and I had coaches that made me feel like I would be betraying them to do otherwise.  A few things have happened in my life to change that. 

My husband, will teach anyone who is willing to learn the secrets of his kneebar game.  He has spent years putting it together, testing, reworking, researching, testing etc. and he will give that away.  It may seem foolish, but if he only has one mind working on the project it will take exponentially longer to find perfection than if he has two.  We all have different ideas, different bodies, different perspectives, and different observations.  If we share them we can all grow together.  We teach a kids class specifically for kneebars, and we learn as much from the kids as they do from us. 

The greatest fighters don’t usually create anything new, they just become very good at a specific skill set which works well for their body type, fighting style, and opponents.  I don’t think Wanderlei Silva has a “secret punch”.  He knows the same basic punches they teach in cardio kickboxing.  He knows how to use them to make himself one of the greatest ever.  He differentiated himself with his fearless aggressive style, not a specific move.

I've heard that you retain 90% of what you teach.  I’m not sure I've ever seen the research, but I know teaching is certainly a test of your knowledge (you can B.S. your students, but you know if you’re lost).  What better way to refine your skill than to teach it to someone else? Lose the fear that someone will teach it to your future opponent and keep growing yourself.  Lose the fear that people will discover your weaknesses, and be grateful for the opportunity to become stronger. 

In business, sports, and life, don’t look at your innovations like a precious ring.  Instead think of them as seeds that will grow and bloom and create new seeds.  In that way you will achieve immortality.

www.KatieCasimir.com