Mar 4, 2024
SUMMARY Grandmaster Steve DeMasco shares his journey in martial arts and the importance of humility and service as an instructor. He emphasizes the need for instructors to prioritize the well-being and growth of their students. DeMasco also discusses the dangers of ego in martial arts and the impact of personal experiences on shaping one's philosophy. He highlights the transformative power of martial arts and the importance of respect, self-discipline, and self-improvement. DeMasco encourages instructors to reflect on their own actions and to strive for continuous improvement in their teaching. In this conversation, Grandmaster DeMasco shares his experiences and insights on maintaining philosophy and control, the impact of childhood experiences, studying psychology, finding purpose in psychology, the pain of self-reflection, being the person you needed, the impact of training philosophy, discovering Kempo, being the black sheep of an organization, cross-training in Kung Fu, studying Chinese martial arts, being invited to China, and final thoughts on the effect we have on others. TAKEAWAYS *Instructors should prioritize humility and service, putting the well-being and growth of their students first. *Ego can be detrimental in martial arts, and instructors should strive to maintain humility and avoid inflating their own importance. *Personal experiences and mentors play a significant role in shaping an instructor's philosophy and approach to teaching. *Martial arts have the power to transform lives, instilling respect, self-discipline, and self-improvement. *The landscape of martial arts instruction is changing, with a greater emphasis on transparency and the need for continuous improvement.