What is it about WARRIOR Combat that is so incredibly satisfying?

Have you ever stepped into the ring of a real physical fight? My closest encounter was during the semester of Tae Kwon Do I took in college. Bruises covered my body for months, but the thrill was undeniable.

WARRIOR Combat instructors aim to kick and punch with authentic style, even though no physical contact is involved. You don't need boxing experience to teach or take a class, but in my quest to become a Combat Master Trainer, I decided to supplement my training with 1-on-1 boxing sessions. Hitting the bag and my coach's strike pads while perfecting my techniques was an absolute blast.

One reason I'm drawn to Combat is that it lets me channel my inner badass, like an Amazon warrior ready to conquer. I even did a "badass" photoshoot when I turned 50, posing with a sword, reminiscent of iconic female action characters like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. Nine years later, those photos still bring a smile to my face.

So, what's the answer to my initial question? WARRIOR Combat is more than a workout; it's a chance to come together with friends, break a sweat, release stress, and conquer our inner demons to the beat of incredible music. It taps into our aggressive energy, allowing us to harness that power and use it to keep fighting, as Combat's motto suggests—pure magic.

I want to extend my gratitude to Diva and Ellen for bringing Combat into our lives, where we can transform into our own unbeatable superheroes.

Bess

​Sometimes all we need is a new perspective 

Things I remind myself often…

• ditch the ego while believing in yourself
• consider all potential outcomes your actions 
• stop talking and listen 
• go deep before going wide
• be highly selective about influences 
• ignore limiting beliefs

​Because as a rehabilitative provider, and an allied healthcare professional, I have come to recognize one simple truth:  AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION, IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.  And besides that, most medications don’t cure anything, they just cover up the symptoms.  And at what cost?    

Medicine is reactive.  Rehab is reactive.  

But making healthier choices, choosing a different lifestyle- that is proactive.

And the longer we wait to get started, the harder it is to turn this train around.  

Don’t do it because you want to look different.  Do it because you want to feel different.  Or maybe do it to look different- trust me, eventually you’ll start to feel different either way.   Just do it.  Whatever the reason.  

Our society is sick.  We’re chronically sick from the food we eat, from the potions that we drink, from our addiction to tv, and phone screens, and tablets, and computers.  We’re sick from distraction, and inactivity.  We’re sick from overworking and constant comparison.   We’re sick from lack of rest and poor hydration.  And the solution is not more medicine, more side effects, and more medicine to cover those up.  The solution is movement, and real food, and water, and sunlight and fresh air. 

Start now.  Start early.  Start where you are.  Just start.  

Trust me.  You’ll thank me later. 

We met about a year ago but were too busy and focused to pay the other much attention. That changed last fall when we discovered (thanks the the “WARRIOR girls” driving us together) that our passions and vision aligned. 
We started working ferociously on WARRIOR Combat. 
It’s been a whirlwind. We created the accredited self study course and launched in January. We have produced 2 lessons and film the 3rd next weekend. We’ve presented at 2 conferences already this year 
But tomorrow feels like the biggest deal yet. I’m not sure why. I guess it’s because my heart beats for training instructors and tomorrow is our FIRST live certification 
Thank you for cheering @warriorcombat_official on. We feel it  and are extremely motivated to change lives with its  unique “KEEP FIGHTING” essence. 

LVE, 
~ ellen 

We’ve been exploring the theme of “reflection” during our Friday evening WARRIOR Rhythm class lately. Last night I invited my people to consider how we mirror each other’s movements - they reflect me and I reflect them as we flow through the choreography. I asked each person to think about how we also reflect the qualities of the people with whom we spend our time, and perhaps to identify the people who help us reflect brighter and beautifully.

One of the class members excitedly shared with us that this is related to a scientific phenomenon called “mirror neurons”.

I looked it up. 

Here is the article link if you are curious: 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3510904/

In a nutshell, mirror neurons have been proven to exist through numerous studies in the past couple decades. Not only are they activated during mirrored movement, but even watching another being move! It’s postulated that mirror neurons allow us and other species to learn as infants to understand the intentions of others, even allowing us to predict their future actions.

That feeling you get when you sync up with the others in your WARRIOR Rhythm class?… Yeah, that’s your mirror neurons firing up! Cool, huh?!

Self-perception is a tricky mirror. Do you have a set of traits that you feel represent the "real you"?

The other evening I ran a red light making a left turn. My heart sank when I realized those flashing red and blue lights in my rearview mirror were for me. Dang it.

The young officer came up to my window, "Hello, Ma'am. Do you know why I pulled you over?"
"Yes..."
"You know that yellow means slow down and prepare to stop?"
"Yes..."

I was SO embarrassed and abashed! He eventually let me go with just a warning and a pleasant "Have a good evening, Ma'am."

Here's the thing: In my mind I am a super compliant, law-abiding citizen. I even said to the officer, "I always stop at that intersection..." He finished my sentence, "...except this ONE TIME when a CHP happened to be behind you." (Was he being sarcastic? LOL.) Of course I've been hypervigilant about following driving rules and regulations after that! What I realize is that in fact I frequently "run" yellow lights when I should be slowing and stopping. My self-perception was not really accurate!

It made me think about other qualities I ascribe to myself and whether they are true. The theme of WARRIOR Rhythm Lesson 14 is HUMILITY. I am looking at myself through that lens right now. Am I really "always on time"? Am I really a "lone wolf"? Do I always "try to understand all perspectives"? Maybe. Maybe not. There's a lot to be said for the power of affirmations. Here's one that my husband and I say to each other on occasion to inspire action: "We are the type of people who don't let a little bad weather stop us from getting outside." Boy, that's been a hard one to live up to lately during this relentless rain and wind!


I'll keep digging up some humility to examine my beliefs about myself: Are these qualities that I hold dear still valid? Do I want them to be? What is an affirmative thought and what is a misperception? What will I do with this self-awareness?

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the lime light 😆, but I’m at a point in my life and career where if feels just as good if not BETTER to give it away.

We are approaching Warrior Rhythms 3 year birthday next month and since the beginning I DREAMED about elevating the young leaders who would come into the WARRIOR fold.

It’s been a blessing to be able to do so. Today we released a Bonus section led by Usha Nellimarla, Regan Steedman, and Francy Stoyer. 🌟🌟🌟

Diva and I met on the conference tour.  San Francisco.  Dallas.  Chicago.  Boston.  Our WARRIOR Instructors kept gravitating to her boxing sessions.  Over the course of a few months, Diva and I would speak about her building her own format. It dawned on us that we could collaborate for a bigger win...for me, for her, but above all for our WARRIOR instructor fam and WARRIOR student fam.  
Diva Richards is a motivational life coach with over 20 years of experience. She is the Founder and President of Hard Work No Excuses, LLC. Her 10,000+ sq. foot boutique boxing gym is located in Marlton, NJ. She is the co-creator of WARRIOR Strength™.
Diva is a professional public speaker, owns the DO WORK podcast, and has an apparel line.
Learn more about Diva Richards at www.DivaRichards.com.
WARRIOR Combat™ is "Boxing inspired, powerful, and fierce, WARRIOR Combat includes high intensity intervals, stress-melting strength training, and music driven fight combinations. This empowering conditioning class makes you feel like a confident badass."

Keep fighting,

El

PS Follow Combat on IG here and on FB here.

In a world of comparison and competition, we can all belong to the same team. We can all do different things to obtain the same goal.

These ladies I met through the world of teaching exercise classes and we could not be more different. We come from different parts of the country and teach different class formats, but we are part of the same team - to help people have fun while exercising.

Yet, when we do get together we belong together. We have a sense of community and connectedness.

So the next time you feel wrapped up in competition, ask yourself if you're in the right circle or if you should find a new one.