Anxious Black Belt Podcast

They say he could catch arrows mid-flight… break stone with his fingers… fight 20 men at once without breaking a sweat. But is any of it true? In this captivating short story, a seasoned witness recounts the tales of an unbeatable martial arts master to a group of eager students. As the tale unfolds, it becomes clear that each retelling over the years has added more flair, more fantasy — until the...

Can a martial art really support mental well-being? In this podcast, I explore how Karate is becoming a powerful tool for mental health, especially through my work with students from a mental health charity who train regularly as part of their therapeutic journey. While Karate isn't officially recognised as a therapy yet—like dance therapy—we're working to change that. I also share my personal sto...

Even after earning a black belt, many martial artists silently struggle with feeling like they’re not “good enough.” In this episode, we explore how imposter syndrome shows up in karate—especially when comparing ourselves to elite athletes or others in the dojo. Instead of chasing someone else’s path, we talk about the power of measuring progress against your past self, embracing individual growth...

Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, we explore the inspiring shift happening across the global karate community. Drawing from personal experiences teaching at national and international seminars, we highlight how practitioners are moving away from rivalry and division toward mutual respect and collaboration. Instead of criticising other styles and organisations, more and more karateka are now promoting diverse appro...

The number of bunkai (applications) for a single technique in karate depends on the practitioner's level. Beginners usually learn one clear, structured application to build a strong foundation. As skill and understanding deepen, advanced practitioners can explore multiple interpretations—adapting techniques to different contexts and even creating their own variations. The deeper the knowledge, the...

What’s the difference between Old School Karate and Traditional Karate? In this episode, we explore how Old School karate evolved through the practical experimentation of masters who adapted techniques, shared knowledge across dojos, and prioritised the real-world effectiveness of martial arts. We contrast this with Traditional Japanese karate, established in the 1930s, which focuses on preserving...

Jon stands as our Chief Instructor, holding a 4th Dan in Shukokai Karate & Kickboxing alongside a Purple Belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Jon's initial foray into karate as a child was short-lived, a youthful experience cut short by a few too many reprimands! However, the spark was ignited, and in his early twenties, he returned to the martial arts alongside the same friend he used to get in trouble with...

I really couldn't get it together. Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https...

Mal Sanchez-Jones UK KUDO International Branch Chief & Chief Instructor Goshin Karate Mal has studied martial arts for over 38 years with a foundation in Karate, Judo & Boxing (6th Dan Combat Karate, 5th Dan Goshin Karate, 1st Dan Japanese Mixed Martial Art - Daido Juku Kudo)  https://www.gkadojo.com/ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/L...

Real martial arts training demands something increasingly rare: grit in a world full of distractions, comfort, and excuses. This video dives into the mental and emotional barriers that hold people back—busy schedules, lack of motivation, fear of failure—and why commitment matters now more than ever. If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent or questioned your path in the dojo, this message is fo...

Welcome to Anxious Black Belt, the podcast where martial arts meet mental health. Join two dedicated martial artists—experts in Muay Thai and Karate—as they explore how combat sports can empower emotional resilience, support mental wellness, and change lives. Learn about their grassroots organizations offering free classes to students in need, and their mission to secure funding to keep these prog...

In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between kata and personalisation in karate. Discover how choosing the right kata based on your body type, mindset, and skill level can elevate your training, improve performance, and deepen your martial arts journey. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned karateka, learn why one-size-fits-all doesn’t apply when it comes to kata — and how to find t...

In this episode of Anxious Black Belt, Les Bubka sits down for a candid, unscripted conversation with the insightful Don Came Sensei. Together, they dive into the rich layers of karate beyond the dojo floor—exploring kata, practical applications, and how martial arts can be a lifelong tool not just for self-defense, but for longevity, mobility, and personal growth. From dissecting combative strate...

The true path to a black belt is full of obstacles, not only technical proficiency but also dedication. For those willing to put in hard work, there is a reward; it is not the black belt. Kuro obi is just one of the milestones on the journey. Mental health course: https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD Free Action Plan: https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your pra...

Russ expressed an interest in fighting traditions as a young teenager, and began learning Karate basics with a family friend. It wasn't until Russ was on extended visit to the Philippines nearly forty years ago that he began his formal training in Japanese Goju-Ryu under an Australian instructor, Sensei Iyan Mackenzie. Books: Principle-Driven Skill Development: In Traditional Martial Arts: https:/...

Today, we are diving into a topic close to home for many of us - the connection between mental health and the training continuum. Earpods: https://amzn.to/42FAqWf Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ Grab a t-shirt! https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Journal L...

Angus Rogers has been practising Tang Soo Do for over 30 years. He founded Heads of the Valleys Tang Soo Do to share his love for the martial art with others. He is a 4th-degree Master belt and has competed in numerous tournaments throughout his career. Gus has also just written and published his book: Recipes Do Not Make Delicious Meals Book https://www.hovtsd.com/product-page/recipes-do-not-make...

#236 From trolls to Training Exciting Weekend, indeed it was an exciting weekend, started of with array of comments on youtube, we had open mat event followed by my visit to Tanoshi Karate. Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ Grab a t-shirt! https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document you...

In this episode of Anxious Black Belt, we sit down with Emily Musolf Sensei, a martial artist, self-defence expert, and the slightly caffeinated brain behind Kitsune Defense—a nonprofit dedicated to helping people unleash their inner warrior through martial arts, empowerment, and just the right amount of sass. With over 20 years of kicking, blocking, and coaching under her (black) belt, Emily has...

In this episode of Anxious Black Belt, we sit down with Tuari Dawson Sensei, a Māori martial arts master who seamlessly blends his passion for Māori culture with the discipline of traditional martial arts. A dedicated practitioner of Goju-ryu karate. Beyond his expertise in Māori martial arts and weaponry, Tuari is a storyteller, educator, and host of The Invisible Sensei podcast and YouTube chann...

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with my good friend Mary Stevens—an exceptional martial artist, a dedicated advocate for women’s self-protection, and an all-around incredible human being. With years of experience empowering women across the globe, Mary brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to our discussion. Today, we reflect on the unexpected and disappointing closu...

Richard Hang Hong is a founder of Seitou Ryu Karate, the school of choice for martial arts studies. https://www.facebook.com/seitouryukarate https://seitouryukarate.com/ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ Grab a t-shirt! https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Jo...

Shifting the Mindset: How I Snapped Out of a Rough Patch. We all have rough weeks—those times when events stack up against us, making it hard to stay positive. This past week, I found myself weighed down by frustration and negativity. But then I had a realization: anger blinds us. It stops us from seeing solutions, keeps us trapped in the past, and drains our energy. In this episode, I share my jo...

Stuart Wade aka Mindcoach is a top-level Taekwondo competitor with an amazing sporting career, currently helping people with hypnotherapy. https://themindcoach.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/Hypnoptstu/ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ Grab a t-shirt! https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal t...