The High Cost of Toughness

There’s a certain reverence in martial arts circles for the old-school mentality; the grit, the grind, the stoic endurance of pain. We’ve all heard it: “Push through.” “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” “Tape it up and keep going.” “Suck it up, buttercup.” “Walk it off.” Injuries, in this mindset, aren’t just inevitable. They’re worn…

An Interview with Sifu Frank Bolte

In an effort to continue my promised series of interviews with some of the interesting people I have met through the martial arts, I present an interview with Sifu Frank Bolte. He is a down to earth person, with a humility rare in martial artists of his extensive experience and deep knowledge. Doing this interview changed…