Though Apex Karate Performance is focused on creating elite karate athletes, we are still karateka at heart. As we came to the close of this year’s competitive season, I challenged everyone to learn a new kata, not for competition, but to just learn more about different aspects of karate that they may not have previously been exposed to.

In today’s Thursday Thoughts I touch on one of the most important mental aspects of becoming an Elite Athlete.

In today’s Thursday Thoughts I give a brief overview of one aspect of my approach to learning new techniques or getting feedback/critiques. Think of it a simplified version of the Shu-Ha-Ri concept in Japanese martial arts/culture.

As promised here are some of my ideas about karate becoming an Olympic sport next summer at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.

Today I give my reaction and analysis of the male and female kata competition of the 47th Emperor’s Cup JKF All Japan Karate Championships.

I’ve started a new vlog series called Thursday Thoughts where I express my thoughts and ideas about mindset and training methods. Here is the first episode.

The premise of Apex Karate Performance is to help athletes train and compete at the highest levels. But karate kata and techniques, and athletic and technical performance will only get one so far.

I will discuss the mental aspects of training in more depth in a future post but wanted to give an overview of the underlying philosophy behind Team Apex.

Personally, I have always been inspired by the Japanese phrase “堅忍不抜” or kenninfubatsu. I translate this as persevere with an indomitable spirit or invincible fortitude. Sounds great right? But what does that really mean? To make it simple I just explain it as DFQ. No matter what happens, Don’t F&@king Quit. Stand back up and keep fighting. You lost that match? Cool, what did you learn from it? Go home, train, and come back better and stronger than you were before.

I’m a firm believer that focusing on the Process over Outcome produces better results in the long term. If you focus on what you can control, making improvements to your own training and techniques, and recognize that victory will not be instantaneous you will be better prepared for long term growth and success.

Focusing on the Process versus the Outcome is also important when you recognize that to become an elite athlete competing at the highest level is not a short and easy process. I have heard some coaches and athletes say that to become a world champion is a 10-15 year process. That’s a long road and if you keep that in mind from the beginning you will be more likely to stay the course.

I started Apex Karate Performance in order to provide athletes with more training resources, tips, and techniques to help them reach their goals of competing at the highest levels.

This webpage is still a work in progress, but I’m planning to continue adding resources in the coming weeks.

Thanks for taking a look and feel free to ask any questions.