motivation

[Michael Wright]

sometimes, when I've had a bad day/week/month, i find it hard to pack my gloves and go to the gym to train.

Whenever I feel like that, I watch this video:



...but I don't wear lycra shorts

[Tant01]

That guy was a phenom. The year he made the cover of SI as the youngest HW I've thought of him as the guy I'd like to fight.

Always want to know how I'd stand up to the very best (toughest, hardest hitting, baddest ass on the block). I can't imagine trying to hit him or take even one punch but I could sweep him. Knock him on his ass with a good low kick and choke him out. (in my dreams)...

Whatever inspires you, eh?

[Michael Wright]

I've always thought of him as the guy I would never, ever, want to fight.

[Tant01]

I've always thought of him as the guy I would never, ever, want to fight.

Awe C'mon MW....?

Search your arsenal, you know you could take him. I would NEVER step into the RING with the man but if I met him in a dark alley... He's all mine.

The worse that could happen is a great story about how I got KO'd by Mike... LOL

Seriously admire(d) that guy... In some respects he is (was) a benchmark by which to measure skill...and ferocity!

[Michael Wright]

Good points, thanks.

You have to remember that I can't box worth shit yet, so thats why the video motivates me.

[kingoftheforest]

When I'm having a bad time in my life training is what gets me through. I get my equipment and just go all out. On the bag on the road work lifting weights.
I concentrate so hard on going farther and harder than I ever have before that all the bullshit just fades away.

To fight someone like Tyson I'd just have to keep telling myself "He's only a man, he bleeds like a man he gets hurt like a man!."

All the way to the I.C.U. I'd tell myself this

Training is what gets me through the mundane bullshit that is life. And life is training for me. If I could get a job that paid the bills training I would. But alas such is life.

Get what you can by your own hand! And take it while it's here.

[Liberty]

Good points, thanks.

You have to remember that I can't box worth shit yet, so thats why the video motivates me.

Predictably, nothng motivates me to work out more, or longer, than the sound of Bruce Lee's battle cries in Enter the Dragon. I don't know, must be that something primal the guy had tapped into, and which he brought to the screen. But I hear those battle cries and I'm pumped - I mean, my adrenalin immediately kicks in and I'm ready to take on the world!

And as that cools off I follow it up with stuff like Van Halen's - "I get up! And nothing gets me down. You got it tough. Ive seen the toughest soul around. And I know, baby, just how you feel. You've got to roll, oh, oh with the punches to get to whats real."

Hey Michael, just curious; you say you can't box worth shit - what would you say you are good at, martial arts wise. Not your favorite, or preferance, as in that other thread, but what you'd say you excel in?

[Michael Wright]

I'm only 32 Lib so its hard to say what my strengths are yet, and I certainly don't excel in anything. I would, to try and answer your question, hope that I'm a pretty good teacher.

[Liberty]

I'm only 32 Lib so its hard to say what my strengths are yet, and I certainly don't excel in anything. I would, to try and answer your question, hope that I'm a pretty good teacher.

In other words (and to gladly contradict Brewer's "for anyone to base an answer on" - oh what fun) you're hoping you're good at helping others to better themslves somehow. Nice. For, other than healing, what could be greater to excel at?

Michael, I expect you and I will not always see eye to eye. This one here, however, is not one of those times. May I continue to learn from your example. Thanks.

[Michael Wright]

Lib, the only thing you will learn from my example is how to end up single, broke, and damaged at 32!

There is a lot of false humility in martial arts, phoney martyrs walking round saying how lowly and unworthy they are, when really its just a probe to attract attention and compliments. I might be one of those, sometimes its difficult to honestly assess your own motives.

When I say that I don’t excel at anything, I guess that opinion is based on 16 years of having my arse kicked by everyone around me. In fairness to Mike’s point yes they may be at a very high level, but that is who I chose to train with, so its the only reference point I have. From my point of view the assessment of my worth is not based on modesty, its just based on how hard I have always found, and continue to find, the reality of my training to be.

But anyway, this thread was about a different Mike, so lets get back to those lycra shorts.

[Liberty]

Lib, the only thing you will learn from my example is how to end up single, broke, and damaged at 32!

There is a lot of false humility in martial arts, phoney martyrs walking round saying how lowly and unworthy they are, when really its just a probe to attract attention and compliments. I might be one of those, sometimes its difficult to honestly assess your own motives.

When I say that I don’t excel at anything, I guess that opinion is based on 16 years of having my arse kicked by everyone around me. In fairness to Mike’s point yes they may be at a very high level, but that is who I chose to train with, so its the only reference point I have. From my point of view the assessment of my worth is not based on modesty, its just based on how hard I have always found, and continue to find, the reality of my training to be.

But anyway, this thread was about a different Mike, so lets get back to those lycra shorts.

Okay, but just this last thing - one martial brother to another. After he had made it, Lee kept a pair of broken eye glasses near his desk. To remind him of how often he'd not even enough with which to pays his bills, or feed his family. To help him maintain some sort of perspective. We have both been blessed that the man kept on with his JKD's development up until the day he died.

By the way, I don't believe you were wearing your heart out on your sleeve, so much as being the you we regulars on here have come to know and respect. In fact, I don't even believe you were being humble - just wise enough to know your own shortcomings (oh if only Mike were like that too - hah! ha!)

Interviewer: Marlon, you and Olivier, you've been called the greatest actors in film history... Of all those characters you have researched, played and watched others play, if you had it your way and could come back in life as someone else, who would you come back as?

Brando: err ... well... I'd have to say Ralph Cramden (Jackie Gleason: The Honeymooners). Just your ordinary everyday caveman... doesn't have a clue but doesn't know he does... pisses and moans but doesn't even know he does - no thought, no fuss no muss, no complications.

Okay, now about Mike - Tyson, that is...

[Liberty]

My work doesn't require the same sharp edge that other jobs have..

You mean, "that other jobs require." Still, I'm not surprised it doesn't - LOL!

Oh, and lighten up - I've been ribbing you on things, not actualy calling you on them!

[Ghost]

Tyson is probably my favourite boxer. im a similar size to him so its inspiring to watch as well for that.
i think pound for pound when he was at his best im not sure any other boxer at their best would have beaten him from any time period.
His physical ability was just superb and i dont think anyone could have matched that along with his power, not the best boxer of all time in terms of pure boxing ability but probably the hardest to beat of all time imo.

good video

[GQchris]

What keeps me motivated is staying in shape, and not letting myself go, despite the fact that a lot of guys who've left the active duty Marines do just that, and gain 30-40 lbs. or more..

Also the possibility of a real fight, and just staying sharp. Not to mention looking good for the ladies, never know who you're going to meet.

[Michael Wright]

i think pound for pound when he was at his best im not sure any other boxer at their best would have beaten him from any time period.
His physical ability was just superb and i dont think anyone could have matched that along with his power, not the best boxer of all time in terms of pure boxing ability but probably the hardest to beat of all time imo.

I'm with you 100% on that mate, good stuff.