I got an email a few years ago from a very nice guy who’s name is Andrew. I was thinking about that email and I started to think we could turn this into a great subject for the Ivey League Blog.
Andrew asked me a very good question. He wanted to know the training secrets that separate the good from the great. Pretty much in a nutshell he wondered if there were any secrets I could share for success in high level Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Here’s the thing, is there really a secret? If so then what is it? Who uses this secret?
I don’t know of a secret trick that takes you from Tomato Can to a UFC caliber fighter. I wish I knew one believe me. I’d have used it myself.
Wait, okay Yes, there’s a secret. Sorry, totally forgot this one. This is the one all the pros know and use daily.
It’s called hard work, and lots of it. Oh and don’t forget a good sized dose of dedication. There’s your secret my friend.
So today let’s take a closer look at what the pros do. The best of the best.
Nothing secret here, sorry. Hard work, goal setting and living life like a true martial artist. I’m sure it’s stuff you’d heard before. But hey, it never hurts to hear it one more time.
Below I listed out some “Secrets”. We’ll call them secrets just for fun. These are my training tips that, if you applied them to your own training…well let’s just say you can thank me later!
Danny Ives’ Cheat Sheet w/ All The Secrets!
Secret #1 – Always listen to your coaches. Check it out, this is me yelling this to you – DO WHAT THE COACHES TELL YOU TO DO!
You’d be shocked at how hard it can be to get a student to do something the way it’s explained.
Some students listen and some don’t. The ones who do 99% of the time become champions. And they become champions much faster then the rest.
Make sure you do what the instructor teaches. No ifs, ands or buts. Keep in mind that many techniques won’t work for you right away. Results don’t come overnight. Keep at it and be patient, in time you’ll get there. Rome wasn’t built in a day ya know!
Secret #2 – Always seek a higher level of understanding. Not just in mix martial arts, but in everything you do. This is a bit of work on your end, sure. But the work is totally worth it. Never stop looking for ways to improve.
I’ve been in the MMA business for 20+ years and even to this very day, I’m still studying youtube videos and looking for new and creative ways to get better.
I don’t give a crap how good you are either. You can always be better. Everyday you either take a step forward or a step backwards. You choose which one fits you better….
Secret #3 – Be a good role model. Okay yes I know this really doesn’t fall into the “training” categories, but trust me, it counts for a lot in terms of success.
To be honest I’m not really sure how to word this topic. What I’m trying to say is to be a better human being. Be someone of high morals. Do the right thing as best you can and shoot to become a role model.
Being a role model is something that goes far past the walls of your gym. Be a good citizen in and out of the MMA academy. Help an old lady across the street, donate to charities, volunteer at a soup kitchen. Don’t do drugs or drink alcohol.
Be being a better person and helping others, over time this type of lifestyle will reward you. I do believe in karma. Good karma is never a bad thing for a fighter or student of MMA.
Secret #4 – Set goals and work harder to achieve them. Goals, big or small are needed to give you something to shoot for.
Too many people will skip a training session/workout because their mood isn’t right on that particular day. Come on man…that’s super lame. You can’t base your day to day activities on the mood you just so happen to have at that very moment in time.
Planning your day and attacking goals shouldn’t take place during your morning shower. If you’re in a good mood or not, doesn’t matter, goals need to be reached.
I’ll give you a great example right now of not being in the right mood to do something. Here I am, it’s 4:30am in the morning on Monday. I didn’t want to get out of bed to write this blog.
I wasn’t in the “mood” to write a darn thing. I’d much rather have slept till 11 and skipped this part of my day. But, in the back of my head I know that writing this blog has to get done, TODAY. Not tomorrow or the next day.
So here I am, sitting at my desk with my robe on, coffee by my side, writing this blog on my old Macbook. Because of this mindset, the blog and all other work for the day will get finished and I make no excuses.
The best fighters don’t let a temporary mood derail them from achieving their goals.
Summery
Okay there you have it, my secrets to success. Or whatever you want to call it, my words of wisdom works to.
Take your training one day at a time. Try to make everyday better then the last. If you can get at least 1% better each and every practice then you’re winning.
The great fighters don’t have secrets. They do the stuff listed above. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to do the same. I’m just throwing that out there 😉
Below are some great youtube videos of top fighters in action. Study up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-mt_5W_KW8
