#7: James Hundon – Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast

“Everyone has a gift, but not everyone seeks to find it, or has the patience to go within themselves to find it.  It’s passion, what are you passionate about? What part of you gives you the drive to work hard to get good at something, no matter what it is.  We can be mediocre or we can be average, but what makes a person driven to become extra ordinary.  You are being driven to do something; we need to find that drive.  Everyone has a talent, as teachers we need to understand our students so that we can help them discover their talents and develop their confidence.”  -- James Hundon

My guest this episode is Prof. James Hundon, who is the founder of Universal Martial Arts Academy and Small Circle Ju Trap Boxing.  He is a 7’th degree Black Belt in both Small Circle Jujitsu under Great Grand Master Wally Jay and Kyohuejitsumae under Soke James Mcqueen.  A lifelong student of the martial arts Prof. Hundon’s extensive background also includes instructorship in Chinese Kenpo, Kodokan Jujitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and Serrada Escrima.  Prof Hundon has also been inducted into both the Masters Hall of Fame and the US. Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

This episode is all about being open to exploration and the pure Joy of studying Martial Arts.  My key takeaway is that everyone has a gift, but not everyone seeks to find it.  We must look to discover what makes us passionate and how it drives us to become extraordinary.  As students we must look to find our talents, and as teachers we must guide our students towards this discovery.  The creative process of martial arts requires its practitioners to approach its study with humility and openness.  Let the love of the arts drive you forward, let great gratitude and appreciation fuel your vehicle of discovery.  We also dive deep into Prof. Hundon’s unique training methods, and how he has maintained longevity, cultivated a student first mindset, and how he has mentored generations of martial artists.  This was a phenomenal episode, with one of the true OGs of the game, join us for an extraordinary conversation about the joy of living life as a martial artist.