Do you think there is a correlation between doing martial arts or fighting sports and being a person of strong character and integrity?

[MCheetah]

I ask this question because the very few celebrities I have a respect for, come from these backgrounds. Dwayne Johnson, Gina Carano, and Joe Rogan, and all of them come from UFC/professional wrestling backgrounds.

I especially admire Gina Carano, who seems to be a woman of incredible integrity, yet incredible warmth and love, as well. I may be glorifying her a bit, but I follow her Instagram. She's tough and strong, but kind, like a real life Wonder Woman should be.

As for Joe Rogan, I've never taken him to be smart, however, he is wise, if that makes sense. He knows he isn't the smartest, but he is willing to open his ears, learn, and improve himself, which I also admire. Few people seem to be humble enough to be a student of others and absorb knowledge and life experience from so many people. And so many others like to think they have all the answers in life, which makes themselves look more foolish than wise.

There's even guys like Jocko Willink, who runs the Jocko Podcast, and seems so obsessed with jiu jitsu, it's become a meme. Dwayne Johnson may be the weakest on this list, but I did legit want to grow up to be like him, when I was a teenager in the 2000s.

These are all people I'd like to learn from and become more like. Goddamn, I CRAVE this level of discipline and humility in my life! Which really makes me think people with fighting backgrounds tend to be the most well balanced people, possessing both strength and kindness to their character. Do you think there's any truth to this?

Updates

+1 y

I also forgot to mention: I've done martial arts in various forms since 2012. I used to do Judo in 2012, did boxing on and off from 2015 to 2021, did MMA in 2017 and 2018, and kickboxing in 2021 before vax mandates kicked in. But I've never once felt pride and disciplined from it. I just usually felt like a failure for not being as good as the other people there.

[ShadezMcgee]

I would day these individuals have a level of integrity and humility because they learned how to fight and have been in fights and life threatening situations (namely Jocko Willink) and know what it's like to really be tough.

There is a saying that you don't know who you are until you have been in a fight or gotten beaten up. If you have never been punched in the face by someone or life itself, it is easy to have a weaker or complacent mindset because you never developed grit and perseverance to survive.

I am a fighter at the end of the day when peace is no longer an option or if I am forced to defend myself. Taking martial arts helped me and I am glad I did. It taught me discipline, patience and gave me focus and goals. Also helped me when I did get in fights and have to defend myself.

[libsaretards]

Yes there is. ANY respectable martial arts instruction drills restraint, integrity and character into their students. In a traditional Shotokan Karate dojo, we consider anything before black belt as character building and 1st Dan Black Belt as the true beginning of martial arts instruction. Yes, you do learn fighting techniques along the way, but they are not the main emphasis. Also, you might be able to advance through the lower belts, but you will never become a black belt in these dojos if the Grandmaster does not believe you are of great character and a great leader. Some schools even make it hard to advance into red and brown belts without these traits.

[libsaretards]

In a drawn out fight between 2 martial artists when your body and mind is tired, it is your character, not technique, that will win the battle. As you tire out, technique starts to go out the window.

[MCheetah]

God I would love that. I've never had the money to go to a really good martial arts school.

[libsaretards]

@mcheetah Money is not the real issue. The real issue is that most dojos in the US (regardless of the martial art) are all about marketing and getting higher numbers. Krav Maga is a good martial art to learn in the U. S. It does not have the time-honored traditions of other martial arts, but it is a very practical art and quick to learn. Find a true Shotokan Karate dojo, for example, is so damn hard to find. All these McDojos popping up are a disrespect to real martial arts and make the real practitioners look bad.

[MCheetah]

Jocko and many others have praised Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as being "the best." I've only done it one month in my life, and that was mainly in a Judo class. Judo SUCKED! They marketed it as "the martial arts for fat guys." I hated that. But I crave a real martial arts dojo. I went to a kickboxing one here in Korea. They were alright, but all we really did was the same stuff every class and it was mostly cardio.

[libsaretards]

What makes a martial arts "the best" martial art is if it fits YOU. A martial arts style is like a set of tools. If you can effectively use the tool, then it works. If not, then it is useless. If you can use it but do not like how the tool feels, you are less likely to use it ever again. Same with martial arts. All martial arts are repetition. That is how the skills are developed. BJJ is one of the slowest advancing arts. That means it takes longer to rank up with them. If I were you I would give a Krav Maga dojo a try.

[MCheetah]

I can try it but I was always discouraged from it because I heard Krav Maga was primarily just for small women and was marketed as just self defense class against muggers and stuff.

I didn't like our kickboxing class because, like other styles, I didn't feel myself getting stronger, I sure as sh*t never lost any weight from it (the main reason I wanted to go), and it felt like a chore to go. I just felt obligated as a man, because I need to know how to defend myself and stuff. Boxing was even worse; more tiring, and less fun, with no weight loss from that either.

Honestly, the ONLY time I ever had fun in my life working out was when I was doing powerlifting in 2016. I genuinely felt excited to go there when I was doing that. They had men and women there, some being as small as five feet tall, they were all supportive, and I could feel myself getting stronger and lifting more weight with every visit. I only lasted six months before the gym got shut down by the city for a ton of zoning violations no one could afford to fix (the guy operated it out of his garage, so it wasn't an actual gym, and the city eventually found out as this was close to city hall). Damn I miss powerlifting, but there's almost no gyms exclusively dedicated to that. Only like two in Korea, nowhere near me, and about as many back in Philly. It's not martial arts, but it's the only form of exercise I've ever enjoyed in my life. Boxing and others were such a chore to do.

[libsaretards]

Krav Maga was originally developed by Israeli Special Forces for combat.

[MCheetah]

I know. It's still marketed as what little old ladies, teenage girls, and Gal Gadot should take, however. I've never heard any men (besides you) recommend it, although I don't know much outside of what we've already said.

[libsaretards]

I wish I could correct every misconception about martial arts. The reason Krav Maga is targeted towards women in advertisement is because of the political climate of the world right now. In the eyes of people spreading the word for martial arts, they target women for advertisement because it is women that usually need more convincing that it is ok to take martial arts. It is kind of assumed that men are more easily persuaded. Try a Krav Maga class and you will see it is not some frivolous self-defense stuff. Portions of Krav Maga are dominate in military training regimens all over the world. In combat it is one of the most effective arts.

[Sirenboobzilla]

I think so. I've practiced martial arts before and I actively do weight training (not enough to bulk up but just to stay as I am). And that requires discipline and motivation. I'm as free as a bird for some things as you can see by other questions I've answered. But I'm also very strict for other things especially when it comes to how work is done, especially my work. I'm the party girl till it's time to get down to business and numbers. And I think that having kept the same gym regimen for the last 8 years contributes to how I approach things

[MCheetah]

Between this, your looks, and other answers, you make it seem like you're literally perfect.

[Sirenboobzilla]

Ha! I wish 😆 My boyfriend's has a list of things I annoy him with. Mother f*cker actually tallies the list whenever I do them. It's funny, still wanna kill him

[FriendlyDrugDealer]

Not always but usually yea. I always tribute my success in everything from career, work ethic, relationships with people and daily tasks to my martial arts training. I apply myself to learning skills the same way as mma, understand how it’s done properly, break it down into steps then repeating the process till it becomes natural to perform.
With that experience it does give me a sense of confidence to adapt to most situations. I’m not walking around thinking I can take on the world but it does give a sense of pride in myself

[Sasha_Gee]

I believe so. Martial arts isn't just punching things. You learn to follow instruction, take criticism, proper spar etiquette, consistency, you learn to give instruction, push your limits, discipline, peace of mind. It doesn't matter what job you have or what status your opponents have, you will be treated as a student and nothing more. You learn respect towards your sparring partners, your tutors, the newcomers pushing eachother to greater heights.

[MCheetah]

Do you practice martial arts?

[Sasha_Gee]

Capoeirista Sasha reporting! O7

[Nomoturtle]

Sure. I think being recognisably good at anything will require a level of commitment and will that will impose strength of character upon you.

I don't know about the link with kindness, but then I don't know anything about martial arts/fighting sports.
I would say the kindness would also be a general requirement of being popular or reknown, but that's demonstrably untrue with most celebrities.

[LovingLoverReturned]

The people who even "decide" to do martial arts or "any discipline", to begin with are sort of different from those who don't.
It is not martial arts itself. It is more in the process and dedication, I think. Even doing ballet dance, for example, can help build strong character and integrity.

[LovingLoverReturned]

Physical activity has a direct positive effect on our mental health. There are always a some rare cases. But this is the majority.

Don't count destructive activity like Rugby (American football)

[exitseven]

I have known a few successful bodybuilders and most of them are intelligent, disciplined people that usually show kindness and openness to people. It is hard to say if you need intelligence to excel in a sport or if you excel in a sport it makes you intelligent.

[globetrotter22]

I fought in pro mma years ago. I was deeply involved with that for over 12 years. I’ve personality met a few of the celebrities you mentioned above.

There are some parallels to the military (definitely not “equating” that to those who served) when it comes to self discipline, courage against adversity and comradely.

But I will also say while there are very good people there are also some very very bad people in mma. There are definitely war machines out there.

[Stoner710]

Yes and no, The rock and cena have unfortunately gone far to the left or at the very least walk back there statements. Cena apologies to China about calling Taiwan and country and the rock apologizing for defending Joe Rogan. Every cowardly no one should ever apologize to China or the left

[MCheetah]

I never mentioned John Cena. He's bitch-made.
I didn't hear any news about Dwayne Johnson or what he did.

[Exterminatore]

Yes. I don’t know about integrity but by nature, combat sports require difficult training. That training produces endurance and often character. Integrity comes down to the person.

[AvaOneLasTime]

There is some correlation, yes. Because of number of factors or/and combination of factors. But it's not mandatory to be a martial art fighter, to be a good person and have a strong character.

[AvaOneLasTime]

@NikiNikkiNiki
No, its not the same. You need English class too? What else? Math?

[AvaOneLasTime]

That person was frozen. Good.

[lightbulb27]

at least some yes.
I trained in martial arts and key component is building character, disicpline, respect, humility. self confidence to handle situations. all good things,

[BaldAvenger]

Not only is there a correlation, they exist within eachother. What I mean is, while martial arts teaches you how to fight, these sports also teach how to conduct one's self.

[JosyJosy]

It can for sure. Hard work builds character. It doesn't have to be martial arts.

[Massageman]

Yes - you summed it up in your last paragraph, cursing notwithstanding.

[Jessica745855]

I think there is a correlation with people who want to better themselves and their lives and potentially character-

[Dchrls78104]

I've heard of too many trigger-happy cops; so my answer would be no.

[MCheetah]

I don't think most cops actually do martial arts.
@Prettygurl12 would have to chime in to answer this.

[libsaretards]

Police, Corrections Officers and Military do not learn true martial arts. Bootcamp/training academy is too short for them. They do learn basic defensive tactics and Marines do go on to learn MCMAP, but it takes years of practice to learn true martial arts. When I was training as a Corrections Officer in defensive tactics, I was actually tasked with helping instruct due to my martial arts background.

[Dchrls78104]

@MCheetah a gun in the hands of a trigger-happy cop is a dangerous, deadly weapon; and so is martial art and other training in the hands of an unhinged or evil person. My point is that I don't trust humans enough to suppose that integrity or character come with holding a potentially deadly weapon, whether it's your gun or your fists.

[Fuentes]

In a way people have used it to channel their extra aggression or use it to become a better person or use it as a career.

[JesseJayNeak]

Not necessarily. Martial arts won’t be very useful when you’re outnumbered because the other party will play dirty. It’s not like in the movies

[libsaretards]

@JesseJayNeak Not 100% correct. Depends on the instruction given and the person using martial arts. Martial arts are a tool like a gun or knife. How effectively you use the tool determines its usefulness. I was NEVER in a 1v1 fight in school or life. In school I was outnumbered mostly 4+ to 1 with them having weapons of some sort yet I still came out on top. As a CO I had times where the defensive tactics taught to COs failed and my martial arts training saved my ass against multiple inmates armed with shanks. Did I still take some hits? Yes, but the point is I won the fights and came home with no permanent injuries. Another person with my exact same skillsets might not fare as well as I did if they do not have the character to fight on when things look hopeless. Depends on the instruction received and the practitioner.

[sensible27]

Define strong character, and morals

[douride2]

I don't see any correlation between the two.