Today was one of the last days my martial arts students could test for their new belts/levels from the quarter four curriculum of 2025.
And one of the key moments that we create that usually happens at the end of every belt/level test is a hard series of physical challenges that are paired with the simple question: “Are you tired?”
Usually during their first ever test and during the occasional mid level test, they’ll say’ “Yes!”
And the response my staff and I always encourage them to say is, “No, ma’am/sir!”
During one test, I had a student say to me, “But, I am tired… and I don’t want to lie about it…”
To which I said, “And I appreciate that sentiment… but what I always want you to remember is that your mind is lying to you.”
Because what you feel like as being “tired” is really only a fraction of what you’re capable of doing. A micro-fraction in most cases.
…They just don’t know the true extent of their capabilities and potential limits.
Which is where my job comes in.
And the only way to get them there is to push the body… and the only way to do that is to strengthen their mind. Which happens one, “No ma’am/sir—I’m not tired” at a time.