Yin vs YangThe Battle for Success in Life

Article by Peter Normandia. Follow me on Twitter.

If you are not a fan of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), or the UFC, then you probably have never heard of Lyoto ‘the Dragon’ Machida.  However, you do not have to be a fan to appreciate his story.  He is a wonderful example of the unlimited power of the mind, and I learned a lot about the human spirit from the story of his life.  Here is a brief synopsis of his background from Wikipedia…

Lyoto Carvalho Machida (born May 30, 1978) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial arts fighter. Son of a Japanese-Brazilian Shotokan Karate master Yoshizo Machida, Lyoto is a rising star in MMA. He is currently ranked as the #3 light heavyweight fighter in the world by Sherdog.

Machida began training in karate at the age of four, earning his black-belt at the age of 13. He began training in Sumo at 12 and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 15. He won a number of amateur karate tournaments, including 2001 Pan American Karate tournament. He was also runner up in the 2000 Brazilian Sumo Championships in the 115-kg division.

In addition to his Sumo and Karate achievements, he has a college degree in Physical Education. Lyoto’s brother, Chinzo, is a Shotokan vice-champion (Australia 2006), losing only to #1 ranked Shotokan master Koji Ogata. Lyoto and Chinzo fought in a Karate Final 10 years ago in which Lyoto gave Chinzo a cheek scar that still exists today. His other brother, Kenzo Machida, is a TV journalist for one of Brazil’s biggest TV stations.

What I found most interesting about the life of Lyoto Machida is the role his father played in his development.  When Lyoto was a young, young boy, his Father noticed his signature toughness and told him he had the spirit of a Samurai within him.  This would effect the outcome of his entire life.  For the rest of his days, the one thing Lyoto’s Father always made clear, was that Lyoto had a Samurai Spirit.

“I can understand the real thinking of the samurai because the martial arts came from Japan,” he reflected. “The samurai thinks as much as he fights in the martial arts. Then my father always teached me (sic) about everything—about technique, but about out of the ring.” –Lyoto Machida from here.

Flash forward to present day.

Lyoto is currently fighting in the 205 lb Light Heavyweight division.  If you do not watch MMA, then I will give you a little insight into the weight classes.  Most fighters, in order to get an edge, cut weight before the weigh ins.  This means a man who normally weighs 225 lbs can cut down to 205 lbs the day before his fight.

After the weigh ins, the fighters are free to re-hydrate themselves, and eat up.  By the time they walk into the ring, they can weigh nearly 215-220 lbs again.  Lyoto is not one of these fighters.  He walks around at about the weight he fights at.  In fact, he usually weighs a few pounds less than the required weight, so he is not the biggest, baddest fighter by far.  He is more of a technician, and a good one at that.  He mixes many different fighting styles into a blend he can call his own, to defeat larger, more powerful opponents.

In the UFC, where the elite of MMA are, being a technician is not enough.  You need to be tougher than you can ever imagine.  This is because, the real fight in MMA is against yourself.  MMA is a war of attrition.  Sure, you have to be a good fighter, but anything, and I mean anything, can happen in a fight.  A slip here, a distraction there, or a bad call by the ref, can alter the entire make-up of a fight.  It is during these moments a fighter finds out who they are.

“Many men feel that they should act according to the time or the moment they are facing, and thus are in confusion when something goes beyond this and some difficulty arises.  The man whose profession is arms should calm his mind and look into the depths of others. Doing so is likely the best of the martial arts.“  –Shiba Yoshimasa (1350-1410)

When Lyoto Machida gets into rough spots like this, you can see the spirit light up his face.  It seems, as the situation gets more dire, Lyoto actually gets stronger.  His eyes light up, his focus unites, and the spirit of the Samurai lifts him out of trouble.  It is amazing to watch as this unassuming man turns into a warrior at the first sign of trouble.

I believe this is directly due to his father.  His father, a Karate master himself, obviously knew about the power of the warrior spirit.  By constantly reinforcing his son’s belief in his own spirit’s power, Lyoto grew to have a spirit stronger than any of his challengers.  He full well believes, with every ounce of his being, that he has a Samurai spirit living within him.  This singular belief, that he has had since he was a small child, has carried him to victory in countless areas of life.

You don’t have to fight in a cage to benefit from the Samurai spirit.

Any challenge you face in life is a test of your spirit.  Humans are remarkable beings that have consistently overcome insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible.  The reason is solely due to their belief in themselves.  For example, no one ever ran a 4 minute mile before it was broken in the early  1950s.  Within two years, eight other people broke the record.  Coincidence?  Or do you think that these other people finally believed it was possible once they heard someone else did it?

Anything is possible.  Humans have always dreamed of being able to fly.  Well now we have helicopters, jets, planes, and space shuttles.  Humans have always dreamed of a time machine.  Now we have television, dvds, movie theaters, and documentaries which can re-create what past times may have been like.  The point is, whatever your dream may be, no matter how far-fetched it may seem, it is definitely possible in some way or another.

All you have to do is believe in yourself.

Remember about the Samurai spirit the next time you are ready to give up.  Remember how it has carried Lyoto through his most pressing times.  I always say MMA reflects the challenges we face in life.  Try to use the same tools these fighters do.  Believe in your preparation, in your own ability, and great things will be sure to come.

Such is the way of the Samurai….

“Life is like unto a long journey with a heavy burden. Let thy step be slow and steady, that thou stumble not. Persuade thyself that imperfection and inconvenience are the natural lot of mortals, and there will be no room for discontent, neither for despair. When ambitious desires arise in thy heart, recall the days of extremity thou has passed through. Forbearance is the root of quietness and assurance forever. Look upon the wrath of the enemy. If thou knowest only whatit is to conquer, and knowest not what it is to be defeated, woe unto thee; it will fare ill with thee. Find fault with thyself rather than with others.” –Ieyasu Tokugawa (1543-1616)