The Art of Manliness Podcast Episode #30: A Fighter’s Heart & Mind with Sam Sheridan

I had the pleasure of meeting Sam Sheridan at a local LA gym a few months back and was able to tell him how much I enjoyed his books. He was a complete gentleman and happy to meet a fan.

Really enjoyed this podcast.

I would recommend both of his books, by the way.

Martin

Excellent! Sam has a wonderful and much needed perspective on fighting and how integral to ‘manliness’ it is. Especially the bit about identity.

Sam never planned to be incredible yet his life and resume leads us to believe he is in fact incredible. Instead, he just evolved to be incredible. I find this equally concerning and impressive – usually you would imagine someone of this caliber would have goals and objectives yet Sam’s incredible journey was quite organic. A natural and progressive incredible. Play it again Sam – well done.

finally joining the 21st century, i downloaded itunes just for this podcast. great work!

Very good insight on humility….there’s definitely not enough of it today. Excellent points on failure for growth. I’ll be looking for more like this

I loved his point on “being present”. I have been in martial arts for most of my life and now as a 40 year old training in MMA, I truly understand this concept. When I train, I am not married, have no children, have no mortgage or job. The training is the only thing present. To do otherwise invites serious injury. It may seem extreme, but I consider it to be meditative. When done, I am at peace.

Sam made the comment that there is a connection between fighting ability and egocentrism (less ego – better fighter), and that it is a chicken-and-egg relationship. This is a great observation. Virtue theorists (like Alasdair MacIntyre) have long held that growth in moral character is a self-reinforcing “upward spiral,” in which eudaimonic activities (such as the martial arts) lead to growth in virtue, and growth in virtue empowers excellence in eudaimonic activities.

Sam’s observation was primarily about humility. Without sufficient humility, the individual has an unteachable attitude, and does not learn from mistakes, making it difficult to advance in one’s training. Recent psychological research has also established a connection between training in the martial arts and increases in self-control. Practicing the martial arts requires physical, mental, and emotional self-control, so the training becomes a venue for the cultivation of this character trait. High levels of self-control have been shown (by researchers like Roy Baumeister and June Price Tangney) to carry benefits over into success in areas of life like academic success, emotional well-being, and interpersonal relationships.

I have not yet read A Fighter’s Mind, but Sam’s previous book, A Fighter’s Heart, contains some outstanding material on the psychology of fighters and the specific kind of self-cultivation that comes from the practice of the martial arts.

I like that you focused on the strange dichotomies that exist in fighting – specifically the phenomenon that accomplished fighters who could tear you in half are generally some of the the nicest people you could ever meet.

I’ve had the subject of fighting on the brain for a while now. I don’t like conflict and I don’t like hurting people – I’m a Mr. Miyagi at heart. But I am also an avid Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner. I am hopelessly addicted to BJJ and submission grappling, which is obviously a form of fighting. At our church the other day, one of the leaders pretty much denounced modern cage fighting as senseless violence. It’s understandable that many people see fighting as pure violence and do not understand the civility, sportsmanship and rewarding discipline behind it.

I can honestly say that training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, where I basically learn how to dominate people and break their limbs or choke them, has made me a better person. It’s enhanced my relationships, it’s grown my self-confidence and improved my quality of life. There is definitely something within a fighter’s heart and mind that people on the outside don’t see.

For those of us involved in combat sports, trying to explain why we do it is next to impossible. It’s something people have to experience. I’m very interested to read Mr. Sheridan’s book and see what else he has to say on the subject.

SkinnyD,

“At our church the other day, one of the leaders pretty much denounced modern cage fighting as senseless violence.”

That probably means that the leader had been reading this: http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=33627

This pastor has a differing perspective: http://pastormack.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/what-sports-would-jesus-watch/

Mr. Sheridan has certainly led a strenuous life thus far – good on em.
As an aspiring writer I have always been amazed at how great authors also seem to live exciting and heroic lives. I have read nothing from Sam yet so I’m not sure if that applies, can’t wait to though, sounds pretty cool.

“I have just been shot, but it takes more
than that to kill a bull moose!” – Theodore Roosevelt

I can completely relate to the point he makes about fighting being a protection of free will. I’ve never been in a fight in my life, and I’m somewhat non-confrontational, but I think if my free will is ever compromised due to another’s arrogance, the non-confrontational value that I’m proud of will take a back seat to the instinct of winning a fight or imposing damage to the opponent.

Ofcourse, I’m only speculating here. Perhaps the book could shed better insight on this.

Interesting interview, and intriguing book.

@Matthew A–
I wouldn’t say (having read both books) that they “advocate” for either of these sports. The description in the book was simply a description of the two and the motivations and thoughts of the people involved, while withholding judgment. While I personally find both reprehensible, I didn’t have a problem with the way the material was presented. It’s somewhat graphic (as is the rest of the book), but not glorifying, imho.

Really interesting podcast. What he talks about is pretty true in life.