I Got Punched In The Face Today

And I loved it.

Julio Angel Rivera

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By Sam Hood http://www.acmssearch.sl.nsw.gov.au

I got punched in the face at work today. I’ve got a shiner to show for it.

It was a proud moment.

The person who punched me was my self-defense client. We’ve been doing private classes together for nearly a year and a half, and today, he planted a big fat knuckle sandwich on my cheek bone.

It was the best contact he’s ever gotten on me, and he was overjoyed. He could see his progress swelling on my face as we spoke.

I’ve got a weird job. I teach people how to fight, so they can eventually beat me up. They learn my tricks, and use them against me. I’m training my nemeses.

Of course, I don’t see it that way. My clients pay me good money for the privilege of punching and getting punched by me. A little black and blue won’t make me complain about my job.

For me, when I look in the mirror and see my little boo boo, I know I’m doing something right. I could easily hold back and not show clients certain things so they never get a leg up on me, but that would make me a shitty teacher.

Sharing knowledge is an honor. To have someone listen to your direction because you’ve developed a certain level of expertise is reassuring. There’s nothing that cuts through imposter syndrome like seeing your…

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Julio Angel Rivera

Dad, writer, author of Brokedown Sensei, martial arts coach, mental health advocate, speaker - From Brooklyn. NYU grad. Visit InternalJiuJitsu.com..