The ‘Martial Mind Mastery’ methodology that I developed over the past 35 years is based on a unique mix of extensive research and studies in modern western psychology, personal development, and neuroscience combined with ancient eastern Buddhist and Taoist insights, theories, philosophies and mindfulness practices. It also incorporates key concepts for the internal martial arts of Wing Chun and Tai-Chi based on Sifu Paul’s 40 years of martial arts training, and over 20 years’ of experience as a 4th Degree Black Belt Martial Arts Master (Wing Chun Kung Fu & Tai-Chi)& Transformational Coach for businesses, governments, and individuals.

The awareness and understanding that mind, emotions and body are all interconnected and therefore have an effect on each other, either negative or positive, is fundamental to achieving lasting change in any area of your life.

Cultivating personal development, balance, harmony and Joy in all areas of your life, by ‘mastering’ your mind, emotions and body, whilst reducing stress and cultivating peace of mind are at the core of my teachings and coaching. Guiding clients to reach their full potential so they may excel and realize their goals in all areas of their life is my mission.

The Three Battles

The first step to this holistic approach, that In Kung Fu is referred to as the ‘First Battle’ (‘challenge’), is that you must ‘Conquer’ (‘overcome’) yourself first. Your fears, mental/emotional blocks, insecurities, self-control, discipline, self-esteem, focus, perseverance, and self-respect, to name a few. Also by cultivating essential life skills such as, patience, responsibility, resilience, effective communication, compassion, honesty, gratitude, and forgiveness are all part of the ‘First Battle’.

As both Aristotle and Socrates said in more or less the same words; “To know oneself is the beginning of all wisdom”.

Knowledge alone is not enough for success. One must take efficient and effective action, and also literally get into motion, to create empowering emotions in order to progress and succeed. Your posture, facial expressions, the tone and choice of your words, and how you move, combined with the way you breathe, have an effect on your thoughts, emotions, behavior and actions. Emotion is energy in motion.

When needed I offer additional guidance on how to gain and maintain excellent physical health, as it is essential to not only function optimally and have the energy and stamina to pursue your goals, but also to enjoy the journey more fully as well.

Once the first battle has been ‘conquered’ you are fully equipped to proceed to the next part of the coaching journey which will focus on the ‘Second Battle’, namely ‘Conquering’ the external world. Meaning, dealing with - not controlling - challenging situations, circumstances, projects, deadlines, relationships and/or the people that you are involved with. With an emphasis on mutual respect and collaboration, rather than competition, so that all involved can realize their individual as well as their mutual goals in their professional as well as their personal lives.

Conquering the first and second battle will give you the essentials life skills, tools, knowledge, wisdom, awareness, discipline and focus that you’ll need to master your own inner world and be able to deal more effectively and successfully with the ever changing outer world. In the process creating more balance, harmony, inner-peace and joy in your life while realizing your goals and living he life you desire and deserve

The ‘First Battle’ is the main focus of my teachings and coaching as it is the most important and challenging one. Focusing only on the ‘Second Battle’ while neglecting the first one and therefore not ‘conquering’ oneself is at the root of just about all suffering, fear, procrastination, miscommunication, and the inability to realize one’s goals.

It is also the main reason why so many people don’t reach their full potential and have low self-esteem and are living lives full of stress, regret, guilt, frustration and anger. This in turn causes people to underperform, become ill, and even burnout by not taking full responsibility for their own thoughts, emotions, health, behavior, actions and the consequences. Often feeling self-pity and a ‘victim’ of circumstances, events and ‘others’.

In extreme cases you may find yourself in constant battle with everyone and everything, including yourself.

The Path to Self-Mastery

Self-mastery is essential in order for you to lay a strong foundation on which to ‘build’ on and actually be able to use any other tools provided to facilitate genuine growth and development so you can maximize your performance, rather than the use of tricks and gimmicks or mere theoretical techniques that can get you hyped and ‘motivated’ for the short-term, yet or usually not sustainable or lasting over the long term.

Self-Mastery starts with being aware of, understanding and cultivating your mind-body connection. In the last few decades alone vast research has been conducted in this area revealing what ancient teachings have known for centuries. We have now come to understand and accept, even by modern science, that the mind-body connection is not only real and very strong, but that it is also vital in order for you to not only maintain optimal health, reduce stress, and maximize your performance, but also in order for you to reach your full potential, live a life of purpose and to feel more Joyful.

Therefore a better understanding of the Mind-Body connection in order to achieve more balance and harmony between the two is essential for any coaching trajectory, or personal development program to succeed.

The Four Elements

An integral part of the process towards Self-Mastery in the ‘Martial-Mind-Mastery’ methodology involves an awareness, understanding and cultivation of the 4 elements; Water, Air/Wind, Earth, and Fire, as a practical way to immediately experience the Mind-Body connection on a mental, emotional, and physical level.

You will learn how to use ‘the elements’ to positively impact all your communications, relationships, behaviours, actions, the realization of your goals, and the level of success that you will obtain in any area of your life. As a valuable bonus clients experience less stress, and more balance & Joy in their lives.

My 35 years of martial arts training in various styles (3rd Degree Black Belt Master in Wing Chun Kung Fu, and Tai-Chi instructor) and over 20 years’ experience in successfully having coached thousands of people of all ages, genders, cultures, and backgrounds, has proven to me that ‘mastering’ your mind, emotions and body, is not only essential for every individual to live a joyful, purposeful and successful life, but just as important, I have come to learn that it can be taught, developed and cultivated by anyone who is ready for the challenge.

“All battles are first won or lost in the mind”

Joan of Arc

Benefits

The Martial Mind Mastery method generates many positive benefits for you in all areas of your life: personally, relationally, academically, and professionally.

· Reduce stress & avoid burnout

· Cultivate resilience & perseverance

· Proactive mindset

· Clarity, priorities & focus

· Increased energy & performance

· Conflict resolution

· Maximize your full potential & realize your goals

· Stronger immune system

· Improved health & overall wellbeing

· Mindfulness & Increased awareness

· Quality sleep & relaxation skills

· Balance & harmony between personal & professional life

· More joy & fulfilment in all areas of your life

· Higher self-esteem & more self-confidence

· Effective communication & conflict resolution skills

· Empowering thoughts, emotions & actions

· Skills to transmute the negative into a positive

· Clear vision of purpose, goals & strategy

· Improved academic & work results

· Self-Mastery by conquering the 1st ‘Battle’

· And more…