Hello Hero,
You may have heard me refer to the word,”Arete’, on many occasions. Just in case you haven’t or if you have forgotten its meaning, the word “Arete” is a Greek word that by definition means excellence in any form or reaching your fullest potential. However, the definition that inspired me most was by Brian Johnson who described it as “working to be the best version of yourself from moment to moment”.
What I want to emphasize in today’s reflection is we have two excellent paths which can assist you on your journey towards Arete. Those two paths are the martial art of Jiujitsu and the Fletcher Fitness method of High Intensity Strength Training (HIT). You may have already made this connection and have embraced one or both of these as “warrior paths” on a journey to Arete. If so, we want to continue to support and lead you on that path. If you haven’t made this connection, I simply want to plant the seed of possibility.
Martial arts has been integrated as a path for not only physical development and learning skills for personal protection and fighting but as a path for personal and spiritual development for thousands of years. I realize that not everyone pursues this training for the latter. I myself, began training to simply learn how to better defend myself or my family if the need ever arose. However, after these many years of training I have learned so much more and realized many more benefits than those technical skills.
Recently, we had the opportunity to meet with one of the founders of Alliance Jiujitsu, Fabio Gurgel. I was excited for him to share his vision for Alliance. His vision is in alignment with mine and Rafa’s in that we see Jiujitsu as much more than a fighting art but an opportunity for personal development. In his book , Unshakable: Jiujitsu Leadership Principles Applied to Life and Business,Fabio shares his story and some of that vision.
Martial arts became a vehicle for personal and spiritual development when combat training was integrated with religious, philosophical, and meditative traditions—most notably in India (yoga, meditation), China (Daoism, Buddhism), and Japan (Zen, bushidō). Over centuries, these influences reframed martial practice from mere survival skills into a “way” (Dao/Do)—a lifelong path of physical, moral, and spiritual cultivation.
1. Ancient Roots – Sacred Combat
- In many early cultures, combat was tied to ritual, religion, and honor, not just survival.
- Egypt (~2000 BCE): Wrestling and stick fighting appear in tomb art alongside spiritual symbols, suggesting a ritual component.
- India (~2000 BCE onward): Kalaripayattu, often called the “mother of martial arts,” was linked with yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation, seeing the warrior’s body as a vessel for spiritual energy.
- Greece (~500 BCE): Pankration athletes trained under a philosophy where physical mastery was part of arete (excellence), linking the body to the cultivation of virtue.
2. India → China Transmission
- Around the 5th–6th century CE, the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (Daruma in Japan) traveled from India to the Shaolin Monastery in China.
- He introduced Dhyana (Zen/Chan meditation) and reportedly taught monks physical exercises to strengthen body and mind for meditation.
- These became fused with existing Chinese martial practices → Shaolin Kung Fu.
- Here, martial training was seen as a way to discipline the ego, cultivate inner stillness, and harmonize body–mind–spirit.
3. Daoist & Confucian Influence (China)
- Daoist philosophy emphasized qi (life energy) cultivation and balance of yin/yang. Martial arts like Tai Chi Chuan grew as practices for longevity, inner harmony, and spiritual clarity.
- Confucian ideals reinforced martial practice as a way to build virtue, discipline, respect, and loyalty.
4. Samurai Code (Japan)
- From the 10th–17th centuries, the Japanese samurai developed bushidō (“way of the warrior”), which framed martial arts as not only fighting skills but a path of honor, loyalty, discipline, and spiritual awareness.
- Zen Buddhism deeply influenced the samurai, leading to practices like kyūdō (archery as meditation) and swordsmanship as a means of attaining mushin (no-mind state).
5. Other Traditions
- Southeast Asia (Silat, Eskrima, etc.): Often blended combat with ritual dance, animist beliefs, and spiritual initiation.
- Middle East & Persia: Wrestling and warrior training were tied to Sufi spiritual exercises, emphasizing humility and service.
- Africa: Stick fighting and wrestling often held ritualistic and initiatory roles within tribes.
6. Modern Era – Martial Arts as a Way of Life
- Jigoro Kano (Japan, 1880s): Founder of Judo, redefined martial arts as “seiryoku zen’yō” (maximum efficiency) and “jita kyōei” (mutual welfare and benefit), explicitly teaching martial training as a path to personal growth and social harmony.
- Aikido (20th century): Morihei Ueshiba framed it as the “art of peace,” focusing on harmony and spiritual unity, not domination.
- Global Martial Arts: Today, many people study martial arts for discipline, mindfulness, confidence, stress relief, and philosophical growth, echoing their ancient roots.
Although High Intensity Strength Training has not historically been considered necessarily a path for personal development, I have found many parallels to martial arts. I began strength training to gain strength and muscle, so that, I might be better at the sports I chose to play. I did gain muscle and become stronger. I continue to value the benefits of strength training for performance, fitness, and health. However, the mental and spiritual benefits I derive from training are just as important. Disciplining yourself to apply extreme focus and intensity of effort, while maintaining technique under duress is very challenging and provides a great opportunity to learn how to handle physical discomfort and stress which are valuable skills for life outside the gym.
It is our mission to help you become the best version of yourself and we want to paint a picture of all the tools we have available to help you do so.