The Reason Why "Iron Sharpens Iron"

Being a warrior is about more than winning.

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly battling shadows on the mat, easily taking down opponents who barely put up a fight?

What if I told you there’s a more powerful, transformative approach that could elevate not just your training, but your entire life?

This is where the concept of steel-manning, rather than straw-manning, comes into play.

What Doesn't Kill You...

Let’s dive into why embracing the challenge of going against bigger, stronger, and more experienced partners can be a game-changer for you.

Think about the combat styles of jeet kune do, hapkido, and mixed martial arts.

What sets them apart from traditional martial arts?

They don’t cling to rigid traditions.

Instead, they adapt, evolve, and constantly incorporate the best techniques from various systems.

This openness to learning and improvement allows them to stay relevant and effective, while other systems risk becoming outdated and rigid.

Imagine if you applied this principle to your training.

Too often, students straw-man their way through sparring sessions, choosing to go against weaker opponents who they can easily dominate.

It’s like knocking down a flimsy, poorly built scarecrow and patting yourself on the back for it.

Sure, it might feel good momentarily, but what do you truly gain from it?

Not much.

You remain stagnant, never really growing or improving.

Iron Fist in a Silk Glove

Now, consider steel-manning.

This is where you take the time to face the strongest, most challenging opponents in the dojo.

You not only understand their techniques, but you also push yourself to match their skill and strength.

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This isn’t about winning every match.

It’s about respecting the strength of your opponents and using that understanding to elevate your own abilities.

Again, it's not about winning the discussion but getting to the truth and helping everyone to benefit from that truth.

I know, it sounds intimidating at first.

Facing bigger, stronger, and more experienced partners can be daunting.

But remember, every time you confront a formidable opponent, you sharpen your own skills.

Think of it like training with the best.

You push yourself harder, learn faster, and ultimately become stronger.

This approach also aligns beautifully with encouraging your dreams.

When you strive to be the best by training with the best, you’re actively investing in your own growth.

It’s not just about winning matches; it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.

Imagine the confidence you’ll gain when you know you’ve faced the toughest challenges head-on and emerged stronger.

Failures and setbacks are inevitable, but they become less daunting when viewed through the lens of steel-manning.

Each loss is an opportunity to learn, to understand why something didn’t work, and to come back with a better, stronger approach.

Instead of seeing losses as roadblocks, see them as stepping stones on your journey to mastery.

The Best of the Best

Fears and worries often stem from the unknown or from feeling unprepared.

By adopting a steel-manning mindset, you arm yourself with knowledge and understanding.

You become more prepared, more resilient.

It’s much harder to be afraid of something you’ve taken the time to understand deeply.

Your worries diminish as your competence and confidence grow.

You might have suspicions about why certain fighters succeed or why certain techniques prevail.

By steel-manning, you get to the core of these successes and techniques.

You confirm whether there’s merit to them and, if so, how you can incorporate those elements into your own practice.

You’re not just a passive observer; you’re an active learner, constantly improving.

And yes, let’s talk about casting stones at your enemies.

When you focus on steel-manning, you’re not just hurling insults or criticisms at others.

You’re engaging with their strongest points and showing why your perspective or approach is even stronger.

It’s a more respectful and ultimately more powerful way to challenge others.

You’re not just tearing others down; you’re building yourself up in the process.

So, how can you start steel-manning in your training?

Here are a few actionable steps:

1. Seek out the toughest sparring partners. Instead of avoiding challenging matches, actively look for them. Spar with those who are stronger, faster, and more skilled.
2. Learn from your opponents. Try to understand their techniques and strategies deeply. Reflect on what makes them effective.
3. Reflect on what you can improve. After each match, think about how you can incorporate what you’ve learned into your own training. What strengths can you adopt and adapt?
4. Engage in constructive feedback. Instead of focusing on your opponent's weaknesses, discuss the strongest aspects of their techniques and how you can learn from them. This fosters respect and mutual growth.
5. Continuously apply and refine. Like martial artists, constantly evolve. Incorporate new insights and techniques into your practice, and keep refining your methods.

By embracing steel-manning, you’re not just improving your sparring skills; you’re transforming yourself into a more resilient, knowledgeable, and ultimately successful martial artist.

So, take on the challenge.

Face the strongest versions of opposing techniques and partners.

You’ll be amazed at how much you can grow and how unstoppable you’ll become.

P.S. This doesn't just apply to the mat. I used this same strategy for myself at work. Constantly challenging myself with ever more difficult projects to work on.

It was how I was able to go from a lowly apprentice who didn't know the first thing about construction to being a foreman for the BMS systems on the $1.8B LAX MSC project.