The other day, I found myself on the sidelines again, watching class instead of training.

Recovery mode, not training mode.

It's one of the challenges of being on the mat in my 50s—my body doesn’t always agree with my mind’s desire to keep pushing.

But there’s a silver lining to this enforced downtime: I get to observe, think, and reflect.

That day, there were seven black belt professors on the mat during the noon class.

Seven highly skilled, seasoned warriors, all drawn to Meraki BJJ for different reasons.

As I watched, I couldn’t help but play a little game in my head.

You see, I’ve always loved the movie The Seven Samurai, a classic by the legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa.

In the film, seven warriors come together, each bringing something different to the table, each embodying a different archetype of what it means to be a warrior.

And as I watched the seven professors train, I began to imagine each of them as a character from that film.

It was a fun mental exercise, but more than that, it got me thinking about the idea of what it means to be a warrior—and why so many people struggle with the concept.

The Myth of the Warrior Archetype

When most people think of a "warrior," they usually imagine the classic archetype: stoic, strong, invincible.

A beast of a man who destroys all who come across his path.

Hollywood has fed us this image for decades.

Muscles, grit, a thousand-yard stare.

Think of any action hero from the last 40 years, and you’ll get the picture.

And this is where most people get stuck.

They think that if they’re not built like a tank, if they don’t have that unshakable confidence, if they can’t summon the courage to face down their fears without a second thought, then they can’t be warriors.

They look at themselves—soft around the edges, full of doubts, maybe a little too cautious—and they dismiss the idea entirely.

“I’m not that guy,” they think.

And in doing so, they miss the point entirely.

The Many Faces of the Warrior

Here’s the truth: there is no single way to be a warrior.

In The Seven Samurai, each character is a warrior, but they are all different.

One is a master strategist, calm and methodical.

Another is brash and impulsive, fighting with raw emotion.

One is young and inexperienced, eager to prove himself, while another is older, seasoned, and wise, fighting not with his body but with his mind.

And yet, they are all warriors.

The same thing happens on the mat at Meraki.

If you were to line up the seven black belts I saw that day and ask them to describe their paths, their struggles, and their victories, each story would be different.

Some may have started as kids, full of energy and potential.

Others may have picked up martial arts later in life, perhaps looking for a challenge or a way to cope with personal struggles.

Some are fierce competitors; others find joy in teaching and mentorship.

And yet, they are all warriors.

You see, being a warrior isn’t about fitting into a predefined mold.

It’s not about having a certain look, a certain attitude, or even a certain skill set.

Being a warrior is about facing your own battles, whether they are internal or external, and doing so with courage, resilience, and authenticity.

The Internal Battles

Let’s get real for a second.

The hardest battles are rarely the ones we fight against others.

The hardest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves.

Every single person on the mat, no matter how tough they look, no matter how skilled they are, has faced internal struggles.

Maybe it’s fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being good enough.

Maybe it’s self-doubt.

Maybe it’s the feeling of being overwhelmed by the challenges ahead.

These battles are part of the warrior’s path, but they are not often discussed.

Why?

Because society tells us that warriors don’t feel fear, that they don’t doubt themselves, that they don’t struggle with their own minds.

This is complete nonsense.

In reality, every warrior—whether on the battlefield, in the ring, or in life—has fought against their own demons.

What makes them warriors is not the absence of these battles, but their decision to face them, over and over again.

So if you’ve ever felt like you don’t have what it takes to be a warrior, know this: You don’t have to be fearless. You just have to show up.

Finding Your Way of the Warrior

As you embark on your own journey—your own “way of the warrior”—take heart.

You are not supposed to be like anybody else.

You are supposed to find your way.

Maybe you’re the kind of warrior who leads with strategy and patience, like the master strategist in The Seven Samurai.

Maybe you’re the kind of warrior who fights with raw emotion, using your heart as your weapon.

Maybe your strength lies in teaching and guiding others, or maybe it lies in quietly doing the work, day after day, without seeking recognition.

Whatever your path, know this: there is no right way to be a warrior.

There is only your way.

And if you can’t imagine that just yet, I suggest you watch Kurosawa’s classic The Seven Samurai.

If not, maybe try The Magnificent Seven, the two American remakes, either the 1960 version or the 2016 one.

These films offer a glimpse into the diversity of what it means to be a warrior.

The Trap of Comparison

One of the biggest mistakes people make on their warrior journey is comparing themselves to others.

• They see someone else’s strength and think, “I’ll never be like that.”
• They see someone else’s confidence and think, “I’m not that bold.”
• They see someone else’s success and think, “I’m not cut out for this.”

Here’s the thing: Comparison is the enemy of progress.​

When you compare yourself to others, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Why?

Because you’re not supposed to be like them.

You’re supposed to be like you.

Your path is different.

Your battles are different.

Your strengths are different.

The only person you should be comparing yourself to is the person you were yesterday.

Are you a little bit stronger today than you were yesterday?

A little more resilient?

A little more willing to face the hard things in life?

That’s all that matters.

You’re not in competition with anyone else.

You’re on your own journey, fighting your own battles, and finding your own way.

The Courage to Be Authentic

At the heart of being a warrior is the courage to be authentic.

To show up as yourself, with all your flaws and imperfections, and fight your battles the way you were meant to fight them.

In The Seven Samurai, each warrior brings something different to the table.

They don’t try to mimic each other; they don’t try to be something they’re not.

Instead, they embrace their unique strengths and contribute to the mission in their own way.

The same goes for you.

You don’t have to be the loudest, the strongest, or the most confident. You just have to be yourself.

In fact, the world doesn’t need more copies of the same archetype.

The world needs you—your unique perspective, your unique skills, your unique way of navigating challenges.

The Warrior’s Path Is Ongoing

The journey of the warrior is never over.

There’s always another battle to face, another challenge to overcome, another layer of growth to achieve.

And that’s a good thing.

Because the warrior’s path is not about reaching some final destination where you suddenly become invincible.

It’s about the ongoing process of facing your fears, pushing your limits, and learning from every experience.

Even the black belts at Meraki—seasoned, skilled, and accomplished—are still on the path.

They’re still learning, still growing, still evolving.

And that’s the beauty of martial arts, it's a journey without end.

You don’t become a warrior overnight.

You become a warrior by showing up, day after day, facing your battles, and embracing the journey.

You Are Already a Warrior

If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: you are already a warrior.

You don’t need to be like anyone else.

You don’t need to fit some pre-defined mold.

You just need to embrace who you are, face your battles with courage, and walk your own path.

The world will try to tell you otherwise.

It will try to convince you that you need to be stronger, tougher, or more like someone else.

Don’t listen.

You are already enough. You already have what it takes.

So as you embark on your own “way of the warrior,” remember: the journey is yours.

Fight your battles, face your fears, and find your own way.

And if you ever need a reminder of the many ways to be a warrior, revisit The Seven Samurai or The Magnificent Seven.

The lessons are timeless, and the message is clear:

There are many ways to be a warrior.

Find yours.

Call to Action:

If you’re ready to start walking your own path as a warrior, take the first step today.​

Don’t wait for the perfect moment.

Don’t wait until you feel “ready.”

You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to be like anyone else.

​You just have to start.​

Whether it’s in your training, your personal life, or your career, embrace the warrior within and begin your journey.