Mac Tíre Bán Martial Arts – Blog 003

Happy New Year!!! Sorry Guys This Is A Long One!

Welcome everyone to 2026. I know for some of us we’re still processing 2025, but time waits for no one—so here we are. A new year full of new goals and endless opportunities for us to work toward. A time for celebration and reflection, as we let go of a year of challenges and rewards in equal measure. A time of renewal, to reaffirm our goals and make the changes we want to see in ourselves, both in our martial arts and in life. For many of us, just making it to a new year is reason enough to celebrate.

I remember talking to someone years ago (I forget who it was specifically, so let’s call him Bob for now), but this man’s perspective has really helped me grow and enjoy each day. He had some years under his belt (no pun intended). We were just crossing paths, and I asked my customary greeting: “Hey Bob, how are ya?”

When I ask that, I’m genuinely asking every time. Most people are looking for a shallow response like “I’m good.” I’m okay with that answer and I get it a lot, but when someone responds differently, that’s often where the good conversations happen.

As humans, we learn in one of two ways: from our own experiences, or from the experiences of others. The example I use with my students is this: there’s a fire. I tell you it’s hot. At that point, you have a choice, you’re either going to listen to me, or you’re going to touch the fire. Either way, the lesson that fire is hot will be conveyed.

That brings me back to Bob and his response, which I carry with me to this day. He replied: “It’s a great day. Every day I wake up is the best day in the world.”

When I heard this, I didn’t quite have a response. For those who get to know me more—especially my adult students and higher ranks—you know how uncommon that is. Over the years, my advanced belts have learned that I have very little mental filter. If I feel something needs to be said or a lesson needs to be conveyed, it usually comes out of my mouth.

Some call this blunt or candid; others call it rude. That’s okay. Not everyone you encounter in life is going to see things the same way. At the end of the day, if I can say I was honest and had good intentions, that’s enough for me to sleep soundly. How you respond to what’s being said is your responsibility. You can think I’m dead wrong and go about your day, that’s perfectly fine.

The more I’ve reflected on Bob and our brief conversation, the more I realize he had it right. Every day is full of opportunity, and as long as you’re alive, life is full of possibilities.

Now, I’m not going to sugarcoat this, not every day is easy. There are going to be struggles. Not every day are you going to want to get up for work, go to the gym, or make it to martial arts class. This is normal and inevitable. You’re not alone in this.

Today was one of those mornings for me. Our newest addition was up all night. As any parent can relate, although we would go through hell for our little ones and love them with a strength and passion that could move mountains, not every day is sunshine and rainbows. That was last night for us. Sleep was in very short supply for everyone.

This is life—greatness and struggle in equal measure.

The grand lesson in all of this is choice: what we do with the time that is given to us, and our perspective of that time. The 24 hours it takes the Earth to complete one full rotation is the same for everyone. What differs is what we choose to do with it.

And I truly mean choice.

Choices, whether good or bad, come with an effect, but the choice itself always remains with you. For example, if my goal for the new year is to get in better shape, I have options. I can get up and work toward my goal, rest if that’s what’s needed (rest is important), or do something else entirely.

Each choice has an effect:

• If I work out or train in martial arts, my goal progresses.

• If I rest, my body recovers.

• If I do nothing, I gain nothing toward that goal.

Equal cause, equal effect. You get out of something what you put into it.

My job as a coach and instructor is to guide people along a path. Not all educators are created equal. Some, like those who just read from a textbook (if you ever had one of those in grade school), are what I call road map instructors. They hand you a map and leave you to your own devices.Others are like hunting guides. They’re willing to walk the path with you and guide you along the way.

What these both have in common is this: you still have to choose to walk the path.

This is especially true with fitness and martial arts goals. You have to do the work. I’m just here to make sure you don’t get lost along the way.

In my few short years on this earth, I can honestly say that the most life-defining things I have didn’t come without a great deal of effort and near-constant tending. What truly sets the most successful people apart is a willingness and drive to improve their situation…a determination to keep moving forward.

So what I want to leave you with at the end of this article is some advice on how to be successful with your goals this year. Remember, this is what works for me. If it doesn’t apply to you, you’re free to go about your day. This is the beauty of choice.

Ways to Be Successful With Your Goals

• Be specific The more specific your goal, the easier it is to track results. Instead of saying “I want to get in shape,” say “I want to lose 10 lbs.”

• Write it down Studies have shown that writing your goal down and placing it somewhere you’ll see daily increases accountability.

• Tell someone Tell your instructor or support group your goal. They can help keep you moving forward.

• Have a plan Define specific steps. For example: “I’m going to attend martial arts class three times a week.”

• Take action Put your plan into motion. Do the work. A goal without action is just a dream.

These are what help me achieve my goals, and I truly hope this article helps you on your path, or at least gives you something to ponder.

I want to leave you with two things.

First: I truly believe in you. I mean it. Everyone has greatness in them. You can do it,whatever it is, if you’re willing to work toward it.

Second, a quote that sums up how I view choice and my philosophy on being a good human being. Take it or leave it—but I truly believe that at the end of the day, the only person you answer to fully is the one looking back at you in the mirror. If you can look at yourself and say, “I’ve done my best,” then you’ve won that day.

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.” — Marcus Aurelius