The Alpha Protects

I’m here in Long Beach Island, NJ for a week of fun and sun with the family.  Today, however, was cloudy and cool so instead of heading to the beach we decided to stay at the house in the morning to relax a little bit and then take in an early afternoon movie.  So with my parents and 2 kids in tow, we went to see “How to Train Your Dragon 2“.

If you have kids, you probably have this movie on your list to see, or have seen it already.  The story was enjoyable, albeit a little predictable, but hey, it’s a kids’ movie.  The important part to me, and the reason for this post, was Hiccup’s (main character) realization that his father was right – it’s the chieftain’s job to protect his people.  The line that really stuck out to me, and summed up the entire idea, was this- “The alpha protects”

 Why Train to be Strong?

There are many reasons to train for strength and martial skill, to become the alpha.  But as warriors one reason in particular stands out from and guides the rest, we train to be the strongest version of ourselves in order to protect others.  In comic books, Spiderman (or was it Superman?) was told, “with great power comes great responsibility”.  This is not only true for superheroes in movies and comics, it’s true for us warriors in normal daily life as well.

Being the Alpha has nothing to do with the stereotypical macho BS.  At least not in my mind.  Being the Alpha means continuously training and becoming strong(er) to make sure I have the capability to protect those in my charge.

“The Warrior Creed”

Wherever I go,
Everyone is a little bit safer because I am there.
Wherever I am,
Anyone in need has a friend.
When I return home,
Everyone is happy I am there.
It’s a better life! 

-Dr. Robert L. Humphrey

Everyone who calls themselves a warrior (the Alpha) believes that they should possess greater strength, greater power, and greater skill; should they not also possess greater compassion for others and a greater sense of responsibility for helping others as well?  For those who have the strength and the skill, but no accountability, they cannot be called warriors – they are merely thugs.

Jon

Jon Haas, "The Warrior Coach" has been training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for more than 25 years and is currently ranked as a Kudan (9th degree black belt) under Jack Hoban Shihan. He has also trained in Okinawan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Russian Systema, BJJ, Krav Maga, as well as Internal Martial Arts of Yiquan and Aiki.He is a certified Underground Strength Coach-Level 2, a certified Personal Trainer as well as founder of Warrior Fitness Training Systems. In 2008, Jon wrote the book, Warrior Fitness: Conditioning for Martial Arts, and since then has created numerous other online training and coaching programs helping people around the world become the strongest, most capable versions of themselves!

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