(Approx 2 minute 20 second read)

Apart from my interests and passion for karate, I have another wild passion: Formula 1.
.
My interest started when I was in my early teens, and it has not wavered since. I follow not just the races but also the technical information, the teams, the drivers, and the rules and regulations. I love it.
.
You can always find me up early to watch races and qualifying whenever it’s race weekend. If the time difference is too much, I always watch the recordings – not just of the race, but also the pre-show, post-show, and driver and team principal briefings.
.
Yes, it’s a passion of mine, almost leaning into an obsession.
.
This naturally leads me to my passion for karate – teaching, training, and writing about it. I often ponder whether I am alone in my obsessions. Of course, I’m not. Still, I find myself questioning why so many students these days struggle to cultivate a similar passion.
.
Returning to Formula 1 for a moment, I’m reminded of a quote by the great Juan Manuel Fangio: “You need great passion because everything you do with great pleasure, you do well.” This sentiment captures the essence of success in any thing you do.
.
How many students do you know who quit, only to return briefly and then quit again? It’s a recurring theme that many instructors will recognize.
.
For most people, martial arts is just a hobby. Those of us who have stuck with it for decades like to think of it as a way of life or a philosophy, but the truth is, that’s not the case for the majority.
.
Many enjoy the idea of martial arts more than the practice itself. Once reality doesn’t align with their expectations, they often walk away and never return.
.
It’s a shame, especially when these students show great potential. Recently, a family – a father, two sons, and a daughter – left our dojo after many years of training. It was disheartening when the father sent me a text message to say they were quitting. We tried to encourage them to continue training at home, but it was clear the passion they once had was gone.
.
Injuries and illness are also common reasons for quitting, and during such times, it’s easy to give up. Many teachers, like me, have faced these challenges too but still turned up at the dojo – remaining engaged, sitting and watching, asking questions, and continuing to learn.
.
I have personally tried to connect with students who didn’t visit the dojo while injured, encouraging them to stay involved in other ways. Unfortunately, many lack the fire within them when the dojo lights go out.
.
Anything great requires you to work hard and make sacrifices. It’s tough, difficult, and challenging. The decision to stop is made in a second, and the sad thing is that all the hard work you’ve put in is undone in an instant.
.
There is no magic formula – only the choice to train or not. Either you want it badly enough, or you don’t. Progress depends on how much you’re willing to give, and ultimately, that decision rests with each of us.
.
Persistence and passion – in whatever you do, they are the keys to success and fulfillment. So, to those who remain, well done. And just like Formula 1, there’s always another race when those lights go out.
.
Written by Adam Carter – Shuri Dojo