We’ve all heard the cliché, “Use it or lose it,” and nowhere is that truer than as we age. Let me give you a little background, I am not a natural athlete, but at the young age of six I discovered Judo, the martial arts founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882. This Japanese martial art become a major motivating force in my life. Over the years, marriage, children, work, and life intrude on the time any of us have for training and competition, and the martial arts, particularly judo can be very hard on the body, and yet, after 52 years as a competitor, I continue to fight on a national and international level. Why would I do that? Why take the risk of injury? Why put in the time? I can sum it up in a single word:

Motivation. I compete today in the same weight division as I did when I was in my early twenties. I found that without that goal of testing myself in combat it was easy to allow lethargy and sloth to set in. Without the drive to compete, it was easy to pass on going to the gym, to skip a judo workout, or to let my eating habits turn into a bacchanalian orgy.

Why martial arts? Two answers: Few forms of exercise, and sports are more physically demanding, and there is great comfort in mastering something. That’s MY answer, but if I were so bold as to offer advice to those aging baby boomers who are tempted by the couch, seduced by the TV, intoxicated by a whole cake or box of cookies, look for something that’s physical where you can excel, fall in love with mastering your body, do it joyously, and consistently. Your health will improve, your mind will improve, your SEX LIFE will improve, and you will have the satisfaction of mastery.

air date: 10/28/16