A black belt is nothing more than a belt, a piece of cloth. Your ultimate goal should not be to get your black belt. Your ultimate goal should be to be a black belt. Being a black belt is a state of mind, a way of life.

Self-defenses mean self-defense, period. It leave nothing out.

I grew up doing martial arts, and I'm a second-degree black belt.

I started training in martial arts when I was 7 years old. I got my first black belt at 13.

Yes, a black belt should be able to execute precise, effective, beautiful, and technically proficient martial arts techniques, whatever the style. But just as importantly, a black belt should be able to execute precise and beautiful ideas, equal to or better than their physical techniques. A black belt should have an attitude equal in its brilliance to his or her physical skills.

Out of the dojo and into the world.