Gets to know...Matt Thornton
On this episode Simon K speaks to Matt Thornton.Matt Thornton is a martial arts pioneer, renowned instructor, and founder of Straight Blast Gym International (SBGi), an organization that has revolutionized the approach to functional martial arts training. With a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and wrestling, he has coached top-level athletes such as UFC hall of famers Randy Couture and Dan Henderson, as well as John Kavanagh, the coach who trained UFC superstar Conor McGregor.Thornton is also a prolific writer and author of the book "The Gift of Violence," which delves into the philosophy and practice of martial arts and self-defense. In addition to his work as an instructor and author, Thornton is a sought-after speaker, with a focus on the importance of honesty, discipline, and critical thinking in martial arts and in life.In their conversation, Simon and Matt covered a wide range of martial arts-related topics, including:
Violence on US streets and its impact on society
Statistics on fatherless children and the effect it has on their lives
Choosing our words carefully in a politically correct world
Matt's early martial arts experiences and how he discovered his style
The differences between functional and exciting martial arts
Contact sports and the physical demands they require
The role of martial arts in the military
The philosophy of Jeet-Kun-do and its impact on modern martial arts
The differences between BJJ and Japanese Ju-jitsu
What goes into making a professional MMA fighter
Criticisms of the Aliveness concept
The effectiveness of Krav Maga as a self-defense system
The importance of cultivating a calm and focused mind in martial arts
The European standard of BJJ and its influence on the art
The lineage of Gracie BJJ and its impact on modern martial arts
Connect with Matt Thornton on his social handles:
Webpage: straightblastgym.com
Youtube: youtube.com/user/sbgglobal
Twitter: twitter.com/sbgint
Facebook: facebook.com/straightblastgym
Instagram: instagram.com/sbginternational
Collective Whisper website: https://www.collectivewhisperpodcast.com
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