Beyond Krav Maga

Natan Levy - "My goal is to be a world champion" -The power of being single-minded  "Don't waste time learning the tricks of the trade. Instead, learn the trade" - Natan LevyHighlightsNatan Levy - is an MMA fighter with a lot of gifts, and through the course of our conversation, we will see:-his resiliency-what is terrible advice when it comes to search for your dream-several "proverbs" like it needs a lot of bad luck to have great luck-his commitment to becoming a world champion-preferred training and advice for MMA athletes and the common person-a low-cost gadget, less than USD 25 that makes a big difference- Israel and US cultural differences when it comes to trainingHe is a Manga and Dragon Ball Fan in the breaks of his triple-daily training.Extensive social media support doesn't stop him from saying:"I want to inspire others to be good a person, not only a fighter."There is a lot in our conversation, from simple advice on training to expressing his fight on "leaving" Karate to turn to MMA and the cultural differences between Israel and the US.His method of listening to his inner voice and being extremely prepared is an exciting look to all that are thinking of doing instead of doing.You can find him herehttps://www.facebook.com/NatanLevyOfficialhttps://www.instagram.com/natan_levy/https://twitter.com/Levy_Natan Natan is pronounced( N as in "knee (N.IY)" ; AA as in "odd (AA.D)" ; T as in "tee (T.IY)"; AE as in "at (AE.T)"; N as in "knee (N.IY)")Short bioBorn in Paris on September 30th, 1991, raised in Israel, he is 5'9 (1.77m) tall, 165 pounds (75kg), and fighting at 66kg. Lives in Las Vegas (US), calls Israel his home.Affiliation to Syndicate MMA and an Undefeated MMA Fighter 4-0 in his professional career ( 8-0 including amateur)In Martial arts he is a:• Karate 3rd degree black belt - Uechi Ryu• Kung-fu black belt• Certified Karate instructor - Issuing authority Wingate Sports Institute• 1st place-Gracie Worlds 2014• 3rd place-Israel National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2017• 1st place-ADCC Israel Submission grappling championshipPhrase/ Motto"My goal is to be a world champion."SHOW NOTESFind the video interview here on our youtube channel - Beyond Krav Maga Natan Levy04:57How is it regarding Self Defense growing up in Israel, I have this notion that it is pretty rough in there? Well fundamentally in there you can get attacked by a terrorist with a reason, in here ()US) anyone can attack you with no reason...07:53Regarding Combat? MMA? Self Defense? What do you see as significant differences? What you see as fundamental differences ( if you see them) between MMA and Self Defense All combat sports want to be like a real fight; then, there are rules to have a match.09:27Have you ever been confronted in a situation where you'd need to defend yourself? If so, when? Only when younger ( 17 - 18), if you train and become stronger, more confident, bullies will not mess with you11:33What is your recommendation for training for a regular person? Routines that you see working/ tips for combat If you train Karate, Krav Maga, MMA, all is good if you are up for self-defense than you need to do sparring and to have technique is a must.17:39How does your training schedule look like? And in the now moment, what are the changes? Usually, I train 3 times a day, now I do one long session, and I'm doing several different aspects, striking, wrestling ( I have 2 great partners from Israel here) and conditioning.17:41Do you follow a specific plan in this lockdown? Since you work with other people/partners/instructors, how does it look like? I make plans for them ( smiles), regarding the plan we go step by step, fundamentals are first then later we will do more advanced combos and technique/ tactics19:07What exercises and routines do you recommend doing? How should they work on skills? Technique, conditioning, a mix? We've talked about this, and the key is technique, of course, you need to do conditioning; still the most important is that when your technique is better, you will outwork the adversary23:43How do you manage your time to train and rest and have personal time and also getting trough all the analysis? My job is this, so it is like my 9 to 5 Office if for some reason I stay still/ stop my wife will call me out and say that I'm getting lazy (smiles)32:31:00How did you decide to leave Israel and come to the US for training and chasing this career? You had a good school and good competitive results. How was your decision process? It was clear to me that I did not want to compete in Karate, so I researched and doing the work in Israel would no be enough, so I've committed to come to the US and leave my country.33:18:00Are there recommendations that you can give to others that are ready or thinking about a change like this? If you are having doubts ( I get people asking if they should/test or try MMA) then it will not work, if your heart is there then you've found the answer33:40:00What is the bad advice that you see is being given, and it should be ignored? Be the champion of your neighbor or country  vs. going up against the best42:35:00What is the habit/ technique or area that you have acquired in the last 5 years that really improved your life? I've found Recovery, and there are so many aspects, Teragun, massage, stretching45:00:00Is there a failure or a set of them that did set you up for success? Coming to the US three times throughout several years and having fights canceled, it was always hard to explain ( when back in Israel) why did the fighter did not show up…so when I got to my first match, I was above prepared49:44:00What are the books, places, or ideas that you can advise on? We'll learn about Natan's "DO" advice and the way of go and do things vs. contemplation54:05:00What are the crucial moments and decisions so far? How did you think about them, and how did you cope with the decision? The conversation with my Karate Master ( he said either Karate or MMA and I said MMA) and meeting my coaches in the US, to be fair, I was lucky when I got the interview with my coach.61:24:00How are you investing in the future to protect your career? Since being a professional fighter is surely hard we'll learn about his single mindset focus and commitment, and that now is investment is in his career65:34:00What are the differences between training in Israel and the US? How is the culture like? In the US the objective is clear, and help to or from someone is more specific since they should support you on the way, in Israel, it is more collaborative and more eased68:35:00Do you have a routine that helps you break away? And hod do you decide on this? I mean, how do you check and know it is resting time? The question is how not to compromise a week or the next day training by listening to the body and taking a break.71:21:00Can you share something that others will see as a strange thing that you really love doing?Natan's Manga and Son-Go-Ku pleasures are a must-have!74:14:00If you have a billboard that would reach the world, what would you write there? - Natan's motto of a massive focus on one Goal - being single-minded and putting all resources for its success76:27:00How does the future look like?How Natan's path will go and a key quote," I want to inspire people to be fighters and a good person, being a fighter is easy, I want to inspire them to be a good person."Closing IdeasNatan brings a lot of what is the American dream. His stories, commitment, and practice of making things happen are a vital lesson to when something essential needs to get done.He is a welcome person and highly focused on his career, and as we move to a new state of normal, he is undoubtedly to go back to the cage and show his skills, from Beyond Krav Maga we wish him well in his endeavor to become a world champion.People & LocationsNatan's Coaches:Striking: Jimmy GiffMMA: John WoodSyndicate MMA Las Vegas    

The purpose of this podcast is to deliver great content on this life of Krav Maga.We'll travel in a series of elements:a) Themed Stories on Krav MagaImi Lichtenfeld on the Pentcho and how it connects to today's Krav MagaReflections on the book by John Bierman and how this relates to today's Krav Maga Odyssey - (Ed of 1984) - "The last great escape from Nazi-dominated Europe - the story of those Jews who gambled their lives for freedom...and won" from the cover.b) Technical discussion on the 360 + counterHow to execute 360Common misconceptions on striking the solar plexus or other areasMechanical aspects c) QA - Things on Krav MagaWhy should you join Krav MagaIs Krav Maga best for Women - or MenWhat to look for when looking for a place to train