Staying in the Game, A Plum Dragon Herbs Podcast

Show Notes: In this podcast, we're speaking with Sifu Kisu, a 5th generation Bak Siu Lum Pai (Northern Shaolim Gate) disciple descended from Great Grand Master Ku Yu Cheong through Master Kenneth Hui of the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Association. Sifu Kisu, also known as Kisu Stars, has been a dedicated practitioner of Traditional Chinese Kung Fu for over 50 years and is a master in the Chinese martial arts focusing on the style of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. He is most famously known for being the chief martial arts director and consultant for the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and Avatar: The Legend of Korra. 3:00 Sifu Kisu tells about his life getting started in martial arts and meeting his teacher (Master Kenneth Hui) 10:30 Martial arts students are often interested in what is trendy at the time. 16:00 Kisu's role as ​​chief martial arts director and consultant for the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. 18:23 Selecting elements from a few styles of martial arts, such as the Hung Gar style and Bagua style for incorporating into the choreography of the Avatar characters. 21:00 How the characters' movements are based on authentic martial arts. 27:00 Martial arts is more about self-defense. It's about self-cultivation and healing. 30:00 The Northern shaolin style follows the rules of natural body development. 32:00 Martial arts is learning to control your own blood, breath and chi–your lifeforce energy–and also those of your opponent. 34:00 As an instructor, you teach the rules of engagement–it's not just about learning how to fight, but making your movement and your life a work of art. 42:00 How some of his attempts to bring other creative projects to production resulted in ideas being stolen and not wanting to deal with Hollywood anymore. 50:00 Lucky to have helped and watched people grow to their fullest potential as their instructor. 51:30 Using Dit Da Jow and trying out Plum Dragon's formulas. 54:00 How Kung Fu has made him a better snowboarder. Connect with Kisu Stars: Instagram Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Try Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow Mentioned in this Episode: Dit Da Jow Collection Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We'd love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Show Notes: Having healed herself successfully from illness labeled incurable, Yang uses her knowledge and experience to help others to achieve balance and well-being. In her blog, Yang's Nourishing Kitchen, she shares time-tested traditional wisdom from the east to the west, through nutrient-dense real food recipes. 3:00 As part of Chinese culture, food and medicine are integrated. 6:20 Yang became very sick and experienced widespread chronic pain. 9:20 She had various diagnostic tests run, tried various therapies, was misdiagnosed, and all the while, her condition was worsening. 14:20 Believing that recovery was possible was the first step to Yang healing from Fibromyalgia. Also, she felt she had to be willing to try an all-encompassing TCM approach to get well. 16:30 She shares what she has learned along the way in her blog, as a stepping stone for others on their healing path. 19:30 Detoxing her body with a liver flush routine is part of her health maintenance. 22:55 Healing takes time. It took Yang 5 years to feel fully recovered from her illness.  During the first two years, she followed a very strict TCM protocol. 24:30 If we can keep our health in check before it gets too out of balance, we will be much better off than if we let ourselves fall apart. 28:00 A TCM protocol that encouraged circulation, as opposed to the Western medicine protocol of icing, helped her pain. 32:00 Yang discusses some of her favorite recipes, including those that incorporate Chinese herbs. 38:00 Although she did write a vegan cookbook, to be supportive of that way of eating, she personally doesn't eliminate any food groups, focusing instead on overall nutrition. 43:00 She is grateful for the readers who have said her blog has given them hope for recovery from their chronic pain.   Connect with Yang: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Yang's Nourishing Kitchen  Resources mentioned by Yang: Fritillaria Steamed Pear Recipe Ginseng Chicken Soup Recipe How Yang beat severe chronic pain using traditional Chinese medicine Yang's experience with the amazing liver and gallbladder flush  How Yang's husband lowered bilirubin with liver detox How to do a liver flush for kids  Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Try Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Dit Da Jow Collection Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We'd love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Show Notes: In this podcast, we're speaking with Grandmaster Marilyn Cooper, who created The Peace Games and has been training in and teaching Kung Fu for over 50 years.  She studied under Grand Master Kuo Lien Ying and Grand Master Peter Kwok. Kuo taught Cooper traditional Kung Fu and how to train consistently. Peter Kwok taught her a series of traditional forms and systems that progressed from beginning to intermediate and on to advanced moves. While Kuo stressed the health and performance aspects, Peter stressed making the forms function equally for fighting, for health and for performance. She currently teaches Standing Meditation Yi Ch'uan & Syin Tien Wuji Qigong, as well as practices Wudang Qigong from David Wei. Additionally, she has studied spontaneous style push hands under Zhao Guohong. Starting out in the mid-1960s as an art student, Marilyn emerged years later, a Kung Fu artist.She has been the subject of numerous feature newspaper articles and television interviews.  Her articles on kung fu have been published in Inside Kung Fu, Taijiquan Journal, Kung Fu/T'ai Chi magazines and e-zine and other news media.  She has performed at universities, masters' demonstrations, and fundraisers. She opened her first Kung Fu school in 1980 in New York City, and has been teaching Kung Fu ever since. She founded a national non-profit institute called Pushing for Peace, whose mission is to promote a T'ai Chi program designed to help prevent youth violence and promote mental and physical health. The Peace Games are now taught all over the world. 4:33 Marilyn's life story of becoming an artist and how tragically being gang raped at age 16 led her to pursue martial arts. 10:00 What The Peace Games are and why she started them. 15:00 The philosophical reasons behind The Peace Games and an example of how they work. 20:00 Her training journey and what each of her instructors taught her. 25:00 The connection between art and kung fu. 30:00 What she is currently doing and passionate about. 35:00 How Chinese herbs have played a role in her life. 39:00 Her experience with Dit Da Jow. 42:00 Marilyn talks about the book she wrote. 44:00 Fascinating story of Peter Kwok. 49:00 Her personal health practices and advice for longevity. Connect with Marilyn Cooper: YouTube |  Facebook | Pushing for Peace Website Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Try Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Dit Da Jow Collection Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We'd love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Video Credit (Marilyn Cooper's Demo Reel): Tylor Bohlman with tylor@ttbdesign.com Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sifu David Wei is a 16th generation lineage holder of Wudang Zhang San Feng Pai, and a global instructor of Wudang Daoist wellness arts and traditional Chinese acupressure massage.  Under the direct guidance of Daoist priest, Master Yuan Xiu Gang, David completed over 11,000 hours of formal training at the Wudang Mountain Traditional Taoist Martial Arts Academy of China, in 2007, at which time he was accepted as a senior disciple. During those five years, David practiced internal martial arts, medical Qi Gong and meditation. He is also trained in medical massage, Tui Na, Zen Shiatsu, Acu-oil, and Lomi Lomi; and is a certified Wat Po therapist. Prior to Wudang, he trained in traditional Shaolin Gong Fu and classical Chinese brush painting with renowned Master Y.C. Chiang at Wen Wu School. David has since travelled globally, conducting workshop intensives in China, Thailand, Bali, Czech Republic, Sweden, England, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and across the U.S. In 2012, David founded the Wudang West Cultural Heritage Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit wellness ministry, based in Oakland, California, committed to the practice and preservation of classical Chinese healing arts. Show Notes: 1:00 David's journey into martial arts and accupressure. 6:30 What led him to shift his martial arts focus to that of a healing art instead of a breaking art. 9:30 Selling everything that he owned to begin life as a monk in China. 12:00 Staying true to his principles when an unexpected request was made of him by his Masters. 15:00 Discovering the real reason behind his mom's chronic shoulder pain–it had to do with emotional pain instead of mechanical pain. 16:00 How his insight into healing being a matter of the heart impacted his clinical work.  17:45 To have a lasting impact on his students or patients, it's not going to be in his technique, but in the space that he holds.  18:45 Getting people to slow down their tempo and give up their frantic pace is what leads to lasting healing. 24:00 If you put your energy on fixing things, there will always be more and more to fix, but if you put your energy on celebrating things, there will always be more and more to celebrate. 27:00 He isn't treating people–it's through Tai Chi movements that his patients feel better, simply by sharing his space. 33:00 His daily routine encompasses a daily walk, cup of tea, gentle mobility, meditation and holding space for guests. 34:00 He prescribes the 3 M's to his patients–movement, massage and meditation. 37:30 His current mentor is his 7-month-old son. 42:35 Someone he would enjoy meeting in life is the patriarch of his lineage, Zhang San Feng, who is often thought of as the creator of Tai Chi. 45:00 Some history on his lineage and the direction he has taken it. 51:00 His experience with trying out Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow and discovering that its fluidness, which differs from the thicker salves that he is used to, is what helps it absorb into the skin so quickly. He also loves the aromatic smell of the herbs. 54:00 Why he doesn't believe Traditional Chinese Medicine is a real thing–everything from the fact that it's not truly “traditional,” it's not exclusively “Chinese” and it's more about “healing” than “medicine” (which has the connotation of fixing a finite problem). Connect with David Wei: https://wudangwest.com   Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: https://www.facebook.com/PlumDragonHerbs/ https://www.instagram.com/plumdragonherbs/ https://twitter.com/plumdragonherbs/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-ball-9679a713/ Try Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: https://plumdragonherbs.com/collections/dit-da-jow   Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We'd love to continue the discussion with you. Share your comments and takeaways below. And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this interview, Plum Dragon's original founder, Josh Walker, is speaking with Shifu Jonathan Bluestein, an accomplished scholar, martial arts teacher and author. He is the head of Blue Jade Martial Arts International and has been practicing martial arts for the past 17 years. Josh Walker currently works as a software engineer manager and runs the central U.S. chapter for the Tabimina Balintawak Group, a combative style of martial arts that originated in the Philippines. He is also the author of Materia Medica For Martial Artists, a comprehensive reference on Chinese herbs for Dit Da Jow. Show Notes:  1:30 Jonathan explains his martial arts lineage. 6:00 The martial arts scene in Israel where Jonathan lives. 14:00 Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, an iconic person of the 20th century, was taught to do a yoga pose of standing on his head by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. 17:30 Capoeira has gained popularity with Israelists, particularly with the younger generation. 20:00 The stringent forms of Southern Mantis compared to the more playful forms of Capoeira. 27:20 Brazilian jiu jitsu has also grown in Israel. 32:30 Jonathan Bluestein prefers to teach his class using a traditional Chinese method. 39:00 Holds class in a park, open house style, where students can come when they can. Jonathan adjusts his instruction to the individual needs of his participants. 50:45 Some of the countries that we think as being the most free, are sometimes the most inhibiting to martial arts. 56:00 Cultures and governments play a significant role in shaping martial arts schools. For example in the U.S., you're insurance costs may affect whether your gym allows full-contact training or not.  107:45 From the Analects of Confucius, Jonathan shares the teaching that, “A gentleman's errors are like an eclipse of the sun or the moon: when he errs, everyone notices it, but when he makes amends, everyone looks up to him.” 110:25 In Jonathan's book, The Martial Arts Teacher, which covers the core essentials of what would be required of a decent teacher of traditional martial arts, he profusely quotes Confucius, whose teachings resonate with Jonathon's moral compass. 111:00 Another point that Confucius makes is that you can punish and coerce people to do what you want for obedience's sake, but you will not get that person's respect.  If you lead by example, you will earn respect and people will feel shame for their wrongs.  114:20 Traditions allow us to perceive standards. Jonathan's book covers the physical and professional standards a teacher might uphold. 123:30 The student who is interested in discipleship would not only be held to certain technical standards but also be given a personal challenge to show their exemplary character. 131:15 It's quite important to invest in living or at least studying the culture from where a martial arts form originated.   Connect with Sifu Jonathan Bluestein: Facebook YouTube Connect with Josh Walker: Find out more about Josh Walker and connect with him on Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Youtube Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Try Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Dit Da Jow Collection Thank You For Listening!  

Lindsey Wei began training in wushu in 2004 at the Beijing's Capitol Sports University. She trained full time in China for several years, concentrating most of her time at the Five Immortals Temple on White Horse Mountain peak under the tutelage of Master Li Shu Fu. In the US, she has taught kung fu and other classes in various capacities, but is currently offering immersion programs at various mountain venues in California and Oregon. Show Notes:  2:00 How a high school trip to China awakened Lindsey's desire to return to China in search for her spiritual path. Learned the Chinese language and modern wushu, a type of kung fu, and found it to have much more power and utilitarian uses than dance. 5:20 Stayed in China for several years before returning to the US and becoming a teacher. Pursued Wudang kung fu and Daoism and met Li Shifu during her time at the Five Mortals Temple. 14:00 After teaching regular martial arts classes in the U.S. for a while, Lindsey once again turned toward her passion of more immersive experiences. She began teaching wilderness retreats where students could connect with nature and understand Daoism.  19:00 Believes every martial arts student should experience the spirit behind the art. 22:00 A bootleg fire ran directly through a property that Lindsey had just purchased for her retreats. This life-changing experience changed how she had envisioned her work. 24:40 Literally rising above the ashes, Lindsey regards the new landscape as hauntingly beautiful and takes people there to learn from the mysteries that the land affords to them. 25:30 Giving back to the earth and helping her land rejuvenate has become important to Lindsey. 27:00 Accepting our destiny and moving forward can be a blessing in our lives if we don't miss it. 28:45 Believes it's healthy to feel our emotions and allow them to cycle through the five phases (wuxing) so they don't become trapped inside of us. 30:00 Processing deep pools of grief from what the fire destroyed has been her primary emotion.Through gathering and planting seeds in the land, it has renewed her hope. 35:00 Her books, The Valley Spirit (her personal memoir) and  Path of the Spiritual Warrior (about the life and teachings of Pedro Villalobos) are ultimately about the path of a spiritual warrior–what it truly means to be a martial artist, including both combat and the internal aspect. 39:00 We all need movement and meditation in our lives. 41:00 Most people are lacking in perseverance and ferocity. 43:30 Many of her archived classes are available online at www.wudangwhitehorseonline.com and she will be adding some live classes soon. 45:00 Staying in the game is more possible if we develop a willingness to stay focused and keep going. This will help us push through hardship and learn life lessons that can shape us instead of embitter us. Connect with Lindsey Wei: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsey12wei/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lindsey.wei Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Try Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Dit Da Jow Collection Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We'd love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this interview, the original Plum Dragon founder, Josh Walker, is speaking with Rodney Morgan, a long time practitioner of Iron Palm and a closed-door student of Ricky Pickens from the "John" Winglok Ng kung fu lineage. Rodney is also well-versed in Chinese herbs and their application in martial arts. Josh Walker currently works as a software engineer manager and runs the central U.S. chapter for the Tabimina Balintawak Group, a combative style of martial arts that originated in the Philippines. He is also the author of Materia Medica For Martial Artists, a comprehensive reference on Chinese herbs for Dit Da Jow.   Show Notes:  1:40 Rodney introduces himself. 3:00 Thoughts about teas and internal tonics. 7:30 Contrary to popular belief, iron palm is not just “hand conditioning." 12:00 Are there really secret training techniques? 15:30 A true iron palmist knows how to combine herbs to create a good training formula. 19:00 Perspectives on "secret" dit da jow formulas. 23:00 A lot of people don't know some of the key components to true iron palm training involve strengthening the tendons, the ligaments and the body torque.  29:00 Rodney shows his personal gym set up. 31:20 Breaking bricks is a skill that requires consistent training. 33:00 Rodney demonstrates how to smash through a brick hanging from cords. 40:00 Why many iron palm instructors are more reluctant than ever to share their knowledge. 42:00 Thoughts on where iron palm is headed. 48:00 Rodney's current training, compared to when he was younger. 52:00 Keeping your hands properly conditioned can take as little as 5 minutes daily.   Connect with Rodney Morgan: Facebook Connect with Josh Walker: Find out more about Josh Walker and connect with him on Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Youtube Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Try Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Ku Yu Cheong Iron Palm Dit Da Jow Dit Da Jow Collection Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We'd love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this interview, we are speaking with Master Phillip Redmond, who has been training in the martial arts for over 40 years and is one of only two closed-door students of Grandmaster William Cheung in the U.S.  In addition to Wing Chun, he has studied Hung Ga, Baat Gua, Bak Mei, Seven-Star Praying Mantis, Juk Lum, Vee-Jitsu te and Aiki-Jujitsu. Master Redmond became a sifu in Grandmaster Cheung's Traditional Wing Chun system in 1991 and earned his provisional Master rank in 1994. He is currently teaching classes at the Wing Chun Kwoon Traditional Wing Chun Academy in Hermosa Beach, California.     Show Notes:  1:00 How Master Phillip Redmond started his martial arts career. Four of his eight different Wing Chun Sifus were direct students of Grandmaster Yip Man. 7:30 Master Redmond made Grandmaster William Cheung's Honor List and is one of only two of his closed-door students in the U.S. 13:00 How Dit Da Jow has played a role in Master Redmond's martial arts school. 15:00 Just because you are a martial artist doesn't make you a great fighter. And some people want to do martial arts for other reasons besides fighting. 18:00 Failures and successes over the years. 20:50 Pawning his trumpet in order to do kung fu lessons and the connection between music rhythm and martial arts. 22:00 You have to trust your partner to do Chi Sao—it shouldn't be mistaken for actual combat. 23:30 Getting in touch with Master Redmond.   Connect with Sifu Phillip Redmond: https://www.wingchunkwoon.com Instagram Facebook   Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We'd love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dr. John Jaquish who has a Ph.D in biomedical engineering, invented several products including Osteostrong, the x3 system for weightlifting and wrote the book “Weightlifting is a Waste of Time. So is cardio and there is a better way to have the body you want.” Show Notes:  1:00 How trying to find a solution for his mother’s osteoporosis condition led Dr. Jaquish to researching bone density and eventually invent the Osteostrong device. What his research found is that gymnasts stand out way above the rest of athletes for their strength, because of the high impact force they are accustomed to. 3:45 His belief is that low-impact training isn’t going to do anything to help bone density. 5:00 Creating a medical device that provided high impact force without the risk of standard high impact training was the result of his findings. 9:00 Believes that wall sits and other isometric exercises are not helpful. 11:00 Osteostrong clinics were created to provide a way to strengthen bones in a safe and efficient way. 12:00 Dr. Jaquish invented the X3 Bar to allow people to get stronger at home, with only 10 minutes a day, six days a week of training. Top athletes including the Miami Heat basketball team and top NFL players are training with it. 15:00 Dr. Jaquish is eating a carnivorous diet which he believes is necessary to build muscle. 20:00 Instead of eating solely meat, as he used to, he also developed a vegan, amino-acid based protein made from bacterial fermentation. 23:00 In summary, a mix of visiting Osteostrong clinics, X3 bars, and protein-based diet is his main fitness protocol. 25:00 For martial artists who aren’t near his clinics, but want stronger fists and elbows, what they do to create stronger bones is typically hit mediums like bamboo which essentially creates microfractures in the bone that then heal like a callous, but only in that specific area. 27:20 The show host mentions that Dit Da Jow products can help with conditioning and strengthening. Dr. Jaquish said he would be happy to try them. 28:00 Dr. Jaquish believes carbohydrates and fiber are useless to the body. If using carbohydrates before or after a workout, he’ll use it to replace glycogen, and pairs it with a vasodilator like epimedium. 31:00 The host brings up that vegans might take issue with what Dr. Jaquish says about some of his carbohydrate comments.  She also mentions a book “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan, an omnivore who believes in a mostly-plant based diet, and wonders how he and Dr. Jaquish would battle it out. 35:00 Dr. Jaquish shares his beliefs on nutrient needs and U.S. government recommendations being obsolete. The research he believes in is cited in his book Weightlifting is a Waste of Time. 37:45 What Dr. Jaquish believes we need to do still in the wellness world is to find substitutes for snacking habits and cocktail party traditions. 42:00 Dr. Jaquish’s advice for those only willing to make just one small step toward better fitness is to start eating one meal a day.   Connect with Dr. John Jaquish: https://www.doctorj.com Instagram Facebook   Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

“If you let your feet and ankles and hips and legs start working more naturally and build up strength and agility and mobility, then that’s something that should last you for the rest of your life....it's about use it or lose it.”—Steven Sashen In our latest podcast episode, we're talking with Steven Sashen of XeroShoes. Steven is one of the fastest male runners over the age of 50 and has earned the distinction of being a Masters All-American sprinter. He also taught Tai Chi and Zen Archery for several years and is a former All-American gymnast. Although he prides himself on never getting a real job, he has been a stand-up comedian and a cognitive psychology researcher. He is the creator of Scriptware, a word processor for film and TV writers. Show Notes: 0:45 Introduction to Steven Sashen and the Xero Shoes company he founded. 5:00 Plum Dragon and Xero Shoes are similar in that they are both founded on products that have been used for thousands of years. 5:50 The oldest footwear is 10,000 years old and looks a lot like Xero Shoes. 7:25 The biggest mistake the shoe industry ever made.  9:15  Why cushioning does not reduce impact forces and can cause foot problems. 12:00  Benefits of wearing Xero Shoes and how to transition into them gradually. 14:00 What research shows happens when we wear cushioned shoes or those with arch supports. 19:00  An athlete using barefoot footwear is likely to have stronger, more responsive, more resilient feet compared to an athlete using more traditional cushioned footwear. 24:20  How Steven Sashen became a Masters All American Sprinter. 26:30 Why martial artists could benefit from Xero Shoes. 32:00  Tips for walking in minimalist footwear.  34:00  Keeping running fun and enjoyable with minimal footwear. 43:15  Realize that your brain doesn't know how old your body is and make adjustments over time. Connect with Steven Sashen of XeroShoes: https://xeroshoes.com Instagram Facebook Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In our latest podcast episode, we’re speaking with Jason Malik, the Chief Instructor at Texas Wing Tsun. As a former boxer and wrestler and someone who cross trains with other styles of martial arts, Jason is able to effectively apply his Wing Tsun in any given situation against any kind of attack. Aside from being certified to teach Wing Tsun under the WTA, Jason is also certified to teach Jeet Kune Do under Sifu Paul Johnson of Real JKD, who is a certified Sifu under Sifu Jerry Poteet, a direct student of Si-Jo Bruce Lee.   Jason is also a bladesmith, specializing in custom knives and edged weapons for combat and self defense.  He has also done stunt coordination and fight scene choreography for independent action films and is a recording artist, producer, and audio engineer signed with Mo Thugs Records. Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 2:55 How Jason Malik got involved with Wing Tsun starting with his Bruce Lee phase in his early teens 5:00 Training to deal with an attacker 6:18 Principles of Wing Tsun that have helped Jason through life adversity 6:50 You have to maintain forward intent even when life isn’t pleasant 8:20 Sticking is about control 9:20 Wing Tsun is like a switch -- it’s either “on” or “off.” 13:00 Learn to relax and develop sensitive to read your opponent 14:10 You’ll never lose the fear of getting hit until you’ve been hit a few times. 15:00 Don’t get two steps behind and stay in control of the exchange 16:20 The initial attack is the most dangerous part. You have to be comfortable charging into somebody who takes a swing at you. It’s the experience that teaches you. 22:00 Myths about Wing Tsun.  What it is and what it isn’t. 23:00 Using Dit Da Jow in Wing Tsun--Believing in the science of the formulas. 25:00 The bar fight that led him to explore Chinese medicine  27:00 Discusses the use of knives in self-defense and his bladesmith business 31:00 Bruise Juice is one of his favorite jows. Connect with Jason Malik: Instagram: @texaswingstun, @btg.custom.blades, @bino5150 https://www.facebook.com/TexasWingTsun https://www.facebook.com/BTGBlades/ https://www.facebook.com/BinoTheGreat/ Find out more about Dit Da Jow: Dit Da Jow Collection Ancestor’s Advanced Conditioning Formula Ho Family Dit Da Jow Bruise Juice Special Offer From Jason for Our Listeners: By mentioning Plum Dragon Herbs to Jason, you will receive 10% off your first order on his custom knives.  You can send him a message at his BTG Blades Instagram or Facebook accounts listed above to place an order. Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

“I think too many people wait until they are injured or wait until they're sick, and they get reactive instead of proactive with their health."–Dan Dominguez In our latest podcast episode, we’re speaking with special guest Dan Dominguez, M.S. L.Ac, the team acupuncturist for the NFL team, the Buffalo Bills, and the clinic director of BOSA Acupuncture and Wellness. At BOSA, Dan calls on his expertise in neurofunctional acupuncture, trigger point therapy, dry needling and distal acupuncture to treat the Buffalo Bills players, as well as many local and visiting athletes. When he is not in clinic, you can find Dan educating other sports acupuncturists, both in the U.S. and internationally, on injury healing and prevention treatments. Show Notes: 0:40 Introduction on Dan Dominguez, M.S. L.Ac, Clinical Director at BOSA Acupuncture and team acupuncturist for the Buffalo Bills. 2:00 Dealing with a severe leg injury that took him out of college football, and how this was a blessing in disguise that started him on a journey of health and wellness. 4:00 Significant swelling decreased when he received acupuncture treatments from his uncle, which inspired him to become an acupuncturist himself. 5:30 His profound healing surprised his doctor, who didn’t believe he recovered that quickly from Chinese Medicine. His doctor laughed him out of the room, convinced he was taking HGH (Human Growth Hormone). 7:35 Ironically he was later approached by his college sports medicine department to help them integrate acupuncture into their injury treatment protocol. 12:47 His success in clinic and excitement for his future in acupuncture helped him to overcome the repercussions of his injury and lengthy recovery. 13:35 Early on his practice, Dan handled a myriad of general pain problems. 15:25 Motor-point acupuncture opened a whole new world of treatment, especially in orthopedic treatment. 17:55 Neurofunctional acupuncture involves the use of electrical stimulation in motor nerves to elicit a twitch or response and to stimulate activation of that muscle. 21:00 Once you get a muscle to fire on the table with electric stem acupuncture, it’s much easier to see rehabilitation in real life. 24:00 Heat, liniment and epsom salt can help stimulate blood flow and push out stagnation. 25:00 Using warming herbs for wind and cold conditions and how Dit Da Jow liniments are very potent in addressing injuries.  27:00 In treating the Buffalo Bills, his Friday protocol for players involves activation of muscles and treating acute injuries so they are ready to play on Sunday. 30:49 Overall advice: “Don’t start digging the well until you’re already thirsty.” Be proactive.  You’re either going to pay for it now, or pay for it later, and it’s a lot cheaper now in the prevention stage. 31:40 In martial arts, he sees a lot of chronic injuries from overuse. 32:00 It’s important to address lingering chronic pain and find the source of it. Lifestyle habits should include daily stretching, doing some meditation, getting enough sleep and drinking enough water, among other things. 35:00 Too often athletes push themselves relentlessly without any time to recover fully, which leads to overtraining injuries. 37:00 Conducts workshops to help other acupuncturists learn the techniques of neurofunctional acupuncture and invites others to contact him about their questions. Connect with Dan Dominguez: Instagram  Facebook  Find out more about Dit Da Jow: Dit Da Jow Collection Ancestor’s Advanced Conditioning Formula Ho Family Dit Da Jow Bruise Juice Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Considering joining our new private forum The Plum Dragon Lair? Want to know a little more before you sign up? Then this podcast is for you...   We've put together a special show with forum moderator Josh Walker to discuss what you can expect to get inside The Plum Dragon Lair. Josh discusses why we decided to create a forum in the first place, what goes on in its different channels and more.

“You've got to firstly get clear as to what your future is going to look like if you continue doing what you're doing now. But also get inspired about what it is you want to create and be inspired about that actually becoming possible."–Dan Warburton Show Notes: 1:00 How failing in so many different business ventures led Dan to become a successful entrepreneur coach. 5:00 When he stopped caring what people thought of him, it enabled him to have a new relaxed approach to business.  When people become aware of what is holding themselves back, their whole mindset can transform. 9:30 Questioning the world and why he wasn’t succeeding is what led Dan to explore new learning by pursuing over 200 self-improvement and leadership courses. 11:45 Learning tai-chi was a way to start doing something that he enjoyed that was physical. 12:00 The Buddist monks taught him to cultivate love and kindness. When you have a feeling of abundance, it in turn allows you to feel that you have enough to give back to others. 12:50 During a 51-day intense yoga course, Dan was pushed to his breaking point. Through this challenging experience, he learned how to connect with the power of the universe and overcome the pain, cold and exhaustion that he was experiencing. 15:00 By the third day of his yoga course, Dan was questioning what he had committed himself to, but by the tenth day, he began to feel superhuman ability--realizing that he had so much more energy than he ever had before. 20:15 Through understanding how we are connected to the five earthly elements, Dan learned things like how to become absolutely unshakeable in his commitments and how to flow with challenges.  21:15 Every morning for an hour, Dan’s morning routine includes Tai Chi, sun salutations, a gratitude practice, visualization, yoga and meditation among other things that prepare him for the day. 22:45 If people feel they don’t have time for a morning practice, they should ask themselves what their future is going to be like if they continue only doing what they are doing.  Also,  what is their opinion of themselves that causes them to think they don’t have time for these practices? 26:45 Thinking you are incapable of success can cause you to think you don’t have time for change.  You need to get clear on what your future will look like if you continue to stay the same and get inspired about what it is you want to create. What are these stories you are carrying with yourself that lead you to believe you don’t have time or can’t succeed? 27:45 Dan offers individualized programs for entrepreneurs that feel stuck or overwhelmed. He takes them on a journey that helps them become aware of their shadows and come through them and onto the other side. 28:30 There needs to be balance in life to succeed in business. 29:45 His book Dream it Choose it Live it takes entrepreneurs through a whole transformation process. Connect with Dan Warburton: https://danwarburton.com Instagram Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dr. Rahi is an integrative, aesthetics and anti-aging MD in LA and NYC whose clinics have a remarkable reputation in cosmetic rejuvenation and inner health.   Dr. Rahi prefers to have a holistic and integrative approach when treating her patients. At her clinic, she wants to help them solve underlying issues that result in long-lasting, optimal health.   Her treatment techniques involve much more than just medicine. Nutritional food maps, tips and exercise for stress reduction, sleep therapy, hormone replacement therapy and supplements are just some of the ways Dr. Rahi offers care for her patients.   In this episode, Dr. Rahi share the best tips for anti-aging and longevity.   Show Notes:   1:35 How Dr. Rahi became involved in integrative medicine. 4:55 Focusing on diet is super important to our overall health and longevity. 6:40 Antioxidants from leafy greens and adequate intake of magnesium are important for all cells of our bodies to function properly. 9:15 Loves turmeric as a spice and it can also be used topically to decrease inflammation; Can also be used on face and neck for beauty purposes. 10:50 Water, coffee (no more than a cup a day), celery juice and green tea are her choice of beverages.  Adding reishi, cordyceps or a mixture of mushrooms to a cup of coffee or another beverage can provide a lot of health benefits.   12:49 Exercise is great for brain function and necessary for anti-aging.   14:45 A poor diet, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of sleep and not getting enough Vitamin D can exacerbate aging.   16:20 Use sunscreen on face and neck every day, but getting sun exposure on other parts of the body is important for Vitamin D intake.    16:50 Dr. Rahi’s top recommendation for inner and outer health is balancing our hormones as we age. Checking our hormones and optimizing them is key to any anti-aging program.    18:50 Dr. Rahi recommends using bio-identical hormones under the care of a physician and does not recommend synthetic hormones.   20:10 Being able to create a positive change in the life of her patients is the most satisfying part of her job.  Also excited about performing minimally-invasive procedures for aesthetic rejuvenation that allow people to feel better about themselves without undergoing surgery.   21:05 Through her practice, Dr. Rahi has been able to help people lower cholesterol and blood pressure and lose weight through an integrative medicine approach.   23:10 Glutathione can help promote detoxification in the body.   24:47 Her approach to making lifestyle changes is to take things slow. Focusing on one or two changes at a time will ensure more long-lasting changes.   25:30 New advances in anti-aging involve collagen stimulation. Also incorporating more supplements and detoxification will help create a healthy inside.   26:30 Dr. Rahi recommends detoxing or “resetting” our bodies at least 4 times a year with a careful water fast and regular intermittent fasting.   30:00 For optimal gut health, Dr. Rahi recommends only taking antibiotics when absolutely necessary and working with an integrative medicine doctor to assess which probiotics would be the most beneficial.   33:00 Trying to focus on the patient as a whole is super important to Dr. Rahi. Lifestyle, diet and even one’s spirituality are important to a person’s health. She tries to create a warm environment in her practice.   35:25 How to get in touch with Dr. Rahi and some additional pieces of advice for those wanting to look and feel better inside and out. Connect with Dr. Rahi: Instagram https://doctorrahi.com Find out more about Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Bruise Juice Dit Da Jow Dit Da Jow Collection Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this show, we are speaking with friend and long-time user of Plum Dragon products, Tomm Voss. Tomm is a Qigong teacher and world champion martial artist as well as a holistic nutrition, fitness and life coach. After a decade as a professional bodybuilder and spokesperson for Men’s Fitness and Muscle & Fitness magazines, the extreme demands of that industry took a toll on Tomm’s body. In 2007, he was sent to the ICU and diagnosed with a severe autoimmune disease known as Henoch-Schönlein Vasculitis, the treatment of which caused Hypothyroidism. He was told he would need to take prescription drugs for the rest of his life.  Tomm then embarked on a journey to heal himself.  He became a student of Grandmaster Zhou of the 18th generation Wudang Dragon Gate Qi Gong lineage. Through the guidance of Master Zhou, Tomm learned to balance his system through Qigong and holistic nutrition, and cleared himself of any need for medication. In 2015, Tomm traveled with his mentor to the holy temples in the Wudang Mountains of China. When he returned to the US, it was clear that the time had come to begin teaching the art of Qigong.  Tomm now supports groups and private clients in healing themselves from imbalances and chronic illnesses such as Parkinson’s, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. He facilitates people in learning Qigong anywhere in the world on Skype, or in-person in Los Angeles. Over the years, Tomm has studied many forms of martial arts. In 2016, Tomm became the Eskrima World Champion, and attributes much of his success in competition to the strong foundation that Qigong has given him. As a Qigong, nutrition, fitness, and life coach, Tomm is honored to help guide people of all ages and walks of life in achieving the balance and vitality required to live their greatest lives now. Show Notes: 1:50 Tomm explains what Qi Gong is and the philosophy of a balanced qi. 3:57 How Tomm ended up in the ICU, staring down the idea of being on medicine for the rest of his life. 6:37 Pushing his body to the extreme and having to be fit all the time for photo shoots created very unhealthy balances in his life. 11:00 Learning Qi Gong and applying principles of Chinese medicine was the life-changing solution Tomm needed to overcome thyroid disease naturally. 17:00 The ancient practice of Qi Gong teaches us how to replenish our qi and how to clear out any stagnant qi. 22:00 Not only was Tomm able to regain his health, but he went on to becoming a world champion stick fighter (in escrima). 28:00 With an interest in helping everyone from young executives to elderly clients restore balance in their body and incorporate holistic practices, Tomm began teaching Qi Gong in studios and more recently, with a new online course. 31:00 One of Tomm's clients, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, saw rapid success with his Qi Gong instruction. In the first 20 minutes of practice, her symptoms were greatly reduced. She would remain symptom-free for several hours after sessions and was eventually able to reduce her medications. 38:00 Having a mindset of positivity and service has been life-changing for Tomm, who says he used to have an ego-driven pursuit of life. 49:00 We've become so accustomed to looking for the quick fix to solve our health problems, which has caused a great disconnect with understanding our bodies. 50:00 Tomm's new Qi Gong course provides access to everyone wanting to learn this self-healing art. 56:00 Using Plum Dragon's Dit Da Jow for both his escrima and qi gong practices has allowed Tomm to heal faster and remove qi stagnation. 57:10 Helping people believe that they can accomplish anything is one of Tomm's key messages. Connect With Tomm Voss: https://www.qiwithin.com https://www.facebook.com/tomm.voss.3 https://www.instagram.com/tommvoss/ https://plumdragonherbs.com/pages/courses-classes Find out more about Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Bruise Juice Dit Da Jow Dit Da Jow Collection Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We're having a more in-depth discussion on iron palm training in our second discussion with Sifu Felix, Master Alex and Josh Walker.Sifu Felix Macias is a second generation instructor of Jeet Kune Do in its original form. His father, Felix Macias, Sr., trained under the great Kung Fu Sifu James Yimm Lee, the man that introduced Bruce Lee to iron palm training. They were all part of the Original Jeet Kune Do club in Oakland, California.Master Alexander Witthar is a freestyle artist and a 10x Masters of Martial Art Hall of Famer. He was also a gold medalist in Tae Kwon Do in the Pan American Games in 1996. Both Sifu Felix and Master Alex are current instructors at the Original Oakland Jeet Kune Do and conduct seminars on the classical principles of JKD.Original founder of Plum Dragon Herbs, Josh Walker, is a senior software engineer and runs the central U.S. chapter for the Tabimina Balintawak Group, a combative style of martial arts that originated in the Philippines.Oakland JKD students Pablo Coral and Jovan Ayers also join us for a part of our interview. Show Notes: 0:50 What drew Josh to founding Plum Dragon Herbs. 6:01 Introductions. 9:47 Explaining the Way of the Intercepting Fist. 13:32 Alex shares his martial arts training history. 17:48 Felix Macias, Sr. used to always say that fighting and training are two different things. 21:20 Felix isn’t concerned about stripes, belts and certificates--it’s about learning how to respond when the hands start flying. 25:25 Felix shares how Iron Palm and using Chinese herbs takes your gung fu training to a different level. 29:55 Why there needs to be a clear distinction between Dit Da Wan (an internal jow) vs. Dit Da Jow (used externally). 34:15 A lot of the iron palm knowledge is too often overlooked now in modern martial arts. 42:00 Jovan Ayers shares how during his trip to China many Wing Chun martial artists were impressed with his knowledge of old customs and authentic style. 46:00 Josh shares his experience with Wing Chun and other Chinese martial arts and how he learned iron palm. 51:30 Josh’s perspective on moving through the four seasons of iron palm training and common problems with beginners. 54:45 How the JKD stance differs from the Wing Chun stance, according to Felix. 1:05:09 Alex opens the VIP Package from Plum Dragon while Josh talks about punching mediums/bags. 1:13:05 Looking ahead and considering doing some training videos with Oakland JKD.   Connect with Sifu Felix and Master Alex: Instagram (Oakland JKD) Facebook (Oakland JKD) Facebook (Alex) Connect with Josh Walker: Find out more about Josh Walker and connect with him on Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Youtube Find out more about Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Ku Yu Cheong Iron Palm Dit Da Jow Bruise Juice Dit Da Jow Dit Da Jow Collection VIP Promo 3-Pack  Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In our last podcast, we were speaking to Leo Rodriguez about how he was introduced to Dit Da Jow by one of our guests today, Sifu Felix Macias. Sifu Felix is a second generation instructor of Jeet Kune Do in its original form. His father Felix Macias, Sr. trained under the great Kung Fu Sifu James Yimm Lee, the man that introduced Bruce Lee to iron palm training. They were all part of the Original Jeet Kune Do club in Oakland, California.   Our interview also includes guest Master Alexander Witthar, who is a freestyle artist and a 10x Masters of Martial Art Hall of Famer. He was also a gold medalist in Tae Kwon Do in the Pan American Games in 1996. Both Sifu Felix and Master Alex are current instructors at the Original Oakland Jeet Kune Do and conduct seminars on the classical principles of JKD.   We are also joined in this interview by the first owner of Plum Dragon Herbs, Josh Walker. He currently works as a senior software engineer and runs the central U.S. chapter for the Tabimina Balintawak Group, a combative style of martial arts that originated in the Philippines.   During our discussion, Sifu Felix shares some of the history of the original Oakland JKD and what it was like to be among some of the greatest martial artists, James Lee and Bruce Lee. We also discuss iron palm training and Dit Da Jow. Show Notes: 1:20 Introductions. 5:45 How iron palm training has fallen out of certain Jeet Kune Do groups but is still a part of the curriculum of the Oakland JKD, which originated with Jimmy (James) Lee and Bruce Lee. 11:10 How Sifu Felix and Master Alex got started in martial arts. Felix’s father Felix Macias, Sr. met Jimmy Lee who was doing brick breaking with Al Novak. Bruce Lee and Jimmy Lee met up in Oakland, California.  12:44 Alex's first class in martial arts was in Wing Chun Kung Fu. Later he started doing Tae Kwon Do. Meeting Felix was an eye opener with the types of skills he could learn from Jeet Kune Do and Iron Palm. 16:50 Felix still enjoys learning about the internal martial arts and using Chinese herbs, which is the same thing that Jimmy Lee was doing. 18:15 Josh Walker discusses quantity and quality of herbs and strength of alcohol used in dit da jow formulas. 21:20 More discussion on Qigong, Iron Palm and Dit Da Jow. 25:24 For different levels of training, you can progress to stronger and stronger Jows.   27:10 Master Alex shares his advice to keep students dedicated to training. 33:10 Josh Walker talks about perseverance in coming up with Plum Dragon formulas. 38:20 Best training for those limited on mobility. 43:45 How to develop fast hands. 44:35 How to break more pavers. 46:40 How Dit Da Jow formulas differ for internal and external martial arts. 49:55 Benefits of alcohol-based Dit Da Jow including absorption, penetration of herbs and drying quickly.  54:45 Why Plum Dragon would not use dimethyl sulfoxide (DSMO) in Dit Da Jow.  And why you should never take external Jows internally. 57:11 What are some ways to condition your mind for training and martial arts 58:55 What Dit Da Jow did James Lee and Al Novak use? 1:00:45 Felix’s favorite story about meeting Bruce Lee. 1:03:20 How internal martial arts has shaped Master Alex’s career in martial arts. 1:05:45 Getting in touch with our guests and a possible follow-up FB Live.   Connect with Sifu Felix and Master Alex: Instagram (Oakland JKD) Facebook (Oakland JKD) Facebook (Alex) Connect with Josh Walker: Find out more about Josh Walker and connect with him on Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Youtube Find out more about Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Ku Yu Cheong Iron Palm Dit Da Jow Bruise Juice Dit Da Jow Dit Da Jow Collection Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode, we're speaking with Leo Rodriguez, a Bruce Lee enthusiast and martial artist who had to adapt his training routine to lessen the side effects of multiple concussions. He hopes his story will help others to recognize some of the signs of brain trauma and get the help they need.  Rodriguez also shares how he was introduced to Dit Da Jow—herbal liniments with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties—through a friend whose father knew James Lee, the martial artist who is said to have introduced Iron Palm training to Bruce Lee.  Dit Da Jow has been used for centuries in martial arts and Chinese culture and has been an integral party of iron palm training. 2:00 Leo begs his dad to let him study boxing. 9:30 Leo’s boxing coach at the New York Athletic Club, Shawn Raysor, dies of cancer. This devastating news became a turning point in Leo’s life, and he decides to pursue training in jiu jitsu. 12:45 Meets UFC Fighter Wonderboy Stephen Thompson at Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City who tells him, “At first, you’re the nail. Over time, you become the hammer.”  22:00 Experiencing double vision from multiple concussions and doctors not being able to help him address his concerns. 26:00 The back of your head (occipital lobe) is where most of the process is for vision; the frontal lobe is where your emotional and cognitive functions take place. 32:00 Severe concussion symptoms feel like a daily hangover including nausea, headaches and double vision. 38:00 Mentions how Bruce Lee died of a brain hemorrhage. 42:00 James Lee introduced Bruce Lee to iron palm and used lots of Dit Da Jow to accelerate their training. 43:15 Dit Da Jow has been used for hundreds of years in martial arts and is necessary for iron palm training to help prevent injuries and provide post-training conditioning. 47:20 Leo’s friend, Felix Macias, Jr., introduces him to Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow, and he recognizes the quality and effectiveness of these products. 57:00 For injury prevention in iron palm training or for addressing other types of pain like back pain, Leo recommends using Dit Da Jow. 1:03:00 Leo decides to train smarter than giving up training altogether. Jiujitsu has been an amazing art that has allowed him to avoid impact and blunt force to his head. 1:05:00 How to get in touch with Leo.   Resources Mentioned on the Show: Black Belt Magazine Article: "Meet James Yimm Lee: "The Man Who Helped Make Bruce Lee a Success" Inside Kung Fu Magazine Article: "Al Novak's East Wind Gung-Fu Club" The Dragon and the Tiger, Volume 1: The Birth of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do The Dragon and the Tiger, Volume 2: The Untold Story of Jun Fan Gung-fu and James Yimm Lee Connect with Leo Rodriguez: Instagram   Find out more about Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Dit Da Jow Collection Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/  

In this episode, we're speaking with Dr. Carl Russo, who has been a doctor of chiropractic since 2010 and received a masters in Clinical Nutrition in 2018. He grew up in New York and is married with an almost 2-year-old son. His current practice is inside a CrossFit gym.  Dr. Russo shares his journey leaving a more traditional medical office to pursue what he truly enjoys: helping people unlock their potential and be the best that they can be.  Show Notes: 2:17 Why Dr. Russo re-started his practice in a cross-fit gym. 5:11 Felt drawn to natural healing over mainstream medicine. 8:52 Carbs are not necessarily the enemy; some people aren’t getting enough “gas” to fuel their bodies 13:00 Losing weight slow and steady is better than speeding to the finish line...and other weight loss tips. 17:45 Problems that young athletes face when they push their bodies too hard. 25:00 Getting the word out on alternative medicine to address inflammation in the body. 29:00 How Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow herbal analgesics work. 32:00 Using natural remedies may involve smaller incremental improvements over time rather than providing "instant fixes". Mainstream painkiller medicine focuses on shutting off pain but does nothing for healing. 38:30 Specific Tips for Men’s Fitness: Hydration: Drink half of your body weight in ounces and a 8 oz of water for every cup of coffee that you drink (which is dehydrating). Flexibility: Before doing physical activity, make sure you are doing stretches or working on mobility for those things. Warm-up your body before your activity. Don’t overdo it! 42:38 Why sleep is your biggest recovery tool. Find out more about Dr. Carl Russo: https://www.instagram.com/functionalcarerx   Find out more about Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Dit Da Jow Collection Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode, we're speaking with Daniel Pesina, a martial arts master, multimedia choreographer and actor. Master Pesina is perhaps best known for playing the original Johnny Cage and several ninjas in the first two Mortal Kombat games. He has also worked on films such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze, Book of Swords, Press Start, and Mortal Kombat Fates Beginning. In addition to continuing his personal practice, he teaches weekly martial arts classes in Chicago, IL and travels throughout North and South America to teach seminars on martial arts and choreography. Show Notes: 3:30   At a young age, Master Pesina begged his dad to let him start martial arts. 7:00   What led to him becoming involved in the creation of Mortal Kombat. 13:15  His thoughts on improving fighting films by incorporating more skilled choreography. 16:25  What surprises many people is how approachable he is.  18:25   Weird silly rules that he teaches his students 20:56   Why he uses Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow in his training and instruction. 22:53   The types of common injuries he most often comes across and how to prevent them. 25:18   Master Pesina tells what his ultimate piece of advice is to students. 27:38   The importance of flexibility in training. 28:30   An overview of the simple rules he tells his students. 32:22  Insights from watching the process of forming a professional elite martial arts team in China. 39:13  His thoughts on what it really means to clear your mind and other mindset and breathing techniques. 41:35  The reason why Dit Da Jow is so important when iron palm training. 43:16  What his morning routine consists of: dynamic stretching (which helped him to drop slowly into splits for his Johnny Cage filming), mindfulness, postures and iron palm training with Dit Da Jow.  49:30  Future endeavors include his upcoming book on the making of Mortal Kombat and possibly being part of a new retro fighting game. Find out more about Master Pesina: http://www.masterpesina.com https://www.facebook.com/realjohnnycage/ https://www.instagram.com/masterdpesina/   Find out more about Plum Dragon Dit Da Jow: Dit Da Jow Collection Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Joining us today is Shilamida Kupershteyn, a Licensed Acupuncturist, entrepreneur, best-selling author, spiritual mentor and a retreat leader. She went from foods stamps to first class. A true rags to riches, American Dream story. Shilamida is a mom to 3 boys and 2 bonus boys and resides with her soul mate in NJ. She loves to travel, have fun and manifest her every desire while teaching others how to do the same. Show Notes: 0:44 Shalimida’s latest book From Food Stamps to First Class, a spiritual self-help book with stories from her life. 2:00 Working through her anger when she was told her dad was dying from cancer and her mom found out she was also battling breast cancer.  Dealing with fight or flight fear and alcohol and drug use. 3:27 Finding the religion Kabbalah was a big part of her healing journey. She also was doing well in her career and earning six-figures. 4:15 By the time she was 27, however, she lost it all.  She lost her dad, got pregnant and found herself living on food stamps. 4:45 Heard the word acupuncture for the very first time while starting massage therapy school. 5:00 Learning about the impact of her negative emotions and how the law of attraction could help her. 6:45 The focus of her acupuncture practice in anxiety, depression, stress reduction, headaches, migraines and fertility. 7:45 One of the biggest mistakes people make in their emotional/mental health is suppressing their feelings, which then manifest in physical aches and pains and disease. 8:30 Going gluten and dairy free has been a life changer for her and helped her to lose weight. 9:30 How leaky gut syndrome can affect your mental health. 13:20 Allowing herself a few indulgences like wine and sweets. 15:20 Why she developed a gratitude membership program. 16:40 Expressing gratitude at least 20 times a day is her recommendation for changing negative thinking patterns. 19:07 Daily reminders, weekly love notes, monthly guided meditations, vlogs, and quarterly live coaching calls are part of Shilamida’s coaching program. 24:50 How to teach gratitude to kids and teach them about manifesting things they want but don’t yet have. 27:44 If people seem to be a little stuck in their negative thinking, Shilamida recommends learning about the law of attraction and the law of reflection, as well the impact of giving service. 34:36 Letting go and/or taking a break from influences and people that trigger you in order to facilitate healing. 47:00 Parents shouldn’t try to live out their own dreams through their children. 48:15 How to get in touch with Shalimida. Find out more about Shalimida: https://shilamida.com https://www.facebook.com/shilamida/ https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Gratitude-Create-Desire/dp/1548825891 https://www.instagram.com/goddess_of_gratitude/ Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

View the complete transcript of the show HERE.   “...when you focus on too many movements, what will ultimately happen is it's very difficult to get proficient in anything.”—Robert Ronan   Joining us today is the Olympic weightlifting coach Robert Ronan, who has traveled to mainland China several times to study the technique they use in this sport. Coach Ronan is one of only a handful of western weightlifting coaches invited to professional training facilities in China. Robert and the team at Austin Barbell work with athletes of all levels and ages, from beginners to national competitors. He was a competition coach for world master champion, Jianping Ma, in the 2019 IWF world master championships and is currently working with athletes to qualify for national events. Show Notes:   1:04 An overview of what Olympic weightlifting is. 6:10 What really sets apart an athlete is how prepared they are for competition. 8:20 Athletes need to be realistic with cutting weight and recognize it takes weight to move weight. 9:52 What is different about the Chinese style of Olympic Weightlifting that Rob incorporate into his coaching. 17:25 The Chinese system have 5 principles for the Olympic Weightlifting sport: close, fast, low, stable and timing.  These fundamental properties make a good athlete. 21:55 What a typical day in training looks like for Austin Barbell athletes. 24:04 What recovery methods his athletes use including myofascial release. 27:00 How often athletes typically compete and how their schedules have been adapted to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions. 31:00 In the minutes before the athlete goes out on stage, what coaching do they receive. 33:40 Olympic weight training is a very difficult sport; showing up every day for training is critical. 35:00 As a coach, it’s important to be compassionate and accommodating to the athletes. 37:00 The surprising traits that make a great Olympic weightlifter. 42:06 How to reach Robert Ronan.   Find out more about Robert Ronan: https://www.instagram.com/ronan_i_am/ https://www.facebook.com/rronan https://www.austinbarbell.com https://www.instagram.com/austinbarbell/ https://www.facebook.com/AustinBarbellWL/   Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs:   YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Joining us today is Kenton Sefcik, Dip.Ac, Dip.TCM, R.Ac, a seasoned acupuncturist and martial artist, author, and mentor. He is also the creator of TCM Graduate TV where he provides online education to up and coming acupuncturists and naturopathic doctors. Kenton helps us understand how to keep moving during the COVID-19 outbreak and directive to stay home. We should keep training, pursuing hobbies that interest us, practicing belly breathing (which helps eliminate stagnation), eating right and taking care of larger health problems.  He is also on a mission to help acupuncturists get more comfortable prescribing herbs and continues to serve his TCM community online. View the complete transcript of the show HERE. Show Notes:   0:40 How the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting Kenton’s business and life in general. 5:35 How Kenton continues to train solo in martial arts. 9:50 The importance of movement in our lives, especially when we are told to stay home and not move about in our communities.   “I really believe that part of our well-being exists with movement.”   11:45 Routine is good thing; waking up at a consistent time even though there may not be a job to go to, helps us improve our mood. 12:55 This is a really good time to reflect on whether there are any new projects we want to take on, to help us cope and adapt to our new circumstances. 15:05 Belly breathing allows the diaphragm to move like it was designed to do and is a very calming practice that we can do anywhere to center ourselves. 19:00 Becoming non-judgmental about the thoughts we have is important during diaphragmatic breathing. 23:10 What type of fuel we put into our body is ultimately going to determine how we are going to able to use our body. 25:30 During the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s a great time to do a 180 on any poor health habits that we have developed. 27:00  Kenton tells about the digital download he created to help students graduating from Chinese medicine schools become more confident with prescribing herbs. 33:40 Kenton believes acupuncturists should not try to treat everything at the same time.  TCM teaches us to look at the whole patient, but focussing on the patient’s chief concern should be top of mind. 41:43 Kenton recently published a 60-minute acupressure and Chinese self-massage video.   Links and Resources Mentioned: https://plumdragonherbs.com/collections/whole-herbs  Find out more about Kenton Sefcik:   Website: https://kentonsefcik.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcmgraduatetv/ Free Acupressure & Self-Massage Course: https://kentonsefcik.thinkific.com/   Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

*Disclaimer: The information in these show notes and in the recorded podcast is NOT medical advice or intended in any way to be a substitute for medical advice. The information provided is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any condition or disease including corona virus (COVID-19). Please use extreme caution when assessing info about this virus and please consult your licensed medical providers for treatment options. None of the statements in this post have been validated or reviewed by the FDA.   View the complete transcript of the show HERE. “Osha is one of my all time favorite herbs. It's a really beautiful herb. The Native Americans used to call it bear medicine. And it's extremely powerful and unique. And that's one of those herbs which I have always in my clinic. And I always have people have that around the house during the cold and flu season.”—Craig Williams, LAc In light of all the concern over COVID-19, we wanted to speak with Craig Williams, a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of East Asian Medicine, to explore the many foods and herbs that he recommends for building immunity. It’s our hope that we can help more people feel empowered to protect their health during this pandemic. Craig is a Clinical Herbalist (R.H.) with the American Herbalist Guild, a NAMA Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, and an East West Certified Herbalist ( E.W.C.H.). Craig has a Master’s of Science in Oriental Medicine and is a Nationally Certified Instructor of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Craig is also an ACE Certified Health Coach, Certified Eat to Perform Coach, Certified Revolution Running Coach, ACE Certified Sports Conditioning Coach, AFPA Certified Holistic Nutritionist and a NASM Certified Nutrition Coach.   Craig's Top 10 Foods and Herbs For Immunity Discussed in this Podcast: Walnuts Sunflower seeds Pumpkin seeds Fresh garlic Raw onions Ginger Osha Root (Tie Da Yin Chen) Astragalus (Huang Qi) Skullcap root (Huang Qin) Cordyceps (and other medicinal mushrooms) And if you listen closely, you'll catch mention of a few additional foods and herbs that are great for the immune system! Show Notes:   0:40 An introduction on Craig Williams and how his most recent column in Acupuncture Today addressed winter nutrition. 2:50 Walnuts are considered a lung and kidney tonic in Chinese medicine and provide a wonderful source of essential fatty acids. 6:58 Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc, which are a great immunity booster and also important for prostate health. 9:17 Fresh garlic is one of Craig’s favorite herbs for all-around health. 12:44 Raw onions also provide substantial immune boosting and lung support benefits. 13:44 Ginger is one of those herbs that Craig always keeps on hand for addressing all types of conditions.  17:00 Osha Root (Tie Da Yin Chen) is phenomenal for respiratory support. 21:55 Astragalus (Huang Qi) is a great herb to support the immune system during the cold and flu season. 26:00 Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) is typically used to clear out damp heat conditions.  28:30 Medicinal mushrooms like Cordyceps provide lung support and help maintain a healthy immune system.  Great in combination with Astragalus. 31:05 Many people are nutrient depleted and dealing with chronic illness. If you keep your immune system healthy, you will bounce back from sickness more easily. 35:00 A discussion on Wen Bing diseases and why prescribing heat-clearing herbs are helpful. 40:50 In the earlier stages of disease, the Chinese Medicine treatment protocol can be more generic, but in the advanced stages, the treatment becomes more unique to the individual.     [Important Note to readers/listeners: More recent findings show that COVID-19 may evolve from a warm disease into a cold-damp phase in which Shanghan Lun principles should then be applied instead of continuing Wen Bing principles. A discussion on this this two-pronged approach is discussed in our blog post Chinese Herbs to Maintain Healthy Immune System During Cold-Damp Phase of Corona Virus (COVID-19).]   43:50 Craig’s top three recommendations for staying healthy: 1. eat warm foods and lots of vegetables, 2. make sleep a priority and 3. find some exercise or movement that you love. 47:40 How listeners can get in touch with Craig for more great tips. Links and Resources Mentioned: https://plumdragonherbs.com/collections/whole-herbs  https://plumdragonherbs.com/products/huang-qi https://plumdragonherbs.com/products/huang-qin https://plumdragonherbs.com/products/huang-qin-extract-chinese-skullcap-extract https://plumdragonherbs.com/products/wen-bing-defense-immune-system-support-formula https://plumdragonherbs.com/products/tie-da-yin-chen-osha-root https://plumdragonherbs.com/products/wildcrafted-osha-root-liquid-extract-2-oz Find out more about Craig Williams and connect with him at http://www.ayurvedaaustin.com, on Instagram or on Facebook. You can also check out his latest column in Acupuncture Today by clicking here.    Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs:   YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, please subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

View the complete transcript of the show HERE. Master Jeff Webb, 6th Degree, is the chief instructor of the National Ving Tsun Organization (NVTO). A former private student of Grandmaster Leung Ting, Dai-Sifu Webb has studied martial arts for over 37 years in the USA, Europe and also in Hong Kong. A veteran of the US Airforce, Dai-Sifu Jeff is based in Austin, Texas where he instructs martial arts, defensive tactics and firearms. A sought after instructor, he has been popular on the national seminar circuit for more than 20 years. He has authored a number of articles over the years in addition to his recent book, The Empty Cup, which is geared towards helping martial arts students “stay in the game.” “It's all about the number of repetitions that need to be done to get you to where you need to be. And nothing stops you from doing that except your own mindset.”—Dai-Sifu Jeff   Show Notes: 0:13 An introduction to Sifu Jeff and a little about his side jobs as a safety officer at a gun range, an NRA certified instructor on rifle, pistol and shotgun, and a licensed-to-carry instructor. 5:35 Doing seminars for the Ving Tsun seminar association as a high-level instructor 7:45 Has a unique perspective on Ving Tsun, combining several styles including both European and Asian influence. 11:50 Kung Fu is a numbers game; repetition is what makes you better than someone else in the class. There’s no way around doing the hard work. 16:00 Flexibility, strength and reflexes can improve with kung fu training. Mental, spiritual and emotional benefits are found in training too. 20:23 By following a pattern of discipline, you develop self-discipline that carries to other parts of your life. 21:45 Sifu Jeff discusses the 3 A’s: Attendance, Ability and Attitude. 24:10 Discusses his book The Empty Cup.  You have to be open to receiving advice in order to learn from wise people. 30:20 The learning should never stop. 35:30 One of the most important things you can learn is that sometimes you lose and what really matters is how you handle it. “But, hey, everyone gets beat or defeated or they lose something somewhere at some time in their life. It's how you handle that is what makes the difference.”—Dai-Sifu Jeff Summary of Dai-Sifu Jeff’s Training Tips: Repetition is key.  Doing something over and over will help you to improve more than being big or strong. When you start something, see it through. The beginning is always hard, but stick with it. Do the work.  We don’t always feel like training, but afterwards we feel better. Attendance is key. You have to show up for the game. Attitude is the most important component of staying in the game. Always be ready and open to learning. Dai-Sifu Jeff says to all students, "Be open minded….Come in open to anything because if you come in with a closed mind, you're automatically blocking out information and knowledge that could be useful to you." Be humble. The more advanced you get, the more humble you should be. Accept that sometimes you will lose.  It’s how you handle it that determines the type of person you will be.   Find out more about Dai-Sifu Jeff’s seminars, instruction and books at the following links:  National Ving Tsun Organization              National Ving Tsun Facebook Page                 Austin Ving Tsun Academy Austin Ving Tsun Academy Facebook Page Empty Cup Blog               Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs:   YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

View a complete transcript of the show HERE. “The more things you can do that bring you joy and don't feel as much like training, I think the better.”—Nicole Mericle Last year alone, Nicole placed 2nd in the 2019 Spartan US National Series, 1st in the 2019 15k North American OCR Championships, 2nd in the OCR North American Championships 3K, 2nd at the 2019 Spartan North American Championships, 1st at the 2019 Spartan World Championships, and 1st in the 2019 Spartan Trifecta World Championships. Through it all, she has found her background in running and rock climbing has prepared her well for the OCR and Spartan events.  However, she has had to work hard to develop the strength and mindset needed for all elements of OCR.  Keeping her “mental game” in check is a big factor of Nicole’s training.  If one thing is not working out for her, Nicole will approach her goals in another way. Being flexible, but keeping her overall ambitions in sight, has played a key part in her OCR career.  Although road running was causing more injuries than it was worth, she was able to channel her passion for competition and running into something that worked for her, becoming an inspiration to everyone and a world-class athlete in OCR.  SHOW NOTES: 0:45 What races Nicole Mericle has coming up and her OCR wins for the past year 3:50 How she handled her nerves in the 2019 Spartan World Championship in Lake Tahoe 10:45 Her unique race weekend in Trifecta World Championship 2019 in Greece 13:15 What training she will be focussing on in 2020 15:35 What she has done to keep racing while dealing with past running and hip injuries 19:00 Nicole’s tips to find success in training 20:45 How Nicole unwinds and relaxes 23:45 Her inner dialogue and mindset for competitions 25:40 Handling race jitters at a start of a race 28:50 How she overcame major setbacks earlier on in her life 31:39 Accepting certain limitations and adapting goals35:10 Recognizing there is power in rest and power in altering goals when needed 36:00 Her nutrition and health philosophy   Find out more about Nicole Mericle and connect with her on Instagram or on Facebook.     Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, subscribe to our podcast and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit:Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/   Watch the podcast in video here ➡️➡️ https://plumdragonherbs.com/blogs/news/ep14-overcoming-obstacles-like-pro-racer-nicole-mericle⠀

Welcome to the Plum Dragon Herbs Podcast Series “Staying in the Game.”  In this episode, we’re addressing YOUR questions in a special Q&A interview with Josh Walker, the original founder of Plum Dragon Herbs. We dive into detail on how to use Dit Da Jow (topical herbal formulas) as well as Dit Dan Wan (internal tonics).  We also answer training questions and some of the special herbs that Josh recommends. For more details, check out the show notes below. We also welcome NEW questions in the comment section, so we can answer more of your questions! Show Notes: 0:24 How Plum Dragon came about. 1:50 Formulas that would be geared toward osteoporosis. 3:50 Picking the best alcohol to mix with Dit Da Jow herb packs. 5:53 Best liniments for iron palm practice. 15:55 How long to age Jow before it’s effective. 17:27 Using Internal Wine’s and Josh’s favorite internal formula. 23:25 Promoting Qi flow. 25:06 How to measure your iron palm training progress. 32:02 Using mineral water instead of vodka. 34:50 Advice for finding a first-class practitioner and acupuncturist. 38:08 Products Josh recommends to strengthen bones and joints. 40:25 When products start diminishing in potency. 47:40 How Jow is affected by the temperature at which it is stored. 51:30 Best Jow for finger conditioning/training 54:20 Why granulated herbs don’t work as well as whole herbs. 1:01:02 When and how the Plum Dragon Chai Training tea is useful and how to make it. 1:04:53 Basic differences between our top-three selling formulas: Ho Family Dit Da Jow, Bruise Juice and Ancestor’s Advanced Conditioning Formula. 1:15:03 What Plum Dragon products Josh would recommend for contact sports. Quote:  “This is where TCM ends up being really powerful…. Let’s treat the underlying reason [for pain] in addition to treating the symptom and making the patient feel better….”—Josh Walker Links and Resources Mentioned: Find out more about Josh Walker and connect with him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PlumDragon),  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-walk...), or Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/user/plumdragon)   *Plum Dragon Herbs Dit Da Jow (https://plumdragonherbs.com/collectio...) *Ancestor’s Advanced Conditioning Formula (https://plumdragonherbs.com/products/...) *Ho Family Dit Da Jow (https://plumdragonherbs.com/products/...) *Bruise Juice (https://plumdragonherbs.com/products/...)   Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: https://www.facebook.com/PlumDragonHerbs https://www.instagram.com/plumdragonh... https://twitter.com/plumdragonherbs https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-ball...   Thank You For Listening! How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.     And if you liked this episode, subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment! Podcast Music Credit:   Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

View a complete transcript of the show here. “You’re constantly battling yourself, so you’ve got to constantly battle with what you’re weakest at...to try and self develop as many aspects of your weaknesses as you can.”—Brett Barrell Our latest podcast guest joins us from down under.  The ‘Iron Body Martial Artist,’ Brett Barrell, is originally from South Africa, has spent lots of time in the U.K., and now lives in Australia.  So if you can’t pinpoint his accent, don’t worry about it…it’s cool either way.  Brett has spent the past 10 years serving as a police officer and has been involved in martial arts since he was 5.  He has a black belt in juijitsu and has studied Shaolin Kung Fu since his early teens. Brett also runs a YouTube channel where he trains people in Iron Palm, which is the main topic of our podcast. Highlights:⠀ ◉ Overcome challenges by never giving up and channeling your focus into something positive. ◉ Consistent and progressive practice will help prevent permanent damage when training. ◉ Remember where the skills of iron palm came from: the mindset of constant self-development. Show Notes: 0:50 Brett Barrell introduces himself as a police officer and and runs a YouTube channel to help train people in Iron Palm. 4:50 Iron palm training is like a form of meditation and helps you combat emotional stress as well as helping defend yourself physically . 8:47 In a real confrontation, you don’t have gloves, so the iron palm self defense techniques can help protect yourself from a surprise attack. 10:10 Consistent and progressive practice will help prevent permanent damage when iron palm training. 16:40 How Brett recommends staying in the game of life by eating better and assessing our health. 18:45 Taking antiinflammatory herbs can help your body recover and cope with the demands of iron palm training. 21:15 Take a realistic look at yourself and don’t underestimate how aggressive and violent people can be. 26:10 Incorporate military-style endurance training and yogic-style flexibility exercises for overall health. 30:10 Qigong—bone and tendon washing—helps to align the spine and increase circulation around the tendons 35:20 Overcome challenges by never giving up and channel your focus into something positive. 39:10 Your mind is a powerful tool; you don’t have to give up.  Take a few minutes. Take a couple of days and get back on track. 43:30 Remember where the skills of iron palm came from: the mindset of constant self-development.  Quotes: “You’re constantly battling yourself, so you’ve got to constantly battle with what you’re weakest at...to try and self develop as many aspects of your weaknesses as you can.” “A lot of problems that are years in the making, people don’t realize they could be years in the breaking…..Know and have faith that you can work through a lot of things.”   Links and Resources Mentioned: Find out more about Brett Barrell and connect with him on YouTube or Facebook or https://www.patreon.com/IBMA Plum Dragon Herbs Dit Da Jow Ancestor’s Advanced Conditioning Form Ho Family Dit Da Jow Bruise Juice Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn  Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/  

Don’t. Miss. This. Podcast. We’re thrilled to have Eli Knight, 2nd degree blackbelt in jiu jitsu as our latest podcast guest. Filmed in video for the first time, we present: “EP11 Eli Knight Discusses Impact of Martial Arts on Mental Health”.⠀Highlights:⠀⠀◉ How martial arts was an outlet for Eli dealing with some emotionally difficult times in his life.◉ How combative arts can actually calm the mind.◉ Eli’s personal advice for getting the most out of the martial arts experience. Show Notes: 0:22   Eli introduces himself and his background in martial arts and his success on YouTube. 6:35   Eli’s start into martial arts and how he was mentored and eventually got into teaching with Jason Hawkins. 9:48   Impact of martial arts on our mental health. 12:45 How martial arts was an outlet for Eli dealing with some traumatic life events. 13:50 How combative arts can actually calm the mind; you have to be in the moment. 18:18 Benefits of training in martial arts for depression, anxiety, ADHD and autism. 24:14 Martial Arts teaches you what focus is. 29:35 How Eli has seen martial arts improve students’ self-esteem. “IT’S GREAT TO SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY INTROVERTED COME OUT OF THEIR SHELL.” 34:40 A healthy dose of realism is one of the biggest things you can get from martial arts 37:15 Just because someone is impressive doesn’t mean they’ll be a good coach 39:10 Upcoming seminars and projects that Eli is working on 43:00 Eating clean but not getting too tied up in fads 50:57 How people can reach out to Eli or connect with him online   LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: Find out more about Eli Knight and connect with him on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or at https://knightbjj.com. CONNECT WITH PLUM DRAGON HERBS:   YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ ⠀Please tag your friends on this post that you would like to share this podcast with. WE WOULD ALSO LOVE if you could become one of our subscribers on YouTube so that you can learn of new podcasts as they come.⠀

EP10 Martial Arts Expert and War Veteran Talks About The Fight Within View the complete transcript of the show HERE. “...what you're really going to find out about yourself inside of the martial arts and the fight with yourself is, there are aspects of your personality that you don't like at all…..But the beautiful part is that you're working beyond those things. Look, growth always happens in discomfort.”—JD Caputo In this podcast, we are speaking to martial arts instructor and US Army combat veteran JD Caputo. JD shares tips for choosing which martial arts to pursue and understanding the reasons behind your choice.  He also talks about how in learning to fight you need to recognize that you don’t know how yet, and to get your ego out of the way. He talks about not giving into intimidation by what you don’t know, and to realize it takes one step at a time to see growth.  JD also gives us a glimpse of what it was like to serve in the war against terrorism after 911. He shares his personal journey of grief and pain coming back into civilian life and what it took for him to overcome this emotional battle. He gives an open invitation for any other war veteran to seek him out if they are needing help and to just take one moment at a time.   Show Notes: 0:45 JD Caputo shares his background in martial arts and military service. 3:30 Choosing which martial arts to pursue depends on what your needs are. 9:18 Understanding your reasons for knife training or self defense. 11:00 Don’t be intimidated by martial arts when you first start out.    “Go to the seminar, go to that class, walk through the door, don't be intimidated. Everybody was a day one guy, everybody remembers what it's like. Step on the mats, start the journey. No excuses.”—JD Caputo   13:35 Don’t expect instant gratification in martial arts.  Stay consistent and don’t focus on measuring yourself against other people.  Just measure yourself against yourself. 16:00 His dad’s mantra for him that got him through tough battles: “If not you, then who? If not now, then when?” 18:40 What it was like after 911, entering the war against terrorism. 23:00 His experience with war and adjusting to combat life. 26:20 Why he got into military service and whether martial arts influenced his decision. 28:40 You can never build a foundation for anything combatively if you’re not willing to accept your frailty. 29:10 Returning to civilian life and how JD dealt with it. 33:30 Why all types of martial arts have healing health benefits. 35:22 Martial arts is about the fight within yourself, in ways that people don’t expect. 37:00 Go inside of yourself to discover yourself; but JD’s not one to force meditation. 41:00 Taking care of yourself and tips on recovery. 44:20 You do not know yourself until you fight. 46:20 The way that martial arts can save people from themselves. 48:40 The world needs more coaches, but you got to your ego out of the way. 50:28 How people can get in touch wtih JD Caputo. 51:30 Urges people to reach out for help when they are feeling suicidal and to get through one moment at a time.   “All I want to express out there is, if you're out there and you're suffering, whether you're military or not, and you're having suicidal thoughts, tendencies, things like that, or you're upset, just stop. Stop what you're doing, take a deep breathe. It's not as bad as you think it is. I need you to win this moment. Just win this moment. And if you win this moment, we might be able to win the day together. We win a day, we win a week. We win a week, we win a month. We win a month, we might just win a life, okay? Don't make a permanent decision based on a temporary set of circumstances. You're worth it, and we need you here, okay? Just step back from that ledge. It's going to be okay, I promise.”   53:30 Where to get better stuff than Tiger Balm; support Plum Dragon Herbs.   Links and Resources Mentioned: https://plumdragonherbs.com/collections/whole-herbs  https://plumdragonherbs.com/product-category/dit-da-jow/ Find out more about JD Caputo and connect with him on Facebook, Instagram or at https://www.modern-pankration.com/. Look for a new video series with JD Caputo, Eli Knight, and Professor Royce Gracie on how boxing and jiujitsu intertwine together on budobrothers.com. JD is currently a coach at the Oromocto Boxing Club in Lincoln, New Brunswick, Canada He is also involved with Funker Gaming, a community of gaming veterans around the world and Stack-Up.org, a veteran charity dedicated to supporting the men and women of the military through the use, support and donation of video games worldwide   Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.      And if you liked this episode, subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/  

EP09 The Power to Heal Lies Within Ourselves View the complete transcript of the show HERE. “...you have the power to heal, you have the power to let go of all of this stress.” —Sharron Rose In this podcast series, we are speaking to Sharron Rose, a filmmaker, choreographer, composer, author, teacher, and healer who has imparted her vast knowledge of ancient and traditional cultures throughout the world. She is currently directing and producing the forthcoming documentary series "Quantum Qi," the Taoist Art of Nurturing Life. This groundbreaking series will feature numerous well-known qigong and tai chi masters, TCM practitioners, teachers and scholars. We're excited to find out more about this series today, and to talk with Sharron about ways we can connect with our true nature and life force, and to learn how to deal with pain and emotions in healthy ways. We'll be walking through some simple techniques we can use anywhere to help our body to heal itself.    Show Notes: 1:20 Sharron introduces herself and tells about her life’s journey. 4:17 Details about Sharron’s crowdfunder for her forthcoming Quantum Qi Documentary Series. 5:48 Quantum Qi is designed in a beautiful way like ancient Chinese watercolor paintings. 10:19 We can learn to gather qi from nature, to bring it into our organs, to facilitate healing. 13:30 Qigong  can be a great adjunct to conventional medicine--any work with it can enliven our energy and make us feel like we can begin to take healing into our own hands. 19:00 Alternative medicine provides tools to help ourselves and to stop feeling like a victim.  21:15 We are all gifted human beings, why can’t we learn to love each other and appreciate what we have? 22:08 Part of the disturbance in our lives is caused by social media.   “...we do have … all these different technological devices where we can reach each other, but why can't we reach each other in joy, and in upliftment, and in healing?”   23:40 How we handle our emotions and how quickly we are triggered can impact our well-being. 27:27: Taking the time to nurture our self or just spend even half an hour a day in nature or doing qigong or meditation can help us feel more calm and centered. 28:30 Walking through what a Qigong session at home might look like. 36:30 You can feel the benefits of doing Qigong very quickly in life. 41:00 Some of Sharron’s daily health practices and recommendations: cutting out sugar, drinking lots of water, incorporating exercises for strength and flexibility, self-examining physical and emotional holding patterns and releasing tension. 46:00 You have the power to heal yourself; self-doubt just means you are ready for the next level  47:45 A special offer from Sharron for listeners of this podcast (see details below). Connect with Sharron Rose Find out more about Sharron Rose and connect with her on LinkedIn. You can learn more about her forthcoming Quantum Qi Documentary Series here and visit the crowdfunder. Don’t miss Sharron’s free offer for our audience: THE NURTURING FLOW OF LIFE FORCE ENERGY - FREE AUDIO DOWNLOAD http://quantumqimovie.com/audio-offer/ Filmmaker, author, teacher and healer Sharron Rose offers a series of audio meditations on how to rest in the nourishing and revitalizing light of Qi. Experience new levels of relaxation, bliss, joy, empathy and love. (20 minutes ). Connect with Plum Dragon Herbs: YouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn    Thank You For Listening!    How did you like this episode? We’d love to continue the discussion with you.  Share your comments and takeaways below.   And if you liked this episode, subscribe to our iTunes and YouTube channels and be sure to follow, like and comment!   Podcast Music Credit: Motherlode Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this podcast series, we are speaking to Craig Williams, a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of East Asian Medicine in private practice in Austin, Texas.  Highlights: ◉ Find out what you need to eat to perform at your best, whether you’re punching bags at the gym or running up the stairs at home.   ◉ Craig walks us through what a healthy and sustainable routine includes and how to find balance in life.  ◉ Nutrient-dense foods, whole herbs, the right exercises (note: must be something we enjoy!) and what we put into our minds all play a critical role in our health and fitness. Craig is a Clinical Herbalist (R.H.) with the American Herbalist Guild, a NAMA Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, and an East West Certified Herbalist ( E.W.C.H.). Craig has a Master’s of Science in Oriental Medicine and is a Nationally Certified Instructor of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Craig is also an ACE Certified Health Coach, Certified Eat to Perform Coach, Certified Revolution Running Coach, ACE Certified Sports Conditioning Coach, AFPA Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and a NASM Certified Nutrition Coach.

Welcome to the Plum Dragon Herbs Podcast Series “Staying in the Game.” In this podcast series, we are speaking to Josh Walke again, whose passion for Chinese medicine and martial arts led him to become the original founder of Plum Dragon Herbs in 2005. He currently works as a software engineer and runs the central U.S. chapter for the Tabimina Balintawak Group, a combative style of martial arts that originated in the Philippines, where he recently visited. We're so glad that he could join us again today. Josh discusses the best dit da jow to meet your training goals. He also discusses the importance of suppressing the ego in training.

Welcome to the Plum Dragon Herbs Podcast Series “Staying in the Game.” In this podcast series, we are speaking to Yogini Rachel, a trained trauma informed yoga Instructor and Owner of Under 1 Ocean Yoga. Yogini Rachel is an experienced private yoga instructor with a demonstrated history of working in the alternative medicine industry along with strong community and social services. She is a professional graduate from the East West College of Natural Medicine had received a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She also trained and worked as an EMT for several years prior to following her current career path in yoga.   Yogini Rachel discusses how trauma informed yoga can help people to heal from past hurts and move forward in life.  The present moment forward is the only thing we have control over. 

Welcome to the Plum Dragon Herbs Podcast Series “Staying in the Game.” In this podcast series, we have conversations about mindset and techniques for staying at the top of your game. In our fifth episode, we’re talking to Erik Allen and Kyle Mahadio, lifelong martial artists and co-owners of the Budo Brothers, a martial arts lifestyle company. Erik and Kyle share how their challenges and failures in life ultimately led to their success.  

In our fourth episode, we’re talking to Jason Lage, a therapeutic massage, bodywork, and reflexology practitioner whose goal is to revitalize health and lessen pain and stress for his clients. He is the owner of "Tranquil Heart Enterprises," and practices in the Minnesota area.

Welcome to the new Plum Dragon Herbs Podcast Series “Staying in the Game.” In this podcast series, we have conversations about mindset and techniques for staying at the top of your game. In our third episode, we’re talking to Josh Walker, whose passion for Chinese medicine and martial arts led him to become the original founder of Plum Dragon Herbs in 2005. He currently works as a software engineer and runs the central U.S. chapter for the Tabimina Balintawak Group, a combative style of martial arts that originated in the Philippines. Josh shares why he started Plum Dragon Herbs and how the company’s flagship products, Dit Da Jow formulas, were created to fill a gap in the existing offerings of herbal remedies for pain relief.  Helpful tips on using Dit Da Jow and picking the right formula are discussed in this podcast. Josh also shares his mindset and belief that every person needs to walk through their own personal fire in order to become a more effective person.  

Kenton Sefcik, a seasoned acupuncturist and martial artist, author, and mentor shares how his 'never say die' attitude has served him well in life. He is also the creator of TCM Graduate TV where he provides online education to up and coming acupuncturists and naturopathic doctors.

Joining us today is Tomm Voss, a world-champion martial artist, a skilled stunt fighter, actor, fitness expert and motivational speaker. Tomm will be sharing how he was introduced to a Filipino stickfighting art through a student of Bruce Lee's training partner, and used the ancient Chinese practice of Qigong to overcome chronic pain and serious health problems.…He then went on to become a World Champion StickFighter. Tomm believes in the power of vision and commitment, and his motto "Never Give Up" is a strong theme in today's interview. Music from today’s episode is by Kevin Macleod.