Krav Maga Investment - Invest in Yourself

Krav Maga Investment

There are many kinds of investments in life. When we hear the word 'investment' we usually think of the financial world; stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit. But there are other kinds of investments, such as investing in yourself. This, in fact, is probably your best and safest investment.

Jill and Rico training, invest in yourself

For years I gave up work and financial opportunities in order to invest in my martial arts/Krav Maga training. When I was preparing for my brown belt test I was offered a job with the AACI in Jerusalem (Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel). I was two weeks away from my brown belt test. I accepted the position on condition that I can wait two weeks to begin.

Friends thought I was crazy. "Why risk a steady job for your Krav Maga hobby? They might find someone else in the meantime! Grab the job when you can!"

But I wanted no distractions in my pursuit of my brown belt; I was training hours a day to be ready for this test. The day after my test I showed up for my first day of work, black and blue, (and brown), badly bruised but happy.

It the short term it may have looked like a foolish decision but in the long run it proved wise. A few years later the AACI had major cutbacks and eliminated my department, my job was no more. My Krav Maga, on the other hand, has lead me to trips around the world, financial security, and most important of all; the chance to meet and teach the most wonderful people. I know have an international family know as IKI – Israeli Krav International. My Krav training has brought me untold blessings, beyond anything I could have dreamed of.

Back in 2004, April 21 to be exact, I had a wonderful conversation with my dear dad of blessed memory. I was considering going back to Karate College in Radford, Virginia. The cost was an issue. My father strongly advised me to go, he talked about investing in myself.

I asked about the costs of accommodations, there were several options; private room, a group room, air conditioning etc. My dad said, "You will be training hard all day, you will need your rest. Don't worry about the money, I will help you. You must go and train."

Sadly this was the last conversation we ever had as he passed on the very next morning. I took his advice and continued to train at Karate College. This past November, Dr. Jerry Beasley , Director of Karate College, promoted me to fifth dan. Again, investing in myself paid off.

Receiving 5th from Dr. Jerry Beasley, November 2010

Of course the rank is a symbol; the real reward has been the training, the contacts, and the brotherhood of martial arts.

Skeptics may say, "Look at he expense, look at the time you are investing". They are thinking short term and missing the real opportunity.

Not everyone will become a Krav instructor. This does not matter as sometimes the greatest reward is the change in one's personal life. Just this morning I received the following words from IKI instructor Gary Hodges Jr. Basset, Va, USA, he wrote this after reading my blog "Krav Maga Empowerment".

Moshe, I think that blog sums up the character of IKI-We tend to help the ones who need it most and give them life saving skills and a new confidence that, it lets them follow their dreams. Not to mention the training improves the physical fitness level appearance and gives them skills that will work in real life situations. I want to thank you for all you have done for all of us in the group IKI. I am proud to have a Black Belt under you and I hope to always make you proud. They blog hit home with me so hard-Brit my friend that may as well be the daughter I never had has overcame so much and is now a fantastic athlete and great assistant instructor-IKI Krav Maga that I learn from you has helped her and many others who had all but lost hope-It is rewarding to see a smile and confidence in some ones eyes who once was timid,-You are doing great Things Moshe and I am proud to be a part of the IKI.

Gary Hodges JR

IKI Black Belt Instructor

Lakeside Combat Club

With Gary Hodges Jr, November 2010, Christiansburg, Va

So often in life we are afraid; not just of attackers and assailants, but of ourselves. We are afraid to make decisions, life changes. We are afraid to take a chance on life. We are afraid to believe in ourselves. We gamble in the market (in my case very unsuccessfully, so I am now out!), but we are too timid to gamble on ourselves.

You are worthy of investment, so invest in yourself. We all know how unstable the market is, so invest your time and money in something solid, something precious, something you can trust; yourself.

Train in Israel! Tour and Train

Next session starts June 11 2012

For more details, see Tour and Train February 2011

Read about past tour and train sessions Tour and Train December 2010