- Home
- Krav Maga Blog
- Krav Instructors
- Train in Israel
- Tour Train Israel
- Krav Shop
- DVD
- Kickboxing
- IKI Near Me
- Seminars
- IKI Membership
- On-Line Training
- Krav Maga Training
- Testimonials
- History Krav Maga
- Instructors Page
- Past Blogs
- Spanish
- Italian
- Certification
- Contact
- Holland Seminar
- Vienna Seminar
- Poland Seminar
- Italy Seminar
- Belt Requirements
Obstacles and Assets
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
September 30, 2026, Israel
I consider Arnold Schwarzenegger to be a very inspirational figure. While I have always enjoyed his films it was only later when he began to speak about his life and his life-lessons that I really began to appreciate the man. He is truly a legend, not because he is "famous" but because he is a living lesson in achieving your dreams, in not being held back by perceived obstacles.
He began from very humble beginnings, a very rough childhood in a little village in Austria without hope of achieving anything. He was not given opportunities, only presented with obstacles and beaten (unsuccessfully) into conformity. This is not the place to recount his life story, you can find that elsewhere, but his rise to stardom, to success and happiness, to personal fulfillment, to being a true international role model, is a source of inspiration for all. Young Arnold was not held back by the limitations, by all the obstacles placed in his path. In his own words, "Many of the children I've seen were broken by their parents", "I was one who did not conform, and whose will could not be broken."
Do Not let your Will be Broken
"Men and people will fight you down when you see the light. Let me tell you if you are not wrong than everything is all right." (Bob Marley)
Arnold Schwarzenegger succeeded precisely because he would not allow anyone or anything, people or life circumstances to hold him back from his goals, his dreams, his vision of himself and his life. I have seen over the years all sorts of Krav Maga instructors. In other styles I see a certain "Type", young, strong, muscular. If there are women, they are as manly as possible, always sleeveless to display their well-toned biceps. In IKI, our association we have all types, men, women, young and old, thin and heavy, fit and less fit. We even have instructors with disabilities and limitations. These are not Obstacles that we will stop us!
Arnold faced limitations, in a recent interview he spoke of how hard he tried to overcome the "Obstacle" of his strong Germanic Austrian accent. He made great progress in English, but he could not eliminate this accent, he was told he would never succeed. But as he pointed out, he took that Obstacle and it became an Asset! The very things that were supposed to be insurmountable obstacles became his greatest assets in becoming the icon that he became. His strong accent, his "I'll be Back!", became his calling-card. What others said would end his career became his career. "What they were saying was an obstacle became an asset." He says with a glowing smile.
What Obstacles are Standing in your Way?
We have members and instructors of all types. We can't all be young and beautiful for ever. Look at photos of Imi Lichtenfeld as a young man, a human sculpture, a true Adonis body builder. Look at his older photos, a regular old man, such is life, we accept that gracefully. We have instructors who are women, and yes in the Krav Maga world that is an obstacle! We have instructors who are very old, and yes that too is an obstacle in a field dominated by the young and pretty. We have instructors who are blind in one eye, who have no depth perception and yet they are excellent instructors. And here is the Arnold point, that "Obstacle" is in fact a hidden Asset! Do not view it as an Obstacle at all! Arnold's accent became his unique calling-card, without that he might have been just another oversized bodybuilder of which there are thousands! Your "Obstacle" can become your greatest asset. A short woman who can defend herself? That is a better advertisement than a 6-foot-4 body builder, sure he can defend himself. A man of 79 can defend himself, now that is a man I want to learn from. Change your attitude, turn your perceived Obstacle into your greatest Asset.
The Person he Became
Arnold was raised by a difficult man, a hard man, in fact, a Nazi. His father joined the Nazi party and became an active member. Gustav Schwarzenegger served as a military policeman in the invasions of Poland, France, and the Soviet Union. Arnold did not attend his funeral. Arnold became the exact opposite of his father; a kind man who displays tolerance towards all. You are not a product of fate, "No fate but what we make" (Terminator 2)
The future is shaped by human choices - Your choices (see below for choices on how to start changing your life Today!) IKI Online personal training.
A young Imi Lichtenfeld, famous Krav Maga instructor
An older Imi Lichtenfeld, More famous Krav Maga instructor
Yes, we the "less young" can still be very good instructors, old experience counts for more than our "boyish good looks".
Moshe Katz, 8th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.
Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz
What is the cultural background of Krav Maga? What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?
What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?
What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?
How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?
All that and more in this unique book.
Let's Upgrade Your REAL Training TODAY
Or is someone coming to save you?
IKI Krav Maga online distance training - Leading to ranks and certification.
Tour and Train Israel Experience
Personal Training - If you are interested in personal Krav Maga training please contact us on the form below.
