The White Belt Mentality

written by Erik Paulson

During my travels with Guro Dan Inosanto, I have heard him repeatedly say that, “Martial arts is the most humbling experience. The more you know, the more you know that you don’t know. As soon as you think you’re getting good at something, someone comes along and surprises you.” Guro Dan keeps emphasizing the point that all martial arts practitioners, regardless of rank, should have a white belt mentality. This will always keep you hungry so you won’t rest on your laurels, letting others pass you by. This concept is the same idea that is given in the children’s story, The Tortoise and the Hare. You can think you’re good, and you can be assured you’re going to win, but if you stop training and stop evolving and consistently changing then you will eventually get passed by someone who might be less talented, but yet who trains regularly.

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