SFL Episode 137: Al McLuckie

This week, an enlightening conversation with veteran Systema, Filipino Martial Arts Instructor Al McLuckie.   
Al has over five decades of experience in arts ranging from Western Boxing and Kempo Karate, to Eskrima, Kali, Silat, and (of course) Systema. A former instructor for the famous Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts in Chicago, Al's unique and unparalleled knife skills, in particular, have seen him teaching famous martial artists such as Lee Wedlake, Scott Glenn, and Martin Wheeler, along with workshops for the Lethal Force Institute. 

Here, we talk about:

- his path into martial arts training and teaching
- rare experiences working with FMA, Systema, and H'sing-i masters 
- the deep principles he has observed across multiple martial styles
- posture, connection, and attitudes to "reality-based" training

Al is also a prolific oil painter. See examples of his work at http://www.almcluckie.com

SFL Episode 136: Martin Wheeler (Special Episode)

This week, a brief chat with Senior Systema Instructor Martin Wheeler, following his recent Redwoods Systema Camp in California, and foreshadowing his 4-day Masterclass events in Los Angeles and Raleigh/Durham, NC. Here, we chat about:

- insights from teaching and training worldwide
- the benefits of multi-day immersion training
- the surprising effects of training outdoors
- discomfort as a necessary path to awareness

Both of Martin's Masterclass events - East Coast and West - are still open for registration. Click below for details.

Masterclass Los Angeles (Oct 1-4 2021)
The Academy Beverly Hills

East Coast Masterclass (Oct 21-24)
Falls Lake (nr Raleigh), North Carolina

SFL Episode 135: On Discerning the Truth

This week, another engaging conversation with author, podcaster, and expert health and wellness coach, Howard Jacobson.  Here, we get into the tricky question of how to discern truth from falsehood, reality from creative (and compelling) stories. Using concrete examples in the fields of nutrition, exercise, and martial arts practice.  Touching upon:

• How we decide what is true (or true enough)

• The necessity and paradox of trust

• Resolving conflicting ideas

• What science, medicine, and Systema training have in common

Follow Howie's healthy exploits at www.plantyourself.com
 

Mentioned in this episode:

Burn, by Herman Pontzer, PhD:
https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Research-Really-Calories-Healthy/dp/0525541527

Reality-making: the Art of Distinguishing Truth from Falsehood:
https://medium.com/the-understanding-project/reality-making-the-art-of-distinguishing-truth-from-falsehood-a30d5c3c3d7c