I have been fortunate to experience physical altercations both in the dojo as well as the outside world. Not to say that I am a trouble-maker, but my career for the last ten years involved dealing with potentially violent people. The reason that I believe I am fortunate is because my training and my career have helped me overcome my fear of getting hurt. It is true that many/most people are afraid of getting hurt physically. While this is not a bad thing, it often keeps people from reaching their full potential. I have learned that the human body is a remarkable thing. It is designed to take an incredible amount of punishment and continue functioning. Furthermore, I now know that I may be struck by someone and it will not necessarily incapacitate me. The only way that I was able to learn this is by getting hit…and kicked…and thrown. After a while, it just becomes commonplace and easily accepted. Fear of pain is a powerful motivator but overcoming that fear is liberating. That fact is true in all aspects of life.