Some lessons only sink in when they hurt a little.

After a solid Sunday class, I was chatting with Nate while folks were comparing bruises and swelling. It brought back a memory of when I accidentally smacked my first instructor’s thumb during a stick drill. He didn’t take it well and kind of tapped out of training that day. Contrast that with my first live stick sparring round with Nate—he hit me harder, and I knew it was coming.

And that’s the point.

I’m not putting down my first instructor—he gave me exactly what I needed at that stage of my life. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate how critical it is to accept pain and discomfort as part of real growth. Whether it’s taking a hit during a sparring match or getting under a barbell and pushing yourself past what you thought possible, discomfort teaches you something that comfort never will.

Every time I get the chance to train with Nate, I walk away having learned something new—even if it’s just a realization of how far I’ve come since I started Filipino Martial Arts.

A lot of that learning comes after pain.

It’s not always severe or brutal. Sometimes it’s just enough to sting, to leave a mark. But that sting creates awareness. That ache sharpens focus. That bruise becomes a milestone.

I remember an article by Lee Wedlake, a respected American Kenpo master, who reflected on how discomfort in training has become frowned upon. And to some degree, I get it—training needs to be accessible. But there’s a deeper question there: Who makes up your market? Are you building warriors, or simply selling memberships?

The tendon in my left index finger has been swollen for months. It doesn’t look great—but I’m proud of it. It’s a badge of effort. A reminder of the work I’ve put in. Sometimes I show it off when students compare injuries. Not because I enjoy the damage, but because I know what it took to earn it—and what I’m still willing to endure.

I’m lucky to have found training partners, teachers, and a path where pain isn’t the enemy—it’s just part of the conversation.

And I hope others are lucky enough to discover the same.