I Am JMAC: Eric
About Eric
"I am a Michigan transplant and engineer by profession. As a fitness enthusiast, I enjoy staying active through martial arts, strength training, biking, hiking and anything else that can get me outdoors and away from my desk. I enjoy traveling and take frequent trips to California to stay in touch with my network there. I love exploring new experiences and countries with my wife and our friends."
Path to Martial Arts
"My admiration for martial arts started when I was young. I was enamored with the heroic tales in games, anime and movies such as Zelda, Rurouni Kenshin, and Lord of the Rings. I wanted to be just like these valiant warriors fighting for a better world with their incredible powers. I spent many of those early days crafting weapons made out of cardboard, pencils, and paper, before running off to slay moblins."
Favorite Aspects of JMAC
"I admire JMAC's ability to balance a welcoming atmosphere with maintaining the strict traditions that honor the history of martial arts and of all those who came before us. Due to the instructors' emphasis on self-improvement over ego, and the culture of respect and humility, I've always felt safe and welcome in the dojo.
Building up a new network as an adult can often feel challenging, and I am thankful that the community at JMAC has provided me with a space to expand my social circle with like-minded people."
Athletic & Martial Arts Experience
"Collectively, I have about 12 years of experience across various martial arts. My first exposure was in middle school during Sunday school, where I started Taekwondo. I loved mimicking the flashy kicks I saw in video games, and it gave me a huge confidence boost at a time when making friends at school was hard.
In college, my interest in exploring different styles grew, and I joined every club I could find—Wushu, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai, Shinkendo, Toyama-ryu and Kendo. As I moved around the country for work in my twenties, I continued to practice at different schools whenever possible, until finally landing at JMAC."
Personal Challenges
"Looking back on my martial arts journey, I sometimes wished I had committed myself to learning one style instead of chasing what I imagined to be the "best" art for me. I often wondered whether my tendency to switch between styles was due to a short attention span and lack of discipline.
However, my training and interactions with the community at JMAC has deepened my ability to self-reflect and find common threads in my journey. Through JMAC's Iaido program, I enjoy learning not only the techniques, but also the deep histories behind them, which continues to pique my interest after a year and a half of training. I am, for the first time, coming to terms with my previous experiences not as opportunities lost, but as part of the process that continues to help me be a better martial artist tomorrow".
Positive Changes and Growth Since StartingTraining
"Before joining JMAC, I thought living a healthy life was about being able to do lots of cardio and having a high VO2 Max. The training at JMAC has broadened my definition to include the long-term benefits to my emotional and cognitive well-being as well.
By sitting in seiza and rising from the floor without help from my hands—a sign of good health and longevity—I have felt my legs, hips and core gain strength. By practicing meditation and zanshin, I have become less emotionally reactive, especially during rush-hour commutes. By challenging myself to memorize the minute details of solo waza and learning some Japanese language along the way, I'm improving my memory and cognitive health.
Overall, Iaido has helped me appreciate a more balanced and holistic approach to health than I had before."