Beyond Self-Defense: How Martial Arts Transformed My Approach to Business

I still remember the first time I stepped onto the well-trodden dojo floor. It was two years ago, but I remember like it was yesterday. My two boys were beside me—we shared the moment, and all its anticipation and determination.

Our intentions were modest: stronger bodies and self-defense skills. What I couldn’t have predicted was its profound ripple effect, which inexplicably transformed the way I see the world, parent my kids, and—in this context—do business.

As I ascended the ranks and delved deeper into the art (it truly is an art), there was a singular point of inflection. I found myself entranced by the fluid grace and precision the advanced students had, their movements as sharp and deliberate as a calligrapher’s brushstrokes.

They weren’t fighting. They were dancing.

At that moment, I no longer cared for self-defense. I was now in pursuit of harmony between my mind, body, and soul.

I began to align myself with the black belts who danced through their forms, their every motion a masterclass in focus and coordination. Eager to absorb their wisdom, I mirrored their techniques, weaving their skills into the tapestry of my own practice. And as I did so, I felt my confidence and prowess swell, buoyed by a newfound mental and emotional discipline that transcended the dojo walls.

My foundational karate skills flourished, leading me to the mesmerizing world of kata—a symphony of movements and techniques that, together, form a harmonious sequence. This solo practice became an intricate dance, honing not only my physical prowess but also sculpting my mental and emotional resilience.

Kata was a formidable opponent at first, but as I persevered, I could feel my willpower and discipline taking root, growing steadfast.

Or, so I thought.

Our energy follows our intention and focus

Through this crucible, I unearthed my first invaluable lesson: our energy is a steadfast servant, following the trail of our intention and focus.

This revelation prompted me to take a step back and reassess the compass of my life, scrutinizing everything from the vortex of social media to the soundtrack of my daily routine. By refining my intentions, I found myself stepping into a more agile, efficient, and focused existence, empowered by the clarity of my direction.

As my thirst for mastery grew, I sought the guidance of private lessons, eager to delve into the depths of various katas.

It was during one such session that my sensei highlighted two glaring obstacles:

My haste
My lack of a captivating performance

Lost in my fervor to complete the kata, I had fallen prey to a mechanical execution, devoid of the emotional resonance and internalization that breathes life into each technique. And let me tell you: Hearing that didn’t make me feel good.

I thought I knew what I was doing. Truth is, I didn’t.

My sensei’s wisdom awakened me to the truth: Kata is not a recitation of choreographed movements. It is a vivid portrayal of combat, each motion imbued with purpose and intent. To truly embrace the essence of kata, I needed to perform each technique as if locked in a battle against an invisible adversary.

The artistry of kata lies in the mastery of each movement, the comprehension of its significance, and the careful orchestration of space between techniques—transforming the performance into an elegant, living tapestry.

To truly master kata, I needed to shift my intention and focus away from the mastery itself.

Full mastery is a broken-down, one-at-a-time process

I thought I was learning faster. In reality, rushing through my movements meant denying myself the opportunity to truly comprehend each technique’s nuances. As an ardent admirer of Eckhart Tolle—whose words in “The Power of Now” and “A New Earth” extol the virtues of presence, stillness, and awareness—I took this second lesson to heart.

Armed with a newfound clarity and courage, I couldn’t help but notice the tendrils of these skills weave their way through my professional life. Within the rhythmic dance of kata, I unearthed a meditative sanctuary, a haven where focus and mindfulness blossomed. I was, finally, learning to harness the elusive forces of momentum and flow, allowing them to guide me with ease and grace. This transformative practice kindled a curiosity within me, a burning question of how I could nurture these qualities in other facets of my life—particularly my work.

As a founder, I have the constant “need” to do everything at once. I think I have to get to the next steps as soon as possible.

Maybe that’s what I was doing.

At work, I started to focus on each project as I do with kata—cultivating continuous momentum, not limiting myself to rigid deadlines.

Don’t get me wrong: We need deadlines. But not when they cause anxiety that could instead be channeled into progress. By seeing our work product as momentous energy, we can steer ourselves in the right direction. Through kata and my journey of self-discovery, I was learning how to lead by example for my team, deliver better results for my clients, and battle the internal anxieties every founder can relate to.

Selling is about genuine human connection and nonverbal communication

“Sell it, Nazli, sell it.”

Sensei’s words echoed in my ears. As a professional who guides candidates through the labyrinth of job interviews and the delicate art of self-presentation, I first needed to learn what my sensei meant.

By refining my kata, I discovered the importance of acting with purpose and conviction, whether on the dojo floor or in the boardroom—a powerful mantra that would accompany me as I grew Hop.

True selling lies in genuinely, body language, eye contact, and immersion in the conversation. It isn’t transactional—it’s about fostering meaningful connections, built upon the foundation of genuine engagement and trust.

Through our actions, we reveal our inner strength to our prospects. Just as my sensei saw through my beginning effort, your prospects see through superficiality. You can’t want the sale itself, only what’s underneath it.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a candidate looking to land your dream job, remember the value of discipline and genuinely, which are essential in creating and strengthening prowess in business and in life. You can’t fake it. But you certainly can learn it.

Two years ago, I embarked on a martial arts journey with karate, signing up for classes alongside my two boys. Our initial goal was to build stronger bodies and learn self-defense techniques. Little did I know that this decision would profoundly impact my life. As I progressed and enrolled in advanced classes, I became captivated by the focus, intensity, and coordination of higher-ranked students. This inspired me to shift my mindset from merely learning self-defense to developing mental and physical agility.

I began positioning myself behind advanced black belts during practice, doing my best to mimic their movements. I was determined to learn from their techniques and incorporate their skills into my own practice. As I observed and replicated their movements, my confidence and skill grew, along with my mental and emotional discipline.

As my basic karate skills improved, I was introduced to kata—a series of movements or techniques performed in a specific pattern and sequence. This solo practice focuses on perfecting techniques, improving physical movements, and developing mental and emotional discipline. Kata was challenging at first, but as I persevered, my willpower and discipline grew stronger. This led me to my first lesson: our energy follows our intention and focus. I began reassessing where I was directing my attention in life, from social media to activities and music choices. By being more intentional, I became more efficient, agile, and focused.

To take my training to the next level, I signed up for private classes to delve deeper into various katas. During one session, my sensei pointed out two issues: I was rushing the movements and not “selling” the performance. I was so focused on completing the kata that I was doing it mechanically, without internalizing the techniques or engaging my emotions. I needed to perform each movement as if I were actually fighting someone in front of me. Kata isn’t just about memorizing a sequence; it’s about mastering each movement, understanding its purpose and application, and leaving proper space between techniques.

Lesson number two: the magic of space. My sensei told me that by rushing through the movements, I wasn’t giving myself the time and space to fully explore and understand the techniques. This lesson resonated with me, especially because I am a big fan of Eckhart Tolle, the author of “The Power of Now” and “A New Earth.” He emphasizes the importance of presence, stillness, and awareness. The space between words and actions is significant because it represents moments of stillness and awareness that allow us to be fully present. I realized that knowing something doesn’t mean we can do it unless we put our knowledge into practice. I knew the power of space, but I wasn’t able to perform it in my actions. That was an aha moment for me, which made me realize my shortcomings and work through them.

As I continued practicing kata with newfound clarity and courage, these skills began to transfer into my professional life. I discovered that kata helped me develop a meditative state of mind, allowing me to focus and achieve mindfulness. I was finally learning how to create momentum and flow naturally. This practice made me think about how I could cultivate these qualities in other aspects of my life, especially my work. I started creating momentum in every project instead of imposing deadlines. Deadlines can make people nervous, but if we learn to create momentum and guide energy in the right direction, we can achieve far greater results with less effort.

Lesson number three was about “selling.” My sensei told me I had to perform my kata as if I really meant it. He kept saying, “Sell it, Nazli, sell it.” As someone who advises candidates on job interviews and presenting themselves in front of companies, it was a fascinating topic to learn and master.

As I progressed, I learned how I had misunderstood the selling aspect. Selling means being fully present in body and mind when showcasing your talent and skills to someone else. Now, with a deeper understanding of this concept, I know it’s not about faking it or being overly confident; it’s about being genuine, aware of our body language, making eye contact, and being fully present. Selling means demonstrating your soul’s strength through your actions, attitude, and resilience. If you learn how to stay grounded and present during a conversation, you will naturally sell your abilities. You don’t need to do anything extra to sell them. Taking my sensei’s advice to heart, I started to focus on really “selling” my kata performances, and it wasn’t long before I saw a transformation. Not only did my kata improve, but I also began to notice how this newfound mindset impacted my life beyond the dojo. The lessons I learned from my martial arts practice began to intertwine with my journey as an entrepreneur, and the results were nothing short of amazing.

So there you have it, friends! My martial arts journey has not only made me a stronger athlete but has also shaped my entrepreneurial spirit and taught me valuable lessons that can be applied to all areas of life. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a candidate looking to land your dream job, remember the importance of discipline, which is essential in creating and strengthening willpower. Developing strong willpower, you can create whatever you want in life, bounce back from setbacks and challenges, and maintain your motivation and focus even in difficult circumstances.

Every sport can have a similar effect as long as we’re open to seeing the lessons behind them. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a candidate looking to land your dream job, remember the importance of discipline, authenticity, continuous learning, and resilience. With these lessons in your toolbox, you’ll be unstoppable in achieving your goals.