The Value of a Guide & Turkish Get Ups

A few days ago, I came across a post from my dear teacher and mentor in Taekwondo. He was reflecting on the many roles a coach plays in the life of a student: guiding them not only through training, but also encouraging education, personal growth, travel, reading, and the journey from white belt to black belt.

His words took me back to my own beginnings.

My first teacher, Mr. Fonseca, accepted me into Taekwondo when I was only five years old, even though the minimum age at the time was six. He showed incredible patience, guided me through my first steps, encouraged me to compete, and helped me grow. Yet he never forced me. He simply pointed me in the right direction and allowed me to discover the path for myself.

Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been surrounded by positive mentors throughout my life. Coaches, teachers, training partners, and leaders shaped the way I train, coach, teach, and support others today.

One of the greatest gifts a teacher provides is not simply information. It is Direction.

A good teacher shortens the road.

They help us avoid unnecessary detours, learn from their experience, and focus our efforts on what truly matters. Whether we want to become a better athlete, musician, artist, entrepreneur, or simply a better human being, having someone who has walked the path before us can make an enormous difference.

Could we figure things out on our own?

Of course.

There is value in the scenic route.

But there is also value in learning from those who have already traveled the road.

A mentor takes years of experience, mistakes, victories, and lessons and turns them into simple guidance that helps us move forward with greater confidence.

When I think about my own journey, I realize that every meaningful step forward was influenced by someone who shared their knowledge, encouragement, or wisdom.

After all, every great hero had a guide.

Even Luke Skywalker had Yoda.

And perhaps one of the greatest strengths we can develop is the humility to learn from those willing to teach.

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Paramahansa Yogananda wrote:

“When you are moving blindly through the valley of life, stumbling in darkness, you need the help of someone who has eyes.”

I love this quote because it reminds me of all the coaches, teachers, mentors, and guides who have appeared throughout my life.

None of us truly walks the path alone.

A good teacher does not walk the road for us. They simply help us see farther down the trail. They help us avoid unnecessary mistakes, shorten the learning curve, and reveal possibilities we may not have discovered on our own.

Whether it was my first Taekwondo instructor accepting me as a five-year-old student, a strength coach teaching me about movement, or a mentor sharing wisdom gained through experience, each one left a mark that shaped who I am today.

The older I get, the more I realize that progress leaves clues. Learning from those who came before us is one of the fastest ways to grow.

After all, every master was once a student.

And every great journey becomes a little easier when someone who has already walked the road is willing to show us the way.

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Challenge Spotlight: The Turkish Get-Up

This month, we will be dedicating time to one of the most remarkable exercises ever created: the Turkish Get-Up.

The Get-Up is much more than a strength exercise. It is a complete full-body movement that challenges mobility, stability, balance, coordination, body awareness, and strength, all in a single repetition. It moves through multiple planes of motion and teaches the body how to work as one integrated unit.

Like many worthwhile pursuits, the Turkish Get-Up requires patience, discipline, and practice. It is an exercise that rewards attention to detail and reveals something new every time you perform it. In many ways, it is a challenge all on its own.

Throughout this month, we will be breaking down the movement piece by piece, exploring its individual components, refining technique, and learning how each segment contributes to the whole. By understanding the details, we can build confidence, efficiency, and mastery.

I have attached a video with a quick guide to help you begin exploring this incredible movement.

Take your time, trust the process, and enjoy the journey.

One movement. Many lessons. Endless possibilities. 

The Get Up Crash Course. — CLICK HERE for VIDEO