In 2001, then-future NFL GOAT (Greatest of All-Time) Quarterback Tom Brady replaced injured Drew Bledsoe for the New England Patriots. NFL Hall of Fame Cornerback Ty Law got that Tom was special. Ty said, “[Tom] put his head down and did his job.”
In 2002, Tom led the Patriots to the Super Bowl and defeated the Greatest Show on Turf, the St. Louis Rams, led by NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Kurt Warner. Tom won 6 Super Bowls with the Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His 7 Super Bowl Championships truly make Tom the GOAT. His accomplishments, his acknowledgment from teammates and peers bestow Tom with authentic gravitas.
In 2019, Tom won his sixth Super Bowl by defeating the Los Angeles Rams. Good Morning America Host, NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan interviewed him after the game. Michael said, “A lot of people, myself included, call you the GOAT…”
Tom said, “I don’t even like that. I don’t even like it. It makes me cringe! I guess I take compliments worse than… I wish you would say that you’re too old, too slow. You’re trash. You can’t get it done, no more. And I’ll say, ‘Thank you very much. I’m gonna prove you wrong!’”
Tom continually works on his greater-than version. That also makes him the GOAT. In 2022, Tom returned for his 23rd NFL season to maybe win his 8th Super Bowl. He still plays at an elite level. He does what he loves for as long as he can. In the end, time is undefeated.
A couple of years after I made Shodan (1st-degree black belt) in Aikido, the late Mizukami Sensei gave me a class to teach. Sensei said, “Your Aikido gets better when you teach.” He was right. As I taught, I evolved and refined my Aikido. I grew as a person, too. I gave back what Sensei had given to me in teaching others.
Back then, I cringed when students called me, Sensei. I said, “Just call me, Jon.” The late Mizukami Sensei was Sensei. Not me. Mizukami Sensei was a father to me. He taught me what it is to be a good man, to be of service to others, and to make a difference.
During my formative Sensei years, I regenerated Mizukami Sensei’s technique. While other Senseis might have had their own style that branded their Aikido, I followed Mizukami Sensei’s basics. Along the way, I got what I could and couldn’t do. I reinvented my Aikido and me. Sensei said, “Make Aikido your own.” I did that.
Often students said, “You teach just like Mizukami Sensei.” Those were my flowers. I talked way more than Sensei, who was a man of few words. I reminded students, “Keep your shoulders down. Move your body. Move your feet.” I said, “Take a glancing blow if you have to. It’s one time.” Sensei’s words were now mine.
I freed up myself and evolved my own style. Mizukami Sensei said, “You don’t have to do it (Aikido technique) like I do it. Make it work for you.” I made Aikido work for me. I made myself work, too.
Aikido students just trained. They put in the work. They made it work for themselves. They say, “Hai (yes)” even when they don’t know what the hell they were doing. They practiced Aikido technique over, and over, and over, and over again.
Students didn’t have to do the technique like me, because they’re not me. I taught them to make Aikido work for themselves. They make themselves work, too. Like the late Mizukami Sensei, it was far more important to me who students were outside the Dojo, out in life.
For over 30 years, I’ve trained over 50 Aikido black belts. I don’t cringe when students call me, Sensei. They granted their permission to be their Sensei. Being called Sensei honors the legacy of the late Mizukami Sensei. That being said, I still prefer being called Jon. Just saying.
Aikido black belts come and go from the Dojo over the years. Life goes on. Brian, who’s Nidan (2nd-degree black belt) called me from Minnesota. He was coming on a business trip to Los Angeles. He wanted to train with me. That touched my soul. I taught Tim when he trained for Shodan. Tim returned for a Sunday morning class when he was in town. We hugged on the Aikido mat. That touched my heart.
I’m so proud of Brian and Tim. They are good men. Maybe, I had something to do with that. I’m honored and humbled by who they are in the world. I have only mad love and respect for them. I’ve been honored by those, who’ve granted their permission to be their Sensei. Maybe, I’ve made a difference for them in life. They grant whatever gravitas that I have. I’m forever grateful.
I just train. Put my head down. I work on myself, not on others. The world isn’t all about me. The world works when others invent the best versions of themselves. I’m grateful for the privilege of guiding others to become their greater-than versions. Just saying.
***
Support The Good Men Project on Patreon to help us build a better, more inclusive world for all.
***
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
