Episodes

  • #253 Can Throwing Punches Calm the Mind? The Mental Health Power of Karate

    #253 Can Throwing Punches Calm the Mind? The Mental Health Power of Karate
    Jun 12 2025
    Can a martial art really support mental well-being? In this podcast, I explore how Karate is becoming a powerful tool for mental health, especially through my work with students from a mental health charity who train regularly as part of their therapeutic journey. While Karate isn't officially recognised as a therapy yet—like dance therapy—we're working to change that. I also share my personal story of how Karate helped me overcome anxiety and imposter syndrome, offering structure, confidence, and a mindset shift that changed my life. You'll discover how: The built-in system of controlled failure in Karate creates a habit of pushing through challenges in and out of the dojo. Sparring brings intense focus and presence, acting as a form of mindfulness where the outside world simply disappears. Practicing Karate builds mental resilience, discipline, and emotional release, all essential elements for mental health. Whether you're curious about martial arts or seeking new approaches to mental wellness, this video offers insight, inspiration, and a fresh way to look at Karate—not just as a fighting skill, but as a potential mental health ally. Karate for Mental Health Book: https://amzn.to/43FgMf5 Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Journal Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3l9spmt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you found value in this episode or enjoyed it, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. And if it didn't resonate with you, feel free to pass it along to your enemies – perhaps they'll find it enlightening! Support the show at no extra cost to you by shopping on Amazon through my affiliate link, where I receive a small commission on your purchases. It's a win-win! Find the link below. Amazon Affiliate Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3qqfuhy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Les Bubka's Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lesshop.ammhub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Les Bubka: Author, Karate coach, entrepreneur, and creator of the #Hikite4ever T-shirt. Les promotes inclusive Karate with a focus on the mental health aspects of training. Teaching nationally and internationally. Let's connect: info@lesbubka.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • #252 Black Belt, But Not Enough? Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Karate

    #252 Black Belt, But Not Enough? Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Karate
    Jun 9 2025
    Even after earning a black belt, many martial artists silently struggle with feeling like they’re not “good enough.” In this episode, we explore how imposter syndrome shows up in karate—especially when comparing ourselves to elite athletes or others in the dojo. Instead of chasing someone else’s path, we talk about the power of measuring progress against your past self, embracing individual growth, and redefining what success really means on the mat. Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Journal Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3l9spmt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you found value in this episode or enjoyed it, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. And if it didn't resonate with you, feel free to pass it along to your enemies – perhaps they'll find it enlightening! Support the show at no extra cost to you by shopping on Amazon through my affiliate link, where I receive a small commission on your purchases. It's a win-win! Find the link below. Amazon Affiliate Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3qqfuhy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Les Bubka's Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lesshop.ammhub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Les Bubka: Author, Karate coach, entrepreneur, and creator of the #Hikite4ever T-shirt. Les promotes inclusive Karate with a focus on the mental health aspects of training. Teaching nationally and internationally. Let's connect: info@lesbubka.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    12 mins
  • #251 Time Flies

    #251 Time Flies
    Jun 5 2025
    Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Journal Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3l9spmt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you found value in this episode or enjoyed it, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. And if it didn't resonate with you, feel free to pass it along to your enemies – perhaps they'll find it enlightening! Support the show at no extra cost to you by shopping on Amazon through my affiliate link, where I receive a small commission on your purchases. It's a win-win! Find the link below. Amazon Affiliate Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3qqfuhy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Les Bubka's Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lesshop.ammhub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Les Bubka: Author, Karate coach, entrepreneur, and creator of the #Hikite4ever T-shirt. Les promotes inclusive Karate with a focus on the mental health aspects of training. Teaching nationally and internationally. Let's connect: info@lesbubka.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    18 mins
  • #250 Stronger Together: How Karate Is Evolving

    #250 Stronger Together: How Karate Is Evolving
    Jun 2 2025
    In this episode, we explore the inspiring shift happening across the global karate community. Drawing from personal experiences teaching at national and international seminars, we highlight how practitioners are moving away from rivalry and division toward mutual respect and collaboration. Instead of criticising other styles and organisations, more and more karateka are now promoting diverse approaches and supporting one another’s growth. It's a powerful evolution — and a sign that the future of karate is more united than ever. Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Journal Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3l9spmt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you found value in this episode or enjoyed it, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. And if it didn't resonate with you, feel free to pass it along to your enemies – perhaps they'll find it enlightening! Support the show at no extra cost to you by shopping on Amazon through my affiliate link, where I receive a small commission on your purchases. It's a win-win! Find the link below. Amazon Affiliate Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3qqfuhy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Les Bubka's Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lesshop.ammhub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Les Bubka: Author, Karate coach, entrepreneur, and creator of the #Hikite4ever T-shirt. Les promotes inclusive Karate with a focus on the mental health aspects of training. Teaching nationally and internationally. Let's connect: info@lesbubka.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • #249 How Many Applications Can One Technique Have?

    #249 How Many Applications Can One Technique Have?
    May 30 2025
    The number of bunkai (applications) for a single technique in karate depends on the practitioner's level. Beginners usually learn one clear, structured application to build a strong foundation. As skill and understanding deepen, advanced practitioners can explore multiple interpretations—adapting techniques to different contexts and even creating their own variations. The deeper the knowledge, the more open and creative the bunkai becomes. Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Journal Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3l9spmt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you found value in this episode or enjoyed it, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. And if it didn't resonate with you, feel free to pass it along to your enemies – perhaps they'll find it enlightening! Support the show at no extra cost to you by shopping on Amazon through my affiliate link, where I receive a small commission on your purchases. It's a win-win! Find the link below. Amazon Affiliate Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3qqfuhy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Les Bubka's Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lesshop.ammhub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Les Bubka: Author, Karate coach, entrepreneur, and creator of the #Hikite4ever T-shirt. Les promotes inclusive Karate with a focus on the mental health aspects of training. Teaching nationally and internationally. Let's connect: info@lesbubka.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • #248 Old School vs. Traditional Karate: What’s the Real Difference?

    #248 Old School vs. Traditional Karate: What’s the Real Difference?
    May 26 2025
    What’s the difference between Old School Karate and Traditional Karate? In this episode, we explore how Old School karate evolved through the practical experimentation of masters who adapted techniques, shared knowledge across dojos, and prioritised the real-world effectiveness of martial arts. We contrast this with Traditional Japanese karate, established in the 1930s, which focuses on preserving lineage, strict structure, and loyalty to one style, one sensei. Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Journal Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3l9spmt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you found value in this episode or enjoyed it, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. And if it didn't resonate with you, feel free to pass it along to your enemies – perhaps they'll find it enlightening! Support the show at no extra cost to you by shopping on Amazon through my affiliate link, where I receive a small commission on your purchases. It's a win-win! Find the link below. Amazon Affiliate Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3qqfuhy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Les Bubka's Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lesshop.ammhub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Les Bubka: Author, Karate coach, entrepreneur, and creator of the #Hikite4ever T-shirt. Les promotes inclusive Karate with a focus on the mental health aspects of training. Teaching nationally and internationally. Let's connect: info@lesbubka.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • #247 Trauma Informed Karate with Jon McLean Sensei

    #247 Trauma Informed Karate with Jon McLean Sensei
    May 23 2025
    Jon stands as our Chief Instructor, holding a 4th Dan in Shukokai Karate & Kickboxing alongside a Purple Belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Jon's initial foray into karate as a child was short-lived, a youthful experience cut short by a few too many reprimands! However, the spark was ignited, and in his early twenties, he returned to the martial arts alongside the same friend he used to get in trouble with, joining a local dojo in Caernafon. Driven by a desire to build his own confidence, and inspired by a friend at another club in the network, Jon quickly immersed himself in training, often spending multiple hours honing his skills most nights. Though his initial training partner moved on, Jon's dedication only intensified and he continues his own personal training to this day. Made On Mats Book: https://amzn.to/4dxZbcb https://warriorspiritma.co.uk/ Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Journal Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3l9spmt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you found value in this episode or enjoyed it, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. And if it didn't resonate with you, feel free to pass it along to your enemies – perhaps they'll find it enlightening! Support the show at no extra cost to you by shopping on Amazon through my affiliate link, where I receive a small commission on your purchases. It's a win-win! Find the link below. Amazon Affiliate Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3qqfuhy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Les Bubka's Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lesshop.ammhub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Les Bubka: Author, Karate coach, entrepreneur, and creator of the #Hikite4ever T-shirt. Les promotes inclusive Karate with a focus on the mental health aspects of training. Teaching nationally and internationally. Let's connect: info@lesbubka.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • #246 Shockingly Bad episode

    #246 Shockingly Bad episode
    May 19 2025
    I really couldn't get it together. Mental health course: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/2hNUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Action Plan: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/b/1b0Mk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Explore our full range of Karate courses and deepen your practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/LesBubka⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Karate For Mental Health CIC Support when you shop via Easy Funding ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/8wYJZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab a t-shirt! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kfmhcic.creator-spring.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to grab your Karate Journal to document your journey: Karate Journal Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3l9spmt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you found value in this episode or enjoyed it, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. And if it didn't resonate with you, feel free to pass it along to your enemies – perhaps they'll find it enlightening! Support the show at no extra cost to you by shopping on Amazon through my affiliate link, where I receive a small commission on your purchases. It's a win-win! Find the link below. Amazon Affiliate Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3qqfuhy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Les Bubka's Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lesshop.ammhub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Les Bubka: Author, Karate coach, entrepreneur, and creator of the #Hikite4ever T-shirt. Les promotes inclusive Karate with a focus on the mental health aspects of training. Teaching nationally and internationally. Let's connect: info@lesbubka.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    15 mins
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