Understanding Life’s Archetypes

In this episode, Tim and Steve talk about four powerful roles we all play at different times in life:

• The Hero – pushes through hard times with courage and purpose

• The Healer – helps others and brings comfort

• The Victim – feels stuck, powerless, or overwhelmed

• The Villain – acts out of pain, fear, or anger to protect themselves

They explain how we shift between these roles depending on what’s going on in our lives — and why it’s so important to notice when we’re slipping into the Victim or Villain. By staying connected to our values, we can choose to step into the Hero or Healer more often and live with purpose.

Takeaway:
Which role are you playing today — and is it helping you grow?

"June is the month of potential — halfway through the year, and still time to become everything you set out to be." — Unknown

Avoid the corrosion of inaction: If we neglect our space, it can quickly become cluttered with negativity and stagnation — much like debris filling an empty room. The key is to keep moving and shaking things up! Whether it's going for a run, surrounding yourself with uplifting people, or simply trying something new, these actions can prevent your space from becoming unmovable and corroded. Remember, a flat soda loses its appeal, just like a stagnant life loses its vibrancy.

Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman talk more about “chasing your space” — taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. They compare it to blowing up a balloon. If you don’t fill it with good things like positive thoughts and actions, it will fill up with negativity instead. Tim says if you don’t pay attention to your space, it gets messy and unhelpful. He also compares personal growth to the fizz in soda — movement and energy keep life exciting, and being around positive people helps you grow.

The message: Don’t ignore your space — fill it with things that help you grow and stay happy.

“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” — Charles Bowden

• Tradition matters — in martial arts and in life. It teaches discipline, respect, and perseverance.

• Old-school practices like kata still have value, even if modern systems move away from them.

• Tradition connects us — like family meals and passed-down customs — helping us stay grounded.

• Be present — Tim ties in the four dimensions (height, width, depth, time) to explain how being mindful of posture and breath can keep us aware in both martial arts and daily life.

• Life is short — every breath matters, so walk with confidence and make each day count.

Some fitting Memorial Day quotes:

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

"Home of the free, because of the brave.”

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” — Nathan Hale

“America without her soldiers would be like God without His angels.” — Claudia Pemberton

“We don't know them all, but we owe them all.”

Their sacrifice lives on in the freedoms we cherish. Honoring our heroes today.

Sensei Tim Hoover and Steve Mittman talk about a scary real-life incident where a woman was threatened and attacked in a movie theater parking lot. They break down why being prepared and aware in dangerous situations is so important.

Tim shares lessons from his weapons training and Steve explains why "self-protection" is better than "self-defense." This episode will help you think differently about staying safe.

“No one is dumb who is curious. The people who don't ask questions remain clueless throughout their lives.” — Neil deGrasse Tyson