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10 Things Having a Blackbelt Means to Me

May 31, 2016 by Kenney Myers

I have been active in sports and martial arts for years (ever since I was in college). I have done full contact tae kwon do, sparred many, many rounds, and fought in the ring. However, I think the biggest accomplishment remains earning my blackbelt under The Pit, Sifu Garcia and within John Hackleman’s system of schools. It’s a difficult belt to earn as it requires a combination of kickboxing, hawaiian tempo, sanshou, and crosspit (crossfit with a vengeance). Recently we added Kore jiujitsu as well under the great Luigi Mondelli. It’s like a who’s who list of coaches and yet they make it incredibly personal and find ways to focus more on making you the best version of you that you can be. So here are ten things that having a blackbelt means to me:

It represents several years and hours of practice chasing a goal and eventually attaining it. I think too many times people give up on their goals because they are difficult. No kidding! Very few things in life that are worth achieving come easily at least for most of us.
Going through this journey of learning various techniques has given me the confidence to know that if I find myself in a life threatening situation in the streets, I have a fighting chance at survival. Hopefully that never happens, but if it does I know that I am not going down without a fight.
I have learned to respect and listen to my body better than in any other sport I have ever played/practiced. I have blown out two calves, torn my bicep, broken my nose, and other various injuries. Through all of that though I learned what my body can and cannot take. That is useful information.
I have gained a tight-knit circle of friends that also participate at the pit that I would have never met had it not been for our training. Why is that key? Because surrounding yourself with good, positive people is important in life. Very few successful people get there alone and our team is always there for each other offering encouragement for every practice, round of sparring, or fight. We call it our pit ohana (family).
Through training at the pit and earning my blackbelt I have attained a higher level of physical conditioning than I ever did by just going to the gym doing cardio and lifting weights. I am not sure why but I can tell you that several rounds of sparring or rolling in jiu jitsu will fully exhaust every muscle in my body.
In my house, training in kickboxing is a family activity. My son is 11 and he also has a blackbelt from the pit. Having something that the family can do together is important especially when it is something that builds confidence and serves to keep the whole family safer.
Having a blackbelt really just marks another stop on the journey toward becoming the best that I can be. I’ll continue pursuing degrees and building upon this solid foundation. So earning a blackbelt for me is not a final destination at all, it simply marks a significant point on my map of life.
It’s hard to have a list of what a blackbelt means without acknowledging the support of others that helped me accomplish this goal. My wife, family, friends, and work all showed exceptional support without which I could not have made it. Thank you all for the inspiration and patience as I trained and nursed several injuries from fighting!
Having a blackbelt also means that I have a deeper understanding of what it takes for others to fight and to attain various levels of success. Watching a muay thai, kickboxing, or MMA fight is completely different after you have fought in fights yourself. The level of appreciation for both fighters is much higher.
Finally, I want to say that earning a blackbelt also means that I had amazing guidance from the teachers and staff at the pit. The techniques that they teach are not easy to master but I’m sure they are also not easy to teach. Thanks to all of them as well for pointing out my flaws and helping me improve every day!

So I’m not sure if others will feel the same way about the belts they have earned. I know many fighters that don’t care about belt rank at all (some fighting styles don’t even have a ranking system). I have a healthy respect for every martial art and for every martial artist. Honestly, even if you never step into a ring or octagon it’s important to celebrate your achievements. Becoming a better version of yourself is a matter of setting goals and putting in the time and effort to attain them. For me, having a blackbelt represents all of these things and much more. Now, it’s time to get back to work, hit some pads, do some sparring, and keep growing!

5 Things You Don’t Know About Acting in a Movie

April 2, 2016 by Kenney Myers

We just wrapped up filming JUNKIE, a feature film starring Christian Kane, Anna Easteden, Eve Mauro, and directed by the great Tim Russ. I play a character by the name of Sonny Cole who is a thug/bad guy that wreaks havoc on others beating people, tying them up, shooting them and much more. The filming completed in 14 days which was ahead of schedule and incredibly efficient. Here are just 5 of the many things that you may not know about acting in a movie:

You do A LOT of hurry up and wait. Your call time (when you need to show up) is usually hours before you are going to be in set for various reasons. You have wardrobe, makeup, and you just never know when scenes may have to be shot out of order.
It is exceptionally hard to get all of the makeup off that they put on you. So I’ll admit that I know very little about makeup (shocking right). I ended up having to get the assistance of my 17 year old daughter to remove all of the makeup after each day of filming (okay just the first day or so).
Unless you are doing something totally wrong you really don’t get a lot of coaching as to what you need to be doing in your scenes. I ended up getting a lot of information from the stunt/safety coordinator to make sure I pulled off all of the violent scenes as realistically as possible.
It takes a village to make a movie. We had all kinds of crew members helping make the magic behind the scenes with multiple camera men, makeup, wardrobe, and actually quite a few visitors on set. Anyway, they work long and hard hours making sure that everything is perfect.
Most of the actors are just like you. With a few exceptions you would have no idea that you are talking to someone that has made dozens of movies with huge names. They are all about their craft and honestly having fun and enjoying their work as much as possible.

So this is just a taste of some of the things that are interesting to know about acting in a film. I have several more films and TV shows lined up for 2016 and I am going to attempt to blog about some of my experiences as time permits. I’ll also be posting a lot on twitter @kenneymyers and on my official FaceBook page.

Above all else being on set and acting is a blast! I’m thoroughly enjoying it and hope more than anything that you enjoy all of the productions whether they are in the theater, TV, or netflix. Stay tuned…

10 Ways Churches Can Encourage Athletic Programs

December 3, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Physical activity is as good for the body as spiritual activity is for the soul, which is why it’s such a good idea to combine the two. Still, there’s quite a leap between starting such programs and actually fostering their growth. In order to be a successful ministry, church athletic programs must be supported and encouraged. Here are ten ways you can work to ensure the continued success of athletic programs affiliated with your church.

Form a Ministry – Sports and athletic programs are incredibly effective when it comes to fostering physical health, but they can also be the key to spiritual health when they’re handled appropriately. Rather than treating your athletic program as an afterthought, consider founding a full-time ministry based around team sports and athletes. With a dedicated ministerial staff, your church can better support a healthy and thriving program.
Keep the Congregation Informed – You can’t expect your sports outreach program to succeed if your congregation is only vaguely aware of your efforts. Reserve room in the weekly bulletin for news and announcements related to your sports teams. Actively encourage congregation members of all ages to get involved, not only as athletes, but also as volunteers and coordinators. Your program is better positioned for success when it’s a community effort grounded in love and enthusiasm.
Reach Out to the Community – Your church’s athletic program can be a highly effective tool for supporting not only the spiritual health of your existing congregation, but also working towards the Great Commission. Witnessing to community members who might otherwise be out of reach is easier when they’re involved in your sports groups and programs, and these programs can always benefit from more players. As your teams grow, your congregation may very well follow suit.
Sponsor Local Teams – Smaller churches or those with limited congregation interest in a sports team can still get in on the action by supporting athletic programs on the local level. Reach out to local leagues and team coaches to learn more about sponsoring an existing team; this investment allows you to not only encourage health and fitness in the community, but also strengthen the body of Christ.
Focus on Serving All Ages – Too often, sports and athletic programs sponsored or run by churches fail simply because their focus is too narrow. Youth programs aren’t the only ones with potential for success; adult leagues can also be a big hit. Don’t put all of your athletic eggs in the kids’ basket; find out if there’s interest among older athletes in your group.
Partner with Camps and Clinics – Secular clinic and camps aren’t the only option for young athletes who want to improve their skills. By partnering with faith-based organizations in your region, you can help the athletes who participate in your programs to hone their skills in a spiritually fulfilling manner.
Treat Your Sports Program as More Than an Outreach Mission – Yes, your athletic programs can be an effective way to win souls for Christ. When you focus all of your energy on outreach programs, though, the athletes who already make up part of your congregation can be neglected. Your sports program can be an effective outreach mission, but it can also be so much more than that. Support from the congregation happens when your programs are contributing to the good of the whole, so make an effort to strike the appropriate balance.
Join a Local League – Unless you’re heading up a massive congregation with several hundred members, you probably won’t be able to support an entire league. This is where local programs can be quite valuable. Gauge the level of interest shown by athletes in your congregation, then find out if there are existing leagues which will allow your team to participate.
Host Benefits and Sponsorship Drives – Few things bring a community together like a charitable event or sponsorship drive. Your church’s athletic programs and participation will probably cost at least a small amount of money, but fundraising events can be great ways of getting everyone in your congregation involved. Even members who aren’t athletically inclined can lend their efforts to a fundraiser, bringing their own talents to the table to help support the congregation as a whole.
Turn Athletes into Team Players – The primary beneficiaries of your efforts to organize and support an athletic program will be the athletes themselves, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also be part of the driving force behind the program. Building teamwork and leadership skills are among the greatest benefits of sports participation, so why not give your athletes a chance to put those new skills to the test? Let them work not only to win games and grow in faith, but also to stretch their legs as leaders. Your program, and all who participate in it, will feel the benefits.

Even the smallest congregations can reap the benefits of a sports-focused ministry. In fact, actively working to foster your fledgling sports program can help the congregation as a whole to grow and thrive. Don’t underestimate the power of a sports program; get involved today, and you may be surprised by how soon you’re helping to win souls, regardless of how often you win a game.

Lessons in Honesty and Integrity or Lack Thereof from Johnny Manziel

December 2, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Being a supporter of Texas A&M with a daughter currently going there, part of me wants to see Johnny Manziel turn around his NFL career. However, I also think that he has been given several chances and just can’t seem to get out of his own way. His antics off the field show that he isn’t taking the opportunities as seriously as he should. His most recent big mistake was lying about partying during the Brown’s bye week. Here are some of the things we can learn and hopefully he will learn from this:

Covering up your mistakes is almost always going to be punished more harshly than owning up to them. He is benched right now not because he was partying in Austin but because he flat out lied to his coaches about it in an attempt to cover it up. I have seen this time and time again in my professional career as well. Sadly, some people never seem to break out of the CYA (cover your a$$) cycle of mistakes and consequences.
When you are given an opportunity to show your commitment that is the time to double down on your focus to the team and your job. Manziel was just named the starter coming off of a strong performance against the Steelers heading into the bye week. Instead of studying game film of the Ravens and showing focus in the bye week he decided to “shut it down” and ended up partying in Austin, TX. It’s really important to recognize that when your organization asks you to step up that you seize the opportunity and make the most of it. That is definitely not the time to take a break or do anything but prepare to help your organization win.
What he did was more than just a cover up of his mistake. He flat out lied to his boss. If you do that in your professional career you can certainly expect consequences. Depending on the lie, you might end up getting fired. In any event you better believe that once you have violated the trust of your boss it’s going to take quite a bit of time and demonstrations of honesty/integrity to regain it.
Sometimes we focus on the wrong things. In Manziel’s case he was worried about getting caught partying. Sure, the team wouldn’t have been thrilled about that but they could have gotten over it. Thankfully, he didn’t end up getting in trouble with the law or anything too crazy while partying (except demonstrating bad rapping skills). Manziel took something that could have been excused and made it way worse for himself than it needed to be. He said the video could have been old (really???). The lesson here is to not try to shift focus from the mistake to something else. We all make mistakes and have a fairly high tolerance for others that make mistakes.
Without integrity and honesty you will never have trust. Especially as a quarterback/team leader for the team to follow you and the organization to trust you, you have to earn that trust. If you continuously let them down then you are almost certainly headed toward getting let go. Extremely talented players/employees can sometimes get away without honesty and integrity but they won’t be trusted and at best they will simply be tolerated.

I do hope that Manziel will learn from this most recent mistake. Honesty and integrity need to mean something and if he can’t see that then I have significant doubts about his ability to make it as an NFL quarterback. In reality, I would say the same thing applies to anyone with any role in any organization. We all need to place a higher level of importance on maintaining and rewarding honesty and integrity. If we have employees that need reminded of that maybe they should take a look at what has happened to Manziel. He went from being the named starter for the rest of the season to the third string quarterback and rightfully so.

20 Things That Are Statistically Safer Than You Think

December 2, 2015 by Kenney Myers

The world can be a dangerous place, there’s no doubt about it. Some things, however, aren’t quite as dangerous as you may believe. Despite the hype of sensationalist media outlets, these 20 activities are, from a statistical standpoint, not nearly as treacherous as many believe them to be.

Taking the Elevator – Fear of enclosed spaces and a fundamental distrust of the mechanisms causes many people to forgo the elevator in favor of climbing the stairs, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimate that only 27 deaths occur each year in elevators. The majority of those deaths happen to the mechanics working on elevators. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,600 people will die each year as a result of falling down stairs.
Swimming in the Ocean – The Jaws franchise certainly instilled a fear of shark attacks in beach bums around the world, but the chances of being a victim of a shark attack is far lower than you may realize. The Ichthyology Department at the Florida Museum of Natural History places estimated annual death toll by shark at one each year. To put that into perspective, cows kill an average of 22 people per year.
Scuba Diving – Just as casual beach time isn’t likely to end in a shark attack, heading into deeper waters on a scuba diving outing is a bit safer than you may have been told. Fatality estimates hover around five per 100,000 divers, a third of which can be attributed to cardiac events while underwater.
Riding a Motorcycle – In 2001, only 74,000 of the 4.9 million motorcycles, or 1.5% of registered bikes in the United States, were involved in an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that 5% of the passenger cars on the road were involved in accidents that year, showing that the odds of being involved in a motorcycle accident are significantly lower than a car crash.
Rollercoasters – Amusement park giants Six Flags commissioned a study regarding the safety of rollercoasters, concluding that visitors to their part have a one in 1.5 billion chance of being fatally injured on a rollercoaster. The study also found that injury rates for golf, folding lawn chairs and kids’ wagons were higher than those of amusement park rides.
Flu Shots – Despite the objections of those who prefer a more natural approach, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention insists that flu shots are safe for most people. From 1990 to 1999, the CDC estimates that 36,000 people died from flu-related complications, while the current mortality rate for flu vaccines is 0.2 per 100,000 people.
Rock Climbing – The Southeastern Climbing Coalition that approached officials at Signal Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee regarding a reversal of a rock climbing ban in the area cited that climbing injuries are so rare that the activity is actually, from a statistical standpoint, less dangerous than hiking.
Hiking – Despite what reality television and some news reports would have you believe, your chances of being mauled by a mountain lion or bear or bitten by a snake while hiking are quite low, according to figures quoted by eNature.com.
Whitewater Sports – Hurtling down the rapids in a canoe or kayak certainly induces an adrenaline rush and seems like an extremely high-risk activity. In fact, the American Whitewater Association’s safety figures show that a fatality rate of 2.9 per 100,000 participants is actually lower than the 15.2 fatality rate of driving a passenger vehicle.
Skiing – High-profile skiing accidents can make the sport seem very dangerous, but the National Ski Area Association figures regarding the fatality rate actually quote a .78 per 1 million skier/snowboarder visits.
Skateboarding – Hurtling through half-pipes looks dangerous, which is why so many people feel that skateboarding is a high-risk activity. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has actually determined that the number of skateboarding injuries hovers around 8.9 per 1,000 participants. Basketball, a sport largely regarded as a safe sport, carries a 21.2 ER-treated injury per 1,000 players’ rate. Statistically, skateboarding is far safer than a game of basketball.
Owning a Pit Bull – Few dog breeds are treated with as much fear and regarded with as much contempt as the American Pit Bull. Dramatic spikes in fighting activity and irresponsible breeding for aggression has contributed to the image of viciousness, but you’re statistically more likely to drown in a five-gallon water bucket, die as a result of a falling coconut or drown in your bathtub than be killed by a Pit Bull, according to DontBullyMyBreed.org.
Skydiving – The United States Parachuting Association’s fatality rate figures show that approximately one in 100,000 jumps results in an accident. According to their research, a person would have to skydive 17 times in one year to bring their statistical risk of dying as a result of their hobby to the same level as their risk of dying in a car accident.
Traveling in Mexico – Border wars, drug cartels and infamous drinking water are all things that come to mind when most Americans consider a visit to Mexico. While the FBI estimates that 15,241 people were murdered in the United States in 2009, only 111 of the estimated 8 million visitors who happen to be American citizens were killed in Mexico that year.
Taking Birth Control Pills – Risk of blood clots, stroke and other health complications as a result of using hormonal birth control are well-publicized, the National Research Center for Women and Families asserts that oral contraceptive use is actually safer than pregnancy and childbirth for most women.
Going on a Cruise – With the tragedy of the Costa Concordia event and the scandal regarding the Carnival Triumph, taking a cruise may not seem like such a relaxing vacation after all. According to ABC News 20/20’s cruise report, however, taking a cruise is eight times safer than crossing the street in New York City.
Giving Birth at Home – A large 2011 study out of the United Kingdom published by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit showed that home births and midwife-attended births seemed to be as safe or safer for both mother and child than obstetrician-attended births.
Shopping Online – According to the Better Business Bureau, online shopping can be just as safe as buying from brick-and-mortar stores or mail-order retailers, despite alarming reports about identity theft.
Anesthesia – There’s something scary about going under the knife, especially when you know you’re going to be anesthetized. AnesthesiaWeb.org places the risk of dying as a result of general anesthesia alone at .01% to .0016%, though.
Not Owning a Gun – The Second Amendment protects an American’s right to bear arms, but it doesn’t guarantee his safety. In fact, the Journal of the American Medical Association has concluded that, “based on the evidence currently available, it appears that gun ownership is associated with a net increase in the risk of death for a typical individual.”

10 Kens Famous for Excelling at Unusual Things

December 1, 2015 by Kenney Myers

When you have a talent for the unusual, the world doesn’t often welcome you with open arms. There are times, however, when the brightest stars rise to the top and everyone takes notice. These talented individuals lead the way for others to express their gifts, and often make lasting contributions to society as a whole. When it comes to excelling at unusual things, these 10 Kens have the market cornered.

Ken Onion – You don’t often hear of someone who is famous for making knives – at least not since the days of the Samurai. However, Ken Onion holds such a distinction. The ex-marine designed the “SpeedSafe” assisted opening mechanism for Kershaw Knives, as well as a helicopter mechanism for the U.S. military. Ken continues to excel at knife design, and has placed Kershaw Knives at the top of the food chain in the industry.
Ken Davis – Motivational speakers usually go with a common thread: a success story and a proven determination to succeed in their chosen discipline. Ken Davis, on the other hand, decided to use comedy as his method of delivering inspiration. Through humor, Davis has become one of the most famous motivational speakers in recent decades. He regularly gives motivational seminars and works as a stand-up comedian.
Ken Harman – Very few people find success in opening art galleries. What’s more, even fewer people can lay claim to becoming famous for their galleries when they have no formal background in art. Ken Harmen found his forte in life quite by accident, yet he can now boast sell-out art shows, despite having never taken a single class even closely related to the craft.
Ken Edwards – This world record holder is no stranger to creepy crawlers. Ken Edwards earned his fame by chowing down on 36 live cockroaches, and earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. He also has a penchant for rats in his pants, with one of his unusual party tricks involving putting 47 of the furry critters down his trouser legs.
Kenneth Arnold – You can thank Kenneth Arnold for War of the Worlds, Independence Day and A.L.F. He is also credited with being the first person to cause worldwide interest in U.F.O’s. Arnold reported his sighting in June 24, 1947, close to Mount Rainier in Washington.
Ken Warby – Breaking the water speed record was a great achievement for Ken Warby. Donald Campbell, who died attempting the record, was Warby’s childhood hero. What’s unusual about the record breaker’s story is the name of one of the men who designed Campbell’s craft: Ken Norris. It’s almost as though being named “Ken” gives young men with a penchant for water speed an edge over the competition!
Justin “Ken Doll” Jedlica – For over half a decade, fans have wondered what it would be like to have a real life Ken and Barbie. Well, that wish was recently realized when real life Barbie and Ken got together for a photo-op. However, Justin “Ken Doll” Jedlica and Valeria “Barbie” Lukyanova didn’t exactly hit it off. Both models have had extensive plastic surgery, with Jedlica’s work reported as costing over $100,000.
Ken Webster – Blackpook pleasure beach is one of the most popular summer destinations in the U.K. Ken Webster has made a name for himself there as one of the premium hypnotists in the country. For over 25 years, Webster has used his unusual talent to entertain holiday makers with a show that combines comedy and hypnotism with a dash of pantomime.
Kenny Roberts – Yodeling is a rare and difficult talent. However, there was a time when country stars across America incorporated yodeling into their acts. One particular group of musicians were known as “yodeling cowboys,” and Kenny Roberts was one of the best among his peers. It was Roberts’ jumping and yodeling antics that made him a big draw with younger generations, though, and so his place as the greatest yodeling cowboy of all time was sealed.
Kenneth Locke Hale – The next time someone tells you to watch your language, think of Kenneth Locke Hale. His claim to fame is helping to prevent endangered words and languages from slipping into extinction. People who can master as many languages as Hale are known as polyglots, and it’s a talent that few can claim to have achieved. Some of the languages that Hale excelled in included English, Spanish, Tohono, O’odham, Navajo and Warlpiri. Hale also conducted extensive work on the structure of languages, providing a basis from which modern linguistics are taught.