Imposter syndrome is powerful. I got to purple belt in BJJ, had to quit for a few years, then to switch to a new school in a new city and I felt OUTCLASSED by the monsters that were in that new school. The bravery it takes to accept you aren't where you thought you were, but to keep pressing on is commendable. Sometimes you just need to keep pressing forward. Good luck to everyone out there on your own journey.
I was given an orange belt 15 years ago after my first grading. I think it was a double grading but the certificate seems to say otherwise. Either way my new school says I can wear the belt as I've earned it. However their ranking system places orange as a second belt. I've felt like an imposter for a while until Sensei said I performed a good kata for my yellow belt. It's humbling returning to a martial arts you've had a break from. But I've come back with a lot more focus and determination than before. The imposter feeling has driven me to catch up fast. Also, I cannot let my son overtake me! 😂
This is literally my reaction every time I pass any large exam or test, they might have passed me, but I sure didnt. You just always feel like you know and are able of so much more, and not being able to show it just sucks, even if what you did was "enough".
@@SenseiSeth though, always having that vision of a higher potential, does mean that you will go further still. How can one improve, if one does not see one's own failings?
Imposter syndrome is powerful. The truth is you're not as bad as you think you are. However, you're not as good as you think you are either. Keep going. Your base level confidence always increases the better you get.
@@SenseiSeth I think that this comment is part of why you passed. You know you could do better, you know you could have explained things better, you know you learned so much more than what was used for the test. But like your dad says, he also knows before the test happens if he will pass you. He can tell if a mistake is from lack of skill, or from nerves. He knows you (and the others) likely know more than what their stressed test-mode minds put on display. So while you might think they dont realize you did so much worse than you were expecting to, they know that the fact your there shows that you do infact know what you need to. Congrats man.
It's really inspiring to see you take pride in what really matters to you. It was apparent throughout the entire video that this was something that meant more than the usual video. Congratulations, Seth on the new level of mastery 🎉🎉🎉
You tend to be hard on yourself, the fact that you understand that the title of master isn't to be taken lightly as well as knowing it is a continuous journey means a lot. Congrats man
Thanks Seth, your Dad reminded me of when I was training for my black belt test and I kicked a 2nd degree black belt in the throat, that really amped up the sparring match!
@@SenseiSeth I unfortunately quit a week before my test because my Master Instructor got our school banned from the Olympic Trials in 1988. Young and dumb... I won the statewide tournament 3 years in a row before that.
Man!... I was in my 1st day test... and after 7 hours, that was when it was time to spar. I had ZERO control and was paired up with a 3rd dan that was taking it relatively easy on me until I kicked him in the face....
When your Sensei says you are ready…. Then you are ready. Students always the last to know if they are ready. 4th Dan only signifies Teacher. A true Sensei. Good job.
This was one of the more close-to-home videos you've made and it's absolutely brilliant. Great job and congratulations. Always keep the white-belt-mindset and see yourself as a beginner. Learning comes much easier then. If, at some stage, you end up doing grading for your purple belt in BJJ, you should share that experience. I think it's one of the more eye-opening things when it comes to belts and martial arts.
SETH! The you that you show on your channel embodies the idea of "master" of martial arts, you share knowledge, you constantly gain knowledge, you are accepting of all, you are humble when learning from others, and you have a lifetime love of the art. In my eyes and the eyes of so many who watch your channel, you have been a "master" since day one. Thank you, and keep doing what you do!
Seth as someone who’s trained all the way up to 3rd degree, started training early in life, and knows the stresses of these kinda tests, I gotta say you looked better than ever and definitely earned every marking on that belt, keep it up!
I just got 3rd, and this video perfectly reflected my feelings and mental space in the 2 months leading up to the test. The mental and physical exhaustion of preparing, the self doubt. The forms, self defense, 1-steps, demonstrating all the crazy kicks and strikes, and almost throwing up in my last round of sparring. Mentally beating myself up over the little mistakes made because of nerves. Though relieved once the judges announced we passed, I still felt I could've and should've done better. I think it's natural for martial artists to be their own worst critic. We must never stop striving for perfection. It's how we grow. Before the test, I was the best 2nd degree I'd ever be, and after, I became the worst 3rd degree I'd ever be. Worst 3rd me could comfortably look back on worst 2nd me and go "Pft, amateur. I could teach that guy a thing or two". That's what's most important.
Oh my gosh. This was so wonderful to watch!! Thank you for sharing this incredibly special moment with us. I started my karate training on the 11th of this month and as a very new white belt this was both unbelievably inspiring and absolutely terrifying 😂 We're all super proud of and happy for you. Congratulations, Master Seth.
Osu Sensei! What a stunning and moving homage to your heritage, your journey, to your family, to your grit and gumption. I genuinely cried a bit. A fantastic way to honour your father and the life you have shared together. Beautiful and wonderful. Congratulations on getting published. All the best to you and your family.
Congrats about the children book. Such a personal accomplishment feels so good. The book looks nice with all those colorful drawings. This is very sweet, and it is the kind of thing that survives after we are passed away. I am working on a martial art book myself, and I can't wait to hold that first copy in my hands.
Thank you for being a huge inspiration for me getting into karate Seth. Thanks to you and some of Jesse Enkamp, Karate is a big part of my life now. I enjoy kata and doing slow kumite so we can just have fun. Its an honor to have an awesome Southern karate teacher. Thank you. OSU!
"When the student becomes the master, let them bear the legacy of their teacher with unwavering faith, for in that sacred trust, they find their own mastery." Seth, you're a true inspiration and your journey is incredible. Continue to trust in yourself. All that time, hard work, and dedication is worth it! Thanks for sharing 🖤
Honestly with how much you’ve learned, it’s impressive how much of your base you remember and keep distinct. I could easily see getting mixed up, with how much you practice other styles.
I feel like your first love in martial arts really stick. I’m still trying to stop doing a little skip in some of my movement in muay thai, taekwondo is still in my spine.
I love gradings! Have my 4th coming up in November. I think any martial artist that is passionate about their art is going to over critique themselves. I'm sure you did much better than you think in your head. It's interesting because I have a very similar family dynamic with martial arts it seems. Such an amazing experience to be trained and tested by your dad! Congratulations on your accomplishment. 😊
Bro, we are always the hardest judge of ourselves!!! You definitely earned it, through all the hard work and grind to get there. I am not personally a karate enthusiast, with judo being my martial art, but your videos are really inspiring and fun to watch. Love the content!!! Maybe I will have to turn to karate one day.
In Karate we "Seek perfection of character," we strive for perfection, but we never quite get there. That's what keeps us going. Great job, Seth- Sensei🙂
A lot of people have that feeling of not enough, the most important thing is your dad thinks you’re enough and that’s pretty awesome! Also congrats you looked amazing out there.
Real. That what I was thinking as I was watching this. Sensei Seth, you gave a very real and honest look at your martial journey here. Thank you for sharing this with us all. Congratulations on your achievement. And thank you for being humble enough to let us know that we still have more to go.
God bless, man! Congratulations on receiving such a monumental achievement as a culmination of all your hard work and a testament to your passion and determination! You deserve it!
Congratulations Seth! What I love about your content is that it just feels like a mate of mine to telling me about his training and so it feels great to see you succeed. It has really helped me with getting back into my own training after a over a year off. You are an inspiration mate and honestly, this makes me want to try Karate
Honestly this is an amazing video and I appreciate how you perfectly illustrated the conflicts and concerns that happen in the minds of those who go through this. It’s not only a martial arts thing, but this kind of mentality is only unique to those who push themselves to be better. I envy your struggle and hope to go through it again one day and even possibly the one putting others through it. :)
God this hits home, every moment, and emotion shown I’m able to relate to, and it really shows how much you push yourself to be better. Awesome job and congrats!
Congrats on the fourth degree, Sensei Seth. I remember my time in TaeKwonDo, every test was a bundle of nerves. Not even sure how I got to Blue belt, especially considering how young I was, but I can say you put in the work and your fourth degree is well deserved!
Congratulations Seth! As someone who’s on the precipice of black belt your video really resonated with me and speaks to the experience of students everywhere. We’re in a constant flux between what we know, what we we should know, and what we don’t. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Congratulations! This was a very good documentary video. As a fellow instructor, not Karate mind you, I think you perfectly captured something we really only talk about with our friends, and that's the self doubt we have. We KNOW we know things, we KNOW that's why we do what we do, and are dedicated to it, and only upon later reflection do we get to see that, yeah, we got this. Good job sir!
Congratulations on your promotion Seth~ and thanks for sharing how it can feel disappointing even after getting the positive result, because it is easy to be self-critical and feel like the journey didn't show itself during the exam. I have had that exact feeling before and it was nice to relate to that.
Well deserved, Sensei seth! Thanks for being such an inspiration. Now you need a mountain and some long flowy clothes (and also maybe grow out your beard and speak in haikus)
Congratulations my friend!!!!!! That is one hell of an achievement!! As a 3rd degree it was great to see someone share similar perspectives on their martial arts journey in regards to a blackbelt testing and it was really cool to see the similarities and differences in the way our testings go! The gauntlet is no joke!!!
"It didn't feel great, I passed" is EXACTLY how I felt after I got my black belt. I remember every single thing I did wrong. It's 2 years later and it still haunts me.
Your relationship with your dad is so interesting. I’m thankful you show so much of your inner life in some of these videos. I love it when it’s all goofs too but on these I feel like we get to know you
Congrats SENSEI Seth, you deserve it! Good luck on your martial journey and thanks for inspiring us all. How about you join a Karate tournament and prove your the best in your art!
I can't tell you how many times I've watched this video! Aside from the congratulations you've earned for your 4th-degree black belt, you keeping it real throughout the whole process makes it that much more appealing and satisfying. It also inspires me to make sure that, whether I test or otherwise, I stay on top of my game, as an instructor. Your dad put it best (paraphrasing): "I can tell when someone's undergoing stress and when someone doesn't know." Or, as others put in the comments, "Your instructor will always know before you if you're ready for your next rank."
I like you're fun videos where you goof around a lot. But I love this serious video, where you sincerly care for the task in front of you. You've trained for this you're entire life and you've earned this belt and title! You can be proud of yourself! All the best from Germany.
Man I fuc*ing love this channel!! The storytelling, the editing, the lessons, the jokes, the soundtrack, everything's on point, congrats for all that and for your test, we love you Seth!
I'm about to test for my black belt and your mention of "I've been tired before" and zoning in on what you have to do despite everything you're feeling is something that resonated with me and something I'll keep in my heart when I do take my test, Congratulations Sensei Seth and thank you
My father took over my Shotokan school fairly early on in my training, when our head instructor and family friend had to move away. My father ran the school for close to 20 years as a Shodan (first degree). We were pretty isolated and didn't have the ability to go higher. Eventually our head instructor reached out to my father and said it has been long enough, it's time to test for your 2nd degree. After a tough hour of testing it was time for my father (50 something at the time) to go through the sparing gauntlet. He was exhausted but he made it to the last guy. The last guy was me, a 1st blackbelt under both the head instructor and my father. We sparred hard, he was tired and almost done. The head instructor stopped us for a moment and pulled me aside. He said "I need you to turn in it up and go hard" and I said okay. We went at it again. My father was battered and bruised and almost done. I saw the head instructor over my dad's shoulder, he looked me in the eye and nodded. I knew what he meant. I have never seen my father in the state that he was in. Here he was, the man who raised me, a man I love, standing before me almost defeated. I almost couldn't do it, but I did. For he next 2 or 3 min I cranked it up and laid into him. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. As soon as the round was over, I broke down, we had a big hug in the middle of the dojo he was awarded his 2nd degree black belt. Seeing the brown belt in this video going through it, and listening to you talk about your father brought back all these memories. Thank you!
@@MarkoObradovich Based on what facts that you have that he is lying? Maybe he is and maybe he is not but I doubt you know other than you are just being a Schill/troll!!
Congrats man! You are an inspiration to others! The fact that you had thought you didn't do well on parts of it and that you felt that you could do better only shows how much it is deserved.
Proud of you my man. Know this means little from a random youtube commenter, but its a huge accomplishment. I got my 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do before following a similar path as you, branching out to other martial arts to fill the void. I didnt return to TKD, but love to see your journey unfold before our eyes. If it means anything, regardless if you struggled on the test, your sparring looks absolutely crisp and lethal. You should be proud of the knowledge, not just of Karate, but a well rounded fighting style you've developed. Keep up the great work, would love to spar with you some day and get my ass kicked.
Congratulations, Sensei Seth! I've recently started karate last year, and watching your videos is inspiring. I love on this video that you are humble & not content with your martial arts journey despite achieving master status. Oss. 🙇🏻♂️
The myth was that Jigoro Kano created the belt system FROM the myth. Or, that the belt gets dirty and turns brown, then black. He added green at some point. That's the belt system we use, white, green, brown, black, no Dan stripes on the yudansha ranks.
@@nelsbrown3674 Everyone I've heard talk about the myth doesn't really talk about Kano and talks about how that's how karate guys got it, Because old karate masters had belts that just got dirtier and dirtier until they got black, Usually when I hear people talk about it, it's about karate and has nothing to do with kano or Japanese jujutsu
@@gnos1s171 Judo, but, yeah, I guess. Anyway, myth is myth and not reality. We know Kano developed the belt system and that it was expanded from what he did by Karate and others.
Way to go Master Seth!!! You, Icy Mike, and the rest are teaching me so much. I test for my 1st Degree in Tang Soo Do next Saturday! And I'm 58 years old!
Congratulations on passing, what you felt after is natural, when you're so passionate about something but don't feel like you did your best when it counts just proves that you deserved that belt even more, but this video did give me made anxiety, I've been doing karate 19 years and am a 3rd degree black belt and this gave me anxiety about going for my 4th lol
Been watching your channel for a few years now, bro! Very proud of your hard work and accomplishment! You did great. The only reason your mistakes bother you is because you examine them to learn from them, which is the sure sign of someone who has the capacity to be a "master".
It's an incredible achievement, you should be very proud. There is always an anticlimax after a grading and the feeling of " do I deserve it" but you've clearly earned it. Well done.
Well done!!! I think that feeling a wee bit shitty afterwards is a good thing. It shows humility and honesty, which one would expect in a master. From what I saw, you did really well. Your dad seems like a cool guy too - quiet, humble and yet very skillful. Well done to all :)
Seth, this resonates so much, your self critique after the test echoes my thoughts. I started karate when i was 52, got my Shodan ho after 6 years and now am struggling to complete my Shodan at 62 yrs ( Covid derailed my training trajectory). It hasn't helped that the the shodan grading changed recently and now incorporates a large body of kobudo with the Bo. It feels like i am in a race with my aging body - knees, hips and shoulders getting stiffer. I struggle to feel worthy of a black Belt. Very traditional style - Jyoshinmon Shorin Ryu. Very lucky with my Sensei, a former world champion. I love your channel and am very entertained! keep it up!
Hey Seth, I think all of us that have been there…. Especially at that level, don’t ever feel like we did everything correctly. Hell I know that I failed my 3rd Dan test in front of everyone but my Sensei hugged me, gave me my certificate and whispered to me that he knew I knew it… which is the truth of it. The testing is just a formality, your dad/Sensei knew that he was promoting you the moment he asked you to test. All in all, congratulations man! I’ve been following your channel since it started and I’m very proud of you. You have earned it. Master Seth.
Seth you are a major inspiration to me. Seeing this I was so happy for you. Currently I've been training for about 3 years (Nov 1st) and have watch you for a long time of it.
Sensei Seth has to be the most underrated martial arts channel, if not the most underrated channel, I've ever seen. You put insane dedication into your videos and put out quality content that is not only entertaining but informational.
Congrats! That was a very impressive test and a great effort put in by all! When you earn a black belt it takes time after the test to become seasoned into an actual black belt, especially mentally. It's really a license to become a black belt and begin your journey. When you earn a master rank, it's a license to work toward mastering the art. The journey never ends. Congrats again! Well deserved!
Master credentials for Karate & martial arts in general are usually given for 5th degree black belt. Did Seth's Dad switch it to early? For everyone I assume, not just Seth. We do a comprehensive 1st Dan test as well. They basically redo the Yellow, Green, Red, & Brown tests, + their new material.
I'm glad you made the plunge. Having your father be the tester is quite a test for you. Being a Godan in Judo as well as Black Belt ranking in Kodenkan JuJitsu and Kenpo I feel your pain. I'm older and no longer train much as I damaged my body pretty much in major old school judo tournaments and police work (we never think it will catch up with us). We all think we are invincible and can run our bodies at 110 percent without realizing the damage we do to ourselves in the long run. Anyway, the story you told regarding the belt colors. In judo we used to hear that we started out with a white belt and as the training proceeded, the belt just kept getting "dirtier" through the years until it turned black. The full circle is that when the belt wore out, it returned to white. Go figure. I enjoy your videos. Back in my tournament days, the rules for judo were much different and only black belts could use armbars. They have made the art "safer" in competition now to try and avoid injury and make it more spectator friendly. I'm not sure I agree with this thinking because, after all, it is a "Combat Sport". Oh well, keep up the good work.
a master is someone who understands what they know and understands what they have yet to master. i think you’ll be good in that role, especially as you develop it in others.
To me, I feel like your reluctance to say you know enough is the first step to graduating to a higher level ❤ You've gone on a personal journey to expand your horizons in the martial arts. You've got this!
Congrats Seth!! It’s a been a honor to follow through your journey!!! I want to share a piece of wisdom my Sensei told me. “When you first get your belt you may feel like you don’t deserve or didn’t earn it but living up to it is the test!”
As a father of 3 and a fellow martial arts enthusiast, I love your videos. You are such a wholesome dude and a breath of fresh air in the sometimes toxic martial arts community. I would let you teach my kids if I could.
Congratulations! That's the thing about mastery, it doesn't have an end, and the further you go the smaller you feel against the vast amount of possibilities your field has to offer that you haven't explored enough or have yourself grown to recognise that you could do much better. There's also the narrow path between growing too prideful and too modest when you're probably more skilled even than most of those who actually practice seriously.
On your point about having so much more information in your head that you didn't let out, I feel you. That's the hardest part, communicating what could easily take 3 hours of you talking into something approaching 3 minutes instead. The more you master something, the harder that communication gets.
Tbh, you did the thing. Heck, I’m proud for you. Both money and lack of proper training facilities hindered me in the 90s and now I have so many responsibilities that all I can do is root you on. I do a lil here and there but to have real time to put in the effort necessary, I’d love to… every drop of sweat was earned man, now enjoy with your pop. Having him there is a huge benefit, trust the once abandoned and the once left behind by a decent step dad. ✊🏽🤙🏽
Congratulations. The way you finished, thinking you didn’t do enough is the real proof that you deserved it. You didn’t finish the path, just climbed another lather. Well done !
Congratulations @Sensei Seth ! After all you have been through all these years trying 28 martial arts , being a master in karate( I dont know the name of your style) is more than deserved.
Congratulations! Now I want to do Karate again. Did Karate from 2006 to 2018. Started Martial Arts again after watching your Cobra Kai breakdown in 2020, this time MMA. Thanks for inspiring so many people, including me.
Oh, the feels and the memories of going through this angsty, stressful kind of event, but what a HUGE relief when you get to the other side of it. Super awesome vid, Seth. Way to go, man.
Congratulations! I speak for myself but Im sure others feel the same, We are all very hard on ourselves when it comes to being a martial artist. Perfection is what we want but not always "perfected" in our own minds. We're our biggest critics. Ive watched many videos and think your an amazing martial artist and well deserving of this title! Keep doing what you do and know you got lots of support! Much respect Master Seth!
The dopest name of a dojo, dopest movie, dopest album. Love the videos, always very well done big guy. Gives me and a lot of people motivation. Thank you
I'm going for my jiu jitsu brown belt in April, and this video both inspires and intimidates me. I don't want to freeze up or underperform, but this reminds me that you know what you train and even nerves don't take that away
Congratulations! Something your dad said reminded me of words of wisdom from my music teacher: amateurs practice till they get it right, professionals practice till they cannot get it wrong. Good work pro.
CONGRATS SENSEI SETH!! I test for My 1st degree black belt this week and I'm bervouse and excited and this video has me more motivated to practice and lock everything down before then! Wish me luck!
Your Dad seems really cool. And when you said you biffed it on the bunki and you didnt feel good about it, I thought throughout the video you were being hard on yourself. I do that too and my Instructor feels the same. My Instructor will be testing for her 4th Dan and will be a Master as well. I enjoy the raw honesty that you had throughout this video and took us with you on your journey.
The Grandmasters are very proud of u also this is a big step to Take above Martial Arts I’m a Red belt Going into Brown in mixed martial arts Style Your belt for master is 4th mine is 6th but guess what u maybe a black belt I be a red but we still actually no everybody feels the same way when graduating it fiends of anxiety and but pulls out the best of us to show people we are here ❤❤
So cool Seth, my dad got his 4th Degree way back in the 90s when I was still a kid, and its been one of the most important accomplishments of his life. Congrats man!
Osu Sensei Keith, Congratulations on passing your 4th Dan test. I have also just finished my 4th dan test this year in August. I teach and test my son. It's super great and super hard having your father be your karate instructor I wish you all the best learning your new material and passing on your knowledge and experiences to your students and to all of us watching your RUclips videos. Osu!
Here’s my children’s book I wrote! senseiseth.com/products/the-boxing-gloves-hardcover-childrens-book-by-sensei-seth
what style is that?
@PaMuShin cool ty (i did shotokan myself)
I bet he knew you would pass when he asked if you wanted to test for it.
Next kids book is Master Seth fights in the kumate
To be fair...no one is truly a master...except Sho'nuff.
If Seth ever said as a kid "my dad can beat up your dad" he was probably right.
Imposter syndrome is powerful. I got to purple belt in BJJ, had to quit for a few years, then to switch to a new school in a new city and I felt OUTCLASSED by the monsters that were in that new school. The bravery it takes to accept you aren't where you thought you were, but to keep pressing on is commendable. Sometimes you just need to keep pressing forward. Good luck to everyone out there on your own journey.
I was given an orange belt 15 years ago after my first grading. I think it was a double grading but the certificate seems to say otherwise.
Either way my new school says I can wear the belt as I've earned it. However their ranking system places orange as a second belt. I've felt like an imposter for a while until Sensei said I performed a good kata for my yellow belt.
It's humbling returning to a martial arts you've had a break from. But I've come back with a lot more focus and determination than before. The imposter feeling has driven me to catch up fast.
Also, I cannot let my son overtake me! 😂
This is literally my reaction every time I pass any large exam or test, they might have passed me, but I sure didnt. You just always feel like you know and are able of so much more, and not being able to show it just sucks, even if what you did was "enough".
It’s a tough way to live tbh
@@SenseiSeth though, always having that vision of a higher potential, does mean that you will go further still. How can one improve, if one does not see one's own failings?
Imposter syndrome is powerful. The truth is you're not as bad as you think you are. However, you're not as good as you think you are either.
Keep going. Your base level confidence always increases the better you get.
@@SenseiSeth I think that this comment is part of why you passed. You know you could do better, you know you could have explained things better, you know you learned so much more than what was used for the test. But like your dad says, he also knows before the test happens if he will pass you. He can tell if a mistake is from lack of skill, or from nerves. He knows you (and the others) likely know more than what their stressed test-mode minds put on display. So while you might think they dont realize you did so much worse than you were expecting to, they know that the fact your there shows that you do infact know what you need to. Congrats man.
Like when the word is on the top of your tongue. Just. There.
It's really inspiring to see you take pride in what really matters to you. It was apparent throughout the entire video that this was something that meant more than the usual video. Congratulations, Seth on the new level of mastery 🎉🎉🎉
That was nice of you. I agree. 😎
You tend to be hard on yourself, the fact that you understand that the title of master isn't to be taken lightly as well as knowing it is a continuous journey means a lot. Congrats man
Thanks Seth, your Dad reminded me of when I was training for my black belt test and I kicked a 2nd degree black belt in the throat, that really amped up the sparring match!
I gave a black belt a black eye during my test 😂
@@SenseiSeth I unfortunately quit a week before my test because my Master Instructor got our school banned from the Olympic Trials in 1988. Young and dumb... I won the statewide tournament 3 years in a row before that.
I can imagine it did!!
@@SenseiSethWhen me and my friend were testing for our Black Belts in American Kenpo; he got his nose broken in sparing.
Man!... I was in my 1st day test... and after 7 hours, that was when it was time to spar. I had ZERO control and was paired up with a 3rd dan that was taking it relatively easy on me until I kicked him in the face....
When your Sensei says you are ready…. Then you are ready. Students always the last to know if they are ready. 4th Dan only signifies Teacher. A true Sensei. Good job.
Is this a master's belt?
@@samurailife7666masters belt is 6th dan in my art school
This was one of the more close-to-home videos you've made and it's absolutely brilliant. Great job and congratulations. Always keep the white-belt-mindset and see yourself as a beginner. Learning comes much easier then.
If, at some stage, you end up doing grading for your purple belt in BJJ, you should share that experience. I think it's one of the more eye-opening things when it comes to belts and martial arts.
Sounds fun!
@@SenseiSeth Great stuff. And again, congratulations on the promotion, Master.
I needed this so bad. I'm testing for my black belt in November. This is motivating in all the right ways.
You got this!
so, how did it go?
@MikesDadvice passed with Honors!
@@cjsher90 EXCELLENT!!!
Beautiful work. You should feel very proud of yourself.
🙏🙏🙏 I’ll get you your orange belt soon lol
Mike on his way to getting that orange belt 🏃🏼♂️💨
SETH! The you that you show on your channel embodies the idea of "master" of martial arts, you share knowledge, you constantly gain knowledge, you are accepting of all, you are humble when learning from others, and you have a lifetime love of the art. In my eyes and the eyes of so many who watch your channel, you have been a "master" since day one. Thank you, and keep doing what you do!
Seth as someone who’s trained all the way up to 3rd degree, started training early in life, and knows the stresses of these kinda tests, I gotta say you looked better than ever and definitely earned every marking on that belt, keep it up!
I just got 3rd, and this video perfectly reflected my feelings and mental space in the 2 months leading up to the test. The mental and physical exhaustion of preparing, the self doubt. The forms, self defense, 1-steps, demonstrating all the crazy kicks and strikes, and almost throwing up in my last round of sparring. Mentally beating myself up over the little mistakes made because of nerves.
Though relieved once the judges announced we passed, I still felt I could've and should've done better. I think it's natural for martial artists to be their own worst critic. We must never stop striving for perfection. It's how we grow. Before the test, I was the best 2nd degree I'd ever be, and after, I became the worst 3rd degree I'd ever be. Worst 3rd me could comfortably look back on worst 2nd me and go "Pft, amateur. I could teach that guy a thing or two". That's what's most important.
I just got my 8th and it was tough
@@johnreidy2804how old is you?
Oh my gosh. This was so wonderful to watch!! Thank you for sharing this incredibly special moment with us. I started my karate training on the 11th of this month and as a very new white belt this was both unbelievably inspiring and absolutely terrifying 😂
We're all super proud of and happy for you. Congratulations, Master Seth.
See a psychiatrist and an ophthalmologist. Did you get a black belt from the same excellent grocery store?
@@combatforlife.31wtf are you talking about my guy.
@@UhOhDovah Exactly my point, tragically.
@@combatforlife.31these guys blink when they take a punch lol
Osu Sensei! What a stunning and moving homage to your heritage, your journey, to your family, to your grit and gumption. I genuinely cried a bit. A fantastic way to honour your father and the life you have shared together.
Beautiful and wonderful.
Congratulations on getting published. All the best to you and your family.
Congrats about the children book. Such a personal accomplishment feels so good. The book looks nice with all those colorful drawings. This is very sweet, and it is the kind of thing that survives after we are passed away. I am working on a martial art book myself, and I can't wait to hold that first copy in my hands.
Thank you for being a huge inspiration for me getting into karate Seth. Thanks to you and some of Jesse Enkamp, Karate is a big part of my life now. I enjoy kata and doing slow kumite so we can just have fun. Its an honor to have an awesome Southern karate teacher. Thank you. OSU!
Love seeing schools that actually spar and spar hard. Congratulations on this promotion. Definitely deserved!
"When the student becomes the master, let them bear the legacy of their teacher with unwavering faith, for in that sacred trust, they find their own mastery."
Seth, you're a true inspiration and your journey is incredible. Continue to trust in yourself. All that time, hard work, and dedication is worth it! Thanks for sharing 🖤
Honestly with how much you’ve learned, it’s impressive how much of your base you remember and keep distinct. I could easily see getting mixed up, with how much you practice other styles.
It’s very hard tbh lol
I feel like your first love in martial arts really stick. I’m still trying to stop doing a little skip in some of my movement in muay thai, taekwondo is still in my spine.
I love gradings! Have my 4th coming up in November. I think any martial artist that is passionate about their art is going to over critique themselves. I'm sure you did much better than you think in your head. It's interesting because I have a very similar family dynamic with martial arts it seems. Such an amazing experience to be trained and tested by your dad! Congratulations on your accomplishment. 😊
Good luck!!
Future collab with you two please
Bro, we are always the hardest judge of ourselves!!!
You definitely earned it, through all the hard work and grind to get there.
I am not personally a karate enthusiast, with judo being my martial art, but your videos are really inspiring and fun to watch. Love the content!!! Maybe I will have to turn to karate one day.
OSS! Congrats man. Amazing piece of self-documentation and you’ve inspired me to start a karate journey 20 years since I last studied kempo as a kid.
In Karate we "Seek perfection of character," we strive for perfection, but we never quite get there. That's what keeps us going. Great job, Seth- Sensei🙂
Man, the pictures of you as a kid while taking your exam, it brought tears to my eyes... i still don't know why. Great video man!
Sensei Dad is so low-key and nice inter-personally, and just smooth terror in the sparring.
A lot of people have that feeling of not enough, the most important thing is your dad thinks you’re enough and that’s pretty awesome! Also congrats you looked amazing out there.
Real. That what I was thinking as I was watching this. Sensei Seth, you gave a very real and honest look at your martial journey here. Thank you for sharing this with us all. Congratulations on your achievement. And thank you for being humble enough to let us know that we still have more to go.
God bless, man! Congratulations on receiving such a monumental achievement as a culmination of all your hard work and a testament to your passion and determination! You deserve it!
Congratulations Seth! What I love about your content is that it just feels like a mate of mine to telling me about his training and so it feels great to see you succeed. It has really helped me with getting back into my own training after a over a year off. You are an inspiration mate and honestly, this makes me want to try Karate
Honestly this is an amazing video and I appreciate how you perfectly illustrated the conflicts and concerns that happen in the minds of those who go through this. It’s not only a martial arts thing, but this kind of mentality is only unique to those who push themselves to be better. I envy your struggle and hope to go through it again one day and even possibly the one putting others through it. :)
God this hits home, every moment, and emotion shown I’m able to relate to, and it really shows how much you push yourself to be better. Awesome job and congrats!
Congrats on the fourth degree, Sensei Seth. I remember my time in TaeKwonDo, every test was a bundle of nerves. Not even sure how I got to Blue belt, especially considering how young I was, but I can say you put in the work and your fourth degree is well deserved!
Congratulations Seth!
As someone who’s on the precipice of black belt your video really resonated with me and speaks to the experience of students everywhere. We’re in a constant flux between what we know, what we we should know, and what we don’t.
Thanks for sharing your journey!
Congratulations! This was a very good documentary video. As a fellow instructor, not Karate mind you, I think you perfectly captured something we really only talk about with our friends, and that's the self doubt we have. We KNOW we know things, we KNOW that's why we do what we do, and are dedicated to it, and only upon later reflection do we get to see that, yeah, we got this. Good job sir!
Congratulations on your promotion Seth~ and thanks for sharing how it can feel disappointing even after getting the positive result, because it is easy to be self-critical and feel like the journey didn't show itself during the exam. I have had that exact feeling before and it was nice to relate to that.
Well deserved, Sensei seth! Thanks for being such an inspiration. Now you need a mountain and some long flowy clothes (and also maybe grow out your beard and speak in haikus)
Karate is good
Punches and Kicks screaming by
Seth is a Master
@@SenseiSeth this is the quality content I subscribed for
Congratulations my friend!!!!!! That is one hell of an achievement!! As a 3rd degree it was great to see someone share similar perspectives on their martial arts journey in regards to a blackbelt testing and it was really cool to see the similarities and differences in the way our testings go! The gauntlet is no joke!!!
"It didn't feel great, I passed" is EXACTLY how I felt after I got my black belt. I remember every single thing I did wrong. It's 2 years later and it still haunts me.
Your relationship with your dad is so interesting. I’m thankful you show so much of your inner life in some of these videos. I love it when it’s all goofs too but on these I feel like we get to know you
Congrats SENSEI Seth, you deserve it! Good luck on your martial journey and thanks for inspiring us all. How about you join a Karate tournament and prove your the best in your art!
I can't tell you how many times I've watched this video! Aside from the congratulations you've earned for your 4th-degree black belt, you keeping it real throughout the whole process makes it that much more appealing and satisfying. It also inspires me to make sure that, whether I test or otherwise, I stay on top of my game, as an instructor.
Your dad put it best (paraphrasing): "I can tell when someone's undergoing stress and when someone doesn't know." Or, as others put in the comments, "Your instructor will always know before you if you're ready for your next rank."
I like you're fun videos where you goof around a lot.
But I love this serious video, where you sincerly care for the task in front of you. You've trained for this you're entire life and you've earned this belt and title!
You can be proud of yourself!
All the best from Germany.
Man I fuc*ing love this channel!!
The storytelling, the editing, the lessons, the jokes, the soundtrack, everything's on point, congrats for all that and for your test, we love you Seth!
Appreciate you 🙏🙏🙏
I'm about to test for my black belt and your mention of "I've been tired before" and zoning in on what you have to do despite everything you're feeling is something that resonated with me and something I'll keep in my heart when I do take my test, Congratulations Sensei Seth and thank you
My father took over my Shotokan school fairly early on in my training, when our head instructor and family friend had to move away. My father ran the school for close to 20 years as a Shodan (first degree). We were pretty isolated and didn't have the ability to go higher.
Eventually our head instructor reached out to my father and said it has been long enough, it's time to test for your 2nd degree.
After a tough hour of testing it was time for my father (50 something at the time) to go through the sparing gauntlet. He was exhausted but he made it to the last guy. The last guy was me, a 1st blackbelt under both the head instructor and my father. We sparred hard, he was tired and almost done. The head instructor stopped us for a moment and pulled me aside. He said "I need you to turn in it up and go hard" and I said okay.
We went at it again. My father was battered and bruised and almost done. I saw the head instructor over my dad's shoulder, he looked me in the eye and nodded. I knew what he meant. I have never seen my father in the state that he was in. Here he was, the man who raised me, a man I love, standing before me almost defeated. I almost couldn't do it, but I did. For he next 2 or 3 min I cranked it up and laid into him. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. As soon as the round was over, I broke down, we had a big hug in the middle of the dojo he was awarded his 2nd degree black belt.
Seeing the brown belt in this video going through it, and listening to you talk about your father brought back all these memories. Thank you!
Man you made this up...
It's not nice to lie 🤥
@@MarkoObradovich Based on what facts that you have that he is lying? Maybe he is and maybe he is not but I doubt you know other than you are just being a Schill/troll!!
Congrats man! You are an inspiration to others! The fact that you had thought you didn't do well on parts of it and that you felt that you could do better only shows how much it is deserved.
S. Adams? I'm sure you mean Mr. Adam Kempo 😂
that's Seth "Adam *the Kempo"* Adams to you sir
This is the best video from you in terms of Karate, video making,story telling. Congratulations Master Seth!
Proud of you my man. Know this means little from a random youtube commenter, but its a huge accomplishment.
I got my 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do before following a similar path as you, branching out to other martial arts to fill the void. I didnt return to TKD, but love to see your journey unfold before our eyes.
If it means anything, regardless if you struggled on the test, your sparring looks absolutely crisp and lethal. You should be proud of the knowledge, not just of Karate, but a well rounded fighting style you've developed. Keep up the great work, would love to spar with you some day and get my ass kicked.
Congratulations, Sensei Seth! I've recently started karate last year, and watching your videos is inspiring. I love on this video that you are humble & not content with your martial arts journey despite achieving master status. Oss. 🙇🏻♂️
By the way, it is a myth, the belt system comes from judo.
I did say it was a myth after all lol
The myth was that Jigoro Kano created the belt system FROM the myth. Or, that the belt gets dirty and turns brown, then black. He added green at some point. That's the belt system we use, white, green, brown, black, no Dan stripes on the yudansha ranks.
@@nelsbrown3674 Everyone I've heard talk about the myth doesn't really talk about Kano and talks about how that's how karate guys got it, Because old karate masters had belts that just got dirtier and dirtier until they got black, Usually when I hear people talk about it, it's about karate and has nothing to do with kano or Japanese jujutsu
@@gnos1s171 Judo, but, yeah, I guess. Anyway, myth is myth and not reality. We know Kano developed the belt system and that it was expanded from what he did by Karate and others.
It started from judo but comes from a game .called go
Way to go Master Seth!!! You, Icy Mike, and the rest are teaching me so much. I test for my 1st Degree in
Tang Soo Do next Saturday! And I'm 58 years old!
Good luck, Sir.
Cram kata for the test, forget it all a week later... keep the rank.. American Karate.
Congratulations on passing, what you felt after is natural, when you're so passionate about something but don't feel like you did your best when it counts just proves that you deserved that belt even more, but this video did give me made anxiety, I've been doing karate 19 years and am a 3rd degree black belt and this gave me anxiety about going for my 4th lol
I'm really proud of you Seth. DONT BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF. This was a great video to watch. The vulnerability is endearing.
Been watching your channel for a few years now, bro! Very proud of your hard work and accomplishment! You did great. The only reason your mistakes bother you is because you examine them to learn from them, which is the sure sign of someone who has the capacity to be a "master".
Congratulations! Keep learning! And enjoy yourself!
Congratulations mate. It's easy to feel anxious when you feel all eyes on you. It makes me stumble or forget things I know by heart too.
It's an incredible achievement, you should be very proud. There is always an anticlimax after a grading and the feeling of " do I deserve it" but you've clearly earned it. Well done.
Well done!!! I think that feeling a wee bit shitty afterwards is a good thing. It shows humility and honesty, which one would expect in a master. From what I saw, you did really well. Your dad seems like a cool guy too - quiet, humble and yet very skillful. Well done to all :)
Seth, this resonates so much, your self critique after the test echoes my thoughts. I started karate when i was 52, got my Shodan ho after 6 years and now am struggling to complete my Shodan at 62 yrs ( Covid derailed my training trajectory). It hasn't helped that the the shodan grading changed recently and now incorporates a large body of kobudo with the Bo. It feels like i am in a race with my aging body - knees, hips and shoulders getting stiffer. I struggle to feel worthy of a black Belt.
Very traditional style - Jyoshinmon Shorin Ryu. Very lucky with my Sensei, a former world champion.
I love your channel and am very entertained! keep it up!
Legacy, history, tradition, and family. This was a wonderful way for you to document your journey and inspire others, both in and outside of Karate.
Hey Seth, I think all of us that have been there…. Especially at that level, don’t ever feel like we did everything correctly. Hell I know that I failed my 3rd Dan test in front of everyone but my Sensei hugged me, gave me my certificate and whispered to me that he knew I knew it… which is the truth of it. The testing is just a formality, your dad/Sensei knew that he was promoting you the moment he asked you to test. All in all, congratulations man! I’ve been following your channel since it started and I’m very proud of you. You have earned it. Master Seth.
Seth you are a major inspiration to me. Seeing this I was so happy for you. Currently I've been training for about 3 years (Nov 1st) and have watch you for a long time of it.
Sensei Seth has to be the most underrated martial arts channel, if not the most underrated channel, I've ever seen. You put insane dedication into your videos and put out quality content that is not only entertaining but informational.
Congratulations, Seth. You did a fantastic job. Be proud of that. It’s a huge accomplishment that many do not do.
Congrats! That was a very impressive test and a great effort put in by all! When you earn a black belt it takes time after the test to become seasoned into an actual black belt, especially mentally. It's really a license to become a black belt and begin your journey. When you earn a master rank, it's a license to work toward mastering the art. The journey never ends. Congrats again! Well deserved!
Master credentials for Karate & martial arts in general are usually given for 5th degree black belt. Did Seth's Dad switch it to early? For everyone I assume, not just Seth. We do a comprehensive 1st Dan test as well. They basically redo the Yellow, Green, Red, & Brown tests, + their new material.
I'm glad you made the plunge. Having your father be the tester is quite a test for you. Being a Godan in Judo as well as Black Belt ranking in Kodenkan JuJitsu and Kenpo I feel your pain. I'm older and no longer train much as I damaged my body pretty much in major old school judo tournaments and police work (we never think it will catch up with us). We all think we are invincible and can run our bodies at 110 percent without realizing the damage we do to ourselves in the long run. Anyway, the story you told regarding the belt colors. In judo we used to hear that we started out with a white belt and as the training proceeded, the belt just kept getting "dirtier" through the years until it turned black. The full circle is that when the belt wore out, it returned to white. Go figure. I enjoy your videos. Back in my tournament days, the rules for judo were much different and only black belts could use armbars. They have made the art "safer" in competition now to try and avoid injury and make it more spectator friendly. I'm not sure I agree with this thinking because, after all, it is a "Combat Sport". Oh well, keep up the good work.
a master is someone who understands what they know and understands what they have yet to master.
i think you’ll be good in that role, especially as you develop it in others.
Congratulations.
Appreciate the honesty, it seems your doubt at the end displays your true Shoshin. Big respect.
To me, I feel like your reluctance to say you know enough is the first step to graduating to a higher level ❤ You've gone on a personal journey to expand your horizons in the martial arts. You've got this!
Congratulations! That's a great accomplishment. The journey isn't over yet! It never ends! Keep working hard and most of all, having fun! 🥋⛩️
Congrats Seth!! It’s a been a honor to follow through your journey!!! I want to share a piece of wisdom my Sensei told me. “When you first get your belt you may feel like you don’t deserve or didn’t earn it but living up to it is the test!”
As a father of 3 and a fellow martial arts enthusiast, I love your videos. You are such a wholesome dude and a breath of fresh air in the sometimes toxic martial arts community. I would let you teach my kids if I could.
Good job! I think you have a humble, learning attitude. You will always be questioning and hence learning. You looked great, your dad can be proud.
Congratulations! That's the thing about mastery, it doesn't have an end, and the further you go the smaller you feel against the vast amount of possibilities your field has to offer that you haven't explored enough or have yourself grown to recognise that you could do much better. There's also the narrow path between growing too prideful and too modest when you're probably more skilled even than most of those who actually practice seriously.
On your point about having so much more information in your head that you didn't let out, I feel you. That's the hardest part, communicating what could easily take 3 hours of you talking into something approaching 3 minutes instead. The more you master something, the harder that communication gets.
You're very hard on yourself. I loved this video so much.
Thank you for sharing so much story and journey.
Tbh, you did the thing. Heck, I’m proud for you. Both money and lack of proper training facilities hindered me in the 90s and now I have so many responsibilities that all I can do is root you on. I do a lil here and there but to have real time to put in the effort necessary, I’d love to… every drop of sweat was earned man, now enjoy with your pop. Having him there is a huge benefit, trust the once abandoned and the once left behind by a decent step dad. ✊🏽🤙🏽
Congratulations. The way you finished, thinking you didn’t do enough is the real proof that you deserved it. You didn’t finish the path, just climbed another lather. Well done !
Congratulations @Sensei Seth ! After all you have been through all these years trying 28 martial arts , being a master in karate( I dont know the name of your style) is more than deserved.
Thank you for letting us in on your journey
I think it's beautiful that as a master, you still have the open heart and humility of a beginner.
Congratulations! Now I want to do Karate again. Did Karate from 2006 to 2018. Started Martial Arts again after watching your Cobra Kai breakdown in 2020, this time MMA. Thanks for inspiring so many people, including me.
Hey, congratulations. You have a lot of humility, that is a key feature in a master. You can only continue to grow as you continue to practice.
Oh, the feels and the memories of going through this angsty, stressful kind of event, but what a HUGE relief when you get to the other side of it. Super awesome vid, Seth. Way to go, man.
Congratulations! I speak for myself but Im sure others feel the same, We are all very hard on ourselves when it comes to being a martial artist. Perfection is what we want but not always "perfected" in our own minds. We're our biggest critics. Ive watched many videos and think your an amazing martial artist and well deserving of this title! Keep doing what you do and know you got lots of support! Much respect Master Seth!
The dopest name of a dojo, dopest movie, dopest album. Love the videos, always very well done big guy. Gives me and a lot of people motivation. Thank you
What's up with the South Boston UMA? Crazy, i'm a town over from Southie. Is it a travelling body?
Your father is very skilled. I love watching his movements. I'm thoroughly impressed by him!!
I'm going for my jiu jitsu brown belt in April, and this video both inspires and intimidates me. I don't want to freeze up or underperform, but this reminds me that you know what you train and even nerves don't take that away
Congratulations!
Something your dad said reminded me of words of wisdom from my music teacher: amateurs practice till they get it right, professionals practice till they cannot get it wrong. Good work pro.
CONGRATS SENSEI SETH!! I test for My 1st degree black belt this week and I'm bervouse and excited and this video has me more motivated to practice and lock everything down before then! Wish me luck!
Your Dad seems really cool. And when you said you biffed it on the bunki and you didnt feel good about it, I thought throughout the video you were being hard on yourself. I do that too and my Instructor feels the same. My Instructor will be testing for her 4th Dan and will be a Master as well. I enjoy the raw honesty that you had throughout this video and took us with you on your journey.
The Grandmasters are very proud of u also this is a big step to Take above Martial Arts I’m a Red belt Going into Brown in mixed martial arts Style Your belt for master is 4th mine is 6th but guess what u maybe a black belt I be a red but we still actually no everybody feels the same way when graduating it fiends of anxiety and but pulls out the best of us to show people we are here ❤❤
Congrats and thanks for filming such an honest and insightful video
So cool Seth, my dad got his 4th Degree way back in the 90s when I was still a kid, and its been one of the most important accomplishments of his life. Congrats man!
Osu Sensei Keith, Congratulations on passing your 4th Dan test. I have also just finished my 4th dan test this year in August. I teach and test my son. It's super great and super hard having your father be your karate instructor I wish you all the best learning your new material and passing on your knowledge and experiences to your students and to all of us watching your RUclips videos. Osu!
Ourstanding! Congratulations, Seth! I love the humble attitude, afterwards.