We recently had the chance to connect with Brian Copeland and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brian, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity for the win. Intelligence can be put to bad use. Misdirected energy can become chaos. But integrity always seeks to do the right thing, even when no-one is watching.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brian Copeland and I’m the owner of Progressive Combat Systems. I teach people realistic martial arts for the modern age. We remove the fluff and focus only on what works in the real world; no belts, no breaking boards, no complex movements, no sport.
I’ve spent nearly 4 decades in various martial arts from boxing, MMA, and plenty more but at one point in my life I realized that real violence had little in common with an organized dual of 2 people in the same weight and gender class with a set of strict rules. Real violence is a predator looking for a victim and it is my intent to turn people into sheepdogs capable of flipping the script on the predator.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
If you really want to break a bond with someone then interrupt them when they are speaking. Ignore them when they are sharing. Don’t listen to them but just desire to be heard.
Conversely if you want someone to bond with you: listen before you respond and validate their concerns and feelings. How many marriages would benefit from this?
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that I am entitled to my feelings and not to judge myself for them. But I’m not entitled to my actions. My actions should be determined by the outcome that I want. I will be upset by a great many things in life, most of which don’t really matter. And most of the ones that do matter won’t really matter after some time.
I would remind myself that I have divine favor from the God Most High and that I should move boldly with confidence while seeking His guidance.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
In my industry I see martial arts schools teaching people what they think is cool rather than what will save their butt if – God forbid – they really need to use those skills. People practice striking areas of the body that are resilient rather that realizing that if you are in real violence you want to end that encounter ASAP by striking the most vulnerable targets.
I see martial arts schools teaching their students how to spar against other martial artists rather than to win against the ways that street thugs actually attack. I’ve not seen footage of a real attack where the criminal squares up and throws a rear leg Thai kick to the outer thigh. But I have seen them sneak up with false pretenses and suddenly launch a sucker punch.
The biggest lie in my industry? Training for one thing will prepare you for a totally different thing…
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me for being someone who added to their life. Someone who lifted them up and made them feel better about themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.progressivecombatsystems.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briancopeland40/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-copeland-aaa0628/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/brian_copeland
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095334815186
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/r2r/nwuVrnuNn1nU2AkTF4hFlA
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BrianCopelandJKD
