“Stress Based Training” is one of the core philosophies of Krav Maga. After three weeks of training, yesterday I finally got to experience it for real. First thing the trainer had me do was bring our heart rate up to simulate the stress levels to make the situtation seem as real as possible and then he continually attacked me again and again without rest for several minutes.

There was no time to think about technique or form. I could only react. Having been a blackbet in MMA, I assumed I’d do well in this, despite having been out of practice, out of shape for a few years and fasting for Ramadan.

As soon as the controlled onslaught started, I realized I wasn’t as prespared as I thought I’d be. In the first 30 seconds I seemed to stand my ground, but at the end of it, I was knocked flat onto the floor gasping for breath.

My instructor looked down at me with a big grin saying, “That was fun! Get up and lets do it again.”

Personal Insight:
What ever technical skills you learn will not be of much value to you unless you practice it in real world situtations. With martial arts it’s “stress-based training.” With marketing is engaging in real campaigns with real deadlines.