Personal Development | Interview with Paul Mitchell, 9th Dan Sōke

In this interview, Paul Mitchell shares a powerful lesson in resilience, personal development, and what it truly means to “become a warrior.”

Paul recounts a shocking medical ordeal that began with a tiny crack in his foot – so small it was initially missed – leading to a serious infection that travelled to his hip and destroyed the bone within weeks. Faced with the loss of his hip, Paul explains the mindset choice he made in hospital: self-pity or productivity.

Despite being unable to train normally for months, he describes how he kept moving forward – working in the pool, maintaining stance practice where possible, and staying connected physically and mentally so he could return to training without a long gap.

He also talks about using this period to contribute to the wider martial arts community by organizing a writing project that ultimately became a book about becoming a warrior, not simply practicing a style.

Along the way, Paul reflects on the influence of legendary teachers and emphasizes the one quality that defines a great sensei: they care.

If you’ve ever dealt with injury, setbacks, or time away from training, this conversation is a reminder that the warrior’s path isn’t only built in the dojo. It’s built in how you respond when life gets hard.

Key themes in this episode:
Resilience and mindset under pressure
Training through injury and recovery
Personal development in martial arts
What makes a great teacher (across styles)
“The warrior at the gate” mentality

#Karate #MartialArts #Resilience #Mindset #PersonalDevelopment #Budo #WarriorMindset