Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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How Referees and Officials Keep Combat Sports Safe
What a referee is actually watching for during a bout, and why stoppage decisions are far less arbitrary than they can look from ringside.
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The Etiquette of the Mat: Unwritten Rules Every New Grappler Should Know
The unspoken social rules of a grappling gym that no one explains outright but every experienced student expects newcomers to pick up quickly.
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What to Pack in a Gym Bag: The Real Checklist No One Tells Beginners
The unglamorous gear list that experienced training partners assemble through trial and error, from blister care to a second mouthguard.
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Nutrition Basics for Women in Combat Sports: Fueling Training Without Crash Dieting
Why the weight-cutting culture in combat sports leads many women to under-fuel daily training, and what a more sustainable approach looks like.
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The Role of a Cornerman: What Happens Between Rounds at an Amateur Bout
A look at what a corner team actually does in sixty seconds between rounds, and why a good cornerman can matter as much as months of training.
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Footwork Fundamentals: The Skill Combat Sports Coaches Wish You’d Drill More
Why footwork gets skipped in beginner training and the specific drills that build the balance and distance control every striking art depends on.
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Starting Combat Sports Training in Your 40s or 50s: What to Expect
A realistic look at beginning boxing, BJJ, or MMA training later in life, covering recovery differences, injury risk, and why the learning curve is not what people assume.
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Understanding the Freeze Response: Why Your Body Might Not Fight Back
The biology behind freezing during a threat, why it is not a character flaw, and what training can and cannot do to reduce it.
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Taking Care of Your Gear: Cleaning and Maintaining Gloves, Wraps, and Bags
A practical maintenance routine for boxing and MMA gear that extends equipment life and reduces the skin infections common in combat sports gyms.
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Personal Safety Tips for Women Who Hike or Run Alone in Nature
Trail-specific safety habits for solo hikers and runners, covering route planning, wildlife versus human threats, and what to actually carry.
Got any book recommendations?