Everyone likes to believe that they are extraordinary. As it turns out, in many ways martial artists genuinely are.

To understand the full flavor of the martial arts experience, with all its depth and nuance, we conducted a comprehensive, worldwide study of practitioners. Nothing as consequential about the fighting arts and their disciples has ever been published before.

In absorbing our analysis, and meeting some remarkable individuals we highlight, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the allure and significance of the martial arts. You will see yourself more clearly and better understand those who have gone before.

The personal and societal benefits of martial arts are legion. Practitioners study disciplines that give them a distinctive perspective, willingly embrace hardships that build remarkable mental and physical strength, and in doing so hone their character in extraordinary ways.