Be A Great Student | Coaches Appreciate You ft. Icy Mike

So many of us dream about finding a better coach. But what about being a better student???
Today I talk with Icy Mike about being a gym owner and what he really appreciates from his students. Especially those wanting to compete in the ring/cage.
Be sure to tune into ‪@hard2hurt‬ for loads of great content.
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[@fighttips]

Oh how I wish this video gets 100m views. Mike is a great coach and gym owner. And Gabriel is such a great martial artist. Strive to be like both of them!

[@jedmcdonald4695]

Very well said. You’re on my list of strive to be like too. Humble and knowledgeable. Thank you.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Massive respect for your gym/coach is something that is normal in a karate dojo. I find it's often lacking in kickboxing/mma/boxing gyms. Go the extra mile and start oozing gratitude for your training space and instructor (provided they deserve it 😉). It's part of the martial arts culture and is very important in so many ways.

[@milkhit2714]

I see it back in the members that have respect for the trainingsroom/ the mat/ tatami. Everybody with a TMA background (karate, wing chun, judo) bows at the entrance when entering the room and bows at the entrance leaving the room.

[@thehighcommunity247]

Absolutely Man. I always try to let my coach know how much he helps me, and that it means a lot to me. Love These Collabs as of recent.

[@Steph_FX]

How cool would a video be with Wonderboy!!!

[@philosopherboy]

If all we're doing is learning to be efficient at violence, regardless of the cost and without consideration for how we're treating other people, something has gone terribly wrong. Respect, compassion, and humility are key - and it always starts with you.

[@justinfreeman4614]

When is the Varga vs Wonderboy exhibitions fight with Karate Combat?

[@hard2hurt]

Man oh man i had anxiety about this one because I thought I said some crazy stuff here but it wasn't that bad lol.

[@Ash__Adler]

The gym I train at is primarily competitive fighters. I'm completely understanding of not being in their clique (especially when someone has a fight coming up soon). If one of them wants to train with me, great. If they want to stick with people who're more skilled, that's fine, too. As long as I've got someone to work with, I'm ready to get better.

[@dannyy8619]

I always appreciate your integrity Gabriel and how you treat the gym and all trainees with respect. Thx for setting a good example for the whole martial arts community.

[@thehighcommunity247]

Leave all that 💩 at the door. Straight up. I hold back in sparring, like we are supposed to most of the time. I don't punch "through" my targets. I remember that feeling of nervousness when I first walked in, so I want the next new guy to feel as comfortable as we can make em, so that they don't permanently bail. The atmosphere is so vital to Everybody's well being.

[@shootits48]

That being said i think it should be noted as a student, especially a new one, it doesn't mean you can throw as hard as you want just because Coach is supposed to go easy on you. That's a good way to always be the punching bag

[@justinfreeman4614]

At the gyms I've trained at, you'll usually get 1x talking to by a coach or stronger student along the lines of "Do you want me to try as hard as you are?". And if you answer incorrectly or continue being an ass afterward, one of the better fighters beats your ass. We either pretend it never happened and you come back... Or your ego can't handle your own medicine so you leave.

[@shootits48]

@@justinfreeman4614 🤣🤣🤣 it's happened too much at my gym

[@SaftonYT]

I don't think either man implied that should be the case?

[@MatadorM9]

Funny, my Taekwondo instructor told me exactly that. There are the good high end martial artists that give the school prestige and there are the ones that pay the bills.

[@aiden6106]

Seth is the best example of this. He trains for fun. Not to be a professional fighter, but for fun. With that, he can change his intensity on the fly so well because he doesn't take it so seriously that he can't allow less experienced people to have a good time or to get better. As much as everyone clowns on seth. I give him 100% credit for that.

[@ItsMeBatmanlol]

To your first point, it depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. The main point being which is the wording used. I own and run a karate dojo, we’re celebrating our 40th year in 2 weeks. For people in a gym, and having a coach, I agree with you 100%. For a dojo, having an instructor and mentor, is a completely different environment. I find that people can go harder and care about each other more when they view each other as brothers and sisters and family. It helps our younger students more when there’s less ego and more about improvements than winning. Also to add on to your point about being humble, we tell everyone to not just take class. Take being the strong word. You get and give back to the dojo. It’s all encompassing with the family aspect.

[@escre]

I could listen to Pricey Mike talk business all day.

[@FhargaZ]

Bad partners and coaches could kill the experience, specially when you are starting(sparring and so on).

[@Lionheart_Kickboxing]

I tell my competitors that we gotta keep the doors open to be successful and we need to be an inviting and good learning environment. That comes from their ability to listen to their partners and have control and respect for everybody. I make them clean mats because it’s everyone’s space but they spend the most time in it and the mats give you many many things to be grateful for so respect them.

[@landoncube769]

My dad taught me certain manners and to act a certain way in public growing up cause he was in the military so long so I pretty much immediately do this when I meet somebody new

[@Gzussss]

It's obvious but has to be said. We all absolutely want you to spar with every one of these guys!

[@brianyparraguirre6977]

This is tough, as a hobbyist I definitely want attention from the owner/coach but also as a hobbyist I understand why it is less critical my footwork is perfect when compared to a person who makes a living by fighting or aspires to

[@capitalistraven]

Yeah that thing about boundaries before big fights.... Don't want to find out about that one the hard way. Worst whooping I ever took was trying to do "learning" sparring at the wrong place and time.

[@vagabondwastrel2361]

Easy solution for 5:00 . If a fighter is x amount of time to a fight they have to wear a blaze orange headband. Tell the regular customers to keep a distance from fighters with the orange bands. Tell the fighters that the regular customers are keeping the light on even though you rather spend most of your time with them.

[@A.T.Sickzer]

You deserve and will get much more subscribers.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Thanks so much. I'm aiming for 1 million subs. Even if it takes another 10 years I will get there. But hopefully youtube will start promoting the channel soon 😃

[@Someguy-oi9tf]

I do like how you brought up how in some gyms Fighters/More Experienced people that they push Regular or Amateurs too far. Same thing happened in my gym, where a the fighters in my gym always had big egos and would push Amateurs too Hard. After I realized how bad it was since people were leaving with Headaches, Injuries and Bloody Noses I left without a sound. And the Gym had almost a 5 STAR RATING. Never trust the reviews, If you feel like you're partners are going to hard, or there is a lot of ego, Leave. End of Story Thank you Gabriel and Mike ❤🙏

[@princet131]

Great message thanks guys

[@ShiftyBTW]

These crossover videos have been GREAT.

[@landoftheninja]

Gotta say man. Your content has been on point lately 👌

[@kremmidis_773]

Great etiquette, love to see it

[@TheeGoatPig]

I haven't listened to the video yet, but as a student that transitioned from one school to another because I moved 1,000 miles away, I was a bad student at the second school.

[@FluffyBuritoz]

Been loving these back to back uploads across y’all’s channels. Love to see y’all connecting the states

[@theprodigalson4003]

And keep in mind, paying customers can always turn into fighters down the line. Good video so far

[@moumous87]

Discovered Gabriel Varga only this year. Love this guy! Keep up the good work!!!

[@morganmarshall450]

Great talk here.

[@RobertHorry1956]

This video is saving my gym a lot of money. Thanks guys.

[@rodpierce8468]

Such a good perspective - just a casual and got roughed up with some broken ribs by a high level amateur guy looking to prove something even though I told him to go easy. I learned that there are casuals and fighters trying to make a living - and those fighters often come with a different mentality. I wish I saw this video 2 months ago!

[@petertallowin6406]

You guys all seem very genuine and I appreciate your content so much. Ethics stand for a lot and the whole newbie at the club fear that I "had" is one of the reasons why I am only just starting kick boxing at 38. Well, 39 next week. :) The local group I have joined are amazing and have been so welcoming and supportive in helping me to reach goals I never thought possible. 🙏 maximum respect to you all. 👌🤜🤛💪

[@kevinhartnell2075]

Great video! We should all give back as not a single one of us gets through life without help from others in some capacity.

[@jamescooke7243]

I think the recent colabs with everyone are bringing so much useful material. both in terms of skills and mental aspects of fighting and training. its cool to see you guys bounce ideas and experience off each other. its also great to see people with a platform speak a lot about the humble side of fighting and life.

[@henriqueribeiro104]

Nice video I been going to a gym to practice kickboxing for a while and I never realized how the gym is devided but now it makes sense.

[@IntombiPictures1]

I have noticed a huge upswing in the level of appreciation coming to you lately. You deserve all the credit. I wish you luck in future fights and heaps more co-labs with the likes of other combatants - especially Wonderboy ! Max respect !! I also enjoy Icy Mike, he's got a vibe.

[@jedmcdonald4695]

This is helpful for those of us looking to find a gym. I like to understand some basics going into situations that I’m new to.

[@philcollins4386]

Great video

[@sixstringrevolver6742]

Man, I felt that gratitude when Mike was talking about those who helped him out when he first started. Never forget where you come from, and those who helped you get where you are today. Love that. Really loving watching this channel, as well. Gabriel is so humble, kind, charismatic, and -- obviously -- skilled and knowledgeable. Thanks for all you guys do. Love the vids. Love the mash ups. Always look forward to more.

[@junglejim3433]

This makes me think of all the experiences I've had in different gym's and dojo's. Some bad. Some good. Sounds like Icy Mike knows what's up

[@Priapos93]

You and Icy Mike have everything a comedy duo needs. That said, the whole crew who has teamed up on these videos have great chemistry.

[@honestlee9921]

Good video I like the perspective

[@abvedc8590]

Very well said. I was once a former student that became a fighter then became my own gym and trainer. This is what i love about this high level fighters or trainers. They know how to put their egos aside, unlike what i experienced before because i was starting as a weakling and almost the shortest guy and imbalance for my body structure. Then as soon as i grow and got stronger, i now lead my student to be great to but still humble in any possible ways. Even we are sparring newbies or teaching the new ones. I gotta love these contents/channel and the collab of hard2hurt, fightips, gabriel, senseiseth, and many more! I am getting not just new techniques and knowledge around you guys, but it feels that we are literally there training with you guys! Keep the channel growing and more of this kind of contents. We are a huge fan here in the PH 🇵🇭

[@classahalimaw4606]

Ano pangalan gym mo ?

[@ZeroThree31]

I love you guys. I wish there were more good leadership at the gym I train at. Slim picking up here in Victorville

[@calumbeeson1705]

What a brilliant video 👏🏻👏🏻 Exactly how it should be in a combat sport gym. I go to gyms with high level fighters, not even pros but have competed in amateurs and act like they are so highly above people who are new, or even people who train regularly. Maybe not as much as them but Jesus it’s so tiring just having to deal with their egos 😑🥴 I met a pro fighter recently form PFL and he was so humble and just happy to have a chat with me, it is so refreshing to see. My old coach had competed on cage warriors & bellator and again just so humble and can always approach for a chat. That’s what you need but these egotistical fighters, doesn’t help anyone, only deters people from coming back which is really sad. Thanks for sharing anyways and making great content and shedding light on important topics like this!

[@EternalArtsTex]

Icy Mike has got it right. Gabriel I think your personality has put you up in one of my favorite fighters. The true humbleness and compassion you have for the sport is very admirable. As an instructor for a small kung fu class I love seeing this. Subbed and liked. Gonna go binge your videos!

[@samgruszczynski5704]

Hey Gabriel did your training partner in previous videos happen to compete at a Mamba fight league event recently? I saw a fighter who I thought I recognized in your video who was training out of Victoria after I had my own fight. Thanks for the videos they’ve helped me a lot since I’m still new to competitions!!

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

I'm not sure. A few of my training partners competed recently but I don't know if they were there. Glad you find the videos are helping you.

[@warhawksmemories3071]

Wish more people were humble. To be able to teach others of what you know and they appreciate it is the best feeling. Not to say you won't learn anything from them either coz you can

[@martialartsunlimited01]

As a military person and have spent the majority of my life away from my actual family, I have spent a lot of time trying to make my gym a home away from home for so many people. Is it an extended family? I think so, but just like a family there are fights, disagreements, and mini groups. At least in my opinion.

[@kptheradiostar]

This exact scenario happened at a very well-known BJJ gym that I trained at, they started a boxing class and some of us started to train in that as well as jiu jitsu and a lot of the jiu-Jitsu guys started throwing shad at us for wanting to learn how to box lol

[@r-a-m7032]

The best co up

[@AnSturbin]

I always make sure if I spar with new people that I work on my shell, parries, checks, and head movement. It lets then get comfortable sparring, and I get to practice my defensive fundamentals.

[@ayoubex1951]

Key lessons 👌

[@w4rf4c39]

Yup. 💯

[@dbweinhaus]

I'm subscribed to both you and The Hockey Guy, and hearing your videos right after his makes me subconsciously group him in with this crossover series. I'd actually be really interested in your impression of Ryan Reaves, who fights on ice two-handed, unlike most hockey fighters who collar tie and fight with the free hand.

[@fireeaglefitnessmartialart935]

I got to spar with a "pro" fighter a couple weeks before his fight 2 yrs ago. I was doing my own thing on a bag, he came up to me and asked me to light spar. I accepted. And it was probably the best sparring session I've ever had to that point. Got the tail end of it on video. We probably went what felt like 20mins before I called it. I probably could've gone longer, but I was getting winded after 2 prior classes.

[@julien558]

It looks like it is why francis ngannou quite his french gym "mma factory"

[@willburchfield]

Great points all around. Some of best and worst experiences as a casual where helping with pads during early fight camps for the real fighters and also being the punching bag late in the fight camp (different gyms, one I left one I miss dearly since moving) What was the soup thing?

[@kitelooper311]

Can you post sparring footage with Icy Mike, Sensei Seth, Shane Fazen, and all of those guys?

[@jamielondon6436]

Love the budo attitude, champ! :-)

[@PHATT_TV]

Fantastic topic! When I was active in Muay Thai/Kick Boxing i found soooo many gyms needed to hear this “Be Humble” msg. Too many egos, which can & has destroyed many gyms(even a friend of mine lost his gym because of allowing clicks, egos & just not being as involved with each client as much as humanly possible. At the least he & other gym owners should lay some ground rules, & stay true to enforcing them…..no matter what.

[@dirtpoorchris]

I imagine a fighters only gym is probably the place that ends up having disrespectful sparring, as people try to unofficially "rank them selves better" through the sparring.

[@Docinaplane]

As a beginning student in karate, I would usually arrive early to an empty room and sweep the dojo floor. Years later when I received my black belt, the teacher told me he would see me doing that, though I never saw him before class. I still sweep the floor :-)

[@burgersquid]

honestly as a joe schmo, seeing guys spar that were getting ready for a fight was completely different than sparring sessions with scrubs like me. Maybe some folks cant read the room, I feel like it wasn't hard to tell though.

[@basedbane787]

It would be cool to see how footwear effects your kicks. How much do steel toe slow you down. Do hard rubber/leather combat boots do significantly more damage do sneakers cushion your kicks ext

[@BMO_Creative]

Fighting and pushing expectations onto others is bad? lol... That is family bro! LOL

[@Steph_FX]

How cool would a video be with Wonderboy !!!

[@johanmccloud92984]

💯

[@jackquentin1950]

Man, Stephen Thompson's really a good guy

[@-DMD-]

I hate it when people say the family thing. (Business, gym, teams w/e) My parents, grandparents, my significant other, etc, those are my family. We've met a few months ago, or a year ago, don't tell me we're family, you depreciate the value of that word and of my real family, you didn't raised me, you didn't take care of me when I had a broken leg, etc you don't get to say we're family. (Especially since it's usually used by people that hope to get something out of your damaged psyche)

[@aldavedesierdo42]

My gym doesn't know light sparring lol. There's a time were I want to spar to complete my day and I say that go easy on me and the instructor guy who is clearly high-amateur in my city goes hard on his teeps and knees on me where I am technically KO everytime. I didn't really learn on that session aside from my hurting stomach. I want my sparring session to be playful and technical and now being who dominated by whom lol

[@borisp9163]

Man this is so hard, I remember firs time I spared I though it means you literaly fighting, so I went full speed, not full power but speed, like flicky strikes but barely touching oponent with not closed fists, I though thats how you have to do it 🤦🏻‍♂️😅 and I used kicks more like preventing to let oponent get close, mising on purpose swinging, creating some dangerous zone, barier 😅, I mean I dont enjoy to hit anyone, I am more martial artist then fighter but I want to be able “swim in muddy waters” if there is no other option, its kind of contradiction in me.

[@detectivepenegrande]

Train for fun. Jesus Christ. Someone gets it

[@nattten3202]

when sparring alway let the less experienced one choose the tempo

[@StoningXStephen]

Question: What does a hymn owner want in a student. Gymn owners in unison: Gabriel Varga!

[@honestlee9921]

They are making you break character xD

[@jihyunpark1517]

Are members usually expected to clean up in their free time? I remember seeing that with Dwight Shrute in the karate episode of The Office and thought it was a joke

[@dirtpoorchris]

Today we are going to work on FULLY opening up your hook and landing it at the last second. Teasing and taunting your opponent with its possibility. Watch as the threat of it effects opponents footwork and then learn their mind and what they are thinking in the microseconds. That way when you do do a flash hook it will KO and you will have more microseconds on your side. Maybe you arent even planning on throwing a hook but notice opening it up and feinting with it almost always affects their footwork. **Half the students instead try to land it faster and faster** Just a guess? You tell them to work 1 certain aspect and instead they just try to score points. I never taught a class but ive tried explaining things to 1 person at a time and my metaphors dont seem to sink into their heads as much as I can imagine them in mine. Like trying to explain the "cannon fist" as a cannon ball being fired with a rope tied behind it and your arm is the rope and your fist is the cannon ball, basically a way to turn pure strike speed into damage. And thats why I practice putting out candle flames with my fist-wind and tearing paper in half with a punch as it hangs from a string.

[@ismistarick70]

*tongue click* "yeah"

[@justinfreeman4614]

My gym is very much a family. Hero MMA Academy in Maryland! I don't own it so please don't mark as spam.

[@justaddfire4418]

I can’t even put the Eggos aside, ya’ll

[@vagabondwastrel2361]

As a complete outsider to fighting I could see how holding pads for someone else doing drills could be beneficial for the one holding the pads. It allows you to see a person doing the drills and the tells that exist. You also train the arms with more weight extended awkwardly in front of you for an extended amount of time. The irony is that the personalities of a fighting gym sounds a lot like mmo games. You want that certain level of content that is exclusive to be the draw of the casuals. You want those who get gear to help people who still need to get more. I would say the mentalities remind me of a horse jumping stable but well, it could. Most that I went to the arena was booked in advance for training. But almost everything is individual in nature.

[@detectivepenegrande]

Gabriel, would I do not know if you have touched the subject, but it would be good if you touch the issue with training and drinking.

[@jacksdad734]

If you have pros at your gym and you own a business, consider sponsoring them. Throw the guy a couple hundred bucks to wear a patch on his shorts. The life of a fighter early in his career is the broke life.

[@ThepurposeofTime]

Some gyms foster that nasty mentality to the point that their fighters can never fight with the casuals. Maybe you're likely to get more fighters that way but I've never agreed with it

[@obscurelines]

You know what? I did 30 years of martial arts and boxing. Judo and boxing mostly. But also Thai, Kung Fu, karate and BJJ. And I come away thinking that most instructors are actually quite poor. There hasn't been a great sense of sharing and caring and interest in development. There hasn't been much celebration of successes etc. When I compare it to other instruction on my life, it hasn't been as carefully honed and considered. I assumed this to be a norm and only now am I thinking hmmm...they weren't great. Shit except my first Judo coach who was the legendary Sensai Steadman.

[@bobbob3458]

Being good to the new guys is important even from a 100% selfish perspective. If you help build them up till they're decent, it gives you a wider variety of people to spar against and fine tune different matchups. It's extra EXTRA important to encourage people with less common body types to stick around. Like those lanky 6'5+ adolescent giants fresh off a growth spurt, that can soccer kick you in the head just fine with 0 training, lmao. Or anyone who's a natural southpaw. Chasing them off while they're green is dumb af.

[@charlesbell5500]

But don't the fighters have to pay for the gym membership too?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Depends on how supportive the gym is. Sometimes fighters training for free. But I also know of many gyms where fighter dues are more than a regular membership.

[@poleag]

What is a "fighter"?

[@kuno6286]

generally the higher skill level people that compete for the gym

[@florkiler6242]

you guys are using ego wrong but I'm to sick to feel like explaining why

[@mansamusa2012]

Honestly there needs to be more male only gyms women cause too many problems

[@skullbones7452]

You know why the grass is greener on the other side? Because they have more shit there.

[@drdabsmore945]

It's hard for me to have an ego when I'm being kicked around the mat like a ragdoll. 🤣