Television, The Silent Thief of Time – A Martial Artist’s Perspective

As a master martial artist, my life has been shaped by movement, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of growth. Every punch, every kick, every breath I take in training is a step toward mastery. But there is one opponent that has stolen the lives of many, an opponent that doesn’t attack with fists or weapons, but with distraction and passivity. That opponent is television.

Television in itself is not evil. It can be a tool for education, inspiration, and even a brief escape from the pressures of life. Watching a well-crafted documentary on martial arts history, a film showcasing brilliant fight choreography, or even a news program to stay informed, these are productive ways to use television. But when television controls you rather than you controlling it, you are allowing your most precious resource, time, to be drained away, never to be regained.

The problem with television is that it gives you the illusion of action. You watch a show about success, fitness, business, or martial arts and feel a temporary spark of motivation. But that spark fades the moment the next episode begins, and before you know it, you’ve spent hours sitting still while your mind passively absorbs content. You feel like you’ve accomplished something because your emotions were stirred, but did you actually move? Did you train? Did you take action toward your goals?

I have seen so many people waste years watching their favorite shows, living through fictional characters while their own potential goes untouched. Imagine being 80 years old, sitting in a chair, realizing that the best years of your life were spent watching someone else’s scripted adventures while you never wrote your own story.

Martial arts teaches us that action beats inaction every time. When you practice a new technique, your body adapts, your reflexes sharpen, and your endurance grows. You don’t become a master by watching others train, you become a master by doing the work yourself.

Life operates the same way. If you want to build a business, get in shape, or master a skill, you must train in real life, not just observe others doing it. Watching fitness influencers won’t make you strong. Watching motivational speakers won’t make you successful. Watching martial arts movies won’t make you a fighter. Only your actions will determine the course of your life.

I’m not saying you should never watch TV. Some content can fuel your growth if used correctly. Here’s a guide to using television wisely…

Watch for learning, not escaping. Documentaries, business insights, martial arts breakdowns, these can add to your knowledge.

Limit passive entertainment. Set a specific time to enjoy shows, then get back to your own life.

Follow those who inspire action. If what you’re watching doesn’t push you to improve in some way, it’s likely just stealing your time.

Use television sparingly. Watching too much weakens your discipline. Keep it as a small part of life, not the main focus.

Instead of watching actors play warriors, become one. Instead of watching others succeed, create your own success. Instead of wasting years consuming entertainment, spend those years building your legacy.

At the end of the day, you must ask yourself: Are you the audience or the main character in your own story?

Don’t let your life slip away in front of a screen. Get up. Move. Train. Build. Make your own life worth watching. Sign up for the A.O.M.A. family and take advantage of the course, Learn the Basics of Martial Arts. Or you can join our monthly membership program, where many are saving 23% on the cyclic courses being offered. It is a wise thing to take these courses in the order that I have laid out, because the previous course sets you up for the following course.