Fight Podcast by Sharir R.

FP #25: From Prison Guard to Coach: True Stories from the Mat

In this episode of the Fight Podcast, Sharir visits Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, to sit down with his good friend and ICCS Portugal director, Armando. Together, they explore Armando’s journey from decades of martial arts experience—including karate, kickboxing, and especially Muay Thai—to becoming a respected coach and prison guard with real-life fighting experience. The two share stories about the old-school atmosphere in Armando’s gym, training beneath a soccer stadium, and the deep family spirit that defines their community. They dig into the importance of real, hard sparring for effective self-defense, calling out the dangers of martial arts instructors who never test their skills under pressure. Armando explains how his background—both on the streets and as a prison guard—shaped his philosophy: fighting is not for everyone, and real preparation comes from realistic, sometimes brutal, training. The conversation covers the challenges of coaching competitors, the politics of fight events, mental preparation, and the life lessons learned through losing and coming back stronger. The episode is filled with stories about humility, dedication, and the power of a true martial arts family.

FP #24: Fighting, Focaccia, and Family: A Martial Arts Homecoming

Lessons from the Mat: Training, Recovery, and Real Talk In this comeback episode of the Fight Podcast, Sharir reconnects with his longtime friend and ICCS instructor Andrea in Genoa, Italy. Together, they take listeners on a journey through the early days of ICCS in Europe, reminiscing about their first seminars, the challenges of building a gym from scratch, and the enduring discipline required to keep pushing forward in martial arts. Andrea shares insights into his thriving school, the evolution from small kids’ classes to a full academy with striking and grappling for all ages, and the recent fight experiences of his students—complete with tough opponents and a few controversial referee calls. The conversation explores training philosophy, the importance of sparring, balancing family, coaching, and personal fitness, and how recovery and nutrition matter just as much as hard work. They discuss the changing landscape of self-defense and MMA in Europe, the value of full-contact experience, and why more experienced martial artists are joining ICCS for its “fighting solutions” mindset. With plenty of stories, laughs, and a shoutout to Genoa’s legendary focaccia, this episode is both a heartfelt reunion and a window into the passion and resilience behind building a martial arts community.

FP #23: Fake Languages, Real Fights: Gym Stories & Combat Culture

The evolution of Combat Sport In this episode of the Fight Podcast, Sharir and Jan dive into a lively and insightful conversation about language barriers, gym culture, and the evolution of combat sports. They start by reflecting on how people learn English through martial arts communities, sharing funny stories about students who “fake” speaking different languages and the unique blend of personalities found in their gyms. The discussion then shifts to the rich world of combat sports—contrasting old-school boxing with modern styles, exploring the quirks of Savate, and debating what really makes a fighter dangerous. Sharir and Jan break down key differences between boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA, discussing everything from fighting stances and guard positions to the mentality needed for street and sport fighting. Throughout, they explore the importance of aggressive defense, the role of discipline versus talent, and how true fighting confidence impacts life beyond the gym. They also share their perspectives on grappling, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, and why no single martial art has all the answers. With humor and experience, they show how learning to solve problems under pressure—inside and outside the ring—builds real confidence.

FP #22: Motorcycles, Military, and Mental Health: Stories from Two Worlds

Humor as a Survival Strategy In this episode of the Fight Podcast, we – Shareer and co-host – share our personal experiences and impressions from both military and civilian life, always in our familiar laid-back and humorous style. We start off by discussing the quirks of podcast intros, quickly moving into motorcycle anecdotes – from our own crashes to stories of police and paramedics on motorcycles, especially in Israel. We also talk about the risks of riding without a helmet, accidents, and some of the stranger consequences that can arise. In the second part, things get a bit more serious: we dive deep into the everyday realities of military life, the unique camaraderie among soldiers, the difference compared to civilian friendships, and the special, often little-known rules and routines of army life. We talk about creative problem-solving, absurd orders, fistfights over bus seats, and the infamous “shit-in-a-bag” principle during deployments. A key focus is on the psychological consequences of combat experiences, such as PTSD: we discuss stigma, recognition, and support for trauma, differences between countries and generations, and share our own observations from both the military and civilian world. Finally, we explore how people cope with trauma, how dark humor can help, why life in crisis regions often continues surprisingly “normally” – and why it’s so important to keep going despite everything.

FP #21: Building Muscle and Endurance: Effective Training Strategies

Jan and Sharir discuss their experiences and insights on training in extreme heat, highlighting the challenges faced during a recent heatwave in Israel. They emphasize the importance of staying hydrated and adapting to varying conditions, mentioning how both extreme heat and cold can impact training. The conversation shifts to specific training techniques, including the use of drop sets for building muscle endurance and the importance of incorporating both strength and cardio workouts. They also discuss injury management, the mental aspect of training, and the necessity of maintaining cardiovascular fitness for both sports and survival situations. Throughout, they share personal anecdotes and practical advice, underscoring the critical role of conditioning in effective training and real-life preparedness.