EMP | On Sale Now - EMP UK & US Weekend Workshops: https://www.evolvemoveplay.com/workshops - Seasonal Retreats: https://www.evolvemoveplay.com/retreats - Online Natural Movement Courses: https://learn.evolvemoveplay.com/choose-your-own-adventure1672680678329 Welcome back to the Evolve Move Play Podcast! Today we’re joined by Rokas Leonavicius. Rokas is a former Aikido instructor and founder of the Martial Arts Journey YouTube Channel. Today he’ll be joining us to talk about his transformative journey through the world of martial arts, beginning as a die hard Aikido ka, finding himself disillusioned with the art and many of it’s practitioners, and eventually breaking from the dogma of his instructor and community to explore the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Along the way, he’ll also share how this journey played a big role in shaping his own character, his career, and even his spiritual worldviews. I really enjoyed this conversation, and if you do too, please be sure to like, share, and subscribe if you aren’t already. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 00:29 - Internal Ad | EMP Workshops 01:28 - Rokas’ Background 14:48 - Crisis of Faith 19:55 - The Importance of Pressure Testing 26:02 - Moving towards Combat Sports 31:50 - The Community Response 43:08 - Losing the Religion 50:30 - Questioning the Spiritual Aspect 57:42 - Changing World Views 01:07:15 - Finding Matt Thornton 01:17:05 - Professional MMA Training with John Kavanagh 01:22:46 - Reunifying Philosophy with Gymnasia 01:44:40 - Psychological Disciplines and Training for Transfer EMP | Visit Us Online - EMP Website: https://www.evolvemoveplay.com - IG: @RafeKelly - http://www.instagram.com/rafekelley/ - FB: @RafeKelleyMovement - https://www.facebook.com/RafeKelleyMovement - Twitter: @rafekelley - https://twitter.com/rafekelley - YT Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Faelcind?sub_confirmation=1 - Become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/rafekelley Rokas Leonavicius -IG: https://www.instagram.com/rokas_martialartsjourney/ -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MartialArtsJourney -Second YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rokasleo