#14: Nicolas Saignac – Express Yourself and Be Free

The Black Belt Podcast

“You want to find this place with the person that you are working with, sparring is working with people, it’s not working against people, you are going to receive what you give. If it’s too hard, and you do not respect the parameters that are set, something is not going to go right. Work with people in the gym, don’t work against them. You express your skills and give them a chance to express theirs. You want people to express themselves so that they can be the best that they can be, so this way you have the best partners to work your skills against.”—Nicolas Saignac

My guest this episode is Professor Nicolas Saignac, who is a master of Savate. He reached the finals of the French cup in 1987 and won the title the following year. He was awarded the title of Professor from the Ministry of Sports in Savate and Boxing, and holds a silver glove 2nd degree, which is the highest Savate rank in the US. He is one of the leading promotors of the sport and has led US teams to several World Savate Championships. Professor Saignac has taught at the internationally famous Inosanto Academy and worked with martial art legends such as Ron Balicki, Erik Paulson, and Josh Barnett. He has been featured in many articles, documentaries, and training videos.

This episode is all about getting the best out of yourself and those you work with. My key takeaway is that the martial arts can and should be used as a vehicle for honest self-expression. We must not become rigid within the style or seek to copy our teachers. We must use the style, the training, and the sparring to find our own expression of our skills, especially under pressure. We dive deep into the history of Savate, the usage of the shoe as a weapon, and how to excel at the highest levels of sport competition. We also discuss what it takes to become a great teacher and how to create champions inside and outside the ring. Tune in for another spectacular episode, with one of the most humble and genuine masters of their craft.