#blackbelt

Cara (Rodli, Jacobson) Aguilar lived in Knappa for 30 years. 

She married Kyle Jacobson right out of high school and soon became a parent of 5 kids- one which they adopted from Haiti.

While she navigated being a home school mom, her husband , at 32, was diagnosed with the genetic Huntington's Disease which affects the brain and neurosystem. 

Life became very challenging when he could no longer work and his motor and speech became vastly affected. At 40, he passed away.

Soon after, three of her children were diagnosed with the same illness. Her youngest son, Marshall, died at age 16. Her son Bodean, age 21 is in hospice. Her daughter, Daisha, age 26 is exhibiting increasing disability.

And yet- she is able to live one day at a time, secure in her faith.

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Nabil Khatib would likely have me running in the opposite direction if we encountered each other on a dark path, he’s the exact look alike of every villain played in every movie every written, however since I know better, I’d be clinging to his arm knowing he’d likely be the best to defend against any danger. He is a teddy bear wrapped in an MMA fighter. While he can play the tough guy on film, stunt double some fight scenes and ride off like fast and the furious, this former professional MMA fighter and 4th degree back belt is a softy to boot. Just give him a knife and this chef would rather chop up a meal, then use it as a weapon. Actually, in all honesty he was in tears within 60 seconds of starting to speak- and there would be a handful more times throughout the podcast when he opens up about real life and what the future holds. 

Over the course of Nabil’s professional fighting career where his nickname was Nabil “The Thrill” he also witnessed the influx of people, men, woman and children alike, turning to the martial arts for its discipline as well as the physical and emotional release. A way to combat stress and anxiety, and a tool used to hear the most silent of voices. As head coach of the team bushido fitness center – there approach is “Confidence, Balance, Self Protection….approaching the world with clarity, self confidence and control over your body.

I had intended for the podcast to be about self defence, martial arts as an exercise tool and the mind of a fighter, yet the conversation had so many twists and turns that I left feeling like anyone who has experienced adversity, rock bottom or self doubt would resonate with the story and appreciate everything about it. I do hope you all take a listen.

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Episode 2018.23 - SEAL of Approval - You don't know Jocko!: In this episode of the @armbarpodcast the guys take their first roadtrip down south to San Diego,  where they link up with John 'Jocko' Willink (@jockowillink) former US Navy SEAL, Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, author, motivational speaker and co-owner of Victory MMA and Fitness (@victorymmasd). Learn how Jocko's lifelong dream of becoming a "commando" led him to become a member of SEAL Teams 1 and 3, as both an enlisted man and officer and how the tenacity and fighting spirit instilled in SEALs drew him to Jiu-Jitsu.  Find out what it takes to utilize self-discipline to chart your future and grab success by the throat.  It all goes down at the ArmBar Podcast so "Get After It" and don't ring-out.