Building Discipline Through Martial Arts with Don Walton | Food for Thought #17

In Episode 17 of the Green Fork Food for Thought podcast, host Steven Zabala sits down with Don Walton, an MMA athlete, coach, and promoter. Listen in as Don shares his journey from fighter to coach at the Academy of Elite Martial Arts in Saratoga, discussing weight cutting, founding Elite Fighting Promotions, and the discipline of martial arts.To reach out to Don about training, follow @saratogaelitema_ on Instagram or search for Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts on Facebook.0:00 Intro and welcome Don Walton0:25 Don’s roles in martial arts and Elite Fighting Promotions0:44 Hexagon vs. octagon cage clarification1:00 Story about uncle’s watch dogs1:20 How Don started in martial arts1:56 From military plans to rediscovering martial arts2:24 Falling in love with Muay Thai and coaching2:43 Training in Southern California3:02 Returning home and retiring from fighting3:49 Choosing coaching over fighting4:25 Weight cutting and nutrition challenges6:34 Weight cutting regulations and hydration tests7:15 Discipline in tough training8:14 The “hungry wolf” mentality9:55 Life in the gym and love for martial arts11:16 Favorite fighters: John Haggerty and Superbon12:15 Coaching Damian to a WBC championship13:43 Coaching kids and average people17:11 Phil Nurse’s Muay Thai curriculum22:26 Starting Elite Fighting Promotions28:08 Upcoming September 20th show35:54 Last meal: spicy ramen from Yummy Ramen or Thailand39:18 Finding the flow state in martial arts43:46 Advice for beginners: be a sponge, lose the ego49:11 Closing thoughts and gratitude