In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in martial arts, strength.

Too often, people frame the conversation as strength vs technique. But in reality, the best martial artists don’t choose one or the other. They develop both. Strength isn’t the enemy of skill. It’s a force multiplier.

We discuss why strength matters for longevity, injury prevention, and real-world effectiveness. We also talk about the role of physical preparation in building confidence, resilience, and mental toughness both on and off the mat.

Whether you’re a beginner, competitor, or experienced martial artist, this episode will challenge how you think about training and help you see strength as a key part of your martial arts journey.

This episode is a serious one.

We talk about real situations involving friends and students who were attacked, and what those experiences reveal about the gap between training in a dojo and dealing with real-world violence.

We break down:

• The difference between martial arts and true self defence

• Why pressure testing matters

• What “realistic training” actually means

• Key self defence principles that apply outside the gym

• The role of awareness, mindset, and decision-making

Self defence isn’t about flashy techniques. It’s about preparation, clarity, and understanding what violence actually looks like.

If you train, coach, or care about keeping yourself and your family safe, this is an important conversation.

🦅 Welcome back to the Nest.

Hapkido. What It Is, How It Works, & Why It Matters

In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we dive deep into Hapkido the art, the principles, and what makes it different from other martial arts.

We talk about:

• What Hapkido actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Core principles like balance, control, and adaptability
• How Hapkido fits alongside other martial arts
• Why it remains relevant for self-defence and real-world application
• How training evolves over time as your understanding deepens

Whether you train Hapkido, are cross-training from another art, or are just curious about its place in modern martial arts, this episode gives honest insight from lived experience.

🦅 Welcome back to the Nest.

Everyone talks about goals. Way fewer people actually follow through.

In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we dive into goal setting in the real world not hype, not motivational quotes, but the mindset and habits that help you stay on track when motivation fades.

We talk about:

• Why most people quit early

• The difference between wanting a goal and committing to one

• How training in martial arts shapes discipline

• Balancing ambition with real life responsibilities

• Small habits that make long-term progress possible

Whether your goals are in training, work, health, or life this episode is about building the kind of consistency that actually moves the needle.

🦅 Welcome back to the Nest.

Episode 8: Scott Walters (Hapkido 6th Dan)

In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we’re joined by Scott Walters (Hapkido 6th Dan) for a deep dive into his martial arts journey and the early history of Hapkido in Melbourne.

Scott takes us back to his early years training Taekwondo, his move from Tasmania to Melbourne, and the experiences that shaped his path including studying in Korea. We also talk about the early days of teaching Hapkido in Melbourne, training through injuries and the birth of Eagle Martial Arts out of the old Scout Hall in Glen Waverley.

A great episode for anyone who loves martial arts stories, lineage, and the roots of the communities we train in today.

In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we talk competition, why we do it, what it teaches you, and what it’s really like stepping onto the mats when it counts.

Cameron shares his limited but meaningful BJJ competition experience and what it’s taught him so far, while Alex breaks down his much longer competition history from his early days as a colour belt through to competing as a black belt. We also touch on Alex’s earlier Hapkido demonstration competitions and what those experiences added to his martial arts journey.

If you’ve ever competed, are thinking about competing, or just want an honest look into the mindset and realities of it, this episode is for you.

Hapkido Demo Videos (worth the entry price alone):

https://youtu.be/zETbYwPSx8c?si=R5_4szEFUFK0GMu5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1NhPdnQK0Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3eWcHGZmJw

In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we sit down and talk about food how we think about it, how our approach has changed over time, and why it plays such a big role in training, performance, and everyday life.

We touch on general ideas around calorie targets, macros, and balance, but mostly this is a relaxed conversation about habits, routines, and the realities of eating well while still enjoying food.

It’s not a nutrition lecture just honest discussion shaped by experience.

If you know… you know.

In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we take a break from serious talk and dive into something that shaped us long before belts and dojos — martial arts movies.

We talk about the films that got us hooked, the scenes we still remember frame by frame, and why martial arts cinema played such a big role in how we viewed training, discipline, and movement. Along the way, we spend a fair bit of time celebrating our shared love of Jackie Chan — his creativity, work ethic, and the influence he’s had on generations of martial artists.

Eventually, we narrow it all down and settle on our Top 5 martial arts movies, with plenty of debate along the way.

If you grew up rewinding VHS tapes, practicing kicks in the lounge room, or still judge movies by their fight choreography — this one’s for you.