Life throws challenges our way, and while it may be tempting to resist and push back, the real strength lies in resilience. Today, I want to talk about choosing resilience over resistance and how I’ve applied this mindset in my own journey. From my recovery after hip surgery to my preparation for the second surgery, resilience has been the key to moving forward.
As many of you know, I’ve spent a lifetime teaching martial arts, speaking, and helping others cultivate strength in both mind and body. This year, however, has presented one of my most significant physical challenges — undergoing two hip replacements. But instead of fighting the limitations I face, I’ve chosen to adapt and build strength from the inside out.
Resilience in Action
Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned to trust the process of recovery. I’ve come to realize that rushing through recovery, like resisting life’s limitations, only holds us back. It’s in adapting to these changes that we grow stronger. There are moments where frustration sets in, but I remind myself of a crucial lesson I’ve lived by: resilience isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress.
Lessons From the Journey
This lesson isn’t new to me. From my years growing up in the Bronx to my career as a martial artist and performing artist, I’ve experienced the importance of resilience time and again. When I first left New York City as a young man, traveling to Florida to start fresh, I had to adapt to an entirely new environment. And later, as a martial artist, I learned that life’s challenges were best handled when approached with the discipline and focus we use in martial arts training. It’s about seeing obstacles as opportunities for growth, and that’s the essence of resilience.
Whether it’s dealing with physical limitations, emotional setbacks, or professional roadblocks, resilience allows us to keep moving forward. And it’s not just about surviving adversity; it’s about learning from it, growing, and becoming stronger in the process.
Resilience and Music: Fuel for the Journey
As I reflect on this, I want to share one of the tools that has empowered me along the way: music. In the background of this post and my podcasts, I often play music from my Epic Living Strong Warriors playlist. It’s more than just background noise; it’s a source of strength. Music has always been part of my life, whether during my time as a performing artist or now as a way to fuel my mindset. You can check it out at YouTube.com/peterliciaga and let me know which track empowers you the most. These songs help me tap into that warrior mindset, and I hope they do the same for you.
Building a Community of Resilience
Now, I also want to share something important with you. Over the past few months, I’ve realized that social media, while useful, often creates too much noise and distraction. That’s why I’m building a deeper, more personal community on my website, peterliciaga.com. It’s a place where we can have more focused and meaningful conversations, away from the usual platforms. I invite you to join me there so that we can stay connected, share our journeys, and continue to empower one another.
Adapting Rather Than Fighting
So as we wrap up today’s reflection, I encourage you to think about where you are in your journey. Are there moments where you feel like you’re pushing too hard, resisting change? Take a step back and consider what it would look like to adapt instead. Adapting doesn’t mean giving up—it means finding a smarter, stronger way forward. It’s about resilience, about moving forward, no matter the obstacle.
Thank you for reading and for being part of this journey with me. Together, we’ll keep embracing resilience, adapting, and living strong.
Until next time, stay strong, live empowered, and let’s keep building a life of strength, one step at a time.
