223-Why Everyone Thinks Karate Doesn’t Work And Why They’re Dead Wrong

Karate is one of the most misunderstood martial arts today. In this episode, I break down the real reason why so many people dismiss it—and why that narrative is completely wrong.

We start with the origins of Karate as a brutal and effective self-defense system, far removed from what many people now see in commercial dojos. I explain how post-war marketing and Western commercialization diluted the art and shifted the focus toward sport, stripping away the original intent.

We also dig into how Olympic-style competition and point fighting changed the public’s perception, and how the rise of MMA and viral fail videos created an echo chamber of criticism.

But that’s not the whole story. There are still styles and fighters proving Karate works—when it’s taught and trained the right way. From Kyokushin to Enshin to fighters like Lyoto Machida and Stephen Thompson, real Karate is still out there, and it’s still dangerous.

If you think Karate doesn’t work, this episode is for you. Let’s set the record straight.