Stronger Mind. Sharper Kendo.

For kendoka who want to perform under pressure 

— without falling apart inside.

I personally find Blake to be a powerful teacher, and his Mastering Mental Skills in Kendo course was instrumental to my journey towards the 19th WKC. The course offers a good blend of theoretical and practical elements which helped me build my mental fortitude and confidence. Highly recommend 👍

Zach P

National rep

I didn’t expect this course to hit so close to home. It helped me see how much my mindset was holding back my progress — not my technique. After going through the modules, I’m more focused, less reactive, and way more confident stepping onto the floor. Honestly, this should be part of every dojo’s training.

J. Li

Kendo 3rd Dan

I’ve been doing kendo for over 15 years, but nerves in shiai always threw me off. This course helped me realise that my tension wasn’t just physical, it was mental. Now I have a pre-performance routine that actually works. I’m fighting with more clarity and control than ever before. And less nerves!

S Kobayashi

Returning Kendoka, 3rd Dan

I've noticed the difference in my classes at the dojo; I think my concentration is sharper, and the affirmations are really helping me scrub away negative thoughts. Aiming to test for yondan in February, and your program is helping me stay on track.

Brian D

Kendo club leader

For anyone who’s ever walked into a grading or shiai and thought “I don’t think I can do this.”

Build Mental Strength Today

Does This Sound Familiar?

You’ve trained hard. You know your techniques. But the moment the stakes are high — your body tenses, your brain races, and everything falls apart.

You’ve had moments where:

  • You blank out during a grading

  • You can’t stop overthinking every mistake

  • Your focus disappears mid-keiko

  • You walk off thinking: “Why can’t I do in matches what I do in training?”

It’s not your technique. It’s your mindset — and this course will help you fix it.


I’ve Been There Too…

I used to think the problem was “not training hard enough.” So I trained more. But it didn’t help when nerves kicked in. Or when my self-talk turned toxic. Or when my focus scattered under stress.

Hi, I’m Blake — and after 27+ years of coaching, competing, and failing under pressure more times than I’d like to admit, I’ve learned this: Kendo is a mental game — and most people are playing it unarmed.


That’s Why I Created This Course

Instead of relying on willpower or hoping your nerves magically go away — you'll walk away from this course with:

✔️ Tools to manage your nerves before gradings and shiai
✔️ Simple techniques to refocus in the middle of keiko
✔️ Strategies to build confidence that lasts — not just hype
✔️ Coping systems you can use in the dojo, at tournaments, or in life!

And no — this isn’t fluffy meditation stuff or abstract sports psych jargon.

This is built specifically for kendo.

This course isn’t just for high-level competitors — it’s for 50-year-old dads like me too, haha! It was exactly what I needed because I’ve always struggled with too much tension during shiai. People always told me to relax, but I could never loosen my grip or stay calm enough to pull off an Oji Waza. As soon as I started listening to the course, I realized I was finally going to learn how to truly relax. I found out that my tension wasn’t just physical — it was mental. Blake has an amazing way of breaking down those unconscious habits that were causing all that tension.

Nicholas

50 year old Kendo dad

I assumed mental skills training would be vague or feel like reading a textbook. But Blake’s course is grounded, specific, and easy to apply. The exercises are simple but powerful. I use them before every training now, and it’s made a real difference.

Jordan R

Recreational Kendoka, 1st Dan

I used to get so wound up before gradings that it affected my breathing and focus. This course gave me tools I could actually use on the day — not vague advice, but stuff that grounded me. I passed my 1st Dan with confidence, and I know this mental training was a big part of that.

Anthony Wu

Kendo 1st Dan

Build a mental routine that helps you stay calm, sharp, and ready under pressure.

I'm Ready To Level Up My Mindset

This Course Is For You If…

  • You want your students to stop freezing in gradings

  • You want to stop “overthinking” every shiai

  • You’re sick of telling yourself “just relax” and having it not work

  • You want tools that help you and your students fight with clarity and confidence


What’s Inside:

Learn how to focus under pressure, build real confidence (not just bravado), and mentally prepare for gradings and shiai. 

✅ Module 1: Introduction to Mental Skills in Kendo
What mental performance actually is — and why most kendoka ignore it.

✅ Module 2: Confidence to Overcome Nerves
Build inner belief that shows up when it matters most.

✅ Module 3: Concentration for Consistent Peak Performances
Develop sharp attention in the heat of battle — even under stress.

✅ Module 4: Coping Strategies to Handle Pressure
Recognise pressure before it explodes — and reset fast.

✅ Module 5: Committing to Mental Skills Training
Set up a training routine that develops your mental strength like any other skill.

✅ Bonus: Practical Exercises + Downloadable Worksheets
Track your progress, apply key concepts, and develop your own IPS (Ideal Performance State).

Each section is packed with practical exercises, personal insights, and dojo-ready strategies you can apply straight away!

Learn the mental skills most kendoka never train — and gain the edge they don’t have.

In the lead-up to my nidan grading, I battled tremendous self-doubt and self-criticism. The concept of the “success journal” was particularly helpful, as it allowed me to reflect on positive feedback from my senseis and senpais. Thanks to Bennett-sensei for sharing his knowledge and experience through this course.

I.S.

Kendo 2nd Dan

Blake's course has really helped me work on my mental preparation and made a number of key concepts very clear.

Dave

Kendo enthusiast

Truly excellent. Blake blends his academic background in sports coaching, WKC-level kendo experience, including during his time training in Japan, and his own passion into creating insightful and relevant content.

Clem

Competitor and coach

I Need This Course
Get Mentally Ready for Shiai

By the End of This Course...

You’ll walk away with a clear, repeatable system for building confidence, sharpening focus, and performing under pressure — no guesswork.

You’ll be able to:

  • Step into gradings or shiai with a calm, ready mind

  • Coach your students through mental challenges with real tools

  • Stop sabotaging your own performance with negative self-talk

  • Train your mind with the same purpose and intensity you bring to keiko


If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself — or watching your students fall apart when it matters most — this course gives you the strategies to finally change that. Get started now!

Mental Skills Win Matches. It’s Time to Train Them.


As someone who gets really nervous before gradings, this course gave me tools I could actually use. I finally feel like I have a system for managing nerves, not just random advice like ‘calm down.’ Blake explains things clearly and connects it to what we experience in the dojo. Highly recommend to any kendoka who wants to build real mental strength.

Mariko

Kendo 3rd Dan

As a coach, I’ve seen students fall apart in gradings despite being technically ready. This course gave me language and strategies I could pass on to them. We’ve already seen a difference in how they approach pressure. I wish I had this years ago.

Thomas

Dojo Leader, 4th Dan

I always felt like something was missing from my training — not in my technique, but in my mindset. This course helped me understand how to prepare mentally, not just physically. My confidence and focus during jigeiko and shiai have noticeably improved.

Emily Chan

2nd Dan, University Club

Sing Me Up!

FAQs

What is "Mastering Mental Skills in Kendo" about?

This course is designed to help Kendo practitioners enhance their mental fortitude, focus, and strategic thinking within the art of Kendo. It covers various psychological techniques and practices that can improve performance and mindset.


Is this for beginners or advanced players? 

Both. The mental challenges are the same — whether you’re going for 1st dan or 7th. The tools in this course scale with your experience.


What if I coach kendo? 

Perfect. These tools are built to be taught, not just used. You’ll learn how to guide students through nerves, help them focus, and get better results — without just telling them to “calm down.”


How long does the course take to complete?

The duration of the course can vary depending on your pace of learning. Each section is designed to be comprehensive yet easily digestible to accommodate different learning speeds.


How long do I have access?

Lifetime access. Rewatch anytime, use the tools with new groups, and refresh your routine whenever you need it.


Do I need to know psychology? 

Nope. It’s all explained in plain English, with examples from real gradings, shiai, and keiko. You’ll see how to apply everything in your kendo life right away.


What will I be able to do after completing the course?

After completing the course, you should have a solid understanding of how to apply mental techniques to enhance your Kendo practice. You'll be better equipped to handle pressure, maintain concentration during matches, and utilise strategic thinking.


Are there any practice exercises included in the course?

Yes, the course is loaded with practice exercises that will help you to put the mental strategies you learn into practice within your Kendo training.


How long does it take to see improvements in my mental game after starting the course?

Improvement timelines can vary based on individual commitment and existing mental skills. However, with consistent practice and application of the course principles, you can begin to notice changes in your mental resilience within a few weeks.