Man Arts

The archeological history of dogs is reported to be found in an ancient species of canids, thought to be the predecessor to what we know as the wolf, that is up

to 50 million years old. The start of domestication of man's best friend is generally accepted to have begun about 10,000 years ago. It's clear that when humans began to breed domestic dogs, we started to make them just how we wanted them.

The American Kennel Club recognizes 153 separate breeds of dogs today. There are literally hundreds, maybe thousands, of non-pedigreed breeds and types that also exist. When you consider that scores of these developed animals all arose from a small pool in a species of animals, it is a remarkable example of science - essentially eugenics - that we humans have conducted over the preceding ten millennia. In today's society we find gene manipulation a highly contentious issue, sparking strong feelings on either side of the argument, but it can't be denied that we've been at it for a good long while where our favorite domesticated animal is concerned.

The Greeks and Romans bred their dogs for use in war and hunting, and with the vast reach of the Roman Empire, their breeds and types were spread across Europe and beyond. Modern dog breeding is only about 150 years old, with the codification of accepted breeds, both for aesthetics, but more importantly - utility. As an affectation of the rich, some dogs strains were created and cultivated purely for how they looked, but others for their hunting or tracking abilities. All sorts of characteristics were accentuated in both - longer legs, shorter legs; long hair, short hair, curly hair; greater speed; greater strength; greater stamina; heightened sense of smell. Every possible feature of the animal was manipulated and turned up, emphasized; or eliminated and bred out.

We all have our favorites, for a variety of reasons. The Black Labrador - a well-tempered water dog, great with the family, great with the kids. The Rottweiler- enormous size, enormous strength, and incredible loyalty and service ability. The Australian Shepherd - incredible natural herding instinct and inherent intelligence. There are scores of diminutive dogs - petite Chihuahuas; tenacious Terriers - all bred and guided as a species through the years for traits that were most desired. Regrettably, too many breeds to detail here. Look up your favorite dog type on the AKC breeds page, and you get a look into the physical attributes, interesting facts, and history of all the recognized breeds.

Of significant note here is the wide-ranging variety of the working dog. Shepherds, from the aforementioned Australian, to the venerable bloodhound, to the Siberian Husky. These dogs, and all the worthy breeds in between, have been carefully selected, bred, and perpetuated, for their working attributes and abilities in a given task. Many dogs put to work as service dogs are not from illustrious bloodlines or strains, but are exceptional in their field nonetheless. However, our kind likes to manipulate things just so, and to tinker with anything we can to get the results we want. Just as in the past where dogs were used to find game, flush game, find escapees, pull sleds, even pull small wagons, we humans have found ourselves working hard to make the 'perfect' dog, absolutely superior in every regard for a given task set or purpose.

Regardless our technological advances and know-how, it has been found over and over that the most reliable and cost-effective means for detection - of explosives, contraband, drugs, etc. - is the working dog. With approximately 2,000 detection dogs at work worldwide in the law enforcement and military fields, there is an ongoing search for that 'perfect' service animal. Thus, the Sulimov Dog.

Enter Klim Sulimov, a research scientist at Russia's Likhachev Scientific Research Institute for Cultural Heritage and Environmental Protection. As a senior research assistant at an organization with such a lofty name, his work comes with a promise of accomplishment. Sulimov began his work on creating the ideal detection dog over 30 years ago, with a unique idea on cross-breeding.

Sulimov sought to isolate the most exceptional traits of his chosen breed stock- reindeer herding huskies, and - oddly enough - jackals. The husky was chosen for its keen sense of smell, one that is highly functional even at low temperatures, where many substances become non-volatile and harder to detect; thus this breed had the facility Sulimov was looking for. Dogs with the best sense in this regard have a sensitivity to smells that is around 40 times better than a human's, and the husky is at the top of this list. The jackal has a sense of smell even better than any breed of dog. However, jackals are feral animals with a natural fear of humans and a lack of obedience as such, and don't tolerate the cold well. Presented with this dilemma, Sulimov thought to interbreed the two species- hybridysation. What has resulted since the beginning of the program in 1975 is a dog that is 75% husky, 25% jackal. This combination gives the heightened smell ability of the wild jackal, combined with the temperment of the domesticated dog.

At present, there are 25 Sulimov dogs at work in the national airport in Moscow. There are reportedly only about 40 of the animals in existence, most at work in the Russian airport, and the rest dedicated to forensic criminology work. The Sulimov dog is highly regarded as a detection animal, able to extraordinary finds due to its sense of smell, and able to enter small spaces and corners owing to its size. It also has a distinctive way of indicating a 'positive' detection: it's curled tail - owing to it's husky lineage - droops and goes slack.

But don't expect to see these incredible genetic creations in the West any time soon. The Sulimov dog is essentially considered a state secret in Russia, and is prohibited from exportation. The Russians may have created the best detection dog on the planet, but like all government secrets, they're not willing to share it with the rest of the world. The Sulimov dogs are at work protecting the public in Russia. Perhaps when they have been recognized as an established breed and find widespread acceptance and acclaim in their field they will be bred extensively, and be sent to the far corners of the globe to do their exceptional work.

A variety of open-source documents were used in writing this article. Additional information on the Sulimov dog can be found in the following articles:

Information on breeds that are registered and recognized by the American Kennel Club can be accessed at:

Mixed Martial Arts has seen an explosion in popularity over the last few years, and has finally gained 'credibility' in mass media. Long scorned by most media outlets- the 'Big Three' of broadcast TV, and even the channel series dedicated to sport - ESPN, the popularity of MMA can no longer be denied. The big cash-in by previous detractors - in the aforementioned - has shown that even if aloof producers and media execs didn't get it, the viewing public sure does.

Written by two academics who are also big fans and fighters themselves, Fighting for Acceptance explores not only the societal implications and impact of the toughest sport on the planet, but also looks at fighting from the practitioner's point of view.

The details the incredible stress of entering the ring; facing off against someone who wants to literally destroy you. The ego issues of putting it all on the line, with the possibility of losing and a 'loss of face' in a testosterone-fueled peer group, and in the manliest of endeavors.

Interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport - Randy Couture, Quentin Jackson, Dan Henderson, et al - show the hardship, and soaring personal heights of the MMA fighter. The grueling difficulty of training, making it financially until one 'breaks through' and they can actually make a living at their sport, as well as commentary on societal violence outside the ring are some of the subjects that are covered in the interviews with the fighting elite.

Fighting for Acceptance is an interesting and insightful read for both the aficionado of MMA, but also a good look into the sport for those who don't know much about it. A great read for Alpha Dads, this book should be on your reading list this year.

See an additional review on MMAJunkie.com covering this title- review.

Official website for Fighting for Acceptance for information on the book can be found here- link.

Pretty simple, short review here- the FiveFingers active shoe. They look like glov

es for your feet, making them look a bit like monkey feet. Somebody finally took the toes out of being boxed in and gave them a cover and sole for each one. Time Magazine named the FiveFingers one of the Best Inventions of 2007.

The construction is exceptional, and the overall quality is what you would expect from Vibram- excellent. Sole portion is tacky and non-slip. Uppers are comfortable fabric that has a pretty good wear-life.

The FiveFingers are kind of hard to get used to in the beginning. Until they're broken in a bit, it's hard to get your toes in each individual sleeve. You may have to do some amusing spreading of your toes - especially the little one - to get them situated at first.

But once they're on, the shoe is extremely comfortable, and provides a good level of protection for the foot, while significantly enhancing grip. The FiveFingers Classic comes with an elastic drawstring to tighten the foot cup to the upper foot, making for a snug fit. The other models - Sprint; KSO; and Flow - have a velcro strap that crosses over the bridge of the foot and firmly secures the shoe on your foot.

There are numerous proponents of running barefoot, for proper conditioning and even reduction of the host of injuries that arise from running. The FiveFingers makes this possible on most terrain. The construction of some of the models is specifically for cross-use in water sports like rafting or wind-surfing.

They look funny at first, but then make for great appeal. They're comfortable and have incredible grip. And they sure are a conversation piece when you wear them out. Go get a pair and treat your feet, well- your toes, to a special shoe of their own.

Plain old running, biking, swimming, or even rollerblading gets old. Stale. Not too much fun. So what exactly is there to do that's new and fun? Challenging? Even a little bit nutty? Enter the Poweriser. Or as it's commonly known- the Flying Jumper. There are a handful of companies that make this kind of thing, but the company Flying Jumper claims to be the originator, and warns of imitations.

The Flying Jumper is a modern twist on two simple concepts- good old running and jumping, and the fun toy from our youth- the Pogo Stick. Old-school simplicity meets new age

technology. It's a bit hard to describe- two stilt-like devices with curved leaf springs for the stilts. You boot into the foot/ankle chocks and stand up in the thing. You then end up with an extension to your legs that look kind of like rear legs on an animal.

The feats possible with the Flying Jumpers strapped on are incredible. You can jump about six feet in the air, take nine foot strides, and run at up to 20 mph. Wearing, getting around on, and doing amazing stuff on the Jumpers is now it's own sport/style- bocking. There are many websites dedicated to bocking, and you can find videos and pix of people doing amazing things.

In choosing the right Poweriser product, they are

different for weight of user, and by style

. To choose the correct model, you go by your weight for correct sizing. Then it's just a matter of selecting the right level that you want- simple Adult, or the Professional model. The Adult model is about $300, and the Professional $400.

It's a bit difficult to describe the stunts and what it looks like, so if promises of six foot leaps and superhuman speeds aren't enough- these pix are a look at what can be done with the Jumpers on.

These devices are available on Amazon, or you can also buy directly from Flying Jumper. If you're interested in them, best advice is to read feedback on the different companies offering them. Subtle name differences and similarity of design have made the quality ratings of each company harder to figure out. A little research should set you in the right direction. Perhaps this spring we'll try a set out. Better give them a run before your kids get the idea and want a set.

In response to a request for input from Alpha Dad readers, we got some great stuff on skills that we're teaching, or should be teaching our kids. Important things they don't get taught in school or sports. Answers ranged from simple one-liners, to general guidance, to specific lists on individual tasks and specific skills. Age ranges for the advice or learning was comprehensive; from stuff for little kids to things that teenagers should know.

We present here some of the great stuff that AD readers were good enough to send in, for the benefit of all of us to consider and implement when getting our kids ready to be competent, exceptional adults.

Where to start? A number of the replies concerned teaching children how to think. Learning how to figure things out on their own-

At my daughter's age - three - I have been teaching her critical thinking. Instead of crying or giving up and asking daddy to do it, I encourage her to solve whatever is the problem. I will admit, at times it would be easier to do it myself, but then I will have abdicated my responsibility as a father.

Most important skill: critical thinking and decision making. A child must have a basic philosophy in place to use as filter.

Make them figure it out themselves. Give them simple tasks - something you don't want to be bothered with - and make them figure it out, start to finish. Here- set up the wires on the computer. You can't mess it up; they're color-coded, and will only fit in one hole. If you can figure out how to beat Zelda or Super Smash Mario Brothers all the way to the end, you can figure out how to plug the computer in. Or open a door lock with the key.

Moving into childhood, there were some great things that you can start as soon as they're able to use their hands and have the ability to read-

How to shop for food. Example- Start with a list of what you don't have in the house but need, then look for the best price vs. product.

How to read the directions on box-mix foods to be able to cook for themselves. Macaroni and cheese can actually be kind of tricky for a kid! Drain the water before you put the cheese powder in the noodles.

Cleaning- teach them how to clean. And when they're done, what is clean. "Are you done cleaning your room?" "Yes, Dad." "Is it clean to you, or if I come in there, will it be clean to me?" ("Um... Hold on Daddy, let me check again.")

How to see things that are apparently invisible to them until you force them to notice. Examples- shoes in the middle of the floor. To small boys- invisible. Trash left behind after eating Pop-Tarts; invisible. Clothes in a pile on the floor in their room; invisible. Muddy footprints in the hall when it's raining; invisible. Dishes left on the counter after eating; invisible. Even if you put something - any item - right in the doorway to their room, they'll step right over it, again and again. Because it's invisible. Until you make them stop and realize - shock! - it's no trick! There really is a my dirty underwear there on the floor. And it goes in the laundry!

If you can shoot a basketball, or put on an entire football uniform, you can do the wash. I'll show you once or twice, but after that, if you run out of clean clothes, it's up to you.

How to keep up with their stuff! It's not Mommy and Daddy's job to keep a running tab on the whereabouts of things that are important to you.

"See all those chores you just did (putting up the laundry; emptying the dishwasher; putting all the dirty dishes into the dishwasher; sweeping the kitchen; vacuuming the living room)? If you didn't help to do get it done, who would have to do all of it?" "Mommy or Daddy." "Right. Is that fair?" "No."

How to dress for certain occasions; example- when to wear a suit, jeans, shorts, dresses etc.

Not to parrot every conversation, where I said something about someone they may see again. For instance- "You're right, Aunt M- Mr. R did get fat." Don't repeat stuff like that when you see Mr. R!

I think in this day and age with so much emphasis being put on professional appearance, we should shed the old image of "a real man showers with raw lye and a Brillo pad," and teach our sons that it's okay for a man to take care of his skin. Women will appreciate it, it will definitely make you look more professional, and - as dumb as it sounds - taking that small amount of time to treat yourself will pay dividends in your attitude and how happy you are. Just don't take it too far; having a daily routine for clean and clear skin is one thing, getting a weekly facial and acid scrub is a bit much for an Alpha Dad kid.

Stinky breath is caused by not brushing your teeth. Brush your teeth every day, at least twice. Make them learn how to floss their teeth. If they don't do a good job, or won't do it, tell them you'll do it for them. You'll only have to do it once.

Teach them that smelling good is a great thing. Teach them and remind them to put on deodorant or a little bit of cologne or perfume, and they'll smell great.

Outdoor skills that are critical for kids for them to be able to operate in the woods-

Show them they don't have to be afraid of the dark. Everything that's there in the light is the same thing that's there in the dark. Nothing magically appears when it gets dark. And there are no animals that will eat you in all of North America until you get way, way out in the sticks. And even if they're out there, they stay away from loud kids smashing around in the woods.

Remind them- if you use the wrong symbol, or put the decimal in the wrong place, the answer is wrong. Here's a great example- you owe me six dollars. Wait- decimal place in the wrong position. Now you owe me sixty dollars.

Cartoons are entertainment. They are essentially crap. You can enjoy watching science shows, history shows, and How It's made. You'll enjoy it, and put something useful in your brain. If that's a problem, you can go in your room and read a book.

Don’t ask questions that you don’t want to hear the answers for. Some examples: Do you love me? Am I fat/boring/shallow?

If you discover that you’re willing to lie, steal, cheat, make lame excuses or hide every day in order to be able to partake of something you like or want; if you catch yourself attempting to regulate, monitor, inhibit, cut back or cut down, you've got a problem. Get some help and address it.

No one can make you work. Ditto for paying bills, keeping appointments, building up savings, honoring promises, following through, discovering your true passions and getting enough sleep. These are things you’ll have to do yourself.

Remind them that they essentially have two jobs (in most cases): academics and sports. They are to do their best, work to their ability, study diligently, and hustle all the time on the field. If they don't like their two jobs, they can quit one. But you'll find them another job to replace the one they quit.

For young adults, as they begin to have a need for more complicated life skills-

I started teaching my 13-year-old daughter to drive. The number one skill for driving: backing up.

At an early age she was taught about gun safety since there are a few guns in my home.

How to change a car battery, check tire pressure, change a tire, and check the oil.

How to use hand tools. What each tool is called. What's the right tool to use for the task; Philips or Flathead?

How to break into your house - not someone else's - if you get locked out. Or call a locksmith.

Your credit rating. Mistakes are forever. Pay everything off in full. Absolutely. Everything. And if you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.

Every landlord you ever have will try to screw you. For the sake of your karma, be a good tenant. Get everything in writing. Follow your lease to the letter and leave the place cleaner when you move out than when you moved in. They’ll still screw you; it’s just business.

If you become a landlord, every tenant you ever have will try to screw you. For the sake of your karma, keep the plumbing in good working order, welcome large dogs and remember that when a property owner returns a whole security deposit, somewhere in heaven a sweet little angel gets its wings.

Relationships as they get older and it becomes pertinent, and dealing with the opposite sex-

If someone loves you and you don’t love them back, you're required to tell them. Be quick about it, be gentle; then leave them be, for good.

Statistically speaking, 99% of the humans you encounter will have been abandoned by their fathers. 92% will have deep-rooted, high-intensity feelings about their mothers. Remember this when you begin dating.

While you will undoubtedly fall in love with, and likely have kids with, an individual that you later discover to be a filthy, crazy, rotten person, don’t take it personally. If this happens more than once, however, you’ll want to take a good hard look at the common denominator. That would be you.

If someone is your friend when it's just the two of you, and then they're an ass to you when you're in a group, they're not your friend.

Tell them over and over, and you will have to repeat it- "Yes, I know it hurts. It sucks when someone doesn't like you any more, and doesn't want to go steady with you. But this will pass. Honest. And you'll go through it a lot of times - lots and lots - by the time you get to be my age. Get used to it, and be strong."

Some tongue-in-cheek items, humorous, but also with a point. And some things we may have to remind ourselves of as we try to be the good parent-

I had to remind myself not to give comments or be critical of people while I'm out with the kids. Mommy thinks women with short hair look butch. Sure enough, it wasn't too long until I heard my daughter remark- "Look, Mommy- butch!" Right in front of the woman in question! This also became a lesson for Daddy; he was made the mistake of calling the women huffing and puffing in Sweating to the Oldies 'fat.' Sure enough, the daughter says the same thing, again- right in front of the obese lady at the store.

Wipe your bum with toilet paper! Not the shower curtain or a hand towel. Yes, this has happened at my house.

Never, ever run from the police. Law enforcement officers get angry when their blood pressure goes up. Chasing people gets their blood pressure up. Don’t make them chase you. Istanbul or Detroit , in a car or on foot, no matter your race or age, no matter your relative guilt or innocence, if you run from them, when they catch you - and they will catch you - they will find a way to discreetly beat you senseless. As with loose Rottweilers, stand perfectly still and avoid eye contact.

You are the lowest little animal in the food chain. Welcome to my kingdom. I own everything you have and think is yours.

Mom's need to remember- little boys, just like their Dads, like to spend a long time in the bathroom. It's a great place to read without getting bothered. Please don't bother them when they're in there.

Many thanks to all the AD readers that sent in their programs and lessons they're giving their kids. If anyone would like to make additions, or thinks of something important we missed, send it in, and we'll get it in the list.

He’s got that job that every Alpha Dad wants. You’ve see

n him on TV on his program Future Weapons, driving, shooting, and blowing up things with the coolest gear on the planet. He’s a former Navy SEAL, security and defense expert, bestselling author. As the founder of the Bukido Institute, he trains others in becoming more capable and focused as individuals in a dangerous world. All that said, you would expect a reticent, serious guy, with the wall full of awards, but not much to say. You certainly wouldn’t think that getting a few moments of his personal time would feel like you’re at your own self-development seminar.

Positive. If you had to describe Mack in one word, that would be it. Talking to Richard Machowicz is quite an experience. Spending a few minutes with him, and you get a straight blast of positive. Nothing but positive. As your time with him progresses, you start to believe you can do anything you set your mind to.

Mack – as he’s known outside his TV persona – is a humble, sincere, and yeah- positive guy. His personal work and demeanor in his career and personal life is pure Alpha Dad – he’s dedicated to being more, setting the bar higher, and giving this to others. He’s a man with integrity, and something positive and circumspect to say on any subject.

With all this in mind, we had the opportunity to bring you a look at what Mack is all about.

Machowicz had humble beginnings, and was raised primarily by his mom. He got a lot of criticism and doubts as a teenager as to where he would end up. Ask him what motivated him to join the Navy, and go for the hardest thing he could do, to be one of the best, and Richard is sincere-

Richard Machowicz: I had a burning desire to make it. Some of it was an ‘I’ll show you’ attitude, to prove all those critics in my younger years wrong, and show them what I was made of, what I would become. I had the burning desire to be more, be the best, I joined the military to start on that path.

With this, he made his first step on the road to excellence. He passed SEAL training, and got sent to the Teams. Upon his arrival there, he set his initial goal in a simple framework- he would make himself into the best SEAL he could: transition from being the newbie and work hard to be as competent an operator as possible. To know everything he could grab about being a SEAL, being a part of the team, accumulating all he could on every position. He soaked it all up, took all the guidance and information in he could garner, and excelled in all that he was presented with.

Dedication to learning, mission and excellence got him to one of the most difficult and challenging positions a military operator can achieve – sniper. After adding as much skill and experience he could in this, he then moved on to his work as a special warfare instructor, sharing and imparting his knowledge to the rest of his peer community.

Mack’s description of life as a SEAL is a great microcosm of the Alpha Male world:

RM: SEAL teams are a pack of Alpha Males that get along because they have a chain of command.

When asked about what he used as fuel to succeed in that environment, to be one of the best, his answer was simple and prescient-

RM: From the beginning of training and to being an operator, my mindset was resolute- to not quit no matter what. To drop ego issues and be the best as a part of the team.

Alpha Dad: What did your time on the Teams give you; how did i

t change you as a man and set you on your way in career and life?

RM: Being on the Teams showed me the evolution to become a leader; learning leadership – true leadership – by working hard, leading from the front. This helped focus my drive to achieve my goals, and gave me the true belief to know that all things are possible. I loved being a SEAL. It’s all about you and your guys. About finding yourself, and being comfortable with that. Fitting in as a part of the team. It gave me two simple lessons: How to go after things; not quit. It showed me how to plan – evaluate, then execute. Being a SEAL gave me the best personal experience possible – how to learn and achieve. Focus. And in life you end up doing things that others don’t want to – or can’t – do. Acceptance of this role, and excelling in it.

Heady, humble stuff, coming from a sniper in one of the most elite units in the world. But Mack means it, and hearing him tell it, you're struck with the realization that he’s sincere, every word of it.

AD: Mack, how exactly did you end up with the best job in the world? That is – the host of Future Weapons. You get to shoot awesome weapons, try out the best military equipment, and travel the world doing the coolest guy stuff. You are the envy of Alpha Dads everywhere, you know.

RM: The show is an evolution of a concept that Discovery purchased. Working with the great team at Waddell Media, I was able to help evolve the concept, and it eventually became the Future Weapons program. I'm one of some of the great producers on Future Weapons now. It took a lot of work by a lot of people– building relationships, cultivating ideas and where to put them. It takes timing; right idea, right place, right time.

When it came to talking about the weapons he’s gotten to shoot, stuff he’s gotten to drive, and generally blowing up stuff and working at the cooles

t job possible, he’s enthusiastic.

AD: Mack, what’s your favorite weapon, piece of equipment, or action that you’ve gotten to experience as the host of Future Weapons? You seemed pretty enthusiastic on the ride you took in a fighter jet. Still your favorite?

RM: The ride in the Superhornet was incomparable. Words really don’t do it justice. The call sign for the guy flying my ride is ‘Spicoli,’ so that should give you an idea. We took off with an hour-and-a-half of fuel, and he burned it up in 40 minutes. It was a hell of a ride. We rolled and climbed, pulling massive G’s, and on a hard climb we did a 90 knot stall, and it was beautiful. Just a seminal event.

But you know, I’ve had so many, many great times. I got to shoot the Cheytac sniper rifle [see the AD List of Cool Man Stuff- Ed.]. It’s the most incredible, accurate weapon. Knocking down targets at over 2,000 meters. (He laughs) You know, that was a hard day. The wind was blowing at 26 knots, and there was the crew, waiting to take video of me shooting this awesome weapon. I was like- come on guys; this is a really hard shot! [BTW- Mack zeroed and was on target at about 1,000 meters in four rounds. –Ed].

I’ve been lucky. Really fortunate. And honestly- the best part about my job is the guys I get to meet across the world doing my show. Professionals and experts in their field. The soldiers, and service members – men and women – doing their job across the globe. People that believe in what they’re doing.

In talking about the show, Future Weapons, Mack is enthusiastic, as he is in all things. But he makes a serious point about the purpose of the program, and what it’s all about.

RM: You know, sometimes people miss a big point of the show. It’s not just about weapons and gear. It’s really about making things better. Believe it or not- safer. If you could have a weapon that was more accurate, and minimized the conflict, would you want it? If you had the technology to create weapons that minimiz

ed collateral damage, and could limit the conflict to actual combatants, would you take it? Future Weapons isn’t just about the weapons or equipment, it’s about making them better so that war is more precise, less people get hurt, and you’re given such overwhelming superiority that it limits and shortens the conflict. At no time in our history has such care been given, attention and importance placed on limiting war and making conflict safer, both for the operator and civilians. Rules of engagement? Yeah, they’re tough, and change the way the fight is run. But it actually makes it better. Makes you better, and forces you to do it right. Limit the damage and have care for the people not involved in the fight. It’s harder but better.

AD: After having studied numerous martial arts styles, which is your favorite for practice and personal enjoyment? Which do you think is best in practical application?

RM: Oh, man. I’ve studied and enjoyed so many of them. I have a strong boxing background, and Muay Thai. I studied Japanese Jiu Jitsu. I enjoy all of them. I was a gymnast in high school, so I like the physical aspect of all the martial arts. For sport and training, I like Muay Thai the best. I also think that as an effective martial art, of all the combat sports, Muay Thai is one of the best until you move to systems specifically designed for lethality.

With many styles, they often have many, many good techniques, but their practical application isn’t there for a lot of what we do in the real world.

AD: Our audience here is typically Alpha Guys, 30 to 50-years-old. We all wish we could stay young, be hard guys, and stay fit, but we can’t escape age. As you’ve aged, what is your current fitness regimen? How has that changed significantly over the years?

RM: I like running circuits. Like doing consecutive rounds of boxing or Muay Thai, working hard, but building attributes that are useful. This is great for stamina. I like to do it all. Running, lifting weights, plyometrics, yoga. I think you have to decide what your fitness goals are, and work towards that. Are you working to prepare for an event, or just general fitness? Do you want to be strong, or have endurance?

There are so many great things you can do, so if you’re not training for a specific event, you can just mix them in. I’m a big fan of Mike Mahler’s kettle bell workout. He’s created an entire strength system around that simple foundation. Overall, I think keep it simple, but keep it fun. Remain engaged, but be realistic about what your goals are. That doesn’t mean go easy, but make challenging but realistic goals for yourself.

But back to what we talked about earlier, yoga and stretching are absolutely vital and necessary, particularly as we age. Make a good balance on your exercises and activities, but be sure to add a stretching component. Yoga is great in this way.

Mack is the founder of The Bukido Institute. Bukido is an entir

e system that brings out the warrior spirit in the individual. The spirit and way of being that can be applied to many aspects of life: business, stress and and physical challenges, personal defense; even the overall aspects of our day-to-day life. Mack truly believes, he knows, that this spirit and capability resides within us all, and the Bukido Institute is all about bringing this out of those that attend training.

RM: Oh, man! Ha. The short answer? Bukido is a path to a goal, or way of being. it’s about being able to focus, really focus, under any circumstance, in any situation. To be effective. It’s not just about self-defense. It’s more about developing a skill, a mindset, that makes you effective in all aspects of life. We use and think of combat as a metaphor; most of us will never be in combat in a literal way, but the way to manage this kind of stress is useful in the same way in your daily stress.

Bukido is all about dropping your fears; get on to what you already know, use your abilities, and move into action. We all feel fear about something at some time in our lives. A lot of times, this is due to a lack of understanding. About ourselves, about the situation. Sometimes it becomes a habit that we grow accustomed to. We need to get past the fear and be effective. To feel good. The best way to do this is a dual approach: Planning– thought and consideration. And getting past the fear – work on what you can get done, what you already know. It’s in there, you have to be able to use it, get to it in short order, and live that way. To focus. When you can do this in stressful situations, it opens a whole new way of being, and you’re able to apply this to life as a whole. If you focus on the target, both in a literal and theoretical sense, to be able to hone in like a laser, it makes you capable and able to take action in any situation.

AD: Can a regular guy come to the Institute? What is your suggestion for a good starter course in your programs?

RM: We have all sorts of people come to the Institute for training; Alpha Dads, Alpha Females. Business people, people who want to be able to go to the next level in their ability to focus and achieve. We have an interview process, and we’re pretty selective. A good starter is the F.I.S.T. course (Fundamental Individual Skills Training). This is the start of the training pyramid we've designed. Each course builds to take you to the next level. We develop speed, accuracy, and instilling a lack of fear in the student.

Mack is sincere when he discusses The Institute, how it truly develops the individual, and makes one capable of overcoming fear, to focus, and to take action. To achieve. A

s you should have already begun to see, Mack is a dedicated man, with enormous integrity. He makes it clear that the system - everything they teach at Bukido – is effective and will make you better at anything you do. There is a complete, absolute satisfaction guaranteed commitment from Mack and The Institute. If you don’t think you got everything possible out of the training, that it didn’t make you better and give you those key things- the ability to focus, to drop fear, to be able to act; you get your money back. No BS. But- he’s never had that happen. Everyone has always come away more than when they came in, and typically come back for more training.

AD: What main points can you give us here that are incorporated into your training program that are of significant importance in the complicated world we live in?

RM: Focus and drop fear. Be able to focus under stress. To understand what’s really in front of you, leave fear aside, and be effective. You also have to take responsibility for ‘how it is.’ Own up to it, and make it what it should be.

On this note, we had an interesting discussion about this- taking responsibility and owning what you are, what the scene of your life is. Mack makes a humble, declarative statement- “I’m here to serve. I truly believe in giving; to your family, to your friends, to your country. I believe in a life of service, and have tried to give the best I have to everyone around me.” This may sound like rhetoric, but he's heartfelt and honest when he makes the statement. If you look at the man, what he’s all about, it’s easy to see that it’s true. Mack is living it, every minute of every day.

Mack is a Zen Buddhist. He did all the requisites for a number of years to become a Buddhist Priest. After the years of study and practice, mining the depths of his inner self, he opted not to take the last vows. This makes him no less an enthusiast on the practice of Buddhism. He sees Buddhism as a path, a means to an end in taking one to an exceptional plane- one where the mind, body, and spirit converge. To be at peace and feel the wonder of it all. Of everything.

AD: Mack, the interesting part about this (Buddhism) is that I’ve found that many serious Alpha Dad types, particularly those that have been in high-intensity military work or the like, become Buddhists as they age. Much as the Samurai of feudal Japan, when their warrior work was done, they moved onto a more spiritual and reflective way of life. What’s your take on this whole spiritual transition and how you came to this yourself?

RM: It’s a path, a transition from being a warrior to something more. As you push yourself, on a narrow path, you're learning, and succeeding, but it’s a narrow path. We’re working on all that external learning, external training. But there’s the inner self that’s waiting. When we begin to learn and go deep on the internal training, we widen the path. We have to work on the inside as hard as we do on the outside. When you start to do this, and it begins to make sense, to become real for you, you awaken to the fact of how beautiful and amazing life is. I truly feel lucky; lucky to be alive. Envy of the peace that resides in others becomes a stepping-stone to find that for yourself. You begin to add and learn more, inside, and it opens it all up for you, and it makes life a pleasure and wonderful.

AD: How do you feel that your interests and objectives have changed as you move into middle age? How have they stayed the same?

RM: I’ve learned how to apply skill and learning. To use it. This may sound overly simple, but it is. Focus on your goals, become a laser, and use all that you have and know, and make it happen. Want to succeed?- Work on it. Make it real. (He laughs) And the best thing you can learn is patience. Be patient and make it work; make it happen.

AD: What do you do with your time and energy when you’re not working at the best job in the world?

RM: You know, I really do feel lucky. I feel fortunate, and I appreciate that. My life is built in such a way that not much of what I do ‘feels’ like work. Look at my job- I get to go to great places and shoot, blow stuff up, and it’s my job. That’s not a job. I love that. And when I’m not doing that, I work on scripts that I’m developing, projects I’m working on – feature films, video games that we’re going to produce. But that's what I enjoy, so it doesn’t feel like work. It’s pleasure and work, the same thing.

We took some time to discuss Mack’s growing celebrity, and a lot of the projects and goals that he’s working on. How this affects his day-to-day life, his family life and personal time. Mack is married – enthusiastically married – and speaks reverentially about his wife. She’s involved in every aspect of his life [This seems to be a common theme with some of our interviewees; they have come to a point in their life that they share with their spouse, in everything – business, leisure, family life, and it’s a great joy to them. –Ed.] Mack was smart – he waited until he was 40 to get married, and had the maturity and ability to give both his time and attention, to married and be a good husband. He’s got a newborn daughter, and his tone changes beyond his usual positive and upbeat manner when he talks about this. He loves being a Dad. He enjoys every minute of parenthood, his daughter, that part of his life.

His answers on questions surrounding his growing fame and success in all things are another example of his humility and integrity. He expressed sincere gratitude, not in just his answers, but in how he clearly felt about his life.

AD: As you’ve become more and more of an international celebrity, what has kept you grounded as the same kind of guy?

RM: Being grateful. That I’m lucky. I feel absolutely honored if someone asks for my autograph. That someone should think highly of me and think that’s special. I feel privileged to be acknowledged for my work. I know I’ve worked hard, but a lot of people do, and I’ve been fortunate to have made the success that I have. With this, I’m working on a number of things to give what I can to others. We’re involved in the Hunger Project. We’re putting together a program called the Abundance Project, to show underprivileged kids how to develop and make success from intellectual property they create. All sorts of things. I’m happy with knowing that I can do it, but for everyone I have the good fortune I meet, that they can do it, too. Anything is possible.

AD: How do you balance and dedicate your personal life – family, kids, and even friends – with your work, and particularly becoming a celebrity?

RM: It’s pretty simple: I make sure everything I do is okay with those in my life; my family, my friends. Before I take on a project, I make it okay with those that are important in my life, and when it’s right, we do it. All those people that your actions are going to affect are important in the decision. In the end, it’s your responsibility, my responsibility, but I have to consider all those things before I move in a certain direction. I try to simplify things as much as possible. Instead of trying to do 17 different things, and being okay at it, I want to focus and make one thing be perfect and complete. Reduce the overall number of tasks, and do that one thing right.

AD: Since you’re working such a great gig, that is obviously a pleasure to you on the job, what do you do in your spare time?

RM: I’ve been blessed. For me, work is fun. I’ve been lucky in this. If you can, design your work so that it is fun. If you get it right, all that you do can be fun.

AD: What is at least one thing that we have to add to the List of

Cool Man Stuff?

RM: I think every Alpha Dad should have a copy of Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. It’s a fantastic book, and it’s a must-read. (Amazon ISBN-10: 1593302002)

RM: I love the quote by Thomas Jefferson: “I’m a lucky man. The harder I work, the luckier I am.” I think that’s great. It’s all about preparing yourself. Be blessed, feel blessed. You have to take responsibility for how it is, and make it how you want it to be.

Mack made this statement during the course of our talk, but we’ll close with it here:

Alpha Dad sincerely appreciates Mack taking the time to give us an interview and giving Alpha Dads a good look at his life and personal philosophy.

Readers should be sure to get a copy of Mack’s book-

Unleash the Warrior Within, available at all major booksellers and on Amazon (ISBN-10:1569244979).

Alpha Dads will surely be interested in learning more about the Bukido Institute. We'd be glad to get an account on the experience of attending the courses. It's on the calendar for us this coming year.

As I said at the beginning of this interview – Mack is an extraordinary, positive guy, focused on his own goals and agenda, but giving everything he can, every single moment, to those around him and the world at large. If we’re lucky, we’ll get more Richard Machowicz, in a larger scope, doing more work where we can get to see what a solid man with integrity, a great Alpha Dad can give the world.

Deer Roping

I had this idea that I was going to rope a deer, put it in a stall, feed it up on corn for a couple of weeks, then kill it and eat it. The first step in this adventure was getting a deer. I figured that, since they congregate at my cattle feeder and do not seem to have much fear of me when we are there (a bold one will sometimes come right up and sniff at the bags of feed while I am in the back of the truck not 4 feet away), it should not be difficult to rope one, get up to it and toss a bag over its head (to calm it down) then hog tie it and transport it home.

I filled the cattle feeder then hid down at the end with my rope. The cattle, having seen the roping thing before, stayed well back. They were not having any of it. After about 20 minutes, my deer showed up — 3 of them. I picked out a likely looking one, stepped out from the end of the feeder, and threw my rope. The deer just stood there and stared at me. I wrapped the rope around my waist and twisted the end so I would have a good hold. The deer still just stood and stared at me, but you could tell it was mildly concerned about the whole rope situation. I took a step towards it...it took a step away. I put a little tension on the rope and then received an education.

The first thing that I learned is that, while a deer may just stand there looking at you funny while you rope it, they are spurred to action when you start pulling on that rope. That deer EXPLODED.

The second thing I learned is that pound for pound, a deer is a LOT stronger than a cow or a colt. A cow or a colt in that weight range I could fight down with a rope and with some dignity. A deer— no chance. That thing ran and bucked and twisted and pulled. There was no controlling it and certainly no getting close to it. As it jerked me off my feet and started dragging me across the ground, it occurred to me that having a deer on a rope was not nearly as good an idea as I had originally imagined. The only upside is that they do not have as much stamina as many other animals. A brief 10 minutes later, it was tired and not nearly as quick to jerk me off my feet and drag me when I managed to get up. It took me a few minutes to realize this, since I was mostly blinded by the blood flowing out of the big gash in my head.

At that point, I had lost my taste for corn-fed venison. I just wanted to get that devil creature off the end of that rope. I figured if I just let it go with the rope hanging around its neck, it would likely die slowly and painfully somewhere. At the time, there was no love at all between me and that deer. At that moment, I hated the thing, and I would venture a guess that the feeling was mutual. Despite the gash in my head and the several large knots where I had cleverly arrested the deer's momentum by bracing my head against various large rocks as it dragged me across the ground, I could still think clearly enough to recognize that there was a small chance that I shared some tiny amount of responsibility for the situation we were in, so I didn't want the deer to have it suffer a slow death, so I managed to get it lined back up in between my truck and the feeder - a little trap I had set beforehand ... kind of like a squeeze chute. I got it to back in there and I started moving up so I could get my rope back.

Did you know that deer bite? They do! I never in a million years would have thought that a deer would bite somebody, so I was very surprised when I reached up there to grab that rope and the deer grabbed hold of my wrist. Now, when a deer bites you, it is not like being bit by a horse where they just bite you and then let go. A deer bites you and shakes its head — almost like a pit bull. They bite HARD and it hurts.

The proper thing to do when a deer bites you is probably to freeze and draw back slowly. I tried screaming and shaking instead. My method was ineffective. It seems like the deer was biting and shaking for several minutes, but it was likely only several seconds. I, being smarter than a deer (though you may be questioning that claim by now) tricked it. While I kept it busy tearing the bejesus out of my right arm, I reached up with my left hand and pulled that rope loose.

That was when I got my final lesson in deer behavior for the day. Deer will strike at you with their front feet. They rear right up on their back feet and strike right about head and shoulder level, and their hooves are surprisingly sharp. I learned a long time ago that, when an animal — like a horse — strikes at you with their hooves and you can't get away easily, the best thing to do is try to make a loud noise and make an aggressive move towards the animal. This will usually cause them to back down a bit so you can escape. This was not a horse. This was a deer, so obviously, such trickery would not work. In the course of a millisecond, I devised a different strategy. I screamed like a woman and tried to turn and run.

The reason I had always been told NOT to try to turn and run from a horse that paws at you is that there is a good chance that it will hit you in the back of the head. Deer may not be so different from horses after all, besides being twice as strong and 3 times as evil, because the second I turned to run, it hit me right in the back of the head and knocked me down. Now, when a deer paws at you and knocks you down, it does not immediately leave. I suspect it does not recognize that the danger has passed. What they do instead is paw your back and jump up and down on you while you are lying there crying like a little girl and covering your head. I finally managed to crawl under the truck and the deer went away.

So now I know why when people go deer hunting they bring a rifle with a scope so that they can be somewhat equal to the Prey.

If you watch movies at all, or anything on TV - from popular series, to science shows - producers have taken to bringing us all sorts of features on the apocalypse. Floods, volcanoes, asteroids, hurricanes, viruses, earthquakes; you name it. All this fare is made to entertain us, but the tag that draws us in is to strike a chord in us all- fear. Much as the teaser for the nightly news- 'Your car may cause cancer; story at 11,' all these programs hook us and reel us in.