We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Weiss and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?

Absolutely! When I decided to start Valiant: School of Arms, it was very much the culmination of my experiences and determination to create the path I was searching for.

Every pursuit you will ever embark on will eventually ask for some form of personal sacrifice to continue or advance in. I will never advocate for giving up, but when each barrier on the journey becomes a miserable experience, one must question if the path is one they “truly” want.

I myself pursued careers as a dog trainer, an actor, and a stunt performer, and I eventually veered from those paths after I found myself unwilling to make certain sacrifices and give more of myself to the craft. On the other hand, I have endured 2 herniated discs, financial pitfalls, among other things, and yet not one of those barriers made me question my love of fencing and my goal to get right back at it after recovery. In most cases, it was the pursuit of it that helped me recover and strive to be more.

What I have found and wish to give to others is the path of Mastery. In some cases it’s the art of fencing, and in every case the mastery of one’s self. Most of us are trapped behind the “the grind” of any pursuit in self improvement. What we need is the right motivation, the right backdrop, to stoke our passion for the adventure we all want to live.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My work now is that of a teacher but more accurately what I do is empower people to leap fully into the adventure of their lives. Every hour of work I do now is helping someone revitalize their adventurous spirit that’s been locked away. The one we feel every time we watch that one movie or hear that song that lights a torch in us.

Picking up a sword inspires all the feelings and ideas of a courageous knight or cunning swashbuckler. When we salute our training partner before and after a bout we imbue both others and ourselves with honor and respect for everyone’s pursuit and participation in the art. In this backdrop we tend to shake off the shackles of what we know as “the grind” and leap headlong into our journey. The system of swordplay I have learned is not just for the sword, but a viable set of principles that applies to dagger, the spear, one and two handed swords and even to unarmed combat. And this feeling of competence that you can bring to most any situation changes you fundamentally. Because the want to stand tall, act with honor, and be your best self starts to show up even outside the classroom. I’ve seen the interpersonal skills of respectful conflict resolution come from spending a couple months saluting before and after a bout. It forges amazing character to sharpen yourself everyday against another person and, win or lose, you choose to only acknowledge the valiant effort given to do so. A consistent workout routine can be grueling, but learning to become more capable in the company of a group of people whom you have only known with respect and honor is perhaps one of the rarest and most wonderful experiences one can have.

Not all of my students started as martial artists. They are also historians, theatre majors, roleplayers or just enthusiasts that have discovered their adventure doesn’t have to be fantasy. That being capable isn’t just for “talented” people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Well, I would of course let them know there are several historical fencing clubs in the area that offer a trial class, so you can put on a helmet and sword fight!

If that’s not quite your jam, you can watch others do it more theatrically at Medieval Times: Dinner and Tournament.

Take a stroll at the Arboretum, catch a melodrama at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre , or get a bite to eat at Ida Claire.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many. First would be my teachers: Colin Hatcher, Andy Borman and Devon Boorman. As fellow fencing instructors, they continue to be my teachers, as well as a fond source of friendship and inspiration for why I wanted to create a place of self empowerment. My high school Latin teacher who imprinted on me a magnificent sense of how to be humorous, generous, knowledgeable and strict all in a wonderfully balanced mix to create an amazing learning environment.

Lastly, my wife who endlessly encouraged the journey of me pursuing my dream.

Instagram: @valiantfencing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Valiantfencing/

Image Credits
Gray jacket is, Eric Weiss, founder and head instructor.

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