"As it turns out, we can pretty much construct our lives any way we want to, if we have the courage to step out of the groove a little bit...not even a lot."

Part II of our interview with Texas-based Systema Instructor and author, Gene Smithson.

Gene has been training martial arts - including Systema, Tai Chi, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - for most of his adult life, and is a certfied Systema Instructor under Vladimir Vasiliev. He teaches adult and youth groups at Austin Systema and Tai Chi Chuan, and is the author of Shot: Healing Hurt, and Simple, Not Easy: 30 Days to a More Deliberate Life.

Gene has a unique story, in that he used Systema to recover from the trauma - both physical and psychological - of a near-fatal shooting incident, and has come back stronger and happier than ever before. In this second part of the interview, Gene talks about why he started writing, how he trains himself, and the perils of arrogance and pride.

For more information about classes and seminars with Gene, visit http://www.austinsystema.com/

For more information about training at NC Systema, contact pas@ncsystema.com.