{"id":767,"date":"2026-05-07T09:48:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T14:48:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/?p=767"},"modified":"2026-05-07T09:48:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T14:48:25","slug":"episode-113-ian-lauer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/?p=767","title":{"rendered":"Episode 113 &#8211; Ian Lauer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My Empty Hands Podcast: Episode 113 \u2013 Ian Lauer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In this episode, host Reggie Darden sits down with Ian Lauer, a multi-disciplined martial artist, actor, and school owner. Ian shares his journey from watching Kung Fu movies as a child in Ohio to training with legendary instructors in Los Angeles and eventually returning home to build a thriving martial arts community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Host:<\/strong> Reggie Darden <strong>Guest:<\/strong> Ian Lauer (Ian Lauer\u2019s Kempo Karate)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Moments &amp; Discussion Points<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=79\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">01:19<\/a>] Introduction:<\/strong> Reggie introduces the episode and shares his own background training in multiple arts, including American Kenpo, Hapkido, Capoeira, and BJJ.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=159\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">02:39<\/a>] The &#8220;Pringles&#8221; Effect of Martial Arts:<\/strong> Ian discusses how he started with arts like Kazak Karate and Taekwondo, driven by early inspirations like <em>The Karate Kid<\/em> and <em>Bloodsport<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=491\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">08:11<\/a>] From Ohio to Hollywood:<\/strong> Ian recounts moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting and how his search for &#8220;audition-ready&#8221; skills led him to Master Brian Hawkins&#8217; studio.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=648\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10:48<\/a>] The White Belt Mindset:<\/strong> Both Reggie and Ian reflect on the ego-bruising but rewarding experience of putting on a white belt in a new system after already achieving high rank elsewhere.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=1364\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">22:44<\/a>] Kicking for the Screen:<\/strong> Ian explains why he took up Taekwondo in his late 30s specifically to improve the aesthetic of his kicks for film and motion capture work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=1539\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">25:39<\/a>] Batman &amp; Stunts:<\/strong> A look back at Ian\u2019s time performing as Batman at Six Flags, including the physical toll of doing shoulder rolls on concrete while wearing a &#8220;bat-belt.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=2082\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">34:42<\/a>] Building a School:<\/strong> Ian describes the rapid growth of his school in Zanesville, Ohio, and his expansion into Columbus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=2482\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">41:22<\/a>] The Golden Club:<\/strong> A highlight on Ian\u2019s program for seniors, teaching Kempo to practitioners as old as 78, proving that it\u2019s never too late to start.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=2735\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">45:35<\/a>] What it Means to be a Black Belt:<\/strong> Ian shares his philosophy that higher rank equates to greater responsibility and the importance of &#8220;knowing what you don&#8217;t know.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Lightning Round<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=3041\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">50:41<\/a>] Favorite Technique:<\/strong> <em>Fatal Deviation<\/em> (with a nod to <em>Maces of Enway<\/em>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=3113\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">51:53<\/a>] Favorite Form\/Set:<\/strong> <em>Short Form 3<\/em> for its precision and power.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=3189\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">53:09<\/a>] Favorite Weapon:<\/strong> The <em>Karambit<\/em>, appreciated for its practicality and legal carry status during his time in California.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=3313\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">55:13<\/a>] Dream Training Partner:<\/strong> While he has worked with many greats, Ian expresses admiration for the speed of Paul Mills and the legendary presence of Bruce Lee.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79druPuFMW8&amp;t=3638\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">01:00:38<\/a>] Motivation:<\/strong> &#8220;Take action today to improve your tomorrow.&#8221; Ian discusses the importance of delayed gratification and building habits that carry you through unmotivated days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Connect with Ian Lauer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Website:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=http:\/\/ianlauerskempo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ianlauerskempo.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Locations:<\/strong> Zanesville, OH (Colony Square Mall) and Pataskala, OH (West Licking YMCA).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social Media:<\/strong> Find Ian Lauer\u2019s Kempo on Facebook and Instagram.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_801\"><div style=\"width: 640px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-767-1\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" preload=\"none\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/myemptyhandspodcast.sfo3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/podcast\/Ian_Lauer.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/myemptyhandspodcast.sfo3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/podcast\/Ian_Lauer.mp4\">https:\/\/myemptyhandspodcast.sfo3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/podcast\/Ian_Lauer.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp4\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/myemptyhandspodcast.sfo3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/podcast\/Ian_Lauer.mp4\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/?powerpress_pinw=767-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/myemptyhandspodcast.sfo3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/podcast\/Ian_Lauer.mp4\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"Ian_Lauer.mp4\">Download<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/?feed=podcast\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/?page_id=96\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_more\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"More\" rel=\"nofollow\">More<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My Empty Hands Podcast: Episode 113 \u2013 Ian Lauer In this episode, host Reggie Darden sits down with Ian Lauer, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-podcast"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=767"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/767\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":768,"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/767\/revisions\/768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myemptyhands.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}