Can Mr. Miyagi Still Teach Us Something Today?
Can a 1980s karate movie still teach us something about business, life, and mentorship today? Is The Karate Kid just nostalgic fluff, or is there real wisdom in Mr. Miyagi’s quiet teachings? And what about that old proverb — “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”? Is fishing even that hard? Does anyone still need to be taught anything anymore? Or have we reached the age of YouTube tutorials and instant expertise?
Fishing Isn’t Easy — Neither Is Success
I recently saw a post on social media that claimed fishing was easy — that you don’t need to be taught how to fish. Honestly, I thought that person was crazy. Fishing is not easy. I only caught a fish on a business outing because I hired a guide who knew exactly where to go, what bait to use, and how to cast. He knew the lake, the season, the species, and the behavior of bass near docks and banks. That’s not luck — that’s knowledge. And that’s the point: everything worth doing well requires teaching.
Fishing is a science. You need to understand water temperature, seasonal patterns, fish behavior, and bait selection. It’s not just about throwing a line in the water — it’s about knowing where, when, and how. And that’s true for everything in life: pickleball, golf, sales, entrepreneurship. You don’t just “figure it out.” You learn from someone who’s been there.
The Karate Kid: From Student to Mentor
Daniel LaRusso didn’t just learn how to fight — he learned how to live. Mr. Miyagi taught him discipline, patience, and respect through simple tasks like waxing a car and painting a fence. These weren’t chores — they were lessons in disguise. As Miyagi said:
“Lesson not just karate only. Lesson for whole life. Whole life have balance. Everything be better.”
Fast forward to Cobra Kai, and Daniel is now a successful businessman running a car dealership. He’s still applying those lessons — and now he’s giving back, mentoring the next generation. It’s a beautiful arc: from student to teacher, from receiver to giver. As Daniel says in Cobra Kai:
“It’s not just about karate anymore. It’s about legacy.”
This is the generational cornucopia — the idea that giving through teaching multiplies over time. Daniel’s success isn’t just in business; it’s in how he’s passing on what he learned. That’s the power of mentorship.
Coaching in Sports & Sales — The Modern Miyagis
Whether it’s sports or business, the principle holds:
- Pickleball: New players thrive with guidance on strategy and positioning.
- Golf: Even pros need swing coaches and mental game experts.
- Sales: Most reps know how to pitch, but few understand how to build trust, handle objections, or close deals without mentorship.
As I’ve seen firsthand, the greatest thing you can do for yourself is to teach or mentor someone else. The feeling you receive is one of the greatest out there. It’s not just about helping them succeed — it’s about refining your own skills, building legacy, and experiencing the joy of contribution.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
“The best way to learn is to teach.” — Frank Oppenheimer
“Teaching someone to fish is the most powerful form of giving.” — David Walter
The Ripple Effect of Mentorship
Mentorship isn’t just about the moment — it’s about the ripple effect. When you teach someone, they carry that knowledge forward. They apply it, evolve it, and eventually pass it on. That’s how industries grow. That’s how communities thrive. That’s how legacies are built.
Whether you’re in Managed IT Services, coaching a sales team, or helping someone learn the ropes in pickleball, the principle is the same. Teaching creates impact. And that impact spreads — across industries, across generations, across cities like San Antonio.
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
So here’s your challenge: Be someone’s Mr. Miyagi. Teach someone to fish — even if it’s just metaphorically. Mentor a new hire. Coach a teammate. Help a friend learn pickleball. And if you’re still not convinced, go try fishing without a guide and see how that goes. Spoiler alert: you’ll be feeding yourself a sandwich instead of a bass.
“Wax on, wax off” wasn’t just about cleaning cars — it was about building muscle memory, discipline, and trust. Teaching someone to fish is the same — it’s about giving them the tools to thrive long after you’re gone.
