Have you not been to class for a while? Do you miss swords? Whatever your hobby, I break down the steps and approach you need to make returning to the thing you love a pleasure not a pain.
Fran
URG centred HEMA events, coaching, content and podcasts. Historical European Martial Arts.
💻 Website https://bythesword.net
⚔️ courses and coaching https://ko-fi.com/swordwomen
🎞️ Instagram @swordwomen
https://www.instagram.com/swordwomen?igsh=eGU2NHFxeGplZTh3&utm_source=qr
📱 Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/share/17UjsbpFSe/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🩵 Support
https://Patreon.com/swordwomen
I attended Scotland’s very first URG HEMA event in October 2025, and took the opportunity to interview the two organisers to gain an insight into the process and goals of this awesome historical fencing Weekender.
This podcast is aimed at everyone who trains HEMA or any martial art, whether you want to get out of a plateau in class, or you’re planning a comeback after a break, or you just can’t get to a class, training from home is always a good idea.
🏆 “Winning is everything”. Winning is just a visible part of fencing. There is a fathoms-deep chunk beneath the surface of learning, passion and personal growth.
👀 To look down on other fencers and clubs. Parochial perceptions persist, and a community is more than the club you belong to. We can’t grow as a movement without understanding, connection and cross pollination.
✅ That my way is the only correct way. None of the masters can agree on what is the correct way to learn and practice fencing, far be it from me to make that claim. Find as many teachers as you can, choose wisely.
💪🏼 That you need a grindset. Your phone, your car, your brain and your body will not run on empty. Rest, find other hobbies and communities. HEMA is only one part of your life.
💥 How to generate power. Sharp swords don’t need power, in fact, striking hard is a bad idea and leads to sloppy fencing. You need to bump up your DEX, more than your STR.
We tend to imagine our own club is utopian compared to the others you hear about on social media where bad things happen. I’m here to let you know that every club is fertile ground for toxic behaviour. But what can we do about it?
Little girls are praised for all kinds of qualities and behaviours. What we carry into adulthood from this praise and these internal values can stymie our learning.
Eleven things that you are doing that you really shouldn’t. This episode looks at how we can take our habits and make them better.
The term "pipeline" describes the typical fencing career progression: from beginner, to student, to instructor and/or competitor, and the "leakiness" signifies that women are leaving the path at multiple stages, unlike men.
In this episode we look at the key aspects, contributing factors, and possible solutions to the leaky HEMA pipeline.