In the worlds of martial arts, extreme sports, and tactical operations, peak performance isn’t just about brute strength, flawless technique, or physical endurance. It’s often about a psychological shift—something more subtle, yet incredibly powerful. Brent Yee Suen understands that this shift is known as the flow state. Coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, flow refers to a mental state in which a person is completely absorbed in an activity, fully present, and performing at their best with a sense of effortless momentum.
For athletes, soldiers, martial artists, and first responders, Brent Suen explains that entering flow can be the difference between hesitation and decisive action, between chaos and clarity. Understanding how to harness flow—and how to train the mind to access it more consistently—can elevate performance in both controlled environments and high-stress, high-risk scenarios.
What Is Flow State?
Flow is often described as “being in the zone.” It’s that mental sweet spot where focus narrows, time dilates, distractions fall away, and action seems to unfold with ease. When you’re in flow, the inner critic goes quiet, movements become intuitive, and you lose self-consciousness. It’s not just about being concentrated; it’s about merging action and awareness into a single, fluid experience.
Brent Yee Suen shares that the flow state is typically characterized by several core components:
- Intense and focused concentration on the present moment
- Merging of action and awareness
- Loss of reflective self-consciousness
- Sense of personal control or agency over the situation
- Distortion of temporal experience (time either speeds up or slows down)
- Activity is intrinsically rewarding (autotelic experience)
Whether you’re executing a complex jiu-jitsu submission, navigating a steep snowboarding descent, or clearing a room in a tactical operation, Brent Suen explains that flow creates a psychological environment where the impossible begins to feel achievable.
Flow in Martial Arts
Martial arts, from boxing to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, are fertile ground for flow states. Brent Yee Suen explains that Combat demands quick decision-making, acute situational awareness, and instantaneous adaptation—all of which are enhanced when an athlete is in flow.
Striking arts like Muay Thai or boxing rely on rhythm, timing, and perception. A fighter in flow will instinctively slip punches, counter with perfect timing, and maintain their composure in the face of chaos. In grappling disciplines, flow allows an athlete to transition smoothly from one position to another, anticipating their opponent’s movements and responding with fluid precision rather than rigid plans.
Training to enter flow in martial arts often involves:
- Repetition and mastery: Familiarity with techniques reduces cognitive load, allowing the brain to act rather than think.
- Live sparring (rolling): Situational pressure with unpredictable variables mirrors real combat, creating opportunities to practice presence.
- Controlled breathing and meditation: Breathwork helps quiet the mind, enhancing focus and reducing anxiety.
The mental game is just as crucial as the physical. Brent Yee Suen understands that a fighter who learns to quiet the inner voice and surrender to the moment often discovers a whole new level of performance.
Flow on the Mountain: Snowboarding and Extreme Sports
In snowboarding and other extreme sports, flow is not just helpful—it’s vital. High speeds, unpredictable terrain, and ever-changing environmental conditions demand that athletes remain completely locked in. Any hesitation or distraction can lead to failure—or worse, injury.
Snowboarders often describe the flow state as a kind of “dance” with the mountain. Each movement is a conversation between rider and terrain, a blend of anticipation and reaction. Like martial artists, they must train their bodies to respond intuitively. This means:
- Immersive practice in varying conditions to build adaptability
- Minimizing external distractions by choosing routes and times that reduce crowd interference
- Using music or mantras to maintain mental rhythm and tempo
Even in the face of danger, those who can access flow report feeling calm, confident, and connected. Brent Suen understands that the line between fear and exhilaration becomes thin, and their movements align with instinct rather than thought.
Tactical Applications: Flow Under Fire
Flow has profound implications in tactical and military contexts, where lives are on the line and decisions must be made in milliseconds. Special forces operators, SWAT teams, and first responders often train to function with heightened awareness and seamless execution under extreme stress.
In these situations, Brent Yee Suen explains that flow facilitates:
- Faster decision-making without overanalysis
- Reduced tunnel vision by enhancing overall situational awareness
- Improved coordination between team members
- Enhanced motor control under adrenaline
Accessing flow under these conditions requires robust training that simulates the stress of real-world scenarios. Brent Suen shares some methods which often include:
- Scenario-based drills that mimic the complexity and pressure of the field
- Deliberate stress inoculation (e.g., physical exhaustion, loud environments) to build resilience
- After-action reviews and mental rehearsals to strengthen neuroplasticity and embed performance patterns
In addition to physical preparation, the best operators engage in mindfulness, visualization, and breathing techniques to prime their nervous systems for flow.
How to Access Flow More Consistently
Flow isn’t purely accidental—it can be trained. While spontaneous moments of flow feel like magic, regular access to this mental state comes through intentional practice. Brent Yee Suen shares some universal methods to help you access flow more reliably:
- Set Clear Goals: Whether it’s landing a trick, executing a drill, or winning a match, clarity of purpose sharpens focus.
- Match Challenge to Skill: Flow emerges when the difficulty of the task slightly exceeds your current ability. Too easy, and you get bored; too hard, and you feel overwhelmed.
- Eliminate Distractions: Turn off phones, avoid multitasking, and create an environment conducive to deep focus.
- Use Routines and Rituals: Pre-performance rituals (e.g., breathing, visualization) can act as triggers that guide the brain toward flow readiness.
- Practice Mindfulness: Daily mindfulness training builds your ability to stay anchored in the present, which is essential for flow.
- Prioritize Recovery: Mental exhaustion and burnout hinder your ability to focus. Recovery strategies—sleep, nutrition, and downtime—are critical.
The art of flow is not just a psychological curiosity—it’s a performance-enhancing state that elite athletes, fighters, and operators depend on. Brent Suen emphasizes that by understanding the science behind it and training the mind and body accordingly, anyone in high-stakes, high-performance environments can tap into this mental gear.
Flow is where preparation meets presence. Whether you’re throwing punches, carving powder, or clearing buildings, the ability to let go of thought and trust your training is the key to performing at your highest level when it matters most.
