Ever imagine yourself in a fencing match.
The clash of blades, that lightning fast footwork.
It looks almost like a dance, doesn't it?
It really does.
But what if I told you there's a method out there
and this method could unlock a whole new level of mastery
and not just in fencing in any area of life, really,
that demands focused, demands strategy.
Okay, I'm hooked already.
So that's what we're diving into today
with the Fantastic Four method.
This was developed by French fencing master,
Clemence Shrepper.
Okay.
We've got his interview here.
It's with veteran fencer Thomas Ferrier.
Great interview.
And let me tell you, this guy, Shrepper,
he doesn't mess around.
He was ranked in the top 10 fencers globally
and he credits his success to this unique approach.
And what's fascinating here is that it's not just
about physical skill.
Shrepper argues that these four elements,
the Fantastic Four, they're even more crucial
than pure technique.
Okay, I have to admit, when I first heard
about this Fantastic Four business,
I was a little skeptical.
Yeah.
I just saw what these elements were,
fixed target, distance, patience, and intentions.
And now I'm completely intrigued.
Right.
Because, I mean, patience and fencing.
Yeah.
It seems almost counterintuitive, right?
In such a fast-paced sport.
It does.
You'd think it would be all about speed and reflexes.
Right.
But Shrepper's take on patience is really
about choosing the right moment to act.
I see.
Not just reacting.
Okay.
Not just reacting to your opponent.
So it's more about strategic observation,
waiting for that perfect opening.
Precisely.
Yeah.
He compares it to a game of cat and mouse.
Sometimes the patient's fencer is the one in control,
dictating the pace,
waiting for that perfect moment to strike.
That makes a lot of sense.
Yeah.
So how does this patience actually play out?
Like on the piece, that's the designated area
where a fencing bout takes place, by the way.
Right.
How does it play out on the piece?
Well, Shrepper breaks down distance
into these fascinating zones,
and these zones help illustrate this point.
Okay.
Comfort, danger, learning, and growth.
Learning zone.
You've got my attention.
Tell me more about these zones.
Okay, so imagine this.
The comfort zone, that's where you're safe.
Okay.
You're safe from your opponent's kind of immediate attack.
Makes sense.
The danger zone, this is probably self-explanatory.
That's where you're within their reach.
But then there's the learning zone.
This is interesting.
That's where you can test the waters,
see how your opponent reacts to your movements,
without putting yourself at too much risk.
Okay.
And then the growth zone,
this is where the magic happens.
Okay.
That's where you need to be to actually score.
So you're using all these zones,
kind of strategically then?
Exactly.
So by understanding these zones,
a fencer can actually control the pace and flow of the match.
Precisely.
It becomes less about reacting
and more about calculated risk taking.
Fascinating.
Okay, so let's talk about fixed target for a second.
Okay.
That one seems pretty straightforward to me.
You're focusing on your opponent, right?
Well, but how does that tie into everything else?
It's actually a little more nuanced than it sounds.
Okay.
Shrip for emphasizes focusing on a specific point
on your opponent.
Not their general movements.
Okay, so not just like, oh, they're over there.
Right, exactly.
More specific than there.
Much more specific.
Okay.
This helps you avoid getting distracted
by their blade or faints.
You stay grounded in your intention.
Which leads us nicely to the final element
of the Fantastic Four, intentions.
Right.
Intentions play into this whole mental game of fencing.
Okay, so Shrip for differentiates
between what he calls making act.
Okay.
And making react.
Making act is about moving forward
with a clear offensive plan.
Okay.
But here's the catch.
You're always ready to adapt.
Ooh, okay.
Always analyzing, never locked into one single approach.
So it's about being proactive, but also adaptable.
Yes.
And making react on the other hand
is more about drawing out your opponent's reactions,
observing their patterns,
and then using that information to your advantage.
So it's almost like you're playing chess,
not just fencing.
Right.
You're thinking several moves ahead,
anticipating your opponent's every counter move.
Exactly.
Like you're constantly probing,
learning those patterns,
and then boom, using that knowledge to your advantage.
Exactly.
This is blowing my mind.
So this isn't just some theoretical framework, right?
I know what right.
Shrip for actually uses this himself, right?
Even at the highest levels of competition.
Oh, absolutely.
Even till the story in this interview
about a match against, you know, a top ranked fencer,
where he was actually losing at the start.
Oh, wow.
Beautiful.
No way, what happened?
Don't leave me hanging.
So he says that by constantly analyzing his own actions,
right, using this framework of the Fantastic Four,
he was able to turn the match around and win.
See, this is what I love about these deep dogs, right?
Yeah.
What seems like kind of a niche topic,
like, you know, competitive fencing, and boom,
you uncover these incredibly powerful ideas,
and these ideas have ripple effects, you know,
way beyond that original context.
Right, what's so fascinating to me
is how this method, right,
is designed for this high stakes world of fencing,
but you can actually apply it to everyday life.
Right.
Shrip for specifically talks about
project management, actually.
Oh yeah, you know, I can totally see that.
Think about it.
Project management, what is it?
It's all about setting these clear goals,
understanding your limitations,
being strategic with your time,
and knowing exactly what you wanna achieve.
And that's exactly Shrip for his point, right?
He's saying that the same principles
that make a fence are successful,
that focus that adaptability, that strategic thinking,
you can apply those same principles
to managing projects, leading a team,
even just, you know, navigating those everyday challenges.
Yeah, it's like this whole new framework
for thinking about any situation, really.
Exactly.
Where we need to be strategic, mentally tough,
all of that.
Right.
That's pretty powerful stuff.
Yeah, and what's even more impressive to me is,
like this isn't just some random theory he came up with,
you know?
Right.
This comes from decades of experience,
his own competitive career, years of coaching.
Yeah, and you can feel that authenticity
in the interview, you know?
Oh yeah.
He even talks about how he's still learning,
he had to adapt his own training
after a knee injury, actually.
Yeah, absolutely.
Right.
He talks about having to step back
from competitive fencing for a while.
Right.
But he used that time to kind of explore new avenues
for sharing his knowledge.
Yeah.
Like his YouTube channel.
Okay.
Fantastic for fencing progress and fencing
on and off the strip.
And even working on a second edition of his book.
Hold on, a second edition, now that's exciting.
Did he reveal any sneak peeks in the interview?
He didn't give us everything.
Okay.
But he did mention that the second edition
will dive even deeper into those real life applications
of the Fantastic Four, particularly in project management.
Oh, cool.
Okay, so I'm really curious to see what he comes up with.
So to wrap things up, where can our listeners
go if they want to learn more about Shrevefer
and his Fantastic Four method?
Well, I can start by checking out his book.
That's How to Fence APP, the Fantastic Four Method.
Okay.
And that's available on Amazon.
Great.
And of course, there's his YouTube channel, Fantastic Four,
Fencing Progress and Fencing on and off the Strip,
where he shares even more insights, practical tips,
all of that.
Perfect.
It sounds like Shrevefer is really
on to something with this whole Fantastic Four thing.
What started as a deep dive into the world of competitive
fencing has really turned into this fascinating exploration
of strategy, mindset, personal growth.
And isn't that the beauty of these deep dives?
I know, right?
You never know where we're going to end up.
It's amazing, isn't it?
We started talking about the technicalities of fencing,
and somehow we've ended up in this space of self-improvement
and personal growth.
It's true.
And it's funny how these things connect.
You start digging into one thing,
and it opens up all these other doors.
I know.
It's like Shrevefer's cracked the code, right?
Exactly.
Not just on winning a match, but almost on winning in life.
Right.
And the best part is he's not keeping it a secret.
He's finding new ways to share this knowledge
and to make it accessible.
Right.
And speaking of in the interview,
he actually mentioned that he was recently contacted
by the French Fencing Federation.
Oh, wow.
Really?
Yeah.
What for?
So it sounds like they're interested in working with him,
maybe collaborating on some online course project.
Wow, that's amazing.
I know, right?
So they're really taking his method seriously.
It seems like it.
I mean, imagine that Shrevefer's fantastic for method,
being taught and promoted with the backing of the French
Fencing Federation.
Yeah.
That's huge.
I mean, if anyone can make this kind of intimidating
world of fencing, right?
If anyone can make that accessible, it's him, you know?
Yeah, absolutely.
With his insights, their platform,
who knows what kind of an impact they could have.
Yeah.
It's super exciting to think about.
I mean, we could see a whole new generation of fencers.
And these fencers aren't just skilled with a blade, right?
But they're approaching the sport.
They're approaching life with this whole new level
of strategy, this awareness.
They're just like clanting these seeds of knowledge.
Yeah.
And watching them take root and blossom.
I love that analogy.
And the most exciting part is, this is just the beginning,
right?
Shrevefer talks about how he's already
working on new projects.
He's exploring even more applications
of the Fantastic Four.
And he's really pushing the boundaries of what
we thought was possible.
It's so inspiring, isn't it?
It is.
To see someone so passionate about sharing their knowledge.
Absolutely.
Now, not even just sharing it, but using it to really help
others, to help them unlock their own potential.
Exactly.
So for our listeners who are just as energized by Shrevefer's
insights as we are, where can they
go to learn more to really dive into this Fantastic Four method?
Well, they can start with his book.
It's called How to Fence You Pay the Fantastic Four Method.
It's available on Amazon.
And he also has a YouTube channel, Fantastic Four Fencing
Progress and Fencing on and off the Strip.
And he shares a lot of practical tips there, answers questions.
Awesome.
Those are great places to start.
There you have it, from the fence in peace
to the far reaches of, well, life, really.
Right.
We've uncovered a treasured drove of wisdom.
And it's all thanks to Clemont, Shrevefer,
and his Fantastic Four method.
Amazing.
And I think the biggest takeaway here,
and I hope our listeners feel this too,
is that even if you've never held an epi in your life,
these principles, this idea of focus, strategy, patience,
intention, they can be applied to anything
that you set your mind to.
I completely agree.
It's a powerful message.
So the next time you're facing a challenge,
no matter what it is, remember, Fantastic Four,
you might just surprise yourself with what
you're capable of achieving.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning,
and never underestimate the power of a good deep dive.
See you next time.