> ## Content Index
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# Martial Artists Should Get Political
- URL: https://fightingmatters.com/martial-artists-should-get-political/
- Published: 2026-02-12T12:45:05.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-12T05:16:22.000Z
- Description: In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan and Jesse Walker are joined by Joshua Peters: martial arts instructor, former school teacher, and current candidate for Anne Arundel County Council.
- Author: Fighting Matters
- Tags: Podcast, Video, Activism

In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan and Jesse Walker are joined by Joshua Peters: martial arts instructor, former school teacher, and current candidate for Anne Arundel County Council. They explore why local politics matters, how martial arts and civic duty intersect, and why “keeping politics out of Jiu-Jitsu” is a myth. This is a conversation about courage, participation, and standing up for your community.  
  
🔗 Links Mentioned:  
• Joshua Peters Campaign — [https://friendsofjoshuapeters.com](https://friendsofjoshuapeters.com/?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
• Combat Principles MMA — [https://combatprinciplesmma.com](https://combatprinciplesmma.com/?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
• Run for Something — [https://runforsomething.net](https://runforsomething.net/?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
  
⸻  
  
👥 Featuring:  
• Steve Kwan — [https://bjjmentalmodels.com](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
• Jesse Walker — [https://roughhandsbjj.com](https://roughhandsbjj.com/?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
• Joshua Peters — [https://friendsofjoshuapeters.com](https://friendsofjoshuapeters.com/?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
  
⸻  
  
🧠 Topics Discussed:  
• Why local politics is more powerful than you think  
• The overlap between martial arts and civic responsibility  
• Running for office without “main character syndrome”  
• Virtue signaling, participation, and public courage  
• Supporting your community beyond the mat  
  
⸻  
  
📖 Chapters:  
[00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKDl3K0FmSo&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Introducing Joshua Peters  
[05:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKDl3K0FmSo&t=335s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — From teaching to running for office  
[11:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKDl3K0FmSo&t=690s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Why local government matters  
[18:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKDl3K0FmSo&t=1122s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Losing, competing, and civic courage  
[24:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKDl3K0FmSo&t=1465s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Politics inside the Jiu-Jitsu gym  
[29:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKDl3K0FmSo&t=1789s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — “Keep politics out of Jiu-Jitsu?”  
[35:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKDl3K0FmSo&t=2114s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — What it actually takes to run  
[43:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKDl3K0FmSo&t=2615s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Virtue signaling and public participation  
[01:03:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKDl3K0FmSo&t=3780s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — How to get involved locally