As I reflect on my passion for technology and martial arts, a recent read comes to mind – ‘The Girl From Wudang’ by P.J Caldas. This science-fiction dream state of a novel perfectly embodies the intersection of Eastern philosophy and 21st Century science.
Often when I’m thinking about writing I’ll jot down many ideas, some will stick, some will sink, some will circle around the books I’m reading, the podcasts I’m listening to and the films and tv shows I’m watching. This recent book was so sticky and so prescient with my current round and routine of study and martial arts training that I couldn’t ignore the opportunity to explore by writing a blog post about it.
P.J Caldas has crafted a fascinating exploration of the intersection between Eastern philosophy and 21st Century science, and my do I love a solid intersection point (this website is testament to this).
Without providing a blow by blow, as it’s a novel which deserves to be read, at the heart of the novel we find our female protagonist, Tigress, AKA Yinyin, AKA Claudia. Tigress leaves her homeland of China for America, she is driven by the mission of empowering women by teaching martial arts. Beyond China her world expands, MMA and Artificial Intelligence become key elements within the story as Tigress attempts to fulfil her destiny and wrestle with the question of immortality.
“This strange dimension where I live, this place nerds call ‘the cloud’ isn’t the Dao of my ancestors. Though, from where I stand, I can hear everything.” – Tigress, ‘The Girl From Wudang’ P.J Caldas
What we find in Tigress, and what I continue to find in my journey into cybersecurity is a parallel between the two worlds of security and martial arts. Situational awareness, adaptability and strategic thinking all form the basis of an excellent martial artist and also a brilliant cybersecurity professional. Solving problems under pressure in high risk environments with consequences which could range from physical, psychological or emotional and financial harm are true of both worlds – obviously to varying degrees.
Relentless pursuit of further study and investigation is another element I identified, which was echoed in ‘The Girl From Wudang’. One should be curious, disciplined, and hard-working. Complacency kills, often literally. Letting ones guard down is an invitation for a zero day or a kick to the head – choose your poison.
Whether in the octagon or in the terminal, attention is imperative. As I further my cybersecurity journey, I’ve found that deception is everywhere, and mindfulness forms a huge part of detecting it. A feint from an opponent could trigger a step too far into their range, an error in code could invite threat actors to attack.
In many ways these seem like overly simplistic takes from complex, challenging spaces, but the themes I keep encountering as I further my cybersecurity journey speak to important lessons I must carry forward.
In conclusion, the connection between martial arts and cybersecurity extends beyond the surface, revealing shared values such as adaptability, situational awareness, and relentless pursuit of knowledge. As I continue my cybersecurity studies, these lessons from my martial arts training continue to guide me.
With the support of my mentor and professional network, I am excited to apply these principles as I prepare for my ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity exam in the coming months. ‘The Girl From Wudang’ has been an inspiration, reminding me that embracing diverse perspectives and staying true to my passion will help me navigate the challenges of this ever-evolving field.
Seeline CYBER 
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