We have had many people ask how they might be able to bring the Sword Experience to a city near them. Turning your city into a sword-fighting destination with a Sword Experience (SXP)Event requires a combination of strategic planning, community engagement, and immersive experiences. Firstly,Sword fighting is an ancient martial art that requires precision, adaptability, and endurance. While training in a controlled environment is beneficial for learning the fundamentals, we believe when you practice in different locations and weather conditions it will help you develop a well-rounded skill set. One of the reasons why The Sword Experience creates a variety of events, from Elite, Academy, and Convention events, to Retreats and Tours. Whether you’re training in a gym, at the beach, or adjusting to the changing seasons, each environment offers you a unique advantage, enhancing your technique, balance, and mental resilience.

Partner with SXP Events & Adrian Paul
SXP Events, founded by Adrian Paul, offers high-quality sword training experiences worldwide. Reach out to us if you want to bring an event to your city, ensuring an authentic and exciting experience for participants.

Secure a Unique & Scenic Venue
We love a great location. Who doesn’t? Adrian talks about the location being just like a character in a screenplay, so choosing location that enhance the immersive experience, is important. Pick places that would look great filming and would make people interested in Sword Experience events in your area.

• Historic castles, forts, or medieval-style villages
• Scenic outdoor spaces (parks, beaches, forests)
• Martial arts dojos or large indoor event spaces

Engage the Local Community
It is always better to work together with a team to make your goals more attainable. Here are some ideas.

• Partner with historical societies, martial arts schools, and LARP (Live Action Role-Playing) groups.
• Collaborate with local businesses for sponsorships and promotions.
• Talk to the SXP team to see if you can offer discounted or early-bird registration for locals to encourage participation.

Look for a Weekend Experience
Many of the people who come through SXP events enjoy our two-day formats. Yes, they allow you less time to spend at the first day of the event so you can do other things, but more importantly they give you time to allow what you have learned sink in. That way, the next day, when you return your brain has been able to soak in the information, allowing you to master the sword moves, or choreography much more easily. So think out of the box for weekend activities that might attract the people to The Sword Experience. For instance, in 2025, SXP has partnered with two Celtic themed festivals where people, not only meet Adrian Paul , but also experience an activity that is tied to that specific type of event. Other types could include.

• Medieval or fantasy-themed activities (archery, jousting demonstrations, or role-playing scenarios)
• Cultural experiences (historical reenactments, local cuisine, or live performances)
• Networking opportunities (meet-and-greets with Adrian Paul, themed dinners, or after-parties)

Promote the Event
Promotion is key. Many times we hear from people asking us to bring our events to a certain area, only for them to find out that we had just held one there. Not everyone finds information the same way.

• Use social media, local influencers, and event platforms to spread the word.
• Once an event has been scheduled talk to the SXP about creating engaging content like teaser videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and testimonials. Or link to the hundreds of videos already created on the Sword Experience You tube pages.
• Encourage attendees to share their experiences with hashtags and event-specific branding.

Offering Different Experience Levels
The reason Adrian wanted to create The Sword Experience was not only to create varied types of events but ones that welcomed all types of levels. Choreographers, stunt professionals. martial artists, pop culture fans, sword enthusiasts, historians, thrill seekers, fitness enthusiasts, vacation travelers, have all attended because we include

• Beginners Those new to sword fighting.
• AdvancedExperienced martial artists, stunt performers or actors wanting to hone their skills.
• Themed events For those who want to have fun while feeling what it’s like to be on a movie set.
• SXP Retreats That not only give you Sword Fighting with a difference, but a vacation to get away from your norm, where you can not only explore local food and culture, but also get some relaxation time.

Develop an Annual Tradition
You’ve heard the saying “Work smarter, not Harder”? Then, if you enjoyed bringing the Sword experience to your area, the next year would be way easier, because you will already have an abundance of information to plan the next event. So if successful, make it a yearly or biannual event to establish your city as a sword-fighting hotspot. Consider teaming up with a local Sword Fighting School, or Martial Arts center, where participants can train with the Sword Experience twelve point system or you could even consider hosting smaller workshops throughout the year in conjunction with these organizations.

Turning your city into a sword-fighting destination with a Sword Experience (SXP) Event is fun and rewarding on many different levels

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Sword fighting is an ancient martial art that requires precision, adaptability, and endurance. While training in a controlled environment is beneficial for learning the fundamentals, we believe when you practice in different locations and weather conditions it will help you develop a well-rounded skill set. One of the reasons why The Sword Experience creates a variety of events, from Elite, Academy, and Convention events, to Retreats and Tours. Whether you’re training in a gym, at the beach, or adjusting to the changing seasons, each environment offers you a unique advantage, enhancing your technique, balance, and mental resilience.

SXP Training in the Gym: Academy Events
Precision, Control & Technique Development
The gym provides a structured and controlled environment, making it an excellent place if you are a beginner, as well for experienced practitioners to refine their technique.

• Beginners: Without the distractions of wind, uneven terrain, or external variables, you can focus solely on mastering footwork, striking techniques, and defensive maneuvers.
• Mirrors & Equipment :Training in front of mirrors gives you a chance at self-correction, improving form and posture. Additional training tools like striking dummies, the SXP targeting tool, or even rings hung from equipment, help enhance speed, strength and accuracy.
• Consistent Conditions :During Academy events Adrian emphasizes the fact. that unlike outdoor training, a gym offers a predictable environment. Eliminating variables like changing weather or unstable ground helps you gain confidence and focus without the danger of injury.
• Safe Sparring Environment :With padded floors and ample space, a gym reduces the risk of injury while engaging in controlled combat practice.

Training at the Beach: Balance, Endurance & Strength
We love training in a beach environment. It offers a completely different training experience, pushing your body to adapt to shifting terrain and natural resistance.

• Unstable Sand Builds Balance & Footwork : During Sword Experience Retreats most of the training is held on soft sand. This forces you to use stabilizing muscles in your legs and for your core to work harder, improving balance, agility, and foot placement.
• Resistance Training for Endurance : You can ask anyone who has attended an SXP Retreat that practicing sword strikes in the sand requires more effort, and in turn enhances stamina and strength. Additionally, the wind creates resistance, making each movement more challenging.
• Engaging with Natural Elements : Why we encourage people to attend retreats, is not only that training under the sun, with the sound of waves and the feel of the ocean breeze, helps adapt to external distractions, but it’s a lot of fun, giving you an invigorating experience.
• Cooling Off in the Water : After an intense session, cooling down in the water can aid in muscle recovery and relaxation.

Different Seasons: Adaptability, Mental Fortitude & Physical Endurance
Each season presents unique challenges that can test a swordsman’s adaptability and resilience. Training in varying weather conditions strengthens mental toughness and prepares you for unpredictable real-world scenarios.

Winter Training: Cold, Reflexes & Layered Movements

• Practicing in the cold will build your mental resilience and teach you how to maintain flexibility, despite lower temperatures.
• Layered clothing adds weight and will restrict your movements, but it will force you into precise and efficient strikes.
• Cold temperatures keep you alert, improving reflexes and reaction speed.

Summer Training: Heat, Endurance & Hydration Awareness

• Hot weather increases endurance, as your body adapts to longer training sessions.
• Proper Hydration and stamina become critical, reinforcing the importance of the correct preparation.
• Sweat affects grip on weapons, requiring adjustments in technique and control.

Autumn & Spring Training: Changing Terrain & Unpredictable Weather

• When you tread on fallen leaves or wet ground, it will force you to adjust your footwork and balance.
• Sudden shifts in temperature and wind conditions train you to react swiftly to environmental changes.
• Moderate weather allows for extended training sessions without the extreme challenges of summer or winter.

Final Thoughts
So, in closing you can see that training in different locations and conditions ensures a well-rounded approach to sword fighting. By diversifying your training environments, you become a more versatile and adaptable fighter, ready to face any challenge. Given the fact that the environment around you could be ever changing, you need to be prepared for all scenarios. Adaptability is not only important in sword fighting, but it is also a key component to confronting the challenges that we face in life.

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The Global Appeal of Sword Fighting Experiences
For centuries, sword fighting has captured the imagination of warriors, athletes, and movie fans alike. Today, as a sword enthusiast you can immerse yourself in this thrilling art by traveling to unique destinations that offer professional training, historic settings, and engaging experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned fighter, or a beginner eager to learn, the right location can elevate your skills and create unforgettable memories.

Why Travel for Sword Fighting?
Training in different environments helps you develop adaptability. It will improve your technique, and deepen your appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of fighting with swords. Here are three reasons why you should travel when looking to sword fight:

• Historical Immersion: Train where real battles took place, surround yourself with centuries of history.
• Elite Training Opportunities:Learn from world-class instructors in professional settings.
• Adventure & Community:Meet fellow enthusiasts and experience new cultures while mastering swordplay.

Must-Visit Locations for Sword Fighting Enthusiasts
From medieval castles to scenic outdoor retreats, some of our favorite locations that you should consider visiting are:

Castles & Historic Landmarks
There’s no better place to train than in the very locations where legendary sword battles once occurred. The Sword Experience (SXP) has and will continue to offer exclusive training events in breathtaking historic settings. Some past examples include:

• 2025 Paris & Provins, France: A Highlander-themed sword tour that not only takes you to the now iconic settings where Highlander the series was filmed but takes you through medieval locations where epic duels took place.
• 2025 Scotland Retreat: A chance for you to get a rare look at the historic castles and settings linked to the failed 1746 Jacobite rebellion, along with visiting locations now immortalized in Highlander The Series, all set against the backdrop of the stunning Scottish Highlands,
• European Castles: If you love history, visiting authentic medieval backdrops for combat training, such as Germany’s Burg Eltz, England’s Warwick Castle, or Spain’s Alcázar of Segovia are a must.
• Prague, Czech Republic: A stunning medieval city with a rich history of duels and knightly combat, offers you various training opportunities.
• Rome, Italy: The historic center where gladiators once battled in the Colosseum, is a great place for you to not only learn traditional sword techniques in the Eternal City, but where you will also eat some great Italian pasta.

Urban Training Grounds
For those of you who prefer structured environments, there are a variety of urban training facilities that provide professional guidance and state-of-the-art amenities. Cities worldwide offer excellent spaces for sword training.

• New York, USA: Home to several high-level martial arts and stage combat academies where sword fighters can refine their skills.
• Tokyo, Japan: A blend of traditional kenjutsu dojos and modern sword training centers makes this city a must-visit.
• Los Angeles, USA: With a strong connection to Hollywood’s action choreography, LA not only offers fantastic swordplay workshops but also stunt and choreography classes.
• London, UK: A city known for its historical fencing schools and theatrical combat training, offers unique training experiences.
• Seoul, South Korea: Combines traditional Korean swordsmanship with modern martial arts facilities, providing an exceptional learning environment.

Exotic Retreats & Outdoor Training Locations
Sword fighting in nature adds an extra level of difficulty and adventure, but it also offers you a chance to get away from the stress of everyday life. A different cultural experience, relaxation, and training at retreats structured for you to experience another type of training. Some of the best SXP retreats that have taken place in breathtaking outdoor settings.

• Belize: Our participants trained on pristine beaches and lush jungles whilst exploring Inca ruins, chocolate factories and sampling the local eateries. Swordplay is always better when you are relaxed
• Thailand: Although the SXP hasn’t visited Thailand’s stunning temples and coastal landscapes yet, this unparalleled training experience is definitely being considered.
• Scotland Highlands: We have had two retreats visiting the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Highlander fans called the immersive sword-fighting experience unparalleled.
• Machu Picchu, Peru: A breathtaking high-altitude location where we would love to raise sword training to other heights. Pardon the pun.

The Sword Experience Elite Events: Training in Iconic Locations
The Sword Experience (SXP) offers specialized events where you can train in breathtaking settings. Whether in historical castles or picturesque outdoor spaces, SXP Elite Events provide you:

• Expert instruction from renowned trainers.
• Filmed training sessions inspired by legendary battles.
• Stories created around the unique location.
• Fictional events where you can, if you wish, have a speaking role.
• Opportunities to explore and experience the local culture.

Upcoming Sword Experience Events You Can’t Miss

• Houston, Texas (March 22, 2025): The SXP Obstacle Run – an intense and fun sword challenge.
• Phoenix, Arizona (April 26, 2025): The Snake Brother event – A blend of technique and a fictional story.
• Phoenix, Arizona (April 26, 2025): The Snake Brother event – A blend of technique and a fictional story.
• Paris & Provins, France (June 27, 2025): A Highlander location tour and elite training experience at the amazing historical Chateau of Chantilly.
• Scotland “Road to Culloden” Tour (June 30 – July 5, 2025): A chance for you to train at historic castles and visit Highlander filming locations.

How to Choose the Right Sword for Your Training & Travel
Every style of sword fighting has different weapons and your choice of sword is based on what you feel most comfortable with. However, you never train with a real weapon, but begin with a wooden replica. At the Sword Experience we always train with Bokkens, the training tool used in Japanese swordplay. That said, ALL sword styles have things in common that you should consider. Targeting. Footwork. Basic technique. Things that the SXP always factor into our events. But we are all different, so consider these.

• Bokkens: Ideal for beginners and safe sparring.
• Swords: Best for experienced practitioners and historical reenactments.
• SXP Pro Trainer : A Lightweight and durable option for your training in tight spaces.

How to Bring an SXP Event to Your City
If you own a venue or want to turn your city into a sword-fighting hotspot, consider partnering with The Sword Experience to host an event. Hosting an SXP event can:

• Attract tourism and boost local businesses.
• Showcase your city as a unique, action-packed destination.
• Give your community access to top-tier sword training.

Conclusion & Call to Action
Ready to take your sword-fighting journey to the next level? Whether you’re looking to train in medieval castles, professional studios, or exotic landscapes, The Sword Experience has an event tailored for you. Sign up for an upcoming event, explore SXP retreats, or start training today!

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Achieving a goal is an incredible feeling—it’s proof of your hard work, dedication, and resilience. But what happens after you reach the finish line? The journey doesn’t stop there! Success is a stepping stone to even greater accomplishments. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can transition smoothly to your next goal and the best ways to celebrate your achievements.

Reflect on Your Accomplishment
Before jumping into a new challenge, take time to reflect on your journey. Ask yourself:
What worked well? – Identify strategies that helped you succeed.
What challenges did I overcome? – Recognize obstacles you tackled.
What lessons did I learn? – Use these insights for future goals.

Example: If your goal was to lose weight, consider what habits helped—meal prepping, morning workouts, or accountability partners. These can be carried forward into your next goal.

Celebrate Your Success Properly
Celebration is key to maintaining motivation. It reinforces positive behavior and helps you feel fulfilled before moving forward.

Ways to Celebrate Your Wins:

• Personal Reward: Buy yourself something meaningful, like a new T shirt, book, or a Sword experience bokken.
• Experience-Based Celebration:Treat yourself to a fun activity—dinner with friends, a spa day, or a weekend getaway at one of our Elite or convention events.
• Sharing Your Success:Celebrate with those who supported you—friends, family, or your mentor. If you are part of one of the online Sword Experience communities, or on one of our Facebook pages, talk to those there and tell them how you achieved success.
• Giving Back:Inspire others by sharing your journey on one of our social media pages, in a blog, or by mentoring someone.

Example: If you finished a marathon, reward yourself with a relaxing massage or a trip to a new hiking destination. Or, if you completed a Sword Experience academy level, buy yourself a Sword Experience “Be Strong…Finish Stronger” t shirt.

Set Your Next Goal with Purpose
Once you’ve celebrated, it’s time to channel your momentum into something new. But don’t set just any goal—make sure it excites you and aligns with your long-term vision.

Ask yourself:

• What do I want to achieve next?
• How does this goal fit into my bigger life vision?
• What skills or habits can I carry over?

Example: If you just landed a dream job, your next goal could be excelling in your role by developing leadership skills or expanding your professional network.

Create a Transition Plan
Jumping into a new goal without structure can be overwhelming. Create a smooth transition plan with these steps:

• Take a short break – Give yourself time to reset before diving in.
• Set a start date – Choose when you’ll begin working on your next goal.
• Plan small, actionable steps – Break your goal into manageable milestones.
• Reignite motivation – Visualize success and remind yourself why this goal matters.

Example: If your goal was to Learn Sword fighting and you did it online, your next step might be learning from a local teacher. You could attend one of our many events, or look into a local Martial Arts school to find the best teacher in your area

Stay Open to Growth & New Opportunities
Every goal you achieve adds to your experience and opens new doors. Stay curious and explore unexpected opportunities that come your way.

• Network with like-minded people to gain fresh perspectives.
• Keep learning—enroll in courses, read books, or attend workshops.
• Challenge yourself—step outside your comfort zone with new experiences.

Final Thoughts
Success isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about evolving through every step of the journey. Reflect, celebrate, and then set your sights on your next challenge with excitement. Keep growing, keep learning, and keep chasing your dreams.

? What’s the next goal on your list? Share it in the comments! ?

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Setting and achieving goals is essential for your personal and professional growth. Whether you want to build a successful career, improve your health, or develop a new skill like sword fighting, having a structured approach will keep you motivated and on track. We’ve talked before in our blog about goals being relevant and time-bound to ensure success. Here’s a reminder how you can effectively meet your goals and create meaningful progress in your life.

Define Clear and Specific Goals
The first step in achieving any goal is to define it clearly. Vague goals like “I want to be successful” or “I want to get in shape” lack direction. Instead, be specific: “I want to start my own business within two years” or “I will lose 10 pounds in three months.”

Ensure Your Goals Are Relevant
Your goals should align with your values, aspirations, and long-term vision. Ask yourself:

• Is this goal important to me?
• Does it fit into my overall life plan?
• Will achieving this goal contribute to my personal fulfillment or career growth? If a goal doesn’t align with your priorities, it’s unlikely to keep you motivated.

Make Your Goals Time-Bound
Every goal should have a deadline. Without a timeframe, there’s no sense of urgency, and procrastination becomes inevitable. In February our goal was to allow you to understand how to use the SMART goal-setting framework:

• Specific – Clearly define what you want to achieve.
• Measurable – Set criteria to track progress.
• Achievable – Ensure the goal is realistic.
• Relevant – Align it with your broader life goals.
• Time-bound – Set a deadline to create motivation.

For example, instead of saying, “I want to learn sword fighting” set a goal like: “I will either attend a Sword Experience Event, or work online with the Sword Experience Academy within the next six months.”

Track Your Progress
Regularly reviewing your progress keeps you accountable and helps you stay on course. If you notice a setback, reassess your strategy and make necessary adjustments. So keep a journal, use an app, or set milestones to measure success. We specifically created items in our Printify store to help you do just that.

Stay Committed and Adaptable
Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but persistence is key. Stay committed to your goal while being flexible enough to adjust your plan if needed. If something isn’t working, find alternative ways to reach your goal rather than giving up. Life always throws us curve balls but to be successful and grow, just like Adrian talks about during most Sword Experience events, is the importance of adaptability when you find yourself faced with an obstacle.

Celebrate Achievements Along the Way
Acknowledging and celebrating small victories keeps you motivated. Those benchmarks to your overall goal, or stepping stones if you will, need to be celebrated. Whether it’s rewarding yourself with a night out after reaching a milestone or simply recognizing your progress, celebrating success reinforces positive behavior.

Conclusion
Meeting your life goals requires clarity, relevance, and a time-bound structure. By setting specific goals, breaking them into manageable steps, tracking progress, and staying committed, you can create a clear path toward success. Remember, the journey toward achieving your goals is just as important as reaching the destination. Stay focused, adaptable, and enjoy the process!

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Setting goals is one of the most powerful tools for creating a fulfilling and purpose-driven life. Whether you want to advance in your career, improve your health, or develop meaningful relationships, having clear goals gives you direction and motivation. However, many people struggle with setting and achieving their goals effectively. So we thought we’d give a hand to help you set realistic, achievable goals and provide strategies to accomplish them.

Of course, we highlight the importance of targeting at the Sword Experience so how do we translate that to everyday life?

Define your Vision.

Before setting goals, take time to reflect on your values, interests, and long-term aspirations. Ask yourself a few important questions

• What do I truly want?
• What kind of person do I want to become?
• What accomplishments will make me feel fulfilled?

Much like successful swordsman, or martial artists, in the past and present, creating a vision of possible scenarios and outcomes provides clarity and helps you align you to successfully achieving your goals.

We have already discussed SMART Goals but achieving something, by correctly targeting it instead of arbitrarily wishing for it are very different. For example, instead of saying, “I want to get fit,” a SMART goal would be: “I will work out for 30 minutes, five days a week, for the next three months.”

Make your goals attainable. Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them into smaller, manageable tasks. Create a step-by-step plan that outlines what needs to be done each day, week, or month. At many of our events, Adrian Paul talks about the importance of achieving small milestones for those who want to improve their sword work, either on their own, or in the Sword Experience Academy, or even for those who are just trying to get back in shape. With constant attainable smaller goals you will build momentum and keep motivated.

Accountability Do you want to increase the likelihood of success? You can share your goals with a friend, mentor, or even a support group. There are Sword Experience communities on Facebook for instance, where SXP member discuss all types of topics. Opening up a thread on achieving goals would take two minutes and the feedback would help you stay on track.

Stay Flexible and Adapt Another easy way to see how you are doing, is to keep a journal to track your progress. Currently you can find the SXP journal in our shop. A simple way to check-in to evaluate your progress and make adjustments if needed. Of course, we understand life is unpredictable, and challenges may arise, but by adjusting your plan helps you to keep moving forward, instead of getting discouraged. Being adaptable ensures you stay committed even when things don’t go as expected.

Visualize One of the aspects of the Sword Experience end of year event in Dallas 2024 and in the recent Newark motivational event, talking about visualization. Whether it is visualizing an opponent when doing a Kata, seeing yourself soaking up the rays on a beach in the Bahamas or exploring the Scottish Highlands, visualization and positive affirmations can reinforce your goals and keep you focused. Regularly imagine yourself achieving your goal and remind yourself why you started in the first place.

The Prize Recognizing your progress keeps you motivated. Celebrate small victories along the way, whether it’s treating yourself to something special or simply acknowledging your hard work. But don’t go and binge on chocolate cake and donuts if your goal was to lose pounds in a month, find a more fitting reward that still aligns with your goal.

Setting and achieving goals is a lifelong journey. By defining a clear vision, setting SMART goals, breaking them into steps, and staying accountable, you can make steady progress toward your dreams. Stay flexible, visualize success, and celebrate your wins—because every step forward brings you closer to the life you want.

Have a comment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Marco Dragoje. In April 2019, comedians Kevin Hart and Jason Sudeikis engaged in a medieval sword fight. It was part of the two actors’ “knight training” for season 2, episode 10 of What the Fit, Hart’s Realscreen Award-winning comedy series that premiered in 2018. Here, Hart takes Sudeikis jousting – a popular medieval pursuit where knights showed off their skills while on horseback.

ETCanada.com  reports that the series, described by Hart as “a show where I basically go and I get my friends to do things they normally wouldn’t,” took place in a Los Angeles-area Medieval Times themed restaurant, where the two comedians were fitted in knight gear before getting sent out onto the “battlefield.”

Hart and Sudeikis were then taught “how to kill and how to die,” and shown the basics of jousting. They were ultimately “knighted,” and sent off for final combat: a sword fight in front of fans. The two entered on horseback, but the battle, unfortunately, lasted less than 30 seconds, with Sudeikis dislodging Hart’s sword and then “slicing” his midsection — to audible gasps from the crowd! Hart keels over, pretends to be struggling, and finally hits the ground “dead.” Sudeikis genuflects next to Hart and raises his fist in victory.

Meet the “Swordsmen”

 

Hart is one of the most recognizable celebrities around — and one of the most versatile too. This versatility has made Hart not only popular, but also extremely wealthy. In fact, Poker.org reveals that Hart is the best-paid comedian in the world, with a net worth of about $200 million. He has gotten so rich that he can afford to be a regular at high-stakes poker tables (a favorite of his), splurge over $40,000 in a game of Blackjack, keep a collection of luxurious watches, and buy any car he wishes.

The 41-year-old Pennsylvanian made his mark onstage as a standup comedian, but Hart has become a Hollywood A-lister with hits like Ride Along and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. He is a superstar on social media too, with shows like What the Fit and Cold as Balls regularly getting millions of views (the jousting episode has over 8.8 million views as of this writing).

Sudeikis, like Hart, is an accomplished comedian, starting with improv comedy in the 1990s before becoming a regular for Saturday Night Live beginning in 2003. He has found success in film, too, breaking through in 2011 in Horrible Bosses and in 2013 in We’re the Millers. Unlike Hart, however, the 45-year-old Virginian has largely focused on TV, where he recently won a Golden Globe for his starring role in Ted Lasso. The LA Times describes the show as “a tonic for our trying times” — and that’s largely a credit to Sudeikis’s vision as the co-creator of Ted Lasso, which he fondly calls a “com-ma” (comedy-drama).

Yes, Hart and Sudeikis’s sword fight was all for show, but it did bring swords and sword fighting to an audience of over 8.8 million people. Now, those interested in real sword experiences can check out The Sword Experience tour dates, as Adrian Paul continues to bring the sword academy to the rest of the country.