Lay Down or Throw Down

A World Champion Kickboxer's Journey - Lessons in Perseverance, Business, and Success

By: Curtis Schuster, S.G. Potter

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Lay Down or Throw Down – A World Champion Kickboxer’s Journey with Lessons in Perseverance, Business, and Success

By Curtis “The Battlecat” Schuster and S.G. Potter

What does it take to stand back up when life knocks you down?

In Lay Down or Throw Down, two-time ISKA World Champion kickboxer Curtis “The Battlecat” Schuster opens up about the battles that shaped him—inside the ring and far beyond it. From humble beginnings in suburban Seattle to the bright lights of Japan’s K-1 circuit, Schuster’s story isn’t just about fighting opponents—it’s about fighting fear, doubt, and the temptation to quit.

Through powerful storytelling and raw honesty, Schuster reveals how the discipline, humility, and courage forged in combat became the foundation for success in business, leadership, and life. Co-author S.G. Potter, bestselling author and business strategist, distills each chapter into “Lessons Learned”—practical takeaways that translate the mindset of a world champion into tools anyone can use to overcome adversity, lead with confidence, and achieve lasting success.

If you’ve ever faced challenges in your career, your relationships, or your own self-belief, this book will remind you that resilience—not perfection—is what defines a champion.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, athlete, or anyone striving to reach the next level, Lay Down or Throw Down will ignite the fighter within you and teach you how to turn pain into power, failure into fuel, and fear into focus.

Humility, Fierce Perseverance and Goals

This book awoke so hard truths for me. It peeled back the intellectual and emotional comfort that I allowed to shield me from staying “in top shape” on a personal level, to myself and my family, a community level, and professional level. For that I thank Curtis for Throwing Down, leading by example, and sharing his truths. As a result of hearing it I now plan to purchase the book just so I can take advantage of the lessons in the Appendix. I will also give this to friends and colleagues. Not to pressure them but to allow Curtis’ style to imbue them with their own motivations. Maybe it is because I know Curtis both as a friend and former colleague, and it is with 100% sincerity that I recommend this book.