To answer the question in the very first post, I think the reason no one really discusses this is almost always as soon as you mention something along these lines someone standing around always has a 'cousin' or a 'friend' who's trained for 1 or 2 years longer than what ever number you've trained for. Or even better, someone has trained in some other art that will kick your art's arse. Having said that, I've read the thread it's all constructive
I've done both kickboxing and Boxing for the last 10 - 12 years. I started doing a bit of kick, then moved on to boxing to help bring my hand work up for an advantage (I'm a Short mofo) and ended up loving boxing and finding it far more satisfying. I had one fight, dislocated my shoulder bad but still managed to win. (rotator cuff = fuxored) After the injury healed up I continued to train but with a little less intensity. The shoulder holds up ok until a certain point. I ended up getting my accreditation as a trainer and assisted a more senior/experienced coach for a while.
I've done a bit of MMA down at EFG in Penrith (Tama/James) but would really like to find a place that does Krav marga. I've got a couple of books/manuals and it looks awesome!