12/04/2026
Today I couldn’t be prouder of Cadence. 💙
At her very first sparring event, there was no one in her division, so she was matched with a much older, heavier, and far more experienced opponent — a 16-year-old Red belt 2 stripe who, according to her club, is one of their top fighters.
That’s a big ask for anyone. Let alone someone who has only just turned 13 and recently earned her Blue belt.
But Cadence didn’t back down.
She stepped onto the mat with courage, faced a barrage of constant head kicks, and stayed composed under pressure. We had two simple performance goals for this fight:
• Try some stop kicks
• Show courage despite the nerves
She achieved both.
What impressed me most wasn’t just her physical effort, but her mental strength. She stayed present, she kept trying, and she showed incredible heart against a truly formidable opponent.
Cadence absolutely earned her silver medal today — not just for the result, but for the bravery, resilience, and maturity she showed before, during, and after the match. Her reflection afterwards was thoughtful, positive, and wise beyond her years.
This is what Taekwondo is really about. Growth. Character. Courage.
So proud of you, Cadence. This is only the beginning. 🥋✨
