30/05/2022
Can you believe it? We are less than a week out from OUR VERY FIRST CLASS! i am ecstatic and so keen to meet you all - the brave adventurers who are joining us. We do still have spots available but they're running out fast, so be sure to hit me up if you want to guarantee yourself a place for Saturday the 4th June. We need your support to aid us with the rebellion! All details provided in our 'Events' section, or you're welcome to ask via message or [email protected]
|A Personal Account |
It's been a long, tough and hard road getting here. Riddled with life's challenges, injuries, illness and even at times some doubt. There were days i thought it might never happen but i wish to take a moment to acknowledge those who did their utmost to never let me break from HOPE!
My Mum who has been my biggest cheerleader and one of my closest friends for as long as i can remember. Showing constant support and delivering motivation and even finances, especially in the periods i struggled to find my own (Covid, injury etc...) My Dad who never ceased, from birth up to today, to make sure i had access to education and activities that would eventually aid me in developing what i have, through TROLA. He would also utilize his own business experience to guide me in how to set up my own. So far it seems to be working.
Kaio Andrade whom we all have to thank. My master, my brother, my business advisor, my friend. Without his sublime generosity and unfathomable spirit - TROLA wouldn't have a home. He has literally opened his dojo up to us to explore the wonders of lightsaber craft. And any practitioner of martial arts can tell you that the dojo is their home away from home. Through injury and subsequent depression (not being able to train) he has kept me focused, sent me kind and uplifting messages of care - and when i am there he has been a remarkable teacher with a thorough, dignified, inspiring and comprehensible approach to passing on the gift of his deep deep knowledge. One of the finest masters in any form of martial arts i've ever had the good fortune to study under.
Chalise Van Wyngaardt one of my dearest friends who saw me through some of the darkest portions. A bright beacon of care that kept this little rowboat off the rocks during the dark and stormy days and nights. During the early development of the lessons and techniques, Chalise gave their time and energy to assist by lending themselves as a "prototype student". The very fist person I would be *learning* how to instruct. Those exchanges taught me so much and helped greatly in refining both my approach and the methods that i aim to deliver others. Chalise is a profound writer and poet who was running workshops and a course that i enrolled in that would in turn help me to become more expressive of my ideas. More open with my being. The clarity for each has allowed me to feel more invited to be bold and hopefully unique with my marketing. It also gave me the licence to simply be me and trust in that. Trust that something as silly as flailing glorified glow-sticks could become so much more, because the passion and belief in itself is invaluable.
Daniel Brown just typing his name is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Knowing his immeasurable heart and how he has unconditionally used it to the betterment of my life and well being. One of my closest friends who i do see as a brother and would adopt him in a second so he could be. We met when i was putting a band together a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away. Rehearsing in dingy rooms with the walls coated in ni****ne so thick you'd think the building had lung cancer. The late nights and sweaty, raucous shows. The conversations breaking down the evolution of a band's sound and identity. He showed me the meaning of timing, rhythm, syncopation, energy, essence, composure, presence, attitude, how to handle tension and when to not let yourself be walked all over! All of which, i didn't know at the time but came to realize, are fundamental in the world of martial arts. We've been there for each other's best and worst experiences and so much in between. To this day and for life, because of how much music, loyalty and sincerity has always meant to me, i consider him my personal Yoda.
Daniel Lin my Arakan instructor turned brother. Now this is a guy who won't let you walk away with your chin down. Our paths crossed when i was at one of my weakest points. Having spent nearly a year in recovery, left with poor strength, worser cardio and eroded muscle memory. Daniel never once let me feel anything was impossible. On the contrary he kindly and diligently constructed the lessons to take into account the current limitations while offering a reachable challenge that would lead to improvement. A perfect balance of firmness and compassion, metered out with consistency and patience, allowing for breaks for several weeks at a time to avoid degrading physical rehabilitation. All these things and more helped me to find myself in the position of an instructor and i most certainly borrow from him and make it no secret.
Carter Walshe is an overflowing fountain of kindness and enthusiasm. We met at Swordfighter, a QLD based HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) school. He too was instrumental in aiding me to re-develop and discover techniques, address existing muscle memory and build fresh intuition on top of it. He would set aside time out of his busy schedule so that we could have our one on ones and i could be shown and told the ins and outs of certain things that would indeed become a part of the TROLA syllabus. I'm convinced that whatever he doesn't know about HEMA isn't worth knowing. So upbeat and approachable and possessing a near encyclopedic intelligence for the art - his dedication is infectious. It sparked and even greater hunger in me to know more and more. Our lesson structure and a part of my delivery of it owes a lot to this man.
Luke Boyton from the Sons of Obiwan Academy. The pioneer that kicked all of this off in our country. i first saw what he was up to a number of years back and wished to participate but was too injured for a long time. Nonetheless, keeping an eye on the on-goings of his school showed me so much of what was possible and how. i finally reached out to him and he has proven to be exceptionally generous with an aim to boost the morale and presence of the community as much as possible. He's supplied resource materials as well as equipment suggestions and just overall friendly support. He deserves so much credit for being the one who took the biggest risk with a niche hobby that became an activity and then a recognised form of practical martial arts. He is tireless in his service to the fanbase as well as his students, including those with special needs. A true altruist if ever i met one.
What all these people have in common is a willingness to provide HOPE! Words can't say enough. i know this has been a long read and i thank you for taking the time to do so. Until our paths cross again - may the force be with you.
Master Mandy 'Wolf' Lupin 🐺
