09/05/2026
Few words from Olaf from our Edinburgh class .
My name is DBN Olof, I am from Sweden and I started K*k Sool Won in 2019 at 24 years old, after I had been living in Edinburgh for around two years. I realised in 2019 that all of my activities were taking place on a screen, whether I was playing video games, watching movies, or being on my phone. Additionally, I realised that if anybody wanted to pick a fight with me I'd probably stand no chance, so I decided to pick up some form of martial arts. I already had some experience with Kendo some years ago, but I wanted something more practical while also valuing discipline, etiquette, and respect. I wanted it to be all-encompassing; not just punches, not just kicks, not just weapons, joint locks, or throws, but ideally all of the above. Naturally when I found K*k Sool in the city I immediately knew it was the right thing for me.
Growing up I was by far the worst in PE. When one is the worst in PE class and one doesn't get any motivation to get better it leads to a vicious cycle. You feel terrible, which makes you want to try less, which means you'll never practice, which makes you even worse. However I've always had a passion for learning, and whatever I do I want to do it as well as I can. K*k Sool is a brilliant way to get nerds like myself into physical fitness. One might think that the three words "discipline, etiquette, and respect" are all buzzwords that don't mean anything, but as someone with the awful experience I had with PE growing up I know the true value of these concepts; I am allowed to make mistakes in class without feeling terrible. I can focus on learning and trying without feeling that I'll lose no matter how hard I try. I'm able to come to class and experience the thrill of remembering what I've learned last class and inching my way towards becoming great at something.
We all painfully remember what happened the year following 2019. I was not spared from the mental struggles of staring at the same four walls for months, and eventually years, on end while working from home. I suffered from depression for the better part of two years and was on sick leave for a total of hundreds of days. Once I made it back to K*k Sool in 2023 my self-esteem was at rock-bottom and I felt terrible for having been absent from class for several years, but as much as I enjoyed K*k Sool I decided to try to show my face there again to see if I was welcomed. I will never forget the moment where JIKJN Gavin not only recognised me, but was thrilled to see me again after all these years. Master Gavin has probably been the best mentor I've ever had and is the reason why I'm now confident, motivated, and physically fit. I am tempted to say that I'm a completely new person, but I believe that through discipline, etiquette, and respect, K*k Sool is about one thing besides learning self-defence, and that is "bringing out the best in you". Therefore I'm no new person; K*k Sool has simply brought out what was inside of me all along.
Thank you Master Gavin, Master Don, and everybody else at K*k Sool. Let's bring out the best in us! ❤
If you would like to book a free trial lesson for yourself , your child or the family classes please visit
www.martialarts-ksw.co.uk
Or call for a friendly chat 07743885719.
