07/07/2022
As a youngster I was small and weak looking, and suffered some sort off bullying for many years, leaving my confidence in shatters. I had no real outside social life and I found myself lost in books, video games and VHS (Yes I am THAT OLD)
Thank god my Parents looked for a solution. Martial Arts.
At first I tried Judo - My low self esteem barely got me out of the car, before I broke down and I didn't even make it through the door.
Next was Karate a year or so later (great perseverance Mum and Dad!) and I actually made it into the building but refused to take part, Standing at the back, but I couldn't help but be intrigued. The confidence from the Instructor and the discipline and respect shone from the students, But I was still unsure.
I was made to go... and I found I excelled. This was my calling, and became my lifelong passion.
After a couple of years the club closed and my parents furiously searched for an alternative for me, By now I was enjoying being lazy in the evenings and not having to commit to anything, but they had other plans (I tried to fake not having any interest in Martial Arts anymore, or not enjoying it) I was made to go to the local Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate) class and was welcomed in and made to feel right at home.
After a few months my confidence was brimming. I travelled to Coventry to a national testing and blitzed it, and won a National Competition soon after.
In short, I found my calling, and through this found my inner confidence which took me from the tearful child in that carpark, to a National Team member and head of England. But I could have (and would have) given up if I was given the chance, as humans the easy way out is often the route we take (less resistance) but as parents and role models we MUST sometime push and encourage to stick with it, or give something scary a go, these small choices can be life changing and so underestimated at the time.
I cannot thank my parents enough, for not allowing me to quit and for introducing me to that first Martial Arts class - What changes could your child (or YOU) make with the benefits of Martial Arts?
