How has Taekwondo had an effect on my life outside the Dojang?
Being involved in Taekwondo has been one of the most influential aspects of my entire life. When I first began training in martial arts a little over five years ago I was a junior in high school and I did not think to highly of myself or my athletic abilities. That all changed once I began training. After I began training I noticed that was more confident in my public speaking abilities. My focus was greatly effected in the best way possible.
After the first year I notice tremendous advancements in my endurance and my flexibility. I was able to kick higher and able to run faster for the mile run during school. You could say that I was not a very confident person before Taekwondo. I was very shy and nervous all the time and I did not talk in public at all. As of late I have been leading classes and talking in front of the students more and more and that really helps. I feel like I walk around with more confidence in myself as a person and I feel like it shows when I am at home, school, or work.
When I began my training at Advantage, I was a crew person at the McDonald’s in town. With my new found confidence I was able to drive myself to newer heights in the company and became a manager for the company as soon as I graduated high school. After that I went on to run a department of another company. This new found confidence has led me through so much of my life and has helped to get me where I am today. The confidence to not let people walk all over me but the self-control to not let the power of my position go to my head and make everyone mad.
Currently I run the crew training program and the hiring process for my store. Not only did I create both of the programs but I have implemented them and continued to improve and run them for the past two years. I don’t think I would have been able to do the things that I have done without the drive that I found in martial arts.
Around the time that I was a sophomore in college I decided to switch my major from a pharmaceutical nanoscience to elementary education. It was around the time that I started helping during the classes that I realized that I love to teach kids. I came to this realization/decision to change my major because of Taekwondo and Advantage Martial Arts. If I had not been involved with the Dojang and all of the people inside its walls I don’t know how my life would be affected.
Lastly I have Advantage Martial Arts and Taekwondo to thank for my ever growing ability to teach. From the time I decided to begin my journey as a teacher I have had the opportunity to lead classes and help teach students in all classes. I have had the chance to run events and take the lead on a number of projects. Taking the lead in these classes and projects have greatly helped me in the other aspects of my life. When I am up in front of the class I feel so confident in my ability to lead I no longer think of it as a burden to get up and speak in front of people. I have gotten the opportunity to help lead projects such as the parade and the demo team presentations. For the demo team I had to create my own class and run that class in front of a huge number of people. Doing things like that help me so much when I go to schools and do my student teaching projects.
Lastly I just want to thank Master Phillips for the amazing opportunity and training that I have been given here at the Dojang. I hope to further my training/education of taekwondo through the years and eventually become a master someday.
