When students reach the advanced belts at AMYS, part of their Belt Test is to write an essay on one of the Tenets of Taekwondo. We loved reading Alex’s essay on Indomitable Spirit where she shares why she started Taekwondo and how it’s impacted her and her family’s life. She will be testing for her Black Belt this year along with her son, Tommy. Read about her story below!
“In my life have I never been faced with building an indomitable spirit more than in taekwondo. In my younger years, I wasn’t very competitive or ambitious both physically and in my career and I have always tended to avoid confrontation. Becoming a parent helped me overcome the anxiety that came with verbal confrontation and standing up for myself, but I always had excuses to not push myself physically. Since I started taekwondo I have been learning how to persevere in challenging and pushing myself to do things that are hard and scary. Beginning a martial art for the first time at age 40 pushed me way past my comfort zone and there have been many times where I have considered quitting. Even three years in, I still have moments where I wonder what the heck I’m doing. I have never stuck with any fitness program for more than a few months since becoming an adult, but somehow taekwondo has hooked me.
A big part of me sticks with it to be a role model to my kids. If I quit when it got hard, what kind of message would that send to them? Hopefully my own building of my indomitable spirit will help them build their own.
Will I ever confidently say that I have an indomitable spirit? I don’t know. I do my best to approach new things with confidence and an open mind and try not to let fear of injury or failure overwhelm me. Given that I’m a year out from testing for a black belt, I think that’s the best I can do for now. “
We can’t wait to see Alex test for her Black Belt at the end of this year. She is an awesome example and role model to everyone at AMYS, has a positive and enthusiastic energy and is always ready to help teach and help others. We hope this inspires you to keep reaching for your own goals!
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AMYS Martial Arts is a Taekwondo school in Utah with studios in Orem & Draper. Classes are offered for kids (ages 2 & up) and adults and there are programs in Martial Arts, Tumbling, Dance, Summer Camps, and a Transported After School Program. Please contact (801) 432-0853 or info@amysmartialarts.com if you have any questions.
