Brougham Week 2

 Karate:

   The first five years of my life were very erratic. I moved six times during this span, and my parents always talk about the effect this had on me. Although I was young, my parents noticed that I was not social when it came time for me to go to preschool or kindergarten. My teachers would talk about how shy I was and how this could be an issue. This prompted my kindergarten teacher to recommend Action Karate Nazareth to my mom. Her son was currently enrolled and loved it, so she thought the program would be a good fit for me. Although I begged my mom to not sign up, she insisted on it. To this day, that has been one of the best decisions she has ever made for me. I have learned many life skills in this school where I would have never learned anywhere else.

    Like mentioned earlier, I was always very shy. I had no friends in preschool or kindergarten, and I was fine with that. Action Karate Nazareth has brought me so far out of my shell. After training for 3 years, I was able to earn my junior black belt at the age of eight. Earning this belt sparked my confidence. It helped me believe that I really could do whatever I put my mind to. Luckily, I was always naturally gifted in this sport. My technique was great, I had amazing flexibility, and I was able to do super cool tricks, such as certain flips. This prompted my invitation to a traveling competition team. I was a member of the team for around 6 years, and now have been a captain for the last year. These two events are two of the most important events of my life. My belt and invitation happened around the same time, and they both skyrocketed my confidence. Being force to perform and do crazy tricks across the country in front of judges and audiences was something I never thought I would be able to do. We would perform at half time shows, schools, movie theaters, and annual competitions located in Washington DC and Ocean City Maryland. These all helped me gain confidence

    Over the past eleven years, I have tested for my junior black belt at the age of eight, my first degree black belt when I was eleven, and my second degree black belt when I was fourteen. On this track, I should have my third degree right before I turn 18 in June of 2022. All three occasions were four hour long tests. They were three of the most difficult moments in my life. Knowing that I accomplished these helps me in my everyday life by reminding myself that I can get through anything I put my mind to. On top of this, I have started teaching. I teach each age level class offered (3-7,7-12,12 and up). I teach four classes every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday night, each class around 25 students. I also teach the Junior and Senior competition team every Sunday morning. This was another thing I never thought I could have been able to do. I was always scared of public speaking, however now doing it five days a week in front of groups of 20+, this is no longer an issue for me.

    Although this doesn't relate to my confidence, I feel as if it would be wrong to talk about my journey without mentioning the relationships I have made along the way. I have met such amazing people here, as well as three of my very best friends. Most of these friends have come from the team that I am on. There is such a strong connection that we have which will never be forgotten. All of the memories of the nerves right before we go on, or all of the team parties we have, or just the eventful practices, will always live in our minds. Below is a picture of the staff at one our (covid safe) Halloween party. Being the youngest, working with all of these amazing adults is eye opening. There is me, sixteen, one of my best friends, nineteen, another guy who is 20, and then a bunch of adults that are 30+. One would think the age differences would keep us from working well together, but some of the closest people in my life are literal parents, however I consider them my best friends. Overall, my martial arts journey is, and has been, an amazing, eventful, and life changing journey that I will forever hold close to my heart.