Results are not skin deep

Many people try martial arts in their life time, I often hear people say "I used to do karate" or "I got to green belt in Judo", even more I hear people say "I wish I'd kept going, I'd be a black belt by now". In reflection people often see the value that Martial Arts has brought to those who have moved beyond seeing it has a hobby, an activity or a sport, but have invested in it to the point it becomes part of their lifestyle.

I have been training in martial arts for over 35 years now and just like brushing my teeth i can't imagine not doing it. Similarly I feel the same way about weight lifting and cardiovascular exercise, though i have to admit, I enjoy my martial arts much more!

When you persist at something to the point you succeed, over a number of years, the result is often you have not only developed a new skill, but grown as a person, learning more about yourself, your capacity for facing and taking on challenges, and that hard work, when applied consistently over time pays off.

One of the great things about the time we live in is that information about and the opportunity to try new things is immense. However i feel the downside to this, is that it has led more people to giving up on things much faster, because there is always "the next thing" to try instead. A great life lesson of martial arts is that, in order to be really good at it, it take time, commitment, perseverance and dedication to succeed, that means you have to learn to be patient, and not give up when you feel like you're not moving forward or things seem hard.

Life is just like this, you want something, but in the adult world you discover you're neither entitled too it, or going to get it unless you create the resources or actions to enable that achievement.

It saddens me that many people now are so quick to "quit" (a word that would horrify most people 15 years ago) an activity, job or hobby, because it got a little tough, it wasn't enjoyed for the period during this time and rather than persist to get the result that was set out for, they simply give up.

My own journey in martial arts from 9 years of age through to 47 has been a rollercoaster of enjoyment, frustration, disinterest and excitement. However after the initial pushing of my parents through adolescence and then pushing myself not to give up during the "good times" at University, I have achieved my goals, and my dreams both on and off the mat.

I wonder what life would be like if iI had quit. It would be a very different world, and i'm so grateful to have experienced mine, despite set back and hardships along the way.

At our dojo we strive to share the joy we have experienced, the opportunities we have been given and the power that martial arts instils in its practitioners. We are coaching because we received something profound from our training experience and journey and it has been something so wonderful we want everyone to have the chance to experience the same.

So if you are starting out, half way through, or thinking about beginning, I am here to tell you that it's not easy, you will feel like giving up at times, but it most certainly is worth it. I've never met a Black Belt who said "I wish I hadn't bothered", but I have met countless ones who tell me what a great impact it has had on their life.