I started TKD later in life, at the tender age of 21 (actually 31) in 2017. I wanted to find something that would improve my core strength and flexibility to ultimately improve my running. It certainly worked. But I got more than what I bargained for. I never thought I would like a contact sport, I didn’t think I could hit someone and didn’t think I would like to be hit. But TKD is so much more. It taught me that I was not made of glass, and gave me more resilience, both physically and mentally. The people in the club quickly became family. As advised by my fellow students, I participated in a small competition when just a yellow tag. I walked away with a gold trophy in sparring, and met loads of new people from other clubs. I participated in many more competitions, and saw those from other clubs again, and they too became a family.

I participated in the world championship as a yellow belt, winning 4 fights to achieve gold. I got to travel to compete in the European championship in Croatia participating in both patterns, PS sparring and continuous sparring and achieved 3 golds, and lady of the tournament.

Nearly 5 years after starting TKD, I have achieved my black belt and have completed umpires course. During pregnancy I am not competing, but I can still visit my TKD family in competitions, umpire at the events and cheer on my fellow students. I now help teach in the classes, helping and watching other students develop, I love to watch how people grow with TKD.

TKD is so much more than a sport to me, it has taught me the discipline and self-control to manage other aspects in my life. I have managed to lose weight and stay healthy, I started at heavy weight, and can now maintain a middle weight healthily. It has given me close friends from near and far. I plan to continue my journey with TKD, developing my qualifications and skills. It has become a part of me. I cannot imagine my life without it.