Dec’23: Lessons I Learned In Martial Arts: Why I Started and What It Taught Me

Here's what I learned from being a martial artist:

From being a shy student to becoming a confident advocate for my health, wellness, and success.

Pre-martial arts me:

• I lost friendships and felt abandoned.
• I was bullied and humiliated in public.
• I was belittled by my manager.
• I struggled with setting personal boundaries.
• I prioritized other people’s needs and feelings before my own.
• I experienced psychological abuse and was constantly distressed.
• I was verbally assaulted and experienced unwanted physical touch.

Current-martial arts me:

• I know who to surround myself with.
• I learned how to protect my energy and time.
• I learned how to speak and stand up for myself.
• I learned how to advocate for my well-being.
• I prioritize taking care of myself before others.
• I found my worth and identified what felt right for me.
• I feel more empowered, confident, and strong.

I have been training at Z-Ultimate Self-Defense Studios for a little over 2 years. Martial arts taught me that anyone can develop courage, take ownership and control of their lives, and overcome adversity. It taught me how to develop myself and realize my potential.

Training in martial arts has taught me the importance of self-exploration, mindfulness, and mental strength. It has shown me that the thoughts and beliefs we hold in our minds greatly influence our results. Since I began practicing meditation and visualization frequently, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see those manifestations and miracles come to life.

For example, I have experienced several milestones such as receiving a $11,000+ scholarship for the first time in my life, getting my first corporate internship offer, passing my first accounting and finance class, earning 1st place in my first-ever double-nunchucks performance at my karate tournament, and many more. I have manifested all of this ever since the start of this year. Martial arts taught me patience, discipline, and perseverance.

Why I Started Martial Arts

1. Self-Investment
2. Self-Defense
3. Self-Knowledge

Self-Investment

The biggest reason why I started martial arts is to invest in myself. Investing in yourself could mean different things to different people. To me, it is about commitment to protecting, transforming, and empowering myself for the better.

Self-Defense

When I first embarked on my journey into martial arts, I was immediately drawn to the nature of the practice. What initially captivated me was the invaluable self-defense skills that I could acquire, ensuring my personal safety and well-being in any situation. Additionally, the physicality of martial arts, with its rigorous training and demanding physical movements, appealed to my desire for a challenging and fulfilling workout. The movements involved in martial arts mesmerized me, as it seemed like a powerful yet beautiful dance that harmonized both strength and agility.

Self-Knowledge

Deep down, I feel like I am a performer at heart. I have always enjoyed various forms of performance, such as playing music, singing in choir, creating art through painting, and dancing ballet. That's why I was attracted to the self-defense program, as it offered artistic value alongside its practical benefits.

I joined the program to learn how I could apply practical techniques in the real world. As I continue to be a student, I start to realize that the main reason I started martial arts is about self-discovery and self-exploration. Practical applications are important, but the most important quality I learned in this journey is self-awareness and personal development — growing stronger emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

How Martial Arts Makes Me Feel

I liked that practicing martial arts was all about harnessing my raw inner power into a punch or a kick.

I remember the feeling when I first executed a roundhouse spinning hook kick on the kicking pads. I felt like my body awakened for the first time. It felt electric. I found myself in a blissful place. At that moment, I felt like I discovered the power within me. It felt amazing. I remember driving home that day with a big smile on my face.

Here’s My First Board-Breaking Experience:

It took many tries. It took some patience, breathwork, and the mentality of not giving up. But most importantly, I was surrounded by a supportive community.

The dojo has become more than just “self-investment, self-defense, and self-knowledge”. It is a place where I have found a community where I belong and thrive.

Thanks to the positive energy and vibes of my fellow dojo friends and instructors, I was able to power through 2 wooden boards!

A moment I won’t forget.

Watch the rest of my MMA playlist, including my 4-week progress of learning nunchucks! YouTube Channel attached below.

What does self-investment look like to you? What activities help empower you? What gives you strength? How do you advocate for your health, wellness, and success?

I'd love to hear some thoughts in the comments below!

If you know anyone who is also a martial artist, I’d love to connect with them!

Thank you for reading my newsletter.

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