A Bend in My Martial Arts Road
Positive Attitude – A Bend in the Road
The beginning of something different. A bend in the road of life. Sometimes we create those bends and sometimes those bends create us. Either way they exist and how we embrace them makes all the difference. In 1999, right in the prime of my Martial Arts training and new and exciting growing business, quite unexpectedly and without warning, my back went out. It was moving day. We were moving from a tiny 1,500 square foot martial arts school with about ten parking spaces and no office, to a 3,000 square foot building with an office, upstairs storage and what at the time seemed like plenty of workout space for the students.
I was at home and dropped something on the floor, bent over to pick it up and 8 weeks later took my first walk around the block in my neighborhood. Two little kids, a brand-new business location and here I am stuck on the couch because the bed was too high to roll in and out of. I literally had to crawl to the bathroom and could not stand to shower for 4 weeks. It was painful, depressing, and scary. The future I had envisioned did not include this sort of time stop. After surgery, I could walk and that was such a relief. At my post-op checkup, I was told to take it easy and not to think about kicking ever again. What, was I crazy for even asking? I was 31. Talk about a New Horizon. Martial Arts was (is) my life.
Well, I am 55 now, still kicking. My business is thriving, my kids are grown, and I enjoy my life and being able to move, each and every day. Life threw me a bend in the road. I adapted. Some of my personal athletic goals were not going to be reached because of this physical injury, but so many of my other goals were still very much attainable. I had to reassess, get a new road map, and work with the body I had. Sure, there were some very difficult days of recovery, painful and depressing, but I never quit focusing on my life and my dreams. I am so thankful for the life I have and each day without pain is a gift. That bend in the road taught me I was a strong and determined woman who wasn’t going to let life kick her around. I learned I could kick back, literally and figuratively. Thanks be to God and my family for helping me navigate the bend in the road.
Master Character Lessons
Grand Master Amanda Illescas
Life Lessons to Compliment the Jr. Leadership Program Guide
A culmination of lessons learned as a Martial Artist and Instructor.
True stories of a life well lived, so far.
Grand Master Amanda Illescas
Amanda Olson-Illescas is an award-winning author and co-owner of Olson’s Martial Arts Academy in Johnson City, TN. She has over 40 years training and teaching in Martial Arts and has raised a team of instructors and leaders to continue her vision. She teaches weekly in her studio and is passionate about equipping students of all ages to reach their full potential. olsonsma@olsonsma.com
From the Olson Family
We would first like to say, “Welcome!” It is our goal to provide the best martial arts training in a safe and encouraging environment. As a family we have devoted our lives to not only training the physical aspects of martial arts to thousands of people but the mental and emotional aspects, as well. Our goal is to help each student achieve Black Belt and Beyond. The reason for this is that we know from over 40 years of experience teaching martial arts that when a student experiences the awarding of a Black Belt, they soar with confidence.
What it Takes to become a Black Belt
It takes commitment, perseverance, goal setting and a strong work ethic to earn that belt. Even at a young age people know that a black belt in martial arts means something important. It shows you don’t quit, you don’t give up. That you have what it takes! Once you’ve done that, you know you can do anything you set your mind to; like getting into a great college, starting a career, making the team, anything you want. We love to hear the success stories of our students after they have gone off to college and started lives and families of their own. However, we are not surprised by their success. We already know they have what it takes to live their dream.
Character Development
Another goal we have as a family is to support families and help reinforce the qualities of character you desire for your child to have. Our proven character development and leadership program includes lessons from making eye contact to handling conflict. Also, speaking up and showing confidence ,as well as, standing strong for what you believe is right. Our desire is to train black belts who are not only highly skilled in the art of self-defense but who are kind, compassionate, confident citizens of our communities. People who have a strong work ethic and will show “Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Respect”, everywhere they go.
Let us Partner with You!
Because of this, we want to partner with you, the parents and families, in helping give your child a strong foundation in values, to be able to stand up for themselves and others, to make good choices, and to live a healthy lifestyle. Please don’t hesitate to speak with us if there is ever a point where we can help with question or concerns from motivation to troubles with bullying. We are committed to helping each of our students live a happier, safer and more confident life.
Sincerely,
Grand Master Amanda Olson-Illescas, Master Keith Olson, Ms. Katie McKinney
olsonsma.com
olsonsma@olsonsma.com
Copyright 2024 by Grand Master Amanda Illescas
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