Be Better Than Me – My Martial Arts Training
As a young Taekwondo student,
I remember as a blue belt training in class with my friends after school each day. I was in the 6th grade and absolutely loved going to Taekwondo class almost every afternoon after school. My instructor always trained us hard. Making us do push-ups, run jump kicks, self-defense, stretching and repetition, repetition, repetition. I loved every minute of it! Since my parents trained in Taekwondo in the adult class I would get to stay at the studio and watch them train. I watched with amazement as he flawlessly did his kick and forms. He was amazing! As a child I wanted to be just like him; teaching martial arts and being able to fly through the air with such ease and grace. (One of those dreams came true. LOL)
My Instructor Surprised Me!
One of the traditions at the end of the kids’ class was for him to walk us in a line to the water fountain. Besides being glad to get a drink, standing in line and talking to him was always fun. For those few quiet moments he would talk about his day, or what he used to do in Korea when he was a child in class, and we were all captivated by his stories. On this particular day he told us that he hoped when we were black belts, we would be better than him. Better than him? I was so confused! Why would he want us to be better than him? Didn’t he want to be the best…ever? It took me a few years of maturing to understand that he truly meant what he said. He cared about each of us as his students and truly wanted to see us grow and learn and become better than him in many ways. As a martial artist, an instructor and a person.
Pay it Forward
Having been an instructor myself now for 35 years and a parent for close to 30 years, I want my students and my children to be better than me, too. I am sure each generation wants the next generation to experience higher success than they did. What we need to remember as we do teach, lead, and parent, is that someone needed to show us the way. In order for the next generation to be more successful, we must show them the way. It’s a big responsibility and one that instructors carry every day. The instructor uniform has a yoke around the collar symbolizing a burden, a burden most instructors gladly carry. The burden itself is to always lead by example. My instructor taught me about humility and love that day as a child in class. I’m glad I get the opportunity to share the same lessons with my students today and I sincerely hope, each one will be better than me.
With Encouragement,
Amanda Olson https://olsonsma.com
https://www.facebook.com/amanda.olson.587
423-926-9161
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,
Glenn, Amanda, Keith and Katie Olson
olsonsma@olsonsma.com