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Should the path to Black Belt be walked in bare feet?

The question of shoes for Taekwondo…

It’s traditional to train barefoot but what if that doesn’t work for you? Is wearing taekwondo shoes for training a cop-out? Only for sooks? First, a story…

My 10 year old son is a rule follower. My son Lucas and I

This might sound like some kind of parental godsend but alas.

What goes with this rule-following territory is a child who is:

  • Mind bogglingly black and white about stuff
  • Meticulous in his pursuit of everything (I mean EVERYTHING!) being fair and
  • Unappreciative of grey areas or compromise.

That’s right! STUBBORN. He gets that from his father! *cough

A small example to demonstrate this character trait (we’ll get to the shoes in a minute)…

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If Marvel had a gang of fierce Taekwondo chicks…

10 kick ass women with legit Black Belt SUPER powers!

If EVER you needed:

  • Encouragement to make Taekwondo a part of your life
  • Inspiration to help you achieve what you NEVER thought possible
  • OR just that satisfyingly smug feeling that comes with knowing that as a member of the #taekwondo tribe, YOU. ARE. AWESOME…

Then fix your fierce tiger glare on the list of incredible women below who have all attained dizzy heights in their chosen field or profession

AND

Who just so happen to ALSO have a Black Belt or higher in Taekwondo.

Knock yourself out.

(I’ve listed these fierce chicks in Alphabetical order as there is simply no way you could order them in terms of rank or importance. They’re all SIMPLY. BRILLIANT)

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Courage under fire: How Taekwondo lit the way for a teen in trouble

In order to rise from its ashes, a phoenix first must burn.

At just 20-years-old, Taekwondo Central Instructor and 3rd Dan Black Belt John Crawford has had to eyeball the kind of demons most of us would like to think NO ONE at his young age should have to stare down.

About two-and-a-half years ago (aged 17) he entered a period of darkness he would rather forget but over the worst of it now, John credits two things for driving him through it.

His Mum.

And Taekwondo.

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My Taekwondo Training is helping me parent my tween

It’s like taking a solid blow to the chest.

That gut-wrenching feeling you get when someone is hurting your child.
And not just once. But over and OVER again.
The fact the one doing the hurting is ALSO another child matters little to the fury you feel inside and the overwhelming desire to strike back. Am I right?
Of course you can’t strike back. And it burns.

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How to be a SUPER HERO parent

Lesson Number One:

Wake up one morning and decide (REALLY decide) every person in your family NEEDS a Black Belt in Taekwondo.
Literally.

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The Master’s Apprentice

Coal under pressure creates diamonds

If you have ever wondered how dedication to the martial arts principles of discipline, respect and courage could benefit you or your children in the long term, you need look no further than the sparkling example set by Taekwondo Central Head Instructor Ajana Plunkett…

This is a rare chance to hear her story, learn more about her taekwondo journey. It’s not an opportunity that comes along often because despite having accomplished so much, Ajana conducts herself with quiet confidence and humility.

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This is a Taekwondo Blog!

Still in the right place? Keen to read about Taekwondo topics and martial arts generally? Maybe you even started training later in life like me? Ok. Excellent!

Thank you for stopping by! This is the place to say G’day! Drop me a comment below, tell me about yourself and your interest in Taekwondo.

Taekwondo blogger Kristy Hitchens aka The Mortal Mouse

Heads up though! This is NOT your traditional Taekwondo Blog. I’m not an instructor so a lot of what you will see here is less about technique and tradition and MORE about encouragement, inspiration and well…fun!

I started Taekwondo after watching my son train for 5 years and just after I turned the big 4-Ohhhhhh. It’s been an utter game-changer for me.

I decided to start a Taekwondo blog because I have made some wonderful connections all over the world with others who love all kinds of martial arts for fun and fitness. I’ve also found many experience the same ‘game-changing’ effect as me.

The story I wrote hoping to inspire others to just HAVE A GO at something new was published on the website of Women’s Health magazine Australia and was shared on Facebook almost 7000 times. It was my first article about Taekwondo so I decided to keep writing and The Mortal Mouse was born.

I hope you will drop by regularly so we can keep in touch or shoot me an email and I’ll add you to my mailing list.

 

 

 

PS: You can also find new and re-published articles by me at the following locations…

World of Martial Arts Television Article 1
World of Martial Arts Television Article 2
Women’s Health Australia Article 2
Women’s Health Australia Article 3
Totally Tae Kwon Do Magazine
Taekwondo Times
Martial Journal

Why taking up Taekwondo in my 40s was the BEST. Thing. EVER!

Am I having a near mid-life crisis?

Is that what this is?

Is this the equivalent of (*gulp!) buying a Harley or red sports car and dating a hot blonde?

All of this and more (MUCH more!) is what went on in my busy brain when I decided to take up martial arts in my 40s – specifically taekwondo and specifically right after I turned 4-Ohhhhhhhh.

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