What Tae Kwon Do has Done for Me

By Maddy Conover

When people hear that I do Tae kwon do they automatically ask what belt are you? Of coarse I tell them that I am a black belt for I am. When I tell them they want me to show them some moves. They always ask me insane questions like “can you break a brick?” or “can you smash a board?” I have never tried, but I think it would be hard.

Tae Kwon Do has opened my mind. When I go to class I feel that I am learning, not only from the masters but also, from my classmates. They have taught me many strategies and methods. I have also taught them many strategies that I learned from those older and wiser, students.

Tae Kwon Do has made me more flexible, and strong. When I first started I was younger and much weaker. I learned to kick higher. I have learned to do the splits. I learned through pain and through sweat. When I am sad or disappointed Tae Kwon Do helps me. It makes me alive and full of energy. I become a flaming dragon ready to destroy anything in my path. Punching and kicking takes out the anger or stress. This helps me to relax and punch and kick out my troubles.

Tae Kwon Do has increased my courage. When I used to think I couldn’t do something, Tae Kwon Do would always be there waiting to help. Courage is something that I will need throughout my life. It changed my feelings towards myself and opened them to others.

I have been doing Tae kwon Do since I was a young girl. I began in first grade. It was hard to get into, but Ms. Pucciarelli helped me through. Ms. Pucciarelli was always there and willing to watch me do my forms one last time through. Since the first day I walked through the door screaming and kicking, I have achieved many of my goals. I have made new friends that I look forward to see at my classes. And I have even learned some Korean.

Tae Kwon Do has inspired me to start small and dream big. Achieving my goals is one of the best feelings I could have.