1 How old were you when you started training?
39
2. How do you maintain your work / life balance, has there ever been a time when work was threatening to get in the way and what made you decide to keep training?
Work and life in general gets in the way of doing the things that you want to do, and sometimes it impossible to do everything but once I made the decision that I would do karate, I do everything I can to make the classes twice a week. We have to have a regular baby sitter on a Tuesday for Molly but we have made it work. It has become a way of life.
4. Did you ever feel like quitting training?
Sometimes when I’m tired or not feeling great I wonder if I have the energy for a class but am always pleased that I made the effort and always have a great time and feel very pleased with myself after!
5. Has martial arts had an affect on any areas of your life outside of the dojo? (health, stress, confidence…)
I am so much fitter, I have dropped at least a dress size, feel more confident and actually wore a bikini on holiday in the summer, which I’ve not done for about ten years! Also I love telling people that I do karate and kick boxing, I love seeing how surprised they are!
6. What would your advice be to anyone considering martial arts?
Just give it a go, if I can do it anyone can!
8. What did you think about your first few classes or first time at an ECKA class?
The first time I came was to bring my son to the juniors class and I decided there and then that I wanted to have a go. It took me a few months to pluck up the courage to have a go, and also to decide that I could fit it into my life. Once I had made the decision and the commitment, the rest was history!
9. What is the thing you enjoy the most in your training? Have you achieved more than you thought (if so what?)
I love the fact that I am fitter and stronger. I feel pleased that I can keep up with the men! I have achieved way more than I thought I could, and am aiming for black belt before I’m 45!