I looked at the two one-inch boards my friend was holding and let out a breath. As I relaxed my body, thinking about the round kick I was about to execute, I remembered I had not broken two boards with this kick since I took first place in a tournament at age seventeen.
That was a long time ago, forty years ago to be exact.
I had been working hard, building muscles and flexibility over the years. When I first returned to Taekwondo at age 50 I could not perform this kick at all, not even at knee level. It took seven years to get to this moment, I felt ready.
There is something about flesh and bone coming into contact with solid wood. You either break the boards or injure your foot. Boards may not “hit back” as the saying goes, but they sure can leave a mark. You have to commit to the action, you cannot hesitate.
I took a moment, focused and gave it all I had. Half the battle is in your head, I tell myself.
That short moment of victory took years of work to achieve. Was it worth the sacrifice?
Perhaps it’s because my 3rd Dan test is roughly a month away, I have been thinking a lot about what it takes to get to the “next level” in my training. I realize that in order to improve, it is going to take sacrificing other things. Am I willing to do what it takes?
I have seen many adults approach their practice of Martial Arts with the desire of losing weight, to look better, or to simply have a healthy body. These goals are the results of practice, but not the goal. We strive for continued improvement of technique resulting in a balance spirit, mind and body. It is about chasing our potential.
“Most people are not living as much as they can. Psychologically and spiritually, human potential far exceeds its actual use. The martial artist strives to find the secret of being able to live fully in the continuous present, not momentarily, but always. There’s no advantage in a long life (measured chronologically) if it is an unfulfilled life. The martial arts seek to bring to flower man’s capacity for fulfillment that is his capacity for happiness.” -Sang Kyu Shim, “The Making of a Martial Artist”
If there is one thing that drives me, it is to discover and accomplish what I am capable of and to see others do the same.
“To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one’s potential” -Bruce Lee
The martial artist practices his or her art as a way of life. This process has no ending. I was recently asked by a new martial artist how long it took me to perfect my stances? My answer, I’m still in the process of perfecting them. Each practice we strive to get better, to improve our movements, and only with time do we see tangible results.
This life takes sacrifice. The older we get, the more choices we have to make that our younger counterparts don’t have to. We have to ask ourselves all the time, what am I eating that has a negative impact on my health? Am I sleeping enough? Am I staying hydrated? Did I have a few too many drinks? Am I pushing my body just a little more, doing that move or Poomsae just one more time? Did I push too much? 
Oh, to be young again!
It is a fact that as we get older we can continue to improve, but we have to be willing to make different choices. We have to make sacrifices to meet our goals.
“While there is not much one can do to change heredity, there is a great deal one can do to make the most of one’s advantages and to minimize one’s disadvantage … Students will assess in a realistic way both what he has in his favor and in his disfavor. Realizing what his true potential is, the trainee then works assiduously and consistently at achieving his full potential.” – Sang Kyu Shim, “Promise and fulfillment in the art of Taekwondo”
We reach milestones, as with my board break, or passing a belt test, but we never achieve the ultimate goal of perfection.
The Martial Artist looks first at the habits and thoughts of himself and his efforts are focused on self-improvement. We strive to be a better version of ourselves, to dig deep and find our true selves. Because the path begins inward, it naturally flows to treating others better and with respect. As Grand Master Kim (my instructor) often says, “Taekwondo begins and ends with respect”. We begin with respect for ourselves and end with respect for others.
Was it worth it for me? Yes, absolutely.
Is it worth it to you?
Editor’s Note: For another good read on the perspective of an adult martial artists, be sure to also check out Kristy Hitchens’ “What Taekwondo In My 40s Taught Me About The Age Excuse“!
- Martial Arts Through The Years: An interview With Michael Robishaw - January 12, 2023
- The Life of an Adult Martial Artist: Is It Worth the Sacrifice? - June 18, 2022
- Motivation and Age: Do You Have Something “Still in the Basement”? - June 11, 2022
At 47 I am still going strong with Muay Thai it is pretty hard on the body but the bumps and many aches are worth it. My fitness is so far ahead of most of my friends around the same age and even some who are 15 years younger. I will keep pushing until the very last. Keep pushing, it’s easy to give in to the aches but until you look in the mirror and see a person capable of much more than is expected you won’t recognize the benefits of martial arts at an older age.
Respect to you, Dave for still going strong! I totally agree, keep kicking, my friend!