"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

So what prompted me to find out more? Well being scared…..not a great feeling is it?

I’d seen lots on the news about violence against women and wanted to take practical steps to allow me to protect myself in a threatening situation.

I’d no idea what Tang Soo Doo was or what it involved and came across the group in a Facebook post. I messaged Liam and he invited me along to a training session.

I was really nervous going to a new place, with new people that I didn’t know, to learn about something I knew nothing about either. Wow! That first session was a complete reset. A warm and welcoming group - mixed ages, skill levels, some family groups….all with one thing in common….. and so incredibly welcoming. The energy levels from Liam and the group were out of this world and I came away from that first session energised and looking forward to getting started.

Each week has been more of the same, everyone is so encouraging providing coaching and guidance on technique, forms and information on the Tang Soo Doo heritage.

I’m married with a full time stressful job, a daughter who is a tween and I’m peri menopausal ………I’m not going to pretend that motivation comes easy, what I do know is that each week that I go, I come away feeling proud that I’m on the path to achieving my goal and energised.

I don’t know if I’ll want to compete - and there is absolutely no pressure to do so.

I’m incredibly grateful for the welcome I’ve had and would encourage anyone who is curious to come along and watch a training session, you’ll not regret it.

By Clare L

10th Gup