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The journey to black belt is often seen as a straightforward path—start your training, progress through the ranks, and eventually achieve mastery. But as with many things in life, the reality is rarely so simple. My own journey to black belt was anything but linear. It took 7.5 years of dedicated training, but in truth, it took until I was 38 years old to reach that goal—a journey that began when I was 14 and included many twists and turns along the way.
I first stepped onto the mats when I was 14 years old, eager to learn Kung Fu and immerse myself in the world of martial arts. Like many teenagers, I was drawn to the discipline, the challenge, and the idea of becoming stronger both physically and mentally. For five years, I trained with dedication, slowly working my way up the ranks. But then, life intervened.
At 19, I joined the Navy, and my training came to an abrupt halt. Duty called, and for the next several years, my focus shifted away from martial arts. The Navy taught me a different kind of discipline and strength, but there was always a part of me that missed the training, the practice, and the journey I had started as a teenager.
In my late 20s, life allowed me to return to the mats. I was older, perhaps a little wiser, but I quickly realized that the journey was far from over. Starting again was both humbling and invigorating. I had to rebuild my skills, rekindle my passion, and once again commit to the long road ahead. But just as before, life had other plans.
Work, responsibilities, and the demands of adulthood interrupted my training once again. The dream of earning my black belt remained, but it had to wait as I navigated the challenges of career and family. Still, the lessons of martial arts—patience, persistence, and resilience—never left me. They guided me through the ups and downs, reminding me that the journey was just as important as the destination.
In my 30s, I was finally able to return to training, this time with a new motivation—my family. Training alongside my loved ones brought a deeper sense of fulfillment to the journey. It was no longer just about earning a black belt for myself; it was about sharing the experience with those closest to me. The years of interrupted training, the starts and stops, all culminated in this final push toward mastery.
At 38 years old, I finally achieved my black belt. It was a moment of immense pride, not just because of the rank, but because of everything it represented. The black belt wasn’t just a symbol of skill—it was a testament to persistence, to overcoming obstacles, and to staying true to a goal, no matter how long it takes.
Reflecting on my journey, I’m reminded of the wisdom from the character Hundred Eyes in Marco Polo: “Kung Fu. It means, 'supreme skill from hard work.'” Mastery, whether in martial arts, fitness, or any other pursuit, isn’t achieved overnight. It takes practice, preparation, and endless repetition. It’s about showing up day after day, year after year, even when life gets in the way.
The journey to black belt taught me that there’s no shortcut to true strength. The setbacks, the pauses, and the challenges were all part of the process. Each time I returned to training, I brought with me the lessons learned from life outside the dojo. Those experiences made me not just a better martial artist, but a better person.
In the end, the black belt is just a piece of cloth. The real reward lies in the journey itself—the years of hard work, the resilience to keep going despite obstacles, and the growth that comes from pushing beyond your limits. Whether it’s in martial arts, fitness, or any other area of life, the lessons are the same: Mastery takes time, and the journey is where the true value lies.
So if you’re facing setbacks, if your progress seems slow, or if life keeps pulling you away from your goals, remember this: The path to mastery isn’t a straight line. It’s filled with detours, pauses, and restarts. But as long as you keep moving forward, keep showing up, and keep pushing yourself, you’ll get there. And when you do, you’ll realize that the journey itself was the greatest achievement of all.