Leading the Next Generation of Marital Artist

When my family joined the Taekwondo school in Panama City, FL, in 1978 we were all in.  Whatever special event was going on we were there and that included every tournament we could attend.  At the time there were many tournaments to choose from around the entire country.  So, every two months (for the next 20 years) we were competing somewhere, mostly in the Southeastern United States.  Sometimes we traveled alone as a family but very often we traveled in caravans with other students and families.  We would stop at rest stops along the way to stretch our legs and play football and hang out.  We took breaks at restaurants and there was always an adult table and a kids table.  We would talk and laugh and develop friendships.  We would practice our form in the parking lots of gas stations and of course we always found some place to practice at our hotel.  We met lots of interesting people along the way and the road to competition was filled with excitement and anticipation.

On the way home we told countless stories of our experiences and lessons learned.  There were some disappointments and some victories but there was always fun.  We learned how to lose and win with grace.  We learned how to congratulate the victors and how to console those who didn’t do as well as they had hoped.  We learned that win or lose; you were going to come back and train harder and work on your technique to get ready for the next event.

Quitting was never an option. We learned that we were a team and we were surrounded by people who liked us for who we were, not whether or not we were awesome.  Don’t get me wrong, we all, myself included, wanted to win and be champions.  There were many times that we were.  As I look back though, it’s the people and the good times had that I really remember.  The lessons I learned; how to gracefully take a win, how to humbly take a loss and knowing that either way my job was to go home and work to improve.  The confidence that comes with these types of lessons has carried me so far through life.  I am not going to not try something for fear of losing.  Sometimes I fail, be it athletics or business, but I always look for the lessons I can learn through the experience and get right back out there and try again.  I hope you will do the same.

Master Character Lessons
Grand Master Amanda Illescas

Life Lessons to Compliment the Jr. Leadership Program Guide
A culmination of lessons learned as a Martial Artist and Instructor.
True stories of a life well lived, so far.
Grand Master Amanda Illescas

Amanda Olson-Illescas is an award-winning author and co-owner of Olson’s Martial Arts Academy in Johnson City, TN. She has over 40 years training and teaching in Martial Arts and has raised a team of instructors and leaders to continue her vision.  She teaches weekly in her studio and is passionate about equipping students of all ages to reach their full potential.  ol******@ol******.com