"My name is Ann-Marie McDonnell, I am a 1st Dan in Tang Soo Do. I attended my first martial arts class at the age of eight, and have tried a number of the different arts over the years.
As soon as my son turned five, I was very keen that he joined a martial arts class. I had heard of Johnson's Tang Soo Do, that it was a family orientated club, with lots of experience and whose chief instructor, a 6th Dan, still taught children's classes. I was very impressed by the club and the people within it. However, after being at home with my children for five years I could not muster the courage to join in, so my son joined on his own.
For two years, I sat on the side wanting to get involved and then my 30th Birthday loomed, I was overweight at 14 and a half stone, I smoked 20 cigarettes a day, lacked self confidence and self esteem. It was a case of get off my posterior and give it a go or stay like this and most likely worse. So that was the beginning, and soon I was addicted.
I started increasing my training frequency and intensity and was forever training at home. After 6 months my confidence had increased, I felt better about myself, and I had started to lose weight. I decided that it was time to put my martial arts training to the test and see if I had progressed enough to give up smoking, and sure enough I had. I have never looked back, only forward to my next challenge.
It was not long before I found myself training 10 - 12 times a week (including 6am classes), taking my first Dan Grade and seriously thinking about becoming an instructor. I have enjoyed assisting in classes and found that teaching has deepened my understanding and knowledge of the art.
I am now working towards my 2nd Dan, training hard, loving teaching and encouraging as many people as I can to live life, try new things and set new challenges and goals.
IF I CAN DO IT WHY NOT GIVE IT A SHOT!

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