For as long as I can remember I have always been fascinated with Martial Arts. Since I was an only child for about six years before my brothers were born I would watch Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers growing up, and I would always think how cool it would be to kick and punch and do jumping kicks and use swords and fight the bad guys like the power rangers would. I would always be imitating them around the house and throwing kicks and punches at everything and anything. However, growing up with a very strict and old fashion father he never wanted me to do martial arts. He always told me that Karate was for boys and I was supposed to do more girly sports, and that martial arts was just not an option and to forget about it. So I spent the majority of my childhood life doing everything from ballet, gymnastic, dance, Ice Skating and swimming. And to be honest I hated everything, I wanted to become a black belt and I was determined to be a martial artist even if it meant that I would do when I was older and living on my own!
Around the time when I was in middle school my mom was going to a gym where she was taking cardio kickboxing lessons, and eventually became very good friends with her instructor. As she started talking more to Carmen Alvarez (the kickboxing instructor) she found out that Carmen owned a Tae Kwon Do Academy with her husband and they also taught kickboxing there. Since my mom was the only one at the time to encourage my passion for martial arts she helped convince my dad to let me take cardio kickboxing lessons there, and we told him it was safe it was like an aerobics class and there was no way I could get hurt. So eventually he agreed to let me start training there. I was so excited about doing Kickboxing I would spend every moment I possibly could at the academy. I eventually became very good friends with their head instructor Rodrigo, who would always stay after to help me do kicks properly and work on my technique. After about three months they started offering Contact Kickboxing at the school, and of course I wanted to take it to the next level. My mom and I once again had to team up to convince my dad to let me do it, so eventually we came to an agreement which was if I got injured or came home with a black eye or a broken nose I would have to stop.
I was about 13 years old when I started doing contact kickboxing, not only was I the youngest of the group but I was the only girl. Everyone else in the class was of course men and 16 years old or older, but of course that didnt stop me. I have to admit I was a quick learner and I wouldnt back down, and I would go in there and spar the guys with no fear! I loved every minute of it I couldnt believe that after so many years I was finally doing what Ive always wanted to do I was HOOKED! However, while I was training in the contact kickboxing classes I caught Master Alvarezs eye, and he noticed how passionate I was about the sport and noticed that I a lot of talent and potential (thats what he told me. Im just quoting my old master). Eventually the Master and his wife Carmen brought it to my moms attention and told her I should do Tae Kwon Do. Of course they didnt have to ask me twice I was ready for anything and after that I signed up for the tae kwon do classes instead.
After being in Tae Kwon Do I got exposed to what a black belt was really all about. I realized there were degrees involved and I learned about living your life like a black belt should. The more I got into it the more I learned that martial arts wasnt about kicking really high or punching really hard (well I mean it is but theres more to it), I started learning to focused on my goals, believing in myself, being persistent, and most importantly Never Quit and Never Give Up! I realized earning your black belt was a journey that I was going to have challenges and obstacles I was going to have to face and learn to overcome. Ill be the first to admit that there were times I wanted to quit and give up, and I thought to myself I wasnt good enough, but I always pushed myself to keep going because I love martial arts and it was my passion. My masters noticed the drive I had when I would come to the academy that eventually they offered me to become an instructor at their school and I was not letting that opportunity slip away.
After about 3 years of training in Tae Kwon Do and receiving my first degree black belt under Master Gus Alvarez, I felt that I needed to expand my horizon and open myself to different styles of martial arts. My younger brother Julian was a student at Team Martial Arts for years, so I decided to join him and train by his side! That was the GREATEST decision I have ever made! I had never been so motivated to do my absolute best and train as hard in my entire martial arts career. There I met Master Sensei Jarett Perelmutter, who from the beginning has motivated me and pushed me to become the person I am today. I have surpassed all my expectations and I owe it all to him. I have been a loyal student of since I was 16 years old, and I sadly for him I dont plan on getting another master so he is stuck with me for a while. I never in a million years thought that I would be able to get in an actual ring and fight Muay Thai Kickboxing, but he made it possible for me. He has done nothing but encourage me and make my dreams of becoming the best martial artist I could be come true.
I plan on making martial arts not just a hobby, but a career and lifestyle. I dont ever see myself doing anything else, and after so many years I finally got the support and encouragement that I have always longed for from my dad. He has realized that over the years that it wasnt just about kicking or punching but the whole package and life lessons that come with it. I am a confident and hardworking person because I was involved in martial arts. I was able to stay away from drugs, unhealthy habits, and bad influences because I was strong mentally and physically to say NO from anything that could harm me. Martial Arts has changed my life for the best, and now that I have the opportunity as an instructor to change peoples lives is one of the most rewarding feelings I could ever have