All experiences in life whether good or bad, shape who we are and it is up to us to use them to create the best version of ourselves.

From the minute I hit the first pad I felt my Light turn on. At the time I had no idea what it was but I felt something happen that I liked and I wanted more. 
Over the years I have discovered that 'Light' and have learnt to use it to heal my darkness. And discovered a passion to guide others to discover their Light, regardless of what has happened to them.

This year I have been lucky enough to be invited to attend a special orange belt group once a month on a Saturday morning with the Chief Instructor. It's been such a privilege to be invited to this class as Master Rob really starts to break down how the techniques of the Orange Belt grade really flow together.

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson said "Evil is the force that believes its knowledge is complete." In this class everyone has been training close to 10 years if not more and I get the real sense that no one at the class feels like their knowledge is complete and especially not after Master Rob begins to unveil how all the pieces fit together, the depth of knowledge Rob has on a seemingly simple technique is unfathomable.

Just on 5 years ago, my son Sam, at 11yo, started his Arakan Martial Art® training. Like anything new, learning takes time and application. He made progress quickly and this was aided very much by his initial instructor Ryan Robbie. Ryan’s patient, supportive instruction helped guide Sam through these early years working closely on developing his technique and timing.

In the following years Sam also trained with Nathan Hinga in his Level 1 class. The improvement he achieved in his technique, conditioning and feeding skills was easy to see. He was always pumped to attend his lessons and we noticed a maturity developing in him which we attributed to what he was learning and the time spent with his instructors and fellows students.