By Amie Schake
After many years of trying to have a child, our dreams were finally answered on May 9, 2010. Addison was a blessing to us from the beginning. My husband and I had to undergo in vitro fertilization to have her. Addison was always eager to learn new things. She was always a very happy child. Being an only child had its positives and its negatives. She always received 100 percent of the attention, which she loved, but she didn’t have a sibling to build that bond and learn how to compete for things.
Addison tried several different activities. She played soccer for a little while and even tried ice skating. Addison was trying to find an activity that suited her at that time. While she loved both, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. She was young, and we wanted her to find something that she loved.
Around that time, she was also dealing with a bully at school. The girl said she wanted to be her friend, but she would get mad if Addison talked to anyone else. She was struggling with how to handle the situation with that girl. It was difficult for her. She is a very sweet and kindhearted person. She was trying to cut ties with the girl but didn’t want to hurt her feelings either. We weren’t getting much help from the school in handling the situation. My husband and I decided she needed to gain some confidence and learn some self-defense as well. So, we decided to give martial arts a try. Addison was hesitant at first. She thought martial arts was just about fighting, which she was not interested in. We explained that martial arts was about more than just the physical aspect of it. We convinced her to go to a trial lesson before she decided. After that session, she was hooked. Before we knew it, the whole family had signed up.
Addison and I decided to take the three-year black belt path, while at the same time, her dad decided to go with Krav Maga. It was such an amazing experience to do as a family. She was so excited to learn each new form and weapon form. She was soaking up each lesson like a sponge. Memorizing the techniques and moves seemed to come easy to her. She was eagerly learning as much as she could. Each cycle also had a word for them to focus on, like “commitment.” They were learning more than just martial arts. They were learning valuable life skills. I believe the focus on these important terms helped to shape Addison into who she is today.
She learned the value of commitment to her sport and herself. Before long, we went from classes twice a week to being there five to six days a week. Her issue with the bully was no longer an issue. She felt confident enough to stand up for herself and make her own decisions. Addison was thriving at the dojo. Soon, she started helping as a student instructor.
Addison had transformed from a shy only child to a confident young lady. She was helping the younger students learn their forms. She was so happy to be a leader and a good role model. Not long into her journey, her instructors talked to her about competing in tournaments. While Addison was hesitant at first, she decided to dive into it. She was so nervous at her first tournament, but she put her heart into it and placed in all of her events. For her next tournament, she convinced me to compete as well. That year, we both earned State Champion status. It was such a great experience for us to share. Going to the tournaments sparked her competitive drive. She embraced the nervous feeling before competing. She learned to channel that energy into being the best she could be.
Right after that second tournament, Covid hit, and everything changed. While social distancing and closed facilities changed how the class was conducted, Addison never missed a beat. She continued her black belt journey via Zoom classes, practicing on her own and, eventually, smaller classes. During this time, her main instructor also moved away. Addison had a special bond with him. It was very hard to see him go, even though we knew it was best for him. Addison didn’t let either of these moments set her back. She was determined to get her black belt no matter what.
Eventually, the dojo opened back up, and classes continued as close to normal as they could. Addison continues to push herself to reach her goals. Her hard work paid off, and she received her black belt in the summer of 2021! She had grown so much as an individual. While getting her black belt was an amazing accomplishment, she had gained so much more than that over the three years. Life lessons that will stay with her for her entire life. She learned about dedication, integrity, and the value of hard work. She set goals and achieved them.
Addison was getting older, and while she still loved Tae-Kwando, she decided she wanted to get back into soccer. While her martial arts journey ended there, the lessons and values she gained from her experience stayed with her. When Addison sets a goal, she sticks with it and does everything she can to reach out. She doesn’t let anything or anyone stand in her way.
Addison has been playing soccer again for the last 4 years. She trains with her team three times a week. She also does additional smaller group practices with her coach; in addition to that, she has been training at the gym with a s
strength trainer. All through middle school, she would get up at 5 am twice a week to go to the gym before school. She has been training at the gym for over three years. Her consistent dedication to training was developed through her training at the dojo.
She knows that if she wants to achieve something, she has to put in the work. This year, she was invited to play with her Club’s top National team in Phoenix, Arizona, and the International Team in Barcelona, Spain! Both of these teams consist of the top players in her club from all over the United States. I strongly believe her dedication and commitment to her sport and herself came from her years in martial arts.
Addison hopes to play soccer in college and maybe even professionally. I can’t wait to see where her hopes and dreams lead her. We are so thankful to the Instructors and classmates she worked with during her years of martial arts training. Lifelong friends and memories were made through our years at the dojo.