What Karate Means to Me: Inspiring Black Belt Essays

At KarateBuilt Martial Arts, every Black Belt represents more than years of training — it represents perseverance, courage, and growth. Before their Black Belt testing, each student writes an essay reflecting on what karate has meant to them. These essays aren’t just words; they’re a glimpse into the hearts of young martial artists who’ve learned the meaning of dedication.

Below are two powerful essays from some of our younger Black Belts, sharing what their journey has taught them.

🥋 What Karate Has Meant to Me

By Curtis Holm

The first time I went to karate, I was very scared. I didn’t know anyone. But with each lesson, I learned more and was more confident. I learned who each instructor was and their name. My favorite instructor was Mr. Thorton. Mr. Thorton taught me a Johng-bong routine for competition. This is now my favorite weapon because of him. He was really fun and patient with me. I did my first competition when I was an orange belt with his weapon and got first place. I was nervous and happy.

My other favorite instructors are Ms. Stephanie Carnell & Ms. Ashley Carnell. They are both kind and super good at karate. Ms. Stephanie started when she was my age, and I want to do karate for a long time like she has. During graduation times, I always felt like I could ask them for extra help, and they helped me a lot with forms or weapons. They are great instructors.

Karate helped me to be stronger and more physical. It also helped me to be better disciplined. I have better goals, like getting my black belt. I’ve been helped by good karate instructors who are patient. I would also like to be a karate instructor someday and help other kids, like a second job.

When my parents got divorced, karate helped me a lot. I was sad, but when I came to class, I could focus on my forms or weapons. All the instructors were kind to me and understood me.

Karate has helped me to make more friends, too. I think it has changed me to be a better person. I think everyone should try karate because it will help them too.

My goal in karate is to get my fourth-degree black belt. I will be 18 years old when I get my Fourth degree, I think. I will keep working hard and practicing my forms. Karate has changed my life. I love it.

💪 Karate Helped Me With Confidence, Strength and Flexibility!

What Karate Has Meant to Me
By Rileigh Buckner

Karate has helped me in many ways. First, Karate has helped me learn to persevere. I have learned over the past three years that no matter how hard something is, I cannot just quit or give up. I have to keep trying until I reach my goals. I feel very thankful for my family and the instructors at ATA who continued to encourage me along the way. There were times I felt I wanted to quit, but I was surrounded by people who taught me the importance of staying true to my goals.

Next, Karate has made me a much more confident person. I have learned how important it is to be my own person—a leader not a follower. I have become more independent and always do my best to make good choices. I have developed more confidence in how I interact with other people. I was very shy when I was younger, and I am now able to speak loudly and clearly while also making eye contact with those I am speaking with.

Finally, Karate has increased my physical strength. Because I have learned to focus my mind, my eyes, and my body, I am now able to do things such as large amounts of push-ups and sit-ups that I was never able to do before. Increasing my physical strength has also increased my confidence. I now try more activities because I know that I can do them and do them well. I am more flexible, faster, and stronger than ever before.

There were many times that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit myself to the level of dedication and years of training that it would take to achieve a black belt in Taekwondo. Now I see that dedicating myself to this goal is one of the best life choices that I have ever made. I am very proud of myself and very thankful to everyone who has helped me along the path to becoming a black belt.

🖤 The Black Belt Spirit

At KarateBuilt, we teach that earning a Black Belt isn’t just about kicks and forms — it’s about building leaders who face fear, overcome challenges, and inspire others. Curtis and Rileigh’s stories remind us why we do what we do: to help students become confident, disciplined, and unstoppable — in and out of the school.

Congratulations, Curtis and Rileigh! You’ve shown what it truly means to be KarateBuilt for Life.

Call us at 888-447-8578 to get started with 2 FREE weeks of Karate Lessons!

Dr. Moody is also a licensed psychotherapist and maintains a practice at Integrated Mental Health Associates (IntegratedMHA.com) where he specializes in couples therapy and men’s issues.