With a Taekwon-Do competition weekend about to get underway, I’d like to share a message with those of you that are about to step onto the mats.

It’s been over 5 years since I last competed, and 19 years since I first started Taekwon-Do.

What amazes me is that I’m still gaining an even deeper appreciation for what my 10 years in competitive Taekwon-Do truly gave me.

It goes far beyond winning any medals and I hope you find it useful…

How Do You Learn to Love Exposure?

In my early competition days, I went out in the first round of sparring more times than I’d care to admit. Six-hour round trips and hotel stays, all for my family to watch me for 90 seconds... and lose.

Then there were the times I forgot my patterns mid-performance—sometimes after just a few moves. This happened throughout my competitive career, from regional tournaments to the world stage. My mind would go blank from the stress and exposure.

I’d have to return to my starting position and wait patiently for the inevitable loss.

Those moments were painfully humbling. Yet, they were also the moments that taught me the most.

Taekwon-Do didn’t just expose my weaknesses; it exposed me to myself. It showed me who I was under pressure, and the only way forward was to embrace that exposure.

It is not easy.

But my coaches helped me to recognise that learning from the mistakes I made under pressure was the best way to improve as a competitor.

Should Winning Really Be the Focus?

If I had competed just to win, I would have quit long ago.

The real reason I kept stepping onto the mats was because it was hard. It’s easy to feel discouraged when discomfort sets in, but it’s that very discomfort that causes you to grow.

When I first started Taekwon-Do, I never planned to compete. I just wanted to better myself physically and build my self-confidence.

Competitions became a way for me to test myself under pressure, to see if I was developing the personal qualities I was striving for—regardless of the wins or losses.

Why Does Any of This Matter?

Life is hard... and so is competing in martial arts.

As I matured as a competitor, I began to enjoy myself more. I thought less about winning and more about entertaining spectators and inspiring other students. Ironically, this mindset led to some of my best performances.

Looking back, competition gave me a tangible way to build real-life qualities—perseverance, resilience, and commitment, to name a few.

It taught me how to face adversity, learn from failure, and keep moving forward—even when the path was uncertain.

These lessons are for life, and they’ve allowed me to pursue my dreams with belief, faith, and purpose.

What Is It All For?

My days of competing in Taekwon-Do may be behind me, but those experiences still fuel the person I am today.

We’re all on our own journeys, and we never know where our experiences may lead us. It’s about who we’re becoming in the process.

We have to commit to what we love. Embrace the challenges. Lean into the discomfort. And pursue endeavours for reasons greater than ourselves.

When you look back, you’ll have your own story to tell.

My martial arts journey has come full circle, where I am now producing films about athletes and their legacies.

The first of those films is a feature-length documentary about the untold story of former MMA World Champion, Shay Walsh.

It’s a privilege to shine a light on Shay’s journey and honour someone who has inspired so many—including myself. His story is one of triumph, heartbreak, and finding purpose.

Martial arts has given me so much, and this story encapsulates the true essence of how martial arts can be a vehicle for something bigger in life.

To all martial artists competing this weekend:

Good luck, and enjoy yourself.

#JoinTheJourney

If you’d like to learn more about Shay’s story, our community campaign, or hear from our supporters, please click here.

Shay’s journey speaks to the universal struggle of identity, purpose, and perseverance.

🎥 Watch the Pilot Documentary that premiered in cinemas last year – [Click here]

We look forward to sharing this journey with you and the world.