Class of 2014 Black Belts - Stephanie Frank JKN
My Journey To Black Belt
By: Stephanie Frank JKN
My journey to black belt started in October of 2010, at 39 years old. My kids had been taking Kuk Sool Won for a few months and really seemed to enjoy it. SBN Wright and JKN Conger, then a Dahn Bo Nim, were fantastic instructors and knew how to work with students of all ages. My husband decided that I should join too, since I was there for each class anyway. I couldn’t argue that since I had been complaining of needing to get some exercise. It didn’t take me long to realize how much I enjoyed KSW! I had more energy, was toning up, and losing weight. KSW became my stress relief. I could arrive in a bad mood with a scowl on my face, and leave feeling great with a smile. Best of all, we spent time together as a family.
My biggest struggle through it all was, and still is, my exercise induced asthma. The doctors and I have yet to find anything that has helped to prevent the attacks that start almost immediately after testing begins. It would bother me some during classes, but I was always able to stop and breathe as needed without having to push myself quite as hard. Testing was a bit more difficult to get through, especially as I moved through the belts. The tests would just get more strenuous and longer as time went on. I even considered not testing for black belt because of the asthma. SBN Wright has been very encouraging through it all, reminding me not to kill myself. The goal was to make it to the end, he couldn’t pass me if I didn’t finish. He judged me on MY ability, and not everyone else’s. I had to pace myself and take a lot of breaks in order to prevent a severe attack. Initially, this left me feeling a bit down on myself because I wasn’t able to keep up or do as much as everyone else. I didn’t want people to think I was being lazy or didn’t deserve to be there. I also couldn’t push myself as hard as SBN usually expects from everyone during a test. I very quickly realized, though, that I WAS pushing myself hard, just in a different way. I had to push very hard in order to make it through a four hour, high intensity test, coughing and gasping for air the entire time. To me, breathing was hard work. Since I wasn’t able to get in as many repetitions of each item as everyone else, I made it my mission to put 110 percent effort into the reps I did do. Quality over quantity I call it, and it paid off. A black belt IS attainable, even if you are older and have a disability!
There are so many things that I have learned from this experience. First off, I learned that I really love studying KSW! There is always something new to learn and things to do better. Even with the most basic of forms or techniques there is always room for improvement. I also learned that, with God’s help, I can do anything I set my mind to if I work hard. My disability does not define what I am able to accomplish. Finally, I am just now learning that “black is the new white”. A black belt is just the beginning. In the world of KSW black belts, a first degree black belt is equivalent to a white belt. It is the beginning of the black belt journey. The learning never ends, which is good because I will never get bored!
There are so many things that I have learned from this experience. First off, I learned that I really love studying KSW! There is always something new to learn and things to do better. Even with the most basic of forms or techniques there is always room for improvement. I also learned that, with God’s help, I can do anything I set my mind to if I work hard. My disability does not define what I am able to accomplish. Finally, I am just now learning that “black is the new white”. A black belt is just the beginning. In the world of KSW black belts, a first degree black belt is equivalent to a white belt. It is the beginning of the black belt journey. The learning never ends, which is good because I will never get bored!
Questions & Answers
When did you start KSW? I started Kuk Sool Won in October of 2010. My kids had started training after the I Can Sports Clinic the following August and really enjoyed it.
Why did you start KSW? My husband decided that since I was sitting there watching the kids anyway, I might as well do it with them. I definitely needed the exercise!
What is your favorite technique? There are so many awesome (and gruesome) techniques that I really couldn’t pick just one.
Most memorable moment at any KSW event? Being promoted to black belt is by far the most memorable event, but my first tournament was very exciting as well.
Most difficult thing you overcame to earn your black belt? The most difficult thing for me was my asthma. I was never able to overcome this, just managed to persevere through it with God’s help.
Who would you like to thank? I would like to thank SBN Wright and JKN Conger for their excellent instruction as well as their patience and willingness to “remind me” all the many times I forgot techniques. I would also like to thank the anonymous person that believed enough in my ability to cover my testing fee during a very tough period in my family’s life. It was thinking about this selfless act that gave me motivation to push through when things got tough. Words cannot fully express what a blessing this was to me, and how much it encouraged me. Saying thank you just doesn’t seem like enough!
Why did you start KSW? My husband decided that since I was sitting there watching the kids anyway, I might as well do it with them. I definitely needed the exercise!
What is your favorite technique? There are so many awesome (and gruesome) techniques that I really couldn’t pick just one.
Most memorable moment at any KSW event? Being promoted to black belt is by far the most memorable event, but my first tournament was very exciting as well.
Most difficult thing you overcame to earn your black belt? The most difficult thing for me was my asthma. I was never able to overcome this, just managed to persevere through it with God’s help.
Who would you like to thank? I would like to thank SBN Wright and JKN Conger for their excellent instruction as well as their patience and willingness to “remind me” all the many times I forgot techniques. I would also like to thank the anonymous person that believed enough in my ability to cover my testing fee during a very tough period in my family’s life. It was thinking about this selfless act that gave me motivation to push through when things got tough. Words cannot fully express what a blessing this was to me, and how much it encouraged me. Saying thank you just doesn’t seem like enough!
