Sheila Higgins (Mum)

I had always been interested in martial arts through David, but never, ever imagined I would end up doing Taekwondo myself! To me martial arts were something that very sporty, ultra-flexible, highly dedicated young people did – and the only older people were the very aged Grand Masters. There was nobody in between. I assumed one morning a Bruce Lee type would wake up and find he’d aged about 60 years overnight and become a Mr Miyagi! I was a couch potato, always tired, stressed by work and worried about being overweight.

Then one day, a work colleague wanted to try out Tan’Gun but had nobody to go with, so I offered to go with her for the first lesson. Unfortunately at the last moment something cropped up and my friend was unable to make it. I felt very nervous, but when I overheard that certain family members had a bet on that I wouldn’t go, I decided to show them. Actually I thought I’d be so bad that David would tell me not to come back!
I walked into the Dojang and found to my great relief there was another very nervous white belt starting that night too. We hit it off straight away and Sue and I have become a support for each other and good friends. I was also overwhelmed by how very friendly and welcoming everyone without exception was and enjoyed that first lesson so much I looked forward eagerly to the following Wednesday.

It has been many years since I learnt something completely new and totally different. I am a teacher and specialise in working with children with very severe reading problems. For me learning Taekwondo is a bit like learning to read. It’s tricky to learn the basics, but when you do the rest becomes easier until you get so good that it becomes automatic. At times I was really frustrated trying to coordinate seemingly simple movements and I began to feel that I was too old and stupid, but I have quite a stubborn nature and just as I never give up on any child I teach, I decided not to give up on myself. Then one day the penny dropped and everything fell into place!

I wear my yellow belt with pride, as it’s such an outstanding achievement for little, old, former couch potato Sheila. But I also wear my yellow belt with humility as without the patient teaching of David, (I think I probably take embarrassing parent syndrome to the next level) and support of everyone in the club, especially Nicola (for so patiently teaching me Poomse Kibon and giving me lots of helpful tips along the way), Hus (we were the white belt gang) and most of all Sue, I could never have got that far. I’d also like to give the children of St Margaret’s School who do Taekwondo a special mention and thanks for being so kind and supportive of me. Tan’ Gun Taekwondo does not feel like a martial arts club. It feels more like a team. Everyone supports and encourages each other irrespective of age, sex or grade and a great extended support from parents and friends. It’s the best example of true sportsmanship I’ve ever encountered and this was obvious at the grading.

I now train as often as I can. I am highly addicted to Taekwondo and on the days I don’t go feel there’s something missing. I can’t wait to see how high I can go with my belts. I don’t think I could ever be good enough to be a black belt, but then I never would have thought I’d get to yellow belt in three months. I have not felt as fit and healthy for many years – and best of all my clothes are all getting baggy!