Mrs Terri West: 1st Dan

I suppose I am what could be known as a ‘late starter’ to Tae Kwon Do having not started until I was 46 years of age.  My interest started after spending many hours watching Mr Bertrand work with my son and the other kids at Coronation Recreation Ground, Hersham.  I really fancied having a go but felt I was too old, however after quite a bit of convincing by some other parents and Mr Bertrand I rolled up for a Friday class in Autumn 2003.

Since then I have had to face quite a few challenges both physically and mentally.  It’s difficult not to compare yourself to young athletic teenagers who are ultimately fitter and more flexible than you are.  Not withstanding, I have learnt that my goals are to be the best I can be and to try not to make those comparisons.

 I have had the opportunity to attend competitions (with some success) and training camps, all of which have helped to expand my knowledge and experience.  We all have different strengths and weaknesses and the lesson is to focus on your own individual strengths, this is something Mr Bertrand has long worked and encouraged us on. I owe much of my success to the support and encouragement I have received, not least from my eternally patient instructor, Mr Bertrand but also the many friends I have made during my time at Focus Martial Arts.

In October 2007 I eventually achieved my 1^st Degree Black Belt, the beginning of yet another road of discovery.  My journey so far has been a fantastic and exciting one in which I have enjoyed the highs and endured the lows but always learning from the experience, I look forward to the challenge ahead.