IKF-ALBERTVILLE KARATE

Life was moving on as I welcomed another beautiful daughter, was working full time, and still had time to train and teach karate after school.
Really, everything was good, but I still felt that pull in a new direction. The signs were all around me. My employer was closing and my karate classes was growing. Sensei encouraged me to consider teaching adults. Everything was pushing me in the same direction. So, one day I just decided I was going to do it: Quit my job and pursue karate full time, I still loved competing, but I wanted to focus on teaching and training while raising my children. I know that a powerful program can change lives, even save lives, and I wanted to offer that program in my community. I knew I needed to work with adults.

In 2001 I made an agreement with the owner of Powerhouse gym, Mr. Jeff Beaver and started an adult class in the aerobics room two nights a week. It wasn’t long until we outgrew the training floor at Powerhouse Gym so I rented a slightly bigger space down the road. It was exciting to create a dojo and welcome my students onto the floor that first night. Again, I remembered my first class and what drove to begin training. I knew I needed to do more. Teaching and training were a priority, but I knew I also needed to start giving back to the organization that had given so much to me and my family. I started exploring volunteer and community service opportunities. Word got out fast and I had several clinics and workshops scheduled. I worked with local churches, Christian Women’s Job Corp, Ogden House (an adolescent residential treatment center), and local schools and community groups. My class grew. We outgrew the rental space, but I couldn’t fine another space that would work for us. Sensei said to me, “So built one.” Well I had never considered that! But I trusted Sensei and was grateful for his faith in me. So, I found a commercial lot, had a building put up and opened my very own dojo in 2007. I began using my dojo to host self-defense clinics, community safety and awareness programs and domestic violence awareness programs. Finally, I was doing the work that I knew I should be. I was teaching and training, but I was also giving back. In 2016 we needed more room to grow so I built a bigger building and moved to my current location. I teach karate year-around at the dojo, teach after-school programs during the school year, host summer camps and clinics during the summer.

In Her Own Words
“If you choose a job love, you will never have to work a day in your life.” ~ Confucius

Sensei Nichols loved this quote and shared it with his instructors. How many people, though, really get to live it? As I approach over 30 years as a martial artist, I realize that I am one of those very few who have been blessed to live this life.