Instructor: Sandan Heidel Scott
Rank: 3rd degree blackbelt – Sandan
Style: Chito Ryu Yoshukai
I started my journey in Karate/Martial Arts at the age of 14 in Taekwondo under instructors Chris Smith and Terry Lee.
After almost 2 years we had an all school demo from a Karate Organization called International Karate Federation under the instruction of Sensei Rayburn Nichols and his family. I was blown away by them.
I knew that was the Karate I wanted to be a part of. After that demo about 6 of us met with Sensei Nichols and joined his program.
In 1989 I graduated High School and shortly after that moved to Wisconsin. I wanted to continue my training in Yoshukai but was unable to find a class. I started my family and now I have two kids. My son Logan is 23 and My daughter Macey is 22. Being a mom has been my greatest achievement however I still wanted to get back to Karate.
In 2017 I was able to move back to Alabama. I reached out to my original Karate family and started training again. I tested and earned my 1st degree blackbelt in 2019. I started co-teaching the After-school Karate program in Springville Alabama. Not long after that my instructor decided to close his dojo.
After 26 or more years I knew I was not ready to just give it all up
I reached out to a dojo in Albertville that taught the same Karate I was a part of. Ironically the owner and Instructor of that dojo Renchi Rachel Camp was a former student of my instructor Sensei Rayburn Nichols. This had to be a sign. I started training with Renchi Camp and her instructors. I tested and received my 2nd degree blackbelt in 2020.
I am a believer of dreams coming true. My dream was to be a Karate Instructor. It’s hard work but I have an amazing Karate family to help me fulfill that dream.
