Overcoming a religious cult for the first ten years of her life, Rebecca Knight found a promising future in martial arts. Listen here or click below: https://anchor.fm/andrea-harkins/episodes/Rebecca-Knight—Anything-is-Possible-ekflr3
See other links and info below.
I am sure you probably do not know many martial artists who lived their first ten years in a religious cult in Mexico enduring physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, but were later empowered and inspired by martial arts.Listen to martial artist, Rebecca Knight, describe how she overcame these years of abuse and pushed past her fears after moving to the states at ten years of age, thanks to martial arts.
Read Rebecca’s story here:
My childhood was difficult at best. I grew up in a religious cult (in Mexico) and endured physical, mental/emotional and sexual abuse for the first 10 years of my life. After moving back to the states when I was 10 years old, I found that it was nearly impossible for me to trust anyone, including myself. I struggled with self esteem, and confidence in every situation and doubted that I could ever recover from the trauma that I had gone through. I attended my first Kenpo lesson in 1996, and immediately felt something that I had never felt before – a small and delicate sense of worth, which grew over they years to an overwhelming feeling of confidence and strength. That feeling that was cultivated in me is why I train, and why I teach…to see that bloom in the hearts of the student that I teach, to show each and every one of them what they are truly capable of – and that is ANYTHING they put their mind and heart into!!!
Rebecca Knight, the martial art instructor:
I teach because……
I have the ability to encourage positive change
I have room for creativity
I am challenged
I can see improvement in myself and others
I can encourage respect and discipline
I can share my passion for the martial arts with others
I am proud to have been included on the Kenpo Compendium (by Amy Long) on 2008, I was featured on the Kenpo Women Website (http://www.kenpowomen.com/2012/08/06/rebecca-knight/) in 2012, and am most humbled by my inclusion as an honoree in Tom Bleecker’s The Journey – Book 3 2019.
My husband and I own and Operate the American Institute of Kenpo in Tucson Arizona, and will be celebrating our school’s 20th Anniversary next September!!! We are grateful for our Master Council Members that guide us in the martial arts, business and in our daily lives; Sigung Stephen LaBounty, Bob White, John Sepulveda, Lee Wedlake and Mike Winkeljohn along with our business partner and fellow AIK School owner Mr. Andrew Pilch.Rebecca Knight‘s accolades:
Time in grade
- Began Kenpo training 1996
- Tested & Promoted to 1st Black 1998
- Tested & Promoted to 2nd Black 2001
- Tested & Promoted to 3rd Black 2003
- Tested & Promoted to 4th Black 2006
- Tested & Promoted to 5th Black 2011
- Tested & Promoted to 6th Black 2015
- Promoted to 7th Black 2018
Instructors:
- Received Martial Arts Instruction from Jace Waite (AKKA)1996-1997
- Received Martial Arts Instruction from Aaron Kravetz (AKKA)1997-2001
- Received Martial Arts Instruction from Shawn Knight (AIK) 2002-Present
- Received Martial Arts Instruction from Sigung Stephen LaBounty 2008-Present
Certifications & Awards:
- Certified Instructor (renewed yearly)1997-Present
- Family of the Year Award 1998
- Certified Kickboxing Instructor for City of Tucson Parks & Recreation
- CPR & 1st Aid Certified (renewed yearly) 2002-Present
- Certified Kickboxing Instructor for Pima Community College 2007
- AIK’s Lineage & Legacy Award 2019
Work History:
- Worked at AKKA (Grant) as a Martial Arts Instructor 1997-1998
- Worked as a Kickboxing Instructor for City of Tucson Parks & Recreation 1998-2000
- Worked at AKKA (Broadway) as a Martial Arts Instructor / Manager 2002-2005
- Director of Operations at AIK-Knight 2003-Present
- Regional Director of Operations for AIK Corp 2005-Present
- PE Teacher at Basis of Tucson 2006-2009
- Wrote the Physical Education Requirements for Kenpo Instruction at Basis of Tucson
- Produced / Mentored 5 Current Full Time Basis of Tucson PE Instructors
- After School Program Instructor
- Grace to the Nations 2003-2004
- Tag Elementary 2004-2012
- Math & Science Success Academy 2010-2011
- Sonoran Science Academy 2013-2014
Tournaments:
- Competed in yearly AKKA local and regional Tournaments 1997-2005
- Naska Tournament 2000
- Chinese Kenpo Karate (Las Cruces) 2008
- Chinese Kenpo Karate (Las Cruces) 2009
Links & Info:
Rebecca Knight:
http://www.kenpowomen.com/2012/08/06/rebecca-knight/
https://www.americaninstituteofkenpo.com/
Andrea’s Motivational Books:
The Martial Arts Women Book:https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/1544916213 (or contact me for signed copies)
Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X
COMING SOON: How to Start Your Own Martial Art Program
