Some people are astonished when they learn that I am a martial artist. I am not the kind of person who stands out as athletic or as a fighter. I’m a mother of four, a wife, a 53-year-old woman, and a volunteer. I don’t fit the persona of the amazing martial artist, I suppose, but that’s what makes me powerful. I am not what I seem. I am much more.

Once people find out that I practice a martial art, they suddenly see me as a sort of female superhero, and a woman who might actually be worthy of wearing a cape. They think that I have some qualities that could save the world, if given the chance, and that I can deflect and defend in order to make a difference. That is a huge responsibility. It is a good thing this cape has some extraordinary fiber holding it together.

I found the perfect reminder of how all of this should come together, on my coffee mug. It says, “Girl with black belt changes things,” which brought everything into focus for me.

Being a martial artist, and a black belt, allows me  to reconfigure negativity, and use martial arts as an outreach of positivity and growth for everyone. It takes my proverbial cape, a/k/a my black belt, to make all of this happen. My cape is what gives me the power to turn ordinary into extraordinary.

I’ve had my share of martial art struggles. I waited a year to test for my first belt because of time issues. I had difficulties breaking boards. I was afraid to spar. All of it was eventually overcome. That’s the super power of martial arts. When you step over from lack of confidence to believing in yourself, you make great strides toward good change in yourself.

No one said the plight of the female martial artist would be easy, and no one promised great things. There is no guarantee that she will be able to stand up to her male counter-parts, or make any sort of difference in the world. Yet, it is meant to be. There is potential lurking in every corner of the fighting ring called life. Through positivity and balance, a woman can integrate her thoughts and actions into the ancient traditions of martial arts, just as she improves the everyday world with her ever-changing roles and responsibilities.

The impact a female martial artist makes is unspoken. Her combination of beauty, power, wisdom, maturity, skill, and knowledge all create a big pile of superhero qualities. I have seen my own journey unfold during the past twenty-seven years, as I explored womanhood through martial arts. I have grown in my practice, and used martial arts to overcome personal obstacles and devastation. There are a lot of super achievements wrapped up in those years.

A woman with a black belt has the power to change the perception of martial arts. Photo after photo of different traditional school pictures, there always seems to be just one  woman standing in the midst of a row of men, smiling, and holding her fist out with the guys.

Somehow the men’s faces and bodies all melt into the backdrop, but she stands out. She is an everyday martial artist, still teaching, trying, and fine-tuning. She will change the perception that women do not have choices, or are weak. You can push her to her limits, but be prepared to see what happens. Her place in the center of the photo is symbolic of her unique spirit.

There are quite a few female fighters out there these days. Some are more famous than others, but the tenacity they have is unlike any I’ve ever seen in a martial art woman before. No one would have thought a woman would bravely step foot in the fighting ring a few years ago, but now, all of that is changing. Women are wearing the superhero cape, changing the scope of the martial arts world, and bringing their skills and vision to the forefront, with or without approval.

Even after 27 years in martial arts, I have a long way to go. There are constant obstacles and barriers to my practice, just as there are in life. The important thing is that I find a moment or two to allow martial arts to make an impact in my life.

If you are not a martial artist, you still carry the cape of your own passions and dreams. Each and every one of you is capable of making positive and lasting changes in yourselves, and in the world. As long as your vision empowers you, and helps you to become the best person that you can be, then you can attain the very coveted title of superhero, as well. Apply your ambitions to your life, and you will not regret it. You will grow by leaps and bounds.

I’m happy that I sipped coffee out of that particular mug today, because it divulged the truth. As a girl with a black belt, I have the ability, and the responsibility, to change things. The earning of my black belt  was the day I earned my cape. My belt reminds me that I need to work diligently to reach my goals, pursue my mission of positivity, and renew myself constantly through my practice.

In many respects, it does not matter how I see in myself. Because I am a female martial artist, others will always see the superhero in me.

Andrea