I was still determined that I would learn to jump as high as the man in the video, however, and I decided to keep going to classes. After 3 years of working hard with stretches, details, and ancient Korean techniques, I finally got my black belt and learned the double front snap kick just like the man in the video that started it all.

Then, I learned that we had to move across the country, and I said goodbye to my Taekwondo Dojang and effectively forgot about Taekwondo and martial arts in general. This is when I really noticed all the positive effects that practicing a martial arts routine had on my mind and body. It calmed me down, helped me with focus, made me happier, and made me much more flexible and energetic. 

I realized that this is what I was missing, so I joined a mixed muay thai and kickboxing class in my sophomore year of high school. I was very much out of practice, and the style of fighting was very different compared to Taekwondo, but I actually ended up with many of the same benefits. The relaxed culture of the Thai and American style of fighting contrasts with the strict form of Korean martial arts. While these cultures are different, and the fast, high kicks of Taekwondo are very different from the clinches and elbows of Muay Thai and Kickboxing, both of these practices allowed me to develop mentally and physically, teaching me about different cultures and the way ritual can positively impact well-being.