Since I've been in the Martial Arts, I've met many Martial Arts Celebrities.
Some of them were really cool to meet. But there are only a few I've met who are truly Genuine.
There's only one
person who has had such an impact on me. One who encourages me that no matter what to never give up on my dreams
and goals. This person is Karen Sheperd.
When I first met her in 2000 at a tournament, she saw me as a person
with goals. But not just a disabled person, she looked beyond that, she looked for the person who was inside. She accepted
me as a Martial Artist the minute we met. It was a nice change not to have to prove to someone that I can do karate. With
her I didn't have to do that, because she didn't have doubts that I could. She just saw me as a person.
Ms. Sheperd is the first Female Martial Artist, that has inspired me.(She
has opened a lot doors for female martial artists.)
Where I was training for Martial Arts before, it was mostly a male domain.
There was only a few females wasn't afraid of doing things at the Dojo I was at. (I'm one of them., For fact I love taking
chances.)
I never met a person like Ms. Sheperd before. She is very strong. Not
just physically but mentally too. The way I see it, She's as good as the Male equivalent of Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude
Van Damme and even Bruce Lee. I wish Hollywood and Society realize that Female Martial Artists are as good as the Male Martial
Artists. I wish there were more people like Ms. Sheperd in the Martial Arts World, also in Movies or TV of strong role
of a woman.
She has taught me so much that it has helped me to be a better person and Martial Artist. Martial
Arts isn't just about Kicking and Punching, but it is also, the Mind and Sprirt too. I take that with me everyday even outside
of the Martial Arts into my every day life. I just "go for it" what I want to do.
You can check her website site at
