My Take Aways From a Black Belt Testing


team and judges[28870] This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to witness something I had not seen in person, a Black Belt testing.  I went to  support a family friend, Callie and her teammates.  However, I came away motivated, amazed, inspired, and awed.

Callie was testing was for a 2nd degree black belt.  What many people don’t know is the length of time that is required to obtain this honor.   It takes approximately 5 years to get to the 1st degree.  The 2nd degree averages about 2 years.  Think about this.  5 years of devotion, work, ups and downs before you are rewarded.  In addition to length of time, the mental and physical endurance and discipline that is required is beyond what most are willing to devote to something.  The dedication, focus, precision and detail these athletes awed me.

I was offered a small window into the emotional challenge, when I had the opportunity to provide a session for Callie’s team.  With roughly 2 months to testing date, this team was struggling mentally and physically.  What I witnessed at the testing was a group of various ages, genders, and backgrounds coming together to persevere.  They each overcame their own struggles and together they pushed and encouraged each other to reach their goal.  Several had even overcome surgeries and were still able to have the courage, skill, and confidence to perform.

The emotions I saw on their faces are still ingrained in my head.  The tears from knowing they had just rocked a performance and that altesting teaml that hard work and dedication had paid off.  The smiles that showed how good they felt about themselves.  The face expressions on their faces as a teammate would perform was telling in how they had weathered through this journey together.  The genuine excitement for each other.

What I took away is that the journey to the Black Belt is as much mentally and emotionally challenging as it is a physical endurance.  It requires perseverance at a level I rarely see.   In many ways, it resembles life.  Ultimately, it is about you and your journey, but you still rely on a team to walk with you through it.  A team is often made up of a diverse group of people.  You have those that offer guidance and encouragement as well as tough love along the way.  There are a lot of ups and downs.  You can’t get stuck in the past nor looking too far into the future.  It is about being in the moment you are in with focus and enthusiasm.  Those that overcome their adversities and continue even when weak are the ones that succeed.  You remember the challenges you faced and how they don’t seem that difficult anymore. While reviewing your own journey you see that the Black Belt (life) is about the lessons and experiences learned along the way.

I have done my share of endurance events that have required dedication as well as mental and physical endurance, but I stand humbled in front of these Black Belts.  Thank you, Callie and team for the window into your journey.  I bow to them in reverence.

Tami Matheny is a Mental Game Coach and Author.  She owns and runs, Refuse2LoseCoaching.  Follow her on twitter @r2lcoaching and Instagram @refuse2losecoaching.