Melanie Gibson Mental Health, Self-Development and Leadership

Don’t Sweat Fools

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I had this boyfriend who would often say, “I don’t sweat fools,” meaning he tried not to let people rattle him, especially over petty, pointless things. I’ve found myself thinking that quite a bit throughout this year…well, alternating between that and my favorite line from the RuPaul song “Sissy That Walk”: “’Less they paying your bills pay them bitches no mind.” Better words were never spoken, Mama Ru. (Now sissy that walk!)

Saying you’re not going to let people get to you and actually practicing it are two different things. I struggle with it although it’s become easier over the years as my confidence has improved. When our values or our livelihoods are threatened, when our character is questioned, when human decency is trampled upon it’s hard to not take things personally…because many times it is personal. This is when I’ll have to tap into my taekwondo “indomitable spirit” and keep moving forward, fools be damned.

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Melanie Gibson Mental Health, Self-Development and Leadership

Turning Lemons Into Limoncello

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Last week I took the second worst yoga class of my nineteen-year practice. Taking yoga at gyms rather than a traditional yoga studio has always been a crapshoot. I have had some incredible teachers over the years. I have also had some who weren’t great. Thankfully I learned enough from the incredible teachers to recognize the difference. Although it was a pitiful class, it offered a great learning experience in patience, self-reliance, and making the best of a disappointing situation.
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Melanie Gibson Class Diaries, Self-Development and Leadership

Why I Like Mean Girls

little mean karate girl

“So I was working with this cute little girl who looks just like Tweety Bird. She kept wanting to do the one step [self-defense technique] with the takedown. She had this crazy smile on her face and kept saying, ‘Takedown! Takedown!’ I like this kid!” I said to one of my fellow black belts. He paused for a moment and then looked pointedly at me.

“Why, because she’s like you?”

Absolutely.
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Melanie Gibson Class Diaries, Self-Development and Leadership

Feeling Stupid? Good! How to Stay Motivated When Learning Seems Hopeless

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“I feel like a dumbass.”

The tall, grey-haired white belt sighed with frustration. Adults in our small dojang are few and far between, so when one shows up I make a beeline for them, try to get to know them, and make them feel welcome. I was waiting for the advanced class to start, so I was chatting with this man about his upcoming orange belt test and what he had learned so far. He had been meticulously practicing fundamental blocks in the white belt class and was struggling with getting the movements just right.
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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Mental Health, Self-Development and Leadership

Martial Arts Ruined My Love Life…or at Least Ruined What It Used to Be

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“Keep your heart open,” my mom said with a fake-sappy smile as I hugged her good-bye at the airport last week.

“Oh gross, don’t let that be the last thing you say to me!” I said. Since Mom and I primarily speak in sarcasm and South Park references, we both knew it was a joke. A few days earlier and after several glasses of wine, I had admitted to my parents that I rejoined an online dating site that I’ve used in the past, so Mom was probably just half-heartedly teasing me about the reservations I expressed about dating again (although I sensed a glimmer of seriousness in her voice). Now I didn’t actually rejoin the site after several glasses of wine–that was merely brought on by a short bout of temporary loneliness and boredom, a blip of having my guard down in my otherwise very busy (and guarded) life.
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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

You Can Rest on Your Laurels, But Don’t Stay There Too Long

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“I’m just resting my eyes for two seconds!”

“I believe in my own skills. I just always try to look forward to what they can be rather than to always look back on what they used to be.”

This was my brother’s response to a friend complimenting him on his musical talent. My brother is a musician (primarily piano and keyboards), and has been able to support himself with his talent since graduating college. He’s proud of that fact, as is the rest of his family. His passion isn’t just his hobby; it also happens to be his paycheck. If only we could all be so lucky.
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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

My Guest Post: Five Things I’d Tell My White Belt Self

This article was originally a guest post on the website BookMartialArts.com.

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Congratulations! You’ve joined a martial arts school! I bet you’re looking forward to the punching, throwing, kicking, or rolling you’ll be doing. Maybe you started martial arts because you want to get in better physical shape. Maybe you want to compete in tournaments. Maybe you want to learn to defend yourself. Maybe you just wanted a new challenge. Whatever your reasons are, you will hopefully benefit from the life-changing aspects of martial arts.
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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

My Guest Post: How Female Martial Artists Can Celebrate Their Strengths

This article was originally a guest post on the website BookMartialArts.com.

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Martial arts can benefit women in girls in many ways: it provides a boost in confidence, improves physical fitness, and of course teaches self defense skills. Even a strong, confident female fighter can sometimes feel like a fish out of water, though. Very often a woman may find she’s the only one in the dojo surrounded by bigger, stronger men. A young girl may be surrounded by a gaggle of rambunctious boys.

Rather than feeling like the odd one out, a female student can take advantage of the unique opportunities martial arts gives her to celebrate her strengths.

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Melanie Gibson Self-Development and Leadership

Spring Has Sprung

flower boxing gloves
April showers bring flowers in yo face!

“Whew, that was a good workout! I needed that,” I said to my chief instructor as I sipped water and leaned against the back of a chair in the dojang waiting room. It was Monday night, the first night back after an “off week” due to an abbreviated workout schedule and a little bit of Spring Break indulgence (okay, more than a little bit). That night’s class had a simpler structure than our usual classes: foundational kicks and a little bit of partner work with blocking and striking. That was it.
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Melanie Gibson Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

A Black Belt Goes to Barre Class

Martial Arts Ballet Dance Kids Teens Adults Southlake TX 76092

I usually avoid the latest fitness crazes because I’ve found what works for me, but I’ve been intrigued by a trend that started catching on last year: barre class, as in, a body sculpting workout using a ballet barre.  Ballet, like Pilates and yoga, is well-known for its ability to build long, lean muscles and improve flexibility and balance. I actually like the fact that I’ve bulked up from taekwondo, which probably makes me the odd woman out, but having studied dance as an undergrad, I have an appreciation for the lean muscle tone ballet training can provide.

Luckily for me, I didn’t have to scrounge Groupon for a discounted pass to the PureBarre studio in my neighborhood. My gym, where I mostly swim and take yoga classes, recently added a barre class to the roster. Tonight I donned my favorite tank and stretch pants and went to check it out.

The only hesitation I had about the class was the name:
Bootybarre.

….um, okay, whatever.
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