Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers

Guest Writer: Diary of a White Belt

Hello, Little Black Belt readers! Some people start martial arts training as children, and others begin their journey as adults. As someone who started martial arts training, stopped, and re-started in my thirties, I’m always interested to hear from people who come to martial arts a little later in life. This story is from Jen Struzziero. Jen shares how she began training in martial arts and how amazing it has been in her life. Jen’s experience beautifully demonstrates the life-changing power of martial arts.

If you would like to submit a martial arts-related article for Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines and send me an email.

Enjoy Jen’s story!

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts

10 Signs You’re Dating a Female Martial Artist

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Love at first fight…

Fellas, do you have a sneaking suspicion your girl might be a martial artist? (That is, if she hasn’t mentioned it ad nauseam already). Here are some tell-tale signs that you might just have the coolest girlfriend in the world:

  1. She still likes manicures and pedicures but usually ruins them in a week by fighting and kicking focus pads.
  2. There is always a sweaty sports bra drying out on a doorknob somewhere in her house. Always.
  3. She has bruises on her forearms and shins and still rocks a sundress.
  4. She’s the one dragging you to the sports bar to watch a UFC match.
  5. She eats more than you do.
  6. She talks about her instructors, students, and practice more than she does work, family, or anything else.
  7. She’s honest, loyal, and hard-working.
  8. She respects and values herself.
  9. She doesn’t pull punches. (Literally or figuratively)
  10. She is a confident, beautiful badass, and you are lucky to have her!
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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