I began my journey in Taekwondo for one reason, I wanted to become healthier. I had been getting told by a friend of mine that I should go with her to class for months! She kept asking me if I would like to go with her. Finally one day, I said yes. I went to my first class on a Thursday night not knowing what to expect, and not coming equipped for the workout I was about to receive. It was intense, it was exhausting, but most if all it was absolutely the most thrilling thing I had ever done.From that night on I was hooked. I started going every Thursday night. It took a while to get my first uniform because of me being such a large person. After I got my first uniform I started feeling more and more appreciative of starting this journey. Like I said, I had started Taekwondo to become healthier, but what I got from it was so much more. I received a family, when mine was so far away. I received knowledge, friendship, and respect of everyone that takes the path of Taekwondo. I want to thank my friend Erica whom without her I might have never started this journey. I thank the black belts that pushed me to go further, dig deeper, and to always keep learning growing and trying to be better than I was the day before. I thank all my fellow students for being my, friends as well as helping me learn. Then finally, I thank my instructor Mark and his family for giving me a place to go to, to not only learn, but to grow. It was a place that not only was for learning, but a home away from home. I now continue my journey with thankfulness, and knowledge that I can achieve whatever I want as long as I put forth the effort to attain it.