Today – I give talks in front of thousands of people – but it wasn’t always like that.

Imagine being so afraid of the playground that you pray to be invisible. THAT was my childhood.

When I was a child, I struggled. I was very short for my age, constantly teased and called names like “Midget.” I was shy, found it difficult to make friends, and school was not a place of fun for me. It was a battlefield where I often felt isolated and alone. I remember one particular moment like it was yesterday—I was on the playground, shoved between two bigger kids, feeling helpless as they laughed. Inside, I questioned, “What’s wrong with me? Why don’t I fit in?”

My father saw the pain I was in and thought martial arts might be the answer. He enrolled me in a local Karate class, hoping I’d learn to defend myself and stop the bullying. But after a few lessons, I quit. The instructor’s harsh style and lack of understanding only added to my fear and discomfort. However, something about that experience stayed with me—a seed was planted.

Even though I quit, the bullying didn’t stop. Through primary school, secondary school, and even college, I carried the weight of being “the small one,” the one who didn’t belong. I watched as my friends formed relationships, confident in ways I wasn’t. I felt trapped in this cycle of low self-esteem, feeling powerless and afraid.

That all began to change when I met my Choi Kwang Do instructor, Master Keith Banfield. I found myself back in a martial arts class, but this time, it was different. This time, I wasn’t just learning to fight—I was learning to believe in myself.

Master Banfield created an environment where I felt safe to be myself. It was a judgment-free space where mistakes were part of the journey, not something to be ashamed of. Every small achievement was celebrated—and for the first time, I began to feel proud of myself. I made real friends in that class—friends I still have to this day—because we weren’t just training together; we were growing together.

As I progressed in my training, something inside me shifted. Martial arts wasn’t just about learning self-defence. It was about finding my inner strength and realizing that I had worth. I was no longer the helpless, invisible kid on the playground. I was learning to stand tall, not just in front of bullies, but in my own life. The confidence I had been seeking all along wasn’t something to be gained from the outside—it was within me, waiting to be discovered.

Fast forward to 2024, and I’m living my dream of helping others find their inner strength, just as I found mine. This is why I started my martial arts school—because I see myself in every child who walks through our doors. I see the shy child who feels small, the child who’s been teased or bullied, the child who doesn’t yet know how strong they truly are.

At Islington CKD School, we provide a sanctuary of learning and growth. It’s a place where every child—no matter how shy or unsure—can build their confidence, learn to focus, and harness their energy in positive ways. Our mission is to empower lives through martial arts, to give children the tools they need to face life’s challenges with strength and resilience. I don’t want any child to go through the pain I did, feeling like they don’t belong.

Our school is more than just a martial arts academy—it’s a community where we teach respect, integrity, and self-worth. It’s a place where every child is valued for who they are, where their unique strengths are celebrated. And that’s why I do what I do—because I believe that every child deserves to feel strong, confident, and capable.