Coming Back to Taekwondo Hasn’t Been Easy... But It’s Been Worth It

Getting back into TKD after all these years has been a lot tougher than I expected. Honestly, there have been moments where I seriously wondered what I was doing.

Stretching has been one of the hardest parts. I’ve been working at it regularly—doing all the right things—but progress has been slow. Really slow. And just when I thought I was starting to improve, I pulled a muscle in my upper thigh (quad). That set me back big time. Not gonna lie, it was discouraging.

Then there’s competition. Yeah… I’ve stepped into a few tournaments in my 60s. Most of the people out there are half my age (or less). It’s nerve-wracking. The body doesn’t move like it used to, and sometimes just standing out there feels like a win. But I do it—because I refuse to let fear or age be what holds me back.

It’s humbling relearning techniques I used to know. I’m slower than I was. Recovery takes longer. But I’m still here, still moving, still growing.

And honestly, the only reason I’ve made it this far is because of my faith in Jesus. On the tough days—when I feel too old, too sore, or too frustrated—He gives me strength to keep going. Philippians 4:13 isn’t just a verse I quote. It’s a promise I’ve leaned on more times than I can count: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

So yeah, the obstacles are real. But so is the joy of coming back to something I love.

To anyone else who’s thinking about returning to something—or starting fresh later in life—just know: you’re not alone. You’ve still got more in the tank than you think.

Keep going. 👊
Perseverance is one of the tenets of Taekwondo for a reason.