When you see a martial artist in movies and TV shows it’s easy to get lost in the flashy kicks and the fluid movement that they so easily execute. Part of the reason I wanted to do martial arts was because I saw it on TV, more specifically I saw someone using nunchucks. The way they spin and begin to become a blur, it was in that moment that I decided I wanted to be able to do what they were doing. Flash forward a few years and now I can do some of those things that are shown on TV. To the common eye the things shown on TV are all shock and awe, but to a certain extent I understand what it took for them to be the martial artist they are. So, this brings me to the question of, what does it mean to be a black belt?

My instructors say that you don’t become a black belt when it is wrapped around your waste, but in the years of training leading up to it. It can take years to get your black belt, it can take around three at the least if you pass every testing. Testings are every two months, starting at white belt, moving up through your color belts, then on to your recommended black belt. Your recommended is the final stage before your 1st degree black belt. It is through the years working up to your black belt when the habits and work ethics of a black belt are instilled within you. Like any other sport the physical exertion pushes you to your limits and makes you stronger. Taekwondo not only pushes you physically, but even more so mentally. As a recommended black belt at testing we have to do break boards. There are certain moves that we wear padding for, like punching and kicking with the top of the foot. Others though you are hitting with your bare skin. This generally means that if you are hitting as hard as you can, you will get some bruises and swelling. Many of times has this happened to me, my elbow will get all black and blue, swollen  and tender. Because of this, most people would want to slow down and not hit as hard. It’s in that moment that one’s black belt mentality kicks in, the determination to follow through and finish strong. It’s a mind game that black belts have been trained to win. Your mind must tell your body to go even when you don’t want to.

Imagine a student trying to impress their instructor by attempting to kick above their head, but in the process they end up losing their balance and falling. While they were trying to push themselves, a true black belt knows their limits. This means that, while they continue to try and improve, they take it step by step and not try and jump ahead. They know when to stop because they don’t want to injure themselves, they know how high they can kick without falling over, and they know that their are certain people that are above them in skill level. Part of being a black belt and knowing one’s limits is staying humble. Black belts should be confident in what they know, but always to be open to suggestions from those who have more knowledge on a topic.

Black belts don’t earn their rank on their own, they gain their knowledge by listening to those around them. It is the willingness to listen that makes black belts patient and attentive. One of the first things you learn in Taekwondo is called a pivot. It is essential to kicks, and it allows your body to turn into the hit. Learning to make your body pivot and turn is one of the hardest concepts to learn. In learning to pivot step one is understanding what the pivot is, step two is understanding how to make your body do it. Both steps are frustrating and confusing, and it is only through instruction and help from one’s instructor that you will be able to master the pivot, let alone any move. Whether or not a student is willing to listen is the deciding factor of how much they will learn. The habit of listening that has been ingrained into black belts is what made them as good as they are, along with being the patient and attentive people that they are.

The road to becoming a black belt is not one traveled alone. For yourself to succeed it is essential that those around you also succeed. This means that black belts are people who are good partners. Being a good partner means to help who you are working with and to use what they have to offer and learn from it. Everyone has something to bring to the table and black belts are able to recognize that. It is also through understanding the value of working with others that people form respect for people. Answering “Yes Sir!” or “Yes Ma’am!” isn’t something we should do because we are told, but out of respect for your our instructor or whoever you are talking to. It’s that treating others how you want to be treated mentality. Black belt show their respect and ability to work well with other by applying the philosophy that you will only get as much out of a situation as you put into it.

Think of that of that one accomplishment in your life that you are most proud of. Now think of all the people who would like to have that accomplishment. This is what being a black belt is like, the difference is that we use our influence over those who look up to us in a positive way by being a leader. What it means to be a leader as a black belt is to pass on our knowledge to others. Passing on what we have learned could mean helping during classes or even instructing classes. It also means setting a good example, like standing at attention with your hands at your sides and head held high, rather than fidgeting. Leaders need to set an example that others will want to follow.  When you lead with a weak example, that is what those who are following you will do. When you set the example you not only want to break the board, but you want to smash it! You want to yell so loud and hit so fast that people are thinking two things. They should be thinking, “man, I don’t want to get it by her.” and also, “Man, I want to be able to hit like her!” A black belt uses their influence to help other improve and succeed. In the process of passing on what they know, black belts show their leadership by motivating others. Part of someone succeeding is the confidence that one has in what they are doing. Black belts ultimate goal as a leader is to help improve those around them.

There are many characteristics that become ingrained in a student's personality through their journey to becoming a black belt. Being patient, working well with others, being a leader, being a good listener, and having a strong will power are just a few. Blacks belts are people who are striving to be the best people that they can be, and it is through our training that we slowly build up these habits that begin to improve who we are. Therefore however hard you train and whatever you train in, is the kind of black belt that you will be.