How Taekwondo Saved My Health! 🐉 The Truth About American Dragon Martial Arts! 🥋

 How Taekwondo Saved My Health! 🐉 The Truth About American Dragon Martial Arts! 🥋 Most people think a major surgery means the end of your fitness journey, but I’m here to tell you that it might actually be the beginning of your greatest transformation yet.

Life has a funny way of throwing a wrench in your plans right when you think you have everything figured out. For me, that wrench was a major surgical procedure on my lungs last year. As someone who has always been a fitness enthusiast -- we’re talking basketball, cardio, the whole nine yards -- being told to "lie low" felt like a prison sentence. I was dealing with grave asthma and a body that felt like it had betrayed me. I wanted to get back out there, but the fear of hurting myself or overexerting my compromised lungs kept me paralyzed. That was until I saw a simple poster on my university campus that changed everything. It wasn't just a fitness ad, it was a call to action for women’s empowerment through Taekwondo and Hapkido.

I’ll be honest, I didn't call the number on that poster immediately. I hesitated because the "what ifs" were loud. What if my lungs couldn't handle the breathing patterns? What if I fainted in class? I found out a friend of mine was already enrolled, and after a long talk about my health concerns, I decided to go back to my doctor for a reality check. To my surprise, I got the green light. My doctor told me to listen to my body and stop if I felt dizzy, but he encouraged the movement. That was all the permission I needed to reach out to Grandmaster Richard Hackworth via the World Martial Arts Media page. From the moment I messaged him, the vibe was different. It wasn't a high-pressure sales pitch; it was a conversation about growth and safety.

Grandmaster Hackworth recommended I join the American Dragon Martial Arts school in Dade City, Florida. Stepping onto those mats for the first time was intimidating, but I was introduced to Grandmaster Shane Miller, and the atmosphere was the opposite of threatening. If you’re a newbie, especially one with a medical history, you expect a certain level of judgment or intensity that might be off-putting. Instead, I found a warm welcome. I was in constant communication with Grandmaster Hackworth about my progress, and I felt seen and supported. I started slow, respecting my limits but consistently pushing the envelope of what I thought I was capable of.

The most incredible part of this journey wasn't just the physical activity -- it was the medical results. When I went back for my check-ups, my doctors actually saw an improvement in my lung health and overall stamina. Taekwondo requires a specific kind of breath control and core engagement that ended up being the best rehabilitation I could have asked for. It’s one thing to go to a gym and lift weights, but it’s another thing entirely to engage in a discipline that demands your mind, body, and spirit to be in total sync. My asthma, which used to be a constant shadow over my life, became manageable as my cardiovascular endurance skyrocketed.

But let’s get real for a second about why this matters beyond just "getting fit." We live in a time where personal safety is a major concern, especially for women. I’ve had my share of stalkers and harassers, and that feeling of being hunted or vulnerable is a heavy weight to carry. Practicing Taekwondo and Hapkido didn't just give me muscles; it gave me a shield. It changed the way I walk down the street. It changed my posture and my presence. There is a profound peace that comes with knowing that if someone crosses a line, you have the tools to defend yourself. No one is going to defend you but yourself, and in this day and age, that is a hard truth we all have to accept.

I am so grateful I stumbled upon that poster that day. My journey from a post-surgery "fitness girl" who was afraid of her own shadow to a dedicated martial artist has been a total glow-up. I’m currently focused on leveling up my belt and I have dreams of becoming a Grandmaster one day. Every class is a step toward a version of myself that is stronger, faster, and more resilient. The instructors and Grandmasters at American Dragon Martial Arts are more than just teachers; they are inspirations. They show me every day that age or medical history doesn't define your ceiling.

For every woman out there who is scrolling through her phone, feeling a bit weak or unsure of her place in the world, I cannot recommend this enough. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or just looking for a way to find your voice, martial arts is the answer. Try the trials, see if it fits, and watch how your life changes. My health is better, my mind is at peace, and for the first time in a long time, I feel truly empowered. This isn't just about kicking and punching; it’s about taking up space and refusing to be a victim. I am forever grateful for this path and for the community that caught me when I was at my lowest.

You can either be a spectator in your own life or the hero of your own story. I chose the latter. What are you waiting for?

Why Dispatch Is The Visual Masterpiece Every Art Student Is Obsessed With 🎨🐕

 

Why Dispatch Is The Visual Masterpiece Every Art Student Is Obsessed With 🎨🐕 It has been a minute since I have actually sat down to create anything that was not a graded assignment for university. When you spend your entire day analyzing film theory and dissecting color palettes, the last thing you want to do is pick up a stylus for fun. Creative burnout is real, and it is a heavy weight to carry when your entire identity is built around being an artist. However, every once in a while, a piece of media comes along that acts like a total reset button for your brain. For me, that game was Dispatch. I am not even exaggerating when I say that this game broke my creative block in a way that months of scrolling for inspiration could not.

As a film and art student, I am naturally programmed to be a bit of a snob when it comes to visual direction. I want to see intention behind the camera angles. I want to see a color story that actually means something. Dispatch delivers on every single front. The aesthetic is so precise and the world-building is so immersive that I spent a massive portion of my playthrough just pausing to look at the environment. It is rare to see a game that feels like it was directed by a cinematographer with a clear vision rather than just a technical team. The way the shadows move and the grain of the world feels tactile is insane. Honestly, I would pay good money to see this adapted into a feature-length film because the foundation is already there. It is a masterclass in atmosphere.

But we have to talk about the actual heart of the game, which is Beef. If you have played Dispatch, you know that Robert Robertson’s dog is not just a background asset. He is a legend. He is a round, loyal, perfect furbaby. As someone who identifies as an animal advocate, I have a very specific lens through which I view pets in media. So often, animals are used as cheap plot devices or accessories, but Beef feels like a real presence. He is grounding. In a game that can get pretty intense and heavy, Beef is the constant. He is the anchor that reminds you what you are fighting for.

I found myself so captivated by his character design--that specific "chonky" silhouette--that I actually felt the urge to draw again. I decided to put together some mini-comics as a way to decompress from the stress of university life. I wanted to celebrate Beef in all his glory, focusing on his loyalty and his undeniable roundness. It felt incredibly good to just draw for the sake of the art again. No deadlines, no rubrics, just me and my love for a fictional dog that represents everything I value in animal advocacy.

This game reminded me that art should be fun. It should be a reaction to the things that move us. Whether it is a perfectly framed shot in a digital landscape or the way a digital dog wags its tail, inspiration is everywhere if the creators put enough heart into it. Dispatch has plenty of heart, and Beef is the gold standard for how animals should be portrayed in gaming. If you are a fellow art student or just someone who appreciates a well-crafted world, you need to experience this. And if you are an animal lover, prepare to have your heart stolen by the best boy in the industry. 

Beef deserves the world, and Dispatch deserves an Oscar. I’m out.