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I couldn't believe it! It started out to be a lark, my adventure into martial arts, which turned out to be one of my most memorable, exciting, and inspiring ventures of my life. Yes, this event happened when I thought I was an "over the hill burned out" guy who recently turned 50.

During my Tae Kwon Do sessions, I found myself kicking, punching and yelling with people much younger.

The killer tiger within me took over my personality when I entered the Tae Kwon Do school. I started using adrenalin and muscles that I forgot about.

What really took my breath away, was when my Master Instructor, began awarding me trophies for exemplary performances. I mean, I couldn't believe it. I really thought this guy had written me off as some old guy that he was going to humor through this ordeal.

My confidence level began to soar. Good golly Miss Molly, I got so excited that I began participating in local Tae Kwon Do tournaments. I started competing in Tae Kwon Do Forms and Sparring Competitions.

I'll never forget my first sparring match. My opponent was the "instructor" for a competing school. Guess what? Instead of getting my butt kicked, we each received a trophy, because the match ended up a "Tie".

I knew I couldn't win on skill, but I figured I could get him with more aggression. Apparently the strategy worked, because the judges awarded me a "Tie".

The best part of my 50 plus mid-life adventure is that it saved my marriage! That's right. The Tae Kwon Do school I attended was a Traditional school. Subsequently, the giving of respect to others is a paramount requirement for students.

I adopted this quality and practiced giving respect at home. It saved my marriage. How? I'll tell you how. I made it a point of demonstrating my respect to my wife with a genuine Black Belt appreciation.

My wife, in turn, reciprocated my respectful appreciation. Little things do mean a lot!

Lastly, I really fell in love with this martial art. Hey, why not? It reinvigorated my life, saved my marriage, and contributed greatly to my emotional well being. It also has even added an extra dimension of spirituality to my life, something which I have lived without for years.

My wife comments on my new found temper and emotional control. I kid you not, I probably worked twice has hard as any other student in my Tae Kwon Do class, but I don't care. It was worth it to me.

I stayed with this new found love of my life and got my 2nd Degree Black Belt. Pretty good for a 50-year-old wrinkled guy, huh? Sorry, I mean a 50-year-old "rejuvenated" guy.

Learn more about this author, Jack Marinchek.
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