Greenstone Karate

I’ve successfully arrived in Japan. I say successfully because my original flight was cancelled at 7pm the night before I was due to fly 😱 thankfully I was able to quickly book another flight and stick to my plan of arriving in Japan with enough time to settle in before competition day.🥹🕺🏽

The hospitality has been amazing, as always and the food has been even better! It has been a blessed few days.❤️

After a good sleep last night, I found myself reflecting on all the messages, comments and support I’ve received. To be honest, I’m still overwhelmed with gratitude. I miss my family very much back on the Gold Coast but I’m incredibly happy to be back in Japan. For those who know me well, Japan has always felt like a second home…

I’ve had a few people ask about my connections in Japan, who I’m affiliated with and other details. The truth is that since 2012 I’ve built strong relationships here, not only through Karate but through genuine friendships. I’m fortunate to have incredible friends, extended family, martial artists and organisations that have welcomed and supported me over the years. These relationships were never built on politics or personal gain they were built on respect, trust and friendship & I cherish that.

This morning I was thinking about something I spoke to my students about last week. Things don’t always go the way we want. Life has a way of throwing challenges and obstacles in our path. What matters is our ability to keep moving forward and do our best with the situation in front of us or do we pull the pin and call it a day…

There’s a huge difference between motivation and discipline.💯

Motivation is great when we’re feeling good and everything is going our way. Discipline is what we fall back on when things don’t go to plan. Repetition, consistency, hard work & most of all tenacity these are the things that carry us through. Like my Tāmoko on my body the Mangōpare design represents tenacity & unyielding fighting spirit🦈

Discipline is something we all need.

I hope everyone is having an amazing day. Thank you again for all the support. I appreciate every message, every comment, and every person who has been part of this journey, OSU! 🇯🇵

Today was special, my last Karate class at our Greenstone Pacific Pines Dojo before I head Japan. Thank you so much to Savarna, Nikole & Senpai Charlie you guys did an incredible job today and I’m so grateful. I’m so proud of all the students & we had a blast! OSU!

It was such a blessing to have Nikole, the boss & one of my Greenstone Karate instructors visit the kids at Nerang last Tuesday. She took some time to chat with the students about etiquette & respect before class, and it was fantastic to see them all so engaged and listening intently.

It’s wonderful to have strong female role models in our dojo, and Nikole does an amazing job mentoring the kids, especially the young girls. They look up to her not only because of her caring and supportive nature, but also because of her achievements. As a Gold Coast Kyokushin Karate Champion and someone who has been by my side since 1998, she brings a wealth of knowledge, care, experience and wisdom to our community.

She definitely knows her stuff… and when she tells me to hang out the washing, all I can say is a big OSU!!!!🥋😂😩

Say hello to some of my instructors! Sensei James created this cool pic of the Greenstone Karate black belts. Super proud & grateful!

After months of uncertainty, health challenges, and one of the toughest training camps of my life, I’m proud to announce that this June I will be travelling to Tokyo, Japan to compete in the Masters Heavyweight Full Contact Karate Division.

This isn’t about ego or glory. It’s about chasing a dream, testing myself and proving that it’s never too late to take on a challenge that means something to you.

Times have changed, and in today’s society I personally don’t think enough people children or adults, are dreaming big anymore. Too many of us settle for less than what we are capable of. Too many are afraid to chase their dreams, take action and make them a reality.

We are all here on this earth, but not all of us truly live…

I hope this journey inspires even one person to believe in themselves, dream bigger, never give up and keep moving forward no matter what obstacles stand in the way.

Thank you to Nikole my family, my students and our incredible Greenstone Karate community for your support.

And for those that know me, know I’m not religious, but let me just say this God is good.❤️🙏🏽

I love you all.

Watch this space. 🚀

OSU!

Greenstone instructors Senpai Charlie & Nikole, such amazing mentors. Not just teaching kicks & punches but truly changing lives for the better. Times have changed…Kids need Karate more than ever!

Another week of Karate done and dusted!
What an absolutely outstanding effort by everyone this week. The hard work, discipline, respect and team spirit shown across all classes has been incredible to see. Proud of every student for continuing to push themselves and grow stronger each week…🥋

OSU 👊