I love this question and love to share the answer.

Every person is different.

Each student is on their own journey, which means everyone is here to get something out of martial arts for themselves. For you, it may be a fun hobby and for another, it may be to learn serious martial arts skills, while for most of us it usually has something more to do with a learning focus, respect, self-control, self-respect, goal setting, etc.

The many reasons to train with us will mold and shape each student during their journey.

I do not teach our martial art as a blanket approach to every student. Instead, I embrace the differences, determine what is needed, and drive straight down the road we need to. That means that through many of the ranks, the level of physical skill expertise may vary as the student finds success and is rewarded through the development of other areas of need.

Stick with your training long enough and you will see something amazing happen.

As the students all reach the red belt color, they start to show similarities. Their skills start to compare well to each other and it is clear they have all been on a long journey that is starting to take shape. They are still very different, but their skill sets begin to be clearly similar and of the same training expectations.

By the time they are invited to test for their black belt they are one solid team and it can be a jaw-dropping thing to see. It is one of the most amazing changes that happens, making both the student and their families very proud of their determination and perseverance in making it through to their ultimate goal of black belt!