Ashlyn Hunt, Australia
Ashlyn Hunt tells how training with GKR gave her purpose and a supportive community to keep her going through her hardest days.
For most of my school years, I was bullied, mainly for my weight, but also just for being different. It crushed my confidence. I avoided speaking up, never saw myself as strong, and honestly didn’t believe I had much to offer.
I started GKR Karate to get moving and feel healthier, but it quickly became so much more than that. In the middle of my karate journey, I was diagnosed with a medical condition called a prolactinoma, which is a type of pituitary tumour. The medication I was put on made me feel terrible, constantly tired, foggy, and emotionally drained. It would have been easy to give up, but karate kept me grounded. It gave me a routine, a purpose, and a supportive community to keep me going through the hardest days.
Training helped me gain physical strength, but even more importantly, it gave me back my confidence, and the bullies became nothing. Their words no longer had power over me. I realised how far I’d come, mentally and physically.
Now I can lead classes with over 30 students and deliver speeches in front of crowds, something the old me would have never imagined. I’ve become stronger, healthier, and proud of who I am.
To anyone struggling: get angry, be frustrated, be upset, it’s okay to feel that way. But channel those emotions into your training. The progress will be better than you can imagine, and you’ll feel better after every session. Yes, it’s hard right now, but it does get better. Don’t give up. Believe in yourself and your instructors—GKR has your back.
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