As many of you know I’ve got two kids. Both of them train in martial arts.
Both of them have earned high ranks.
But let me tell you something — their journeys couldn’t be more different.
My daughter, Jordan, is one of the most naturally gifted martial artists I’ve ever seen — and in nearly 30 years I’ve been around a lot of martial artists! At just two years old, she could perform the entire white belt curriculum from memory just by watching class. She’s won nearly every competition she’s ever entered. At age five, she was complimented by Chloe Bruce — a legend in our industry.
Jordan is precise, driven, and laser-focused. She makes hard things look effortless. And she’s deserved every bit of praise she’s ever received.
But today, I want to talk about my son.
Ben just earned his 3rd Degree Black Belt. And if I’m being honest, that rank probably means more to me than Jordan’s accomplishments — not because it’s higher, but because of what it represents.
Ben didn’t grow up with the same natural hunger for martial arts. He’s fun-loving. A class clown. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, and sometimes he didn’t take training too seriously either.
He failed his 2nd Degree test — not once, not twice, but three times.
He took breaks. Played football. Lost interest. Came back. Left again.
He’s had moments where it looked like he might never push through.
But something changed over the past year or two.
He started showing up differently. Focused. Mature. Invested.
Not trying to be like his sister. Just trying to be himself — and get better.
And that version of Ben? He’s a force.
He’s funny, magnetic, and lights up the room. He’s becoming a powerful martial artist in his own right — not because of raw talent, but because of grit. Because he came back. Because he kept showing up after setbacks. Because he found his own way to the next belt.
That’s what makes this moment so special.
Because not every black belt story is clean.
Not every journey is filled with trophies and straight lines.
Some are messy. Some are winding. Some take a little longer.
And those are the ones that make us cry when that new belt gets tied.
If you’re a parent reading this and your child isn’t the “star student” — maybe they’re goofy, distracted, slower to learn, or just not into it yet — please don’t give up on them.
They may not be the Jordan in the room.
But they might be the Ben — the one who surprises everyone when it finally clicks.
And that kind of victory? It lasts.
I’m proud of both of my kids.
But today, I’m especially proud of the one who had to fight for it.
Because that’s what black belt is really about.
