Mr. Matthew Taylor
2nd Dan Black Belt
How long have you have been training in Taekwondo?
I have been training for about 8 years now.
How did you get involved in Taekwondo?
I enrolled in taekwondo at maple ridge community centre through the city of Ottawa.
What is Taekwondo to you specifically?
Taekwondo is how I keep myself centered and how I relieve stress. By focusing my thoughts and directing my body I let go of any distractions. I can’t seem to go for a long time without Taekwondo.
What do you enjoy about Taekwondo?
I enjoy the sparring because it’s a mental speed chess game, the patterns because they’re a form of art combined with deadliness, and the self-defence because it’s the application of techniques in real life. I also like the philosophy of taekwondo and I have incorporated it into my life.
How has Taekwondo affected you?
Taekwondo has made me into a more calm, confident, and assertive person.
What's your favourite motvational/inspirational quote(s)?
"Knowing others takes intelligence
Knowing yourself takes wisdom
Mastering others takes strength
Mastering yourself takes greatness"