In December 2024, five PMA FILKENJUTSU students completed a rigorous three-day test to earn their Black Belts. Among them was Maggie Fox, who submitted the following paper as part of her testing process.

Maggie began her training at PMA at just six years old and has since achieved remarkable milestones. She is now a FILKENJUTSU Black Belt, a Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt, a certified PMA Instructor, and a successful competitor and coach on our competition team. Maggie is an integral part of the PMA community, leading kids' classes daily and training diligently in the adult program. Enjoy!

“The goal of martial arts is to affect the mind and spirit, not just the body.”

— Gichin Funakoshi

I began my martial arts journey with PMA shortly before I turned six years old. I grew up in the FILKENJUTSU program, and without a doubt, I would not be who I am today without PMA. At PMA, we always say martial arts is about self-defense and self-perfection. I can not emphasize how true this is. I have not only learned to defend myself and those around me, but I have also learned how to become someone I’m proud of, how to keep going when things are hard, and how to carry myself with confidence. One aspect of self-perfection has strongly impacted me and applied to other areas of my life. That is the importance of doing hard things. By being pushed to my physical and mental limits, I have learned how to push myself, what I am capable of, and the benefits of these two things.

Maggie with her brothers after their first belt test. December 2012

My martial arts journey has taught me the benefits of self-motivation, especially motivation to do challenging things. Over and over throughout my training, I have been pushed to keep going when I was sure I couldn't do anymore. Belt testing is a prime example of this. There have been countless times when my body and mind were exhausted, and I was sure I was finished, but then I was told to put on my sparring gear, to start jogging around the mat again, or something else. Others pushed, encouraged, and motivated me in those situations, helping me realize what I could do. But being pushed by others has taught me to push myself past my limits on my own. It has taught me responsibility and discipline. When it's 9:30 at night, I've been training for multiple hours, and I have more rolls to do; there's no way for anyone else to make me train my hardest. There's only me to make myself keep moving and pushing the pace. When I have learned a new form and am expected to practice and maintain it, I have learned how to keep myself disciplined and practicing even when I'm tired or busy. This self-motivation is a powerful tool that I have honed through martial arts, and it has made me happier, more satisfied with my work, and prouder of myself.

By being encouraged by others to push myself and seeing the results, I have learned the importance of pushing myself and the satisfaction and progress it brings. I am so proud of who I am and the work I do when I finish it well, and I know that I gave it my best effort. And I can apply this skill not only in martial arts but in everyday life as well. When I have a paper that needs to be written or a project that needs to be completed, I have learned the importance of finishing well, even when I have no desire to. When any task is set before me, I have learned the benefit of pushing myself to finish well, even when exhausted.

Maggie with one of her instructors, Madelyn Fowler, after earning her Junior Black Belt at 12 years old.

Please don't hear me saying I'm perfect at this and can always push myself to the fullest in whatever I do. I fail over and over, I give up when I shouldn't, and sometimes I still need to finish better. However, training in martial arts has taught me how to do this and how it benefits me. I've learned the importance of doing hard things because they challenge me and allow me to practice pushing myself, and I'm trying to get better at this practice every day. It requires discipline to keep yourself working your hardest and giving your full effort; another skill martial arts has greatly improved for me. When I push myself, I'm happier, more satisfied with my work, and prouder of myself. Having people around me who push me to try my hardest and become the best version of myself is one of the best ways to remind me of this. Martial arts has taught me the benefit of discipline and challenging myself. It has given me the courage to try new and challenging things, such as public speaking or leadership roles, and constantly push myself to improve.

Maggie with her coaches after winning both her gi and no gi expert teens grappling divisions at 16 years old.

Something that comes hand in hand with learning to push myself is learning what I am capable of. Looking back at the end of a 9-hour belt test and realizing how much I accomplished and the knowledge I have was always one of the most rewarding feelings. By being pushed to my limits, I learned that my limits were far higher than I initially thought. I have learned that I can work hard and not stop just because I'm tired, something I have applied in countless ways outside of martial arts. I have learned that I can perform under pressure and maintain my calm even when everything is chaotic around me.

Of course, there are still times when I do lose my cool or give up and think I can't do it, but looking back at the things I've been through and accomplished gives me confidence that I am capable of hard things and that I will make it to the other side of whatever the current challenge is as a stronger person. I have applied this confidence in myself in countless ways. Every time something challenges me, I can look back at all the grueling belt tests, late-night training sessions, reps of 100 up-downs, or any other challenge I've overcome thanks to PMA and know that I can handle this one, too. This includes when others doubt me. As a 5 foot 2 inch tall teenage girl, I am constantly underestimated or doubted. My training has given me confidence that despite what others may think of me, I know what I am capable of. I know my worth and strength and don't depend on others to tell me that. This allows me to carry myself with confidence and composure, even in the face of doubt or criticism.

Maggie with the other FILKENJUTSU Black Belts in her family.

The lessons that martial arts have taught me have shaped my life and made me who I am. Yes, martial arts is about learning how to fight, but it's so much more. It is becoming the best version of yourself, learning to be confident in who you are, learning to find peace amidst chaos, and learning your limits and striving to push them back. Learning to push myself and discover what I'm capable of has vastly changed my mindset and outlook in many situations. By practicing these skills in my training, I've realized the importance of doing hard things in every aspect of life, not just martial arts. Putting myself in challenging situations is one of the best ways I grow and improve. I have learned discipline and how to apply it in every area of my life. The ability to keep going when things get tough, to step up to a challenge and take command, and simply the confidence gained by going through hard things sets one apart, no matter what field they are applied to. No matter where I go in life or what I do, the foundation that PMA has given me will allow me to thrive. Training martial arts taught me the more I push and challenge myself, the more I trust myself and find that I'm more satisfied and proud of who I am. Thank you, PMA and SiFu David, for helping me grow into someone I'm proud to be.