MARTIAL ARTS
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 2019
MY LIFE IN MARTIAL ARTS
PUSHING MYSELF PAST BOUNDARIES
My entire life has been martial arts, even before I was born. Both of my parents were already teaching by the time I came around; my mom continued to do demonstrations, even though she was seven months pregnant with me. When I was born, Mom would take me into class, where some of the students would watch over me while she taught a lesson. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t doing martial arts. By the time I was 4, I officially started training at my parents’ school. I remember loving every part of the class and everything I was learning, but, at that age, I didn’t really push myself to go above or beyond. I participated in plenty of competitions, but they didn’t give me the motivation I needed to really get enthusiastic about the sport. It wasn’t until I started getting older that my drive for competition and winning got stronger. When I was about 15, I entered the ATA Martial Arts World Championship that takes place in Little Rock, Arkansas. I was excited to be a part of it, and, while I didn’t win first place, I did place in the top three, which was a significant moment for me. I’d been competing for most of life and placed in other competitions, but this was the first time I placed in a world championship. I proved to myself that I could be successful, and my drive to compete grew. I started to compete more often and, eventually, professionally, where I leaned heavily into Brazilian jiujitsu. This eventually led me to mixed martial arts competitions, becoming a fifth-degree black belt, and starting a program in my parents’ school. When they first opened their school, jiujitsu wasn’t something they taught regularly, but, as I grew more interested and familiar with it, I developed the program we continue to use today. While I owe a lot to the competitions I participated in and still enjoy competing, it’s not what drives me to do martial arts; teaching is. I was around 13 when I first started teaching. Although, the first class I ever taught was actually filling in for my dad. He was stuck in traffic during one of his first classes of the day, so, my mom, who was teaching another class at the time, looked at me and said, “Alright, you got to
teach the class.” It was a little scary; I wasn’t much older than the class, which had around 20 other kids, but I said, “Okay,” and jumped right in. I honestly don’t remember how that class went, but I was told I did a good job afterward. Today, I still want to enjoy training and pushing myself as hard as I can, but I also love teaching. I love helping people reach their goals and watching them grow. Through my own goals, I try to make sure that I’m a good example for the students to show that through continuing in their training and pushing boundaries, they can accomplish a lot in life. Just being a small part in their lives, helping them gain confidence and overcome the challenges they face, is extremely satisfying.
– Keith Olson
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STOP THE SPREAD School is back in session, but your child may be bringing home more than just random facts. Germs and bacteria that
PREVENT COLDS AND THE FLUWITH KID-FRIENDLY TEACHING TOOLS
AHH ... AHH ... ACHOO! Hand washing and nose blowing are about as fun as … well, just that. It’s no wonder children don’t want to take time out of their busy play schedules to combat nasty germs. Instead of making these important steps a chore, make basic hygiene fun. Use fun songs to teach the proper way to cover a sneeze, or do a science experiment to teach your children about the germs spread through just one sneeze. (According to research, sneezes can travel anywhere from 19–26 feet at 100 miles per hour!) For crafty kids, let them decorate tissue boxes or hand sanitizer containers to give hygiene some flair. Soon enough, you’ll find them being smarter about their health. As kids pack into classrooms this fall, germs will fly faster than this past summer did. Prevent the spread of the common cold and flu by learning more tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention online at CDC.gov.
spread the common cold and flu are most prevalent in schools, but while these illnesses are strong, prevention is simple. Teach your kids how to prevent the spread of bacteria this season with these helpful tips.
BUT MOMMY DOESN’T COVER HER NOSE! Kids learn more by watching what you do rather than listening to what you tell them to do. Get in the habit of covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and then wash your hands. Make hand sanitizer and facial tissues readily available in your home and be sure to wash your hands before every meal. In addition, stick to healthy habits when you do feel sick. Drink fluids, get plenty of rest, and seek medical attention when it’s warranted. If your children see you taking care of yourself, they will be more likely to do the same for themselves in the future. CHUCK NORRIS HAS A DIARY CALLED THE GUINNESS BOOK OFWORLD RECORDS Chuck Norris was born on March 10, 1940, and grew up helping his mother raise his two younger brothers. Although he had no idea at the time, he would become one of the most well known celebrities across the globe. Aside from infamous Chuck Norris jokes, he is also a celebrated actor, skilled martial artist, and dedicated activist. THE START OF HIS CAREER After graduating from North Torrance High School in California, Norris joined the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1958–62. At one point, he was stationed in Osan Air Base in South Korea, where he started training in martial arts, specifically tang soo do. After returning to the States, Norris became a karate instructor and opened several martial arts schools, where he taught students like Priscilla Presley and Steve McQueen. MARTIAL ARTIST Norris was very competitive, participated in numerous competitions across the nation, and won many of them. Although the exact number of wins is debated, it’s speculated his record rests at 65 wins and five losses. He won his first World Middleweight Karate Championship title in 1968, which he held five more times. After retiring in 1974, he was encouraged by McQueen to become an actor.
TELEVISION STAR “Way of the Dragon” was the first film to bring Norris attention, likely thanks to his character going head-to-head with Bruce Lee’s character. Five years later, he starred in the film “Breaker! Breaker!” In the early 1990s, he started the TV series, “Walker, Texas Ranger,” in which he starred and remained popular for the next eight years. COMMITTED PHILANTHROPIST In 1992, Norris started his own charitable organization, Kickstart. This program trains middle school students in martial arts, aiming to improve self-esteem and teach discipline and respect. Norris is also a firm supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the VA’s National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, and United Way. Today, Norris spends his time on his ranch in southeast Texas with his wife, Gena O’Kelley, and enjoys the odd Chuck Norris joke or two. Of the hundreds out there, one of Norris’ favorites is: When the boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
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ASK MASTER MOM
MARTIAL ARTS AND MEDITATION
BENEFITS AND TIPS
GOAL SETTING FUN Here is a fun way to help you keep the goals you set and
“Meditation means to be free from all phenomena, and calmness means to be internally unperturbed. There will be calmness when one is free from external objects and is not perturbed.”
document your progress: Make a video! Video yourself telling “yourself” what your goals are and how you plan on reaching them. Watch it weekly to help you stay on track. You can even add to it as you get closer and closer to your goal, and, of course, make a congratulations video when you reach your goal. MASTER MOM - AMANDA OLSON
–Bruce Lee
When a person is pursuing an active lifestyle in martial arts, training the mind is as important as training the body. Discipline, focus, awareness, and inner calm are key elements in martial arts; without them, a person may be unable to reach their full potential. HOW IS MEDITATION BENEFICIAL? Stress is a common feeling for many and can be reduced through meditation. When a person experiences large amounts of stress, they may experience anxiety, increased blood pressure, and poor sleep, which can influence not only their motivation in martial arts but also their overall life. Meditation can reduce stress by calming the thoughts, emphasizing awareness of the body, and focusing on the now. By disciplining the mind through meditation, martial artists gain the ability to react accordingly in highly stressful situations. Whether they find themselves in real-life combat, working on an important project, or participating in a competition, maintaining relaxed and focus thoughts can give them the ability to make rational decisions quickly and accurately. HELPFUL TIPS TO MEDITATE There are a few ways to meditate, with concentration and mindfulness being two of the most common approaches. Concentration meditation is when you focus on a specific point, which can be your breathing, the flame of a candle, or a softly-repeated mantra. Mindfulness meditation is all about letting your thoughts drift through your mind without correcting them or steering them to one particular thought. The most crucial aspect is to find which technique you feel most comfortable with. One of the easiest ways to meditate is to find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. It’s important that you don’t try to control your breathing and allow it to flow naturally while you relax your entire body.
BASIL BERRY SORBET
Unlike standard ice cream recipes, this delicious sorbet doesn’t require fancy equipment or difficult prep. It’s also entirely dairy-free, making it the perfect vegan treat for the end of summer.
INGREDIENTS
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1 cup sugar
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6 cups frozen mixed berries
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1 cup fresh basil leaves
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3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
DIRECTIONS
1. In a saucepan over high heat, combine sugar with 1 cup of water, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves, creating a syrup-like consistency. 2. Remove syrup from heat, add basil, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain syrup into bowl and refrigerate until cold. 3. In a blender, combine syrup with frozen berries and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. 4. Transfer to a square baking pan, cover in plastic wrap, and freeze until set, about 2 hours. 5. Scoop and serve. “This year marks a new chapter for our oldest daughter as she ventures to college. With the familiar feeling of anxiety also comes a level of calmness that, no matter what challenges life may throw at her, with those four pillars, she will get through with resilience and come out victorious.”
Meditation helps all martial artists sharpen their skills, focus their wills, and continue in their unique journeys.
Inspired by Good Housekeeping
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING It takes a village to raise a child. “True to this saying’s meaning, our family is thankful and blissful to be part of Olson’s ‘village.’ Our girls were 9 and 3 years of age when they first started, and Olson’s Empowering Leadership Program has effectively instilled firm virtues not only in our children but also in our entire family. At the day’s end, as we individually reflect how things transpire and how we feel we could have made it better, we simply focus back on those tenets to be renewed.
Throughout the journey of life, we meet many people along the way. Each one has a purpose in our life. No one we meet is ever a coincidence.
“Thank you, Olson’s, for letting us enjoy the journey!” –The Ebeo Family
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INSIDE
MY DRIVE TO CONTINUE MY TRAINING
TEACH YOUR KIDS FLU PREVENTION
HOW CHUCK NORRIS BECAME CHUCK NORRIS
TRAINING BODY AND MIND
BASIL BERRY SORBET
HONORING THE CANINES OF 9/11
THE 4-LEGGED HEROES OF GROUND ZERO HONORING THE CANINES OF 9/11 In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets to clear rubble, offer supplies, and search for survivors. It was a powerful act of resilience in a deeply trying time, and while most of the individuals helping with the disaster stood on two feet, more than 300 canines also answered the call to service.
deceased victims refused to eat or interact with other animals. Search and rescue dogs became increasingly stressed and depressed the longer they searched without any results, mirroring their handlers. It wasn’t uncommon for handlers to stage mock “findings” of survivors to keep the dogs’ spirits up. Fortunately, the sacrifices these dogs and their handlers made did not go unnoticed. Many dog owners were inspired to earn their search and rescue certifications after the events of 9/11, promising to aid in future disasters and hopefully lessen the impact of such catastrophes. After 9/11, various researchers conducted many studies examining the effect this kind of work has on animals, both physically and mentally. Many of these studies wouldn’t be possible without the AKC Canine Health Foundation, so if you’re looking to give back this September, visit them at their website to see how you can help: AKCCHF.org.
Dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, including search and rescue dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, were brought in to help find and care for survivors in the wake of the destruction. They worked tirelessly alongside rescue crews as they searched through the debris. Search and rescue dogs and their handlers worked 12–16-hour days, searching for survivors and victims. They worked through dangerous conditions: Many dogs burned their paws as they dug through hot rubble, and both handlers and canines inhaled toxic dust. The task was both physically and mentally exhausting for the dogs during their shifts. Some dogs that found
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