April Members spotlight is one of our youngest members currently on the CBA! Meet 16 year old Katrina Bodlée

1. Hi Katrina, could you please introduce yourself? tell us where you are from, and a little about your martial arts background; When did you begin practicing and what made you start? 
My name is Katrina Bodlée, I am 16 years old and I live in Germany near Stuttgart . I am currently still a student attending high school. At the age of 7 I started karate in our local martial arts club, which is part of the German Karate Association. For 6 years I attended training regularly, took part in advanced training courses and belt tests. Because of the pressure to achieve a higher belt in the karate club, I lost enjoyment of martial arts, which led me to eventually stop practicing karate. After a short time I realized that I missed martial arts but wanted to continue practicing it without pressure and competitions. I attended self-defense classes and participated in an online Krav Maga course. During the Corona pandemic I discovered videos of bo staff fighting online. I quickly learned various punch combinations, spins and rotations through bo staff tutorials. I immediately enjoyed trying out the different tricks and my basics were quickly established through daily training. Soon I couldn't find any new tutorials, which led me to discover the Chloe Bruce Academy. First I took part in a bo staff course from Chloe and quickly realized that I would learn a lot in the academy. I registered directly as a member of the Academy. 

2. What is one piece of advice you received from your previous master(s) that will always stick with you?
A trainer once said before a training session that karate should only ever be used for self-defense. I believe this principle is always important to keep in mind, no matter what martial art you practice. 

3. What would you say are your greatest strengths in your practice?
I think one of my greatest strengths is my ability to quickly learn new combinations and new tricks, especially in bo staff. I try to pay attention to my posture and optimise punches and kicks powerfully. 

4. How would you say Martial Arts has impacted your life?
Bo staff, in particular, provides me with a respite from everyday life and clears my mind. It may sound strange, but when I perform a bo staff rotation for a few minutes, it feels like entering a light meditation, making me feel more energized. Martial arts helps me approach situations with a calmer mindset and feel physically resilient. 

5. Do you have any specific goals or things you hope to accomplish in this coming year? 
This year, my goal is to achieve higher kicks through flexibility and strength. Additionally, I would like to learn combinations in bo staff with step sequences and kicking. I look forward to participating in online courses offered by the CBA and the progress I will make. 

6. What are the main things you love about the Chloe Bruce Academy? 
What I particularly appreciate about the CBA is the felxibility to train individually. There are options for every level of experience and you can adjust the difficulty level as needed.  I enjoy the global community aspect and getting to know fellow members better, especially through online courses. I'm also impressed by the variety of training methods. I never thought I would enjoy a Flexy Flow course so much. And last but not least, Chloe herself, who always motivates you and pushes you forward. Thank you! ;) 

7. Some advice you would give to someone just starting out in Martial arts? 
I believe it's important to train with enjoyment and explore different martial arts to discover where your interests lie and where you feel most comfortable. 

Thankyou so much Katrina, you are such an inspiration, especially still being so young! If you would like to check out Katrina's social media accounts please click below.

Instagram: katlynxbo

March Member spotlight is one of our longest standing members- Joshua Weible.

1. Hi Joshua, could you please introduce yourself? tell us where you are from, and a little about your martial arts background; When did you begin practicing and what made you start? 
My name is Joshua Weible, and I am a 4th grade teacher in the Oregon desert. I grew up on Oahu, Hawaii, where I went to school. I did not have a desire to learn martial arts until I went to college in Oregon. A family I moved in with was doing taekwondo at a local school and I got hooked. The students and instructors became an extended family, and the physical and mental training I received was amazing. I started in Soaring Phoenix in 2016. Since then I moved to Burns to teach and start my own school Rising Phoenix. We have been growing ever since! 

2. What style are you predominantly trained in and what belt?
I have trained predominantly in Taekwondo and am currently a 3rd Dan. 

3. What would you say are your greatest strengths in your practice?
My greatest strength in my practice would be my form. I enjoy making sure to chamber well for kicks and strikes and be in good stances throughout my forms. 

4. How would you say Martial Arts has impacted your life?
Martial Arts has greatly impacted my life for the better! I enjoy the self focus I can have in bettering myself, physically and mentally. Since I moved to Newberg I have continued to focus on myself, and have added the challenge of teaching others. My school has been a great family that has supported each other through Covid. We adjusted with what was needed and it helped give me purpose in continuing to work out during the pandemic. My life revolves even more strongly around taekwondo as the years progress since I started. I love martial arts and the menal control I have gained and worked on!

5. Do you have any specific goals or things you hope to accomplish in this coming year? 
I am aiming to test for my 4th Dan in May. I have been training hard to make sure I am ready and that I feel I truly earned the belt. This along with continuing to grow the school and support the community are the goals I would most like to accomplish!

6. What are the main things you love about the Chloe Bruce Academy? 
Two things I have really loved are the classes and Chloe herself! The biggest problem of where I live is that I do not have schools around me I can easily train at. A lot of my training happens online.Chloe Bruce Academy offers a lot of different classes for me to do when I am able to. I have recently started the Tang Soo Do White belt course and am enjoying it. I have also done the flexibility courses for kicks and mobility amongst other courses. Chole has been a great instructor, willing to help us all learn! I have enjoyed the group's live classes that I have been able to do with her. She, through her app, allows for a lot of training to occur that would be hard to get in the location I live now!

7. Some advice you would give to someone just starting out in Martial arts? 
Focus on the basics! Although the repetition and easiness of the beginning moves may make you want to move onto the next harder thing. It is important to remember to work on the basic stances, kicks and strikes techniques as you will need a strong base to do the more complex moves and forms.

Thankyou so much Joshua, you are such an inspiration! If you would like to check out Joshua's dojo or social media accounts please click below.

Website: Rising Phoenix

February Member Spotlight is none other than the incredible Krystol Sanchez!

1. Hi Krystol, could you please introduce yourself? tell us where you are from, and a little about your martial arts background; When did you begin practicing and what made you start? 

My name is Krystol Sanchez.  I am from the DMV area in the US and currently reside in Woodbridge, Virginia, about 20 miles south of Washington DC.  I started practicing Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do, specifically, in 1999/2000. I, luckily, found myself working for someone who believed in me and gave me opportunities to grow as a person.  One of these opportunities was the gift of Martial Arts.  I didn’t know what I was walking in to but soon fell in love with it! 

2.  What style are you predominantly trained in and what belt? 

I am predominately trained in Tae Kwon Do.  Styles include Jhoon Rhee, ITF, and Sport Karate/Point Fighting.  I hold 3 black belts in Tae Kwon Do, two second degree black belts, and one third degree black belt, all from different schools.  I have trained extensively in Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well, holding a purple belt in BJJ. 

3. Care to share a memory you have of training as a child? 

I did not train as a child.  I didn’t start until I was an adult at the age of 20 or 21. 

4. What is one piece of advice you received from your previous master(s) that will always stick with you? 

That’s a tough one.  I have trained with so many amazing Masters and Grandmasters.  I started teaching at brown belt at my first school and I think one of the things I remember most is “having a blast with basics”.  It was in our instructor manual, and it is something that never gets old to me.  I love practicing and teaching strong basics! 

5. What would you say are your greatest strengths in your practice? 

Hands down, teaching!  I love to disguise repetition and create an exciting training environment.  I don’t know how much I practice for myself anymore.  I practice to stay fresh for my students and empower them with my knowledge and love for the sport.  If I had to choose my greatest strengths, I have strong stances, intense forms, one heck of a side kick, and I love to fight! 

6. How would you say Martial Arts has impacted your life? 

Martial arts has given me family, stability, and positivity when I needed it most.  It has taught me to never give up and has kept me pushing to be the best version of myself as a martial artist, competitor, instructor, school owner, and a person.  It has kept me reaching for new goals and how to push through challenges.  I have learned patience, humility, kindness, and giving on so many different levels.  I have been able to share my passion with others and find what I believe to be my true calling in life. 

7. Do you have any specific goals or things you hope to accomplish in this coming year? 

I have been working to get my 4th dan in Tae Kwon Do.  My personal training goals include: 

Strengthening for my knees, stay injury free, increase mobility and range of motion, breakdown and learn one belt level form per month, create a new bo staff form.  

8. What are the main things you love about the Chloe Bruce Academy? 

I love working with Chloe in the live sessions!  Chloe is genuine, knowledgeable, professional, and makes me feel like a rock star!  She goes out of her way to make sure we get the recordings so we can go back and practice what we learned.  She goes above and beyond in every session! 

9. How does the CBA add to your current training? 

I can conveniently use the videos any time.  I work on kick strengthening, flexibility, and bo staff. 

10. Some advice you would give to someone just starting out in Martial arts? 

I generally give advice to people who are going to train in person at a training facility and what I say to them is this: 

It’s not about choosing the right style of martial art; it’s about choosing the right place.  Experienced and passionate instructors that teach quality martial arts in a positive training environment is what you should be looking for. 

Take it slow, get it right, technique over everything else.  You can add power, speed, and flexibility to the proper technique.  Progress over perfection! 

Thankyou so much Krystol, you are such an inspiration! If you would like to check out Krystol's dojo or social media accounts please click below.

Website: www.actiontkd.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMAFTKD/ 

Our members spotlight shines a light on the amazing training and commitments that our CB Academy members do to champion and improve their own skillset, fitness and health.

Here you can take a look at our spotlight members, read their stories and be inspired! 🔥