Fall 2025 Black Belt Cycle

Candidate Journals

King Tiger Tae Kwon Do Black Belt candidates blog daily about their journey: their thoughts and feelings, their struggles and successes; their pain and their encouragement. Follow along on their journey; words of encouragement are always welcome!

8-12

I've been having a tough time with the journal entries. On previous cycles I looked forward to writing my thoughts, but on this cycle I've already missed about half the days. I know it's because I'm working at night, but it only takes 5 minutes so I have to find a way to remember during the day. I'll set an alarm so that I will be prompted to login and journal. Other than that, we have to just keep putting the work in every day and then rest at the end of the cycle. 

  5 Hits

A Full Day

yesterday was the first day in about 30 days where I didn't have any work-work. I've been working on four projects the past several years and they're all getting to crunch time all within the same few months. Anyway, I did blackbelt class, some mentoring work and ran my pre-test miles and then went home and finished everything else up. Then my wife and I took the kids to Lake Norman State Park. We didn't go in the water because of e-Coli warnings, but we got some football time in on the beach and then watched some baby deer eating along the tree line. (The dog seemed pretty excited about watching the deer) We ate an early dinner in Troutman and then stopped at Concetto's on the way home for some Italian Ice. At home we watched the first four episodes of 'Untamed' on Netflix - great series. There is a...

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  20 Hits

Work work work

Work has been kicking my ass for the past several weeks. I’m getting my requirements in but I’m missing class time, mentoring time etc. I was ready to leave the house tonight at 5pm and got pulled into a last minute meeting. I didn’t get out the door until 5:30. Got to the do jang right when warmups were ending but I jumped in cold for poomsaes and weapons. Then I stayed after class to work on some self defense with Mr Tim. Then back home to more work. 

  19 Hits

Going great

Been working a ton of hours so have missed a few classes but I’m getting all of my other requirements done at home between meetings. Hopefully the rest of the week slows down now that the bank is live in production. 

  41 Hits

Monday

Started working Saturday morning after the black belt pre-test and didn’t stop until 8pm last night. Slept six hours and got up at 3:30 to start again. Missed poomsae class and any requirements yesterday so have to catch up this week. And somehow sleep. 

  26 Hits

Pre-test done

Woke up at 5:30 for the pretest, which went well although I fumbled on my poomsae. Master Evins said Sa, but I heard Sam.  I tried to start over and then got too close to Will and just totally lost it. All I could do was laugh at that point. I know my poomsaes so I’m not worried. Got an hour nap in and now I’m pulling an all nighter for a bank merger. Even when you’re bone tired, just keep moving forward. 

  36 Hits

Pre-Test time!

I’m excited for the pretest so I can get my benchmarks and crush them at the end of the cycle. I’m especially looking forward to getting my pull-ups back. Good luck everyone 

  44 Hits

HEAT

 I try to get all of my physical requirements done early morning before work, but it’s difficult to stay focused for work afterwards. The heat is draining my energy. I feel great working out but an hour later at my desk I’m dragging ass. That’s the hardest part of the cycle… showing up for the non-TKD, life requirements. 

  50 Hits

Back to Business

Went to BB class this morning. Great class. I was feeling a little queasy and my muscles were cramping from being dehydrated but I powered through. I stopped and bought some electrolytes on the way home and felt fine the rest of the day. I missed the poomsae seminar because I had to go to Indian Hill. 

  47 Hits

Good and Bad

Good news is family arrived home today; bad news is I was stomach sick all afternoon. I did not finish requirements or make it to BB class. I have the alarm set for the morning. Hopefully I’m feeling refreshed in the morning 

  51 Hits

Late night

I’m finishing up some of the exercises now before I go to bed. I wasnt able to finish everything during the day because of work. This’ll teach me not to hit the snooze button! 

  53 Hits

Work

Was getting ready to knock off work around 5pm when I got pulled into a client issue and ended up working until almost 8pm. Frustrating. Other than that, pretty good day. 

  37 Hits

Get'er Done

I haven't had any issues getting my requirements done even though work has been busy and I've got some house projects I'm wrapping up. However, once the family arrives home on Friday, it's going to become more hectic. The family knows what to expect with me being on the cycle, but there is still going to be a lot more demand for my time. Especially with school starting soon and end-of-summer events. I know there will be days where I'm bone tired and I won't feel like putting in the work. For me, the trick is to get as much done as possible first thing in the morning. If I put anything off to later in the day, it becomes four times as hard.  

  41 Hits

Back to my routine

Arrived home from California last night and got back on my normal routine this morning. Did my physical requirements in the am and then went to Poomsae class. The rest of the day was spent cleaning my house before the family returns from Peru on Friday. 

  44 Hits

Tournament wind down

Went to the opening ceremonies at the tournament tonight. It was amazing to see all of the competitors grouped by state and country. After we paraded around, and listened to a few speeches, we watched the South Korean demo team perform. Great night. Tomorrow we fly home. 

  51 Hits

Hanmadang

Arrived in California today for the Hanmadang competition. We’ve got a good group of King Tigers here. Today was registration and tomorrow starts the competition. Wish we could post pictures here!

  56 Hits

Off to a Good Start

Went to Poomsae class this morning and got all my requirements in this afternoon in between chores around the house. My milage so far has been power walking with a 20lb ruck. I've been power rucking pretty consistently for the past month to try and work through shin splints and get my calves fired up.  I also did some planning and started on an essay so that I'm not scrambling towards the end of the cycle. I'm excited to be competing in California this coming week - I signed up for Poomsae and Power Breaking. 

  50 Hits

Buckle up!

I’m excited to start a new cycle  I’m looking forward to the challenges and shared accomplishments. Best of luck to everyone!

  46 Hits