Instructor Spotlight: Miss Natalie Williams

NuneatonTKD • December 30, 2019

Here at Nuneaton Taekwon-Do we're firm believers that Taekwon-Do is for everybody, regardless of age or ability. A club is nothing without it's members and every month we'll be introducing you to one of our students.

As we come to the end of 2019, December's Spotlight is one of our instructors: Miss Natalie Williams IV.

Instructor Spotlight for December 2019

Name: Natalie Williams
Age: 25
Grade: IV Dan Blackbelt

Started Taekwon-Do: 2002

Occupation: Pharmacist & Taekwon-Do Instructor
From: Hinckley

Why did you start Taekwon-Do?

My sister had started the previous year and I had enjoyed the parts she had shown me so I was keen to begin myself. I has the choice between continuing with Brownies or starting TKD and I have never regretted it since.

What’s your favourite part of training?

I enjoy patterns the most because I like being able to perfect them and begin able to put an artistic spin into them.

Which patterns do you like most?

My favourite patterns are the second degree set because each one requires a slightly different skill set; Eui Am involves artistry, Juche requires control and strength and Choong Jang needs power and stamina.

What has surprised you most about TKD?

The thing that has surprised me the most is how much the values and tenets (courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit) Taekwon-Do teaches have been applied to my everyday life. For example, the tenet of indomitable spirit has made me more resilient to changes in my life so I can always bounce back.

What has been the hardest challenge for you to overcome in Taekwon-Do?

Taking extended breaks for studying etc. then coming back and having to work at 150% to be able to get back to level I was at previously.

You just graded to 4th Dan, tell us about it.

I last did a grading 8 years previously and since then a lot of things had happened: I'd graduated university, begun my first job, moved back to the Midlands and we had opened our own TKD school. It was time for me to progress in my personal TKD journey.

I travelled to Vienna, the headquarters of the ITF and spent 3 intensive days practising all aspects of TKD with fellow TKD practitioners from around the globe. Having stayed for so long as a 3rd Dan I was really nervous about testing for the next grade but it was important to get out my comfort zone and challenge myself.

The grading took place straight after the three day seminar and I was tested on patterns, self defence, defence against a knife and board breaking. I was really proud (and relieved!) when it was announced I had passed the grading.

Hopefully my experience will help me in teaching our students.

(Read more about Miss Natalie's grading here)

What are you looking forward to next in Taekwon-Do? What are your goals for 2020?

I'm looking forward to all the new ways we can grow and develop as a club and a team next year with new events, members and competitors.

Finally, what piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Develop at your own pace. What comes easy to some may not to others. Practise hard and use every opportunity to learn and you can do anything.