"I can do, you can do" How Martial Arts Has Helped Me By Lindsay Seamans

For those of you who know me, I'm sure I would be described as being far from an extroverted, spontaneous, Type A personality. I would say that I am very much the opposite of everything in that first sentence. I am shy, introverted, and always think things through. That's how I am, and I've come to accept it.

I didn't join Muay Thai to only get into shape. I joined because my self-confidence and self-esteem were so low, I didn't think I could do it. I can remember the first time I even attempted to do Thai class. I almost had a panic attack! I could only sit against a wall and watch, all while my husband Doug and Khru Dick were trying to get me to join in, not even having the guts to tell them how nervous I was and that I thought my heart was trying to come out of my chest. Needless to say, that first experience didn't do a whole lot for my confidence! While sitting against that very wall, I made up mind: I WANTED to train and learn Muay Thai, and try to kick this awful habit of giving up before I even give it a go, no matter how uncomfortable it made me. Failure wasn't an option! I was scared to death the first time I actually took a Thai class. I was so intimidated by how good everyone else was! But everyone in class, including whoever was teaching that night and who I was paired up with, reminded me that everyone has to start somewhere. I felt so good after that first class, I can't describe it! So I took the plunge and haven't looked back!

During this "plunge" process, Khru Dick left the gym I was training at, and opened his own place. I didn't immediately follow - I really don't like change; change goes along with the confidence issues and a new place and new people are intimidating! I was torn on where to go, and since my husband was running a class out of this other gym, I stayed there. I kept training though, and pushing forward, and eventually passed my Level I test under the Thai Boxing Association. Even more of the shell was beginning to break away. Not quite a year ago, I started going down to SouthEnd to once again train under Khru Dick. It wasn't long until I realized that this is where I belong. Dick Harrell Martial Arts is a place where I can just be. I never feel as if I'm being measured against someone else, only against myself and how hard and how far I can push myself and be pushed. Under the instruction of Khru's Dick, Tim , Janet and Noah, I've finally begun to realize my true potential from passing my Level II test under the Thai Boxing Association and beginning to train for something else: getting into the ring!

That being said, my shell is still there, it's about halfway gone now. However difficult this journey has been, I now truly know what I can and cannot do. I still cannot get up in front of a huge group of people and NOT get nervous, even if I know the people who are watching. I can however, and did, get up in front of a huge group of people and make my debut as an amateur Thai fighter on January 22, 2011. Even though I lost by a very close split decision, I can't tell you enough how proud of myself I am for coming such a long way! Talk about a leap in confidence! I feel like a new person who can do anything and everything! Without the support of everyone at DHMA, my husband, family and a HUGE support network, I don't think it would ever have been possible. I'm pretty sure I made everyone else proud too!

What's next? I can't wait to get back in the ring and fight again! I also can't wait to eventually test for my Apprentice Instructor Level in the Thai Boxing Association, so that one day I can help someone who struggles with the same issues I do. Because in the words of Grandmaster Chai Sirisute, "They can do, you can do."