Taekwondo class. First day of no touch sparring. I’m paired with my friend Matt, both of us fresh white belts, and we are instructed to take turns throwing any three kicks.  Standing next to us observing are two black belts a bit younger than us. I throw a few side kicks, crescents, sides, axes and a spinning hook kick. Matt does a throw some front kicks axes and finishes with a tornado kick. Both looking surprised one of the black belts turns to the other and says “They’re throwing nice axes, spinning hooks and tornadoes… I think they have the wrong belts.”

Comments like that and noticing your masters pushing you harder after seeing your skill and potential is the best feeling.