Gerard’s journey with taekwondo started as a young boy, alongside his brother. Today he is a third dan black belt and instructor at Power with Purpose. He enjoys teaching his students the skills and perseverance he has learned through the years at Power with Purpose.
Starting with Lion Park’s Taekwondo Club as a boy many years ago, Gerard is thankful for the exceptional masters and practitioners who have mentored him along the way.
After being away for a while, Gerard returned to Power with Purpose with renewed commitment and zeal. “Now I dedicate my practice to honing my art, increasing my knowledge and passing on what I can do for the next generation.”
For Gerard, taekwondo training is reflective of life. “We are given or come across challenges and obstacles to overcome. Both individually and together as a community, we strive to achieve greatness.”
Gerard teaches the true purpose of taekwondo. For him, it is to prepare and condition ourselves to respond calmly and precisely to any challenge we may encounter in life, be it life-threatening or emotionally challenging.
“We must lean towards realising positive outcomes for ourselves and others. We give ourselves a safe place to test ourselves, to push each other and to grow and maintain excellence in our art.”
Garard’s favourite thing about being part of the Power with Purpose team? “The maturity, enthusiasm and dedication to the art is palpable and infectious.”
And the most important thing that Gerard teaches his students when they start their taekwondo journey: “Have a go, be curious, and don’t be scared of all the yelling.”