Emma de Wolff

Most of you have seen me during Krav Maga training sessions but for those who don't know me yet, I will introduce myself and tell you how I ended up in this newsletter.

My name is Emma and I am 21 years old. I have lived in Tilburg all my life. I went to school here at the Odulphus Lyceum, where I did HAVO for the first five years and, after graduating, continued for two more years to get my VWO diploma. After that, I had had enough of school for a while and started working.

I started Krav Maga training at Taus Gym when I was 16. Before that, I actually had quite little interest in sports. I was much more into creative things like writing, drawing and painting. My mother had still taken me to all kinds of trial classes in the hope that it would spur something on but that too was unsuccessful. Until one day, a friend of mine came up with the idea of looking into martial arts in Tilburg after all. We made the deal: she chose the sport and I chose the gym. And so we took a trial lesson in Krav Maga at Taus Gym.

From day 1, I actually noticed that there was a very friendly and close-knit atmosphere in the gym. Everyone was ready to help each other, not only the trainers but also the members themselves. That really motivated me to train more and get better. I discovered in myself a very sporty side with a lot of energy and potential. That potential was also seen within the gym, so when I was asked whether I was interested in another role within the gym, the answer was an obvious ‘yes’.

For those who have known me for some time, they know that I did not enter Taus Gym as the most sociable and confident. If you had told me then that in four years' time, I would have 3 exams behind me, be in training to become an instructor and become part of team Taus Gym, I would probably have turned around and cycled home. Now I stand motivated and full of enthusiasm ready to face my next challenges.

And that is also what Taus Gym has meant to me, a place where I was free to grow (unfortunately not in height). I started here with the objective of working out, but I ended up doing and learning so much more than just working out. I got the feeling that I could do more than I think and it turned out to be true. Especially in Krav Maga where, as a small and light person, I will always be at a disadvantage against an attacker. I learnt to be able to defend myself well despite my height and weight. This also shows that Krav Maga at Taus Gym really is for everyone and I would like to be able to convey that idea to others.

So my plan now is to do instructor training in the near future. At the moment I'm walking along during the kids, youth and women only Krav Maga classes. I am also working on various behind-the-scenes tasks at Taus Gym in which I would like to eventually become more involved so if you have any great ideas, please let me know!

I am also planning to join Meet the Marines again next year. Last year, I also participated and I enjoyed it immensely. It was a huge challenge but once it was done, I went home feeling powerful and proud. If you want to know more about this, read the blog about the 24H Meet the Marines Experience and who knows, maybe our team will be joined by you next year.

Apart from that, of course, I also plan to just come to classes and the other events organised a lot. You will also see me at the upcoming members' BBQ on 23 September. I hope to see you all there too and otherwise I will see you again during classes.