Everyone was very kind and understanding. Not once did anyone make me feel uncomfortable or like I had no business being in the classes. In fact, they encouraged me to reach beyond what I thought I could do.
By the end of a year, I had reached my goal of 200 pounds by Christmas, and Gaylen and I celebrated by having pizza for the first time in an entire year. Two days later, we were right back at it, going to several classes a week, practicing at home, and enjoying what's become a whole new, exciting and active life for us.
Now, we both study Shaolin Kempo with Joel Merriam, and it's become a major aspect of our lives and allowed us to continue our conditioning and make many new and wonderful friends.
at a concert in 2001 (Photo by Valeri Shaw)
