Episode 148
Ep.148 - Talking with Sword Swinging Adam Kamel
This episode features an enlightening discussion with our athlete of the week, Mr. Adam Kamel, a second-degree black belt hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Camel shares his experiences and aspirations within the realm of Taekwondo, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, integrity, and leadership in his journey. A particularly poignant aspect of our conversation revolves around Mr. Kamel's commitment to aiding others in developing life skills through martial arts, illustrated by his support for his mother as she overcame her own fears in pursuing Taekwondo. Furthermore, we delve into his competitive successes at national tournaments and his goals for upcoming district and world championships. This episode not only highlights Mr. Kamel's personal achievements but also reflects the broader values of the ATA community.
Takeaways:
- The interview highlights the importance of perseverance and integrity within the practice of Taekwondo, emphasizing values crucial for personal development.
- The podcast underscores the significance of supporting fellow students in their martial arts journey, fostering a community of encouragement and growth.
- The guest athlete, Adam Camel, shares his aspirations for achieving district titles, focusing on his strengths in forms and weapon competitions.
- The discussion touches on overcoming fears associated with sparring, which many practitioners experience, and the journey toward building confidence in combat.
- Adam Camel's personal story of helping his mother overcome her fears serves as a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of martial arts on individuals.
- The episode illustrates the role of mentorship in martial arts, as experienced athletes guide and inspire newer practitioners to develop their skills.
Transcript
Athlete of the week interview, take two, sir.
Speaker B:I will live with perseverance in the spirit of Taekwondo, courtesy for fellow students, integrity within myself, and to become a black belt leader.
Speaker B:Welcome to the ATA Nation podcast.
Speaker A:Ladies and gentlemen, sirs, ma' am, instructors, students, parents, grandparents of Songam Taekwondo, welcome back back to the ATA Nation podcast.
Speaker A:It is a pleasure to be back with you.
Speaker A:Today we are featuring another awesome athlete of the week.
Speaker A:And I must say, I did this interview already, but I lost it.
Speaker A:I mentioned that in the recording.
Speaker A:So I reached back out to Mr.
Speaker A:Camel and we were able to reschedule, which I was very pleased with.
Speaker A:Great young man.
Speaker A:I'm going to mention this real quick.
Speaker A:And I talked to him about this.
Speaker A:I don't know about you guys.
Speaker A:I am a fan of the TV show Survivor.
Speaker A:And recently on this season of Survivor, there was a young.
Speaker A:There's a contestant on Survivor who had a speech, a stuttering issue.
Speaker A:And on the show, Jeff Probst, the host, went to him and asked him as they were doing an interview and, and.
Speaker A:And the gentleman was struggling a little with coming up with his word.
Speaker A:He asked him, hey, what would you prefer?
Speaker A:Would you prefer that I try to step in and, you know, ask, you know, cover for you or.
Speaker A:Or try to help you with the words?
Speaker A:Or would you prefer that I just go ahead and let you try to find the word?
Speaker A:And it was a really great scene in which they were acknowledging something that, you know, a lot of us don't like to talk about.
Speaker A:Well, I had this same conversation with Mr.
Speaker A:Camel because he's got a little bit of a stuttering thing, especially when he gets nervous and stuff like that.
Speaker A:And I was just so impressed with this young man.
Speaker A:What a great leader, someone who is working super hard.
Speaker A:And I, you know what, I just.
Speaker A:I just really enjoyed our time together.
Speaker A:So let's get right to the interview.
Speaker A:Stay tuned till afterwards because we're going to talk some stuff about standings, district champ, all that kind of stuff.
Speaker B:Special guest interview.
Speaker A:ATA Nation.
Speaker A:We are back with an athlete of the week.
Speaker A:This athlete of the week, I already did this interview with.
Speaker A:We did it in person in Fort Worth, and then, I don't know, my recording went bad.
Speaker A:I don't know what happened.
Speaker A:Hey, sir.
Speaker A:Introduce yourself to Atnation.
Speaker C:Yes, sir.
Speaker C:So.
Speaker C:Oh, okay.
Speaker C:So my name is Adam Camel.
Speaker C:I.
Speaker C:I'm a second degree black belt from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Speaker C:My taekwondo school is Winners for Life Valentine.
Speaker C:My instructor is Mr.
Speaker C:Narimadriaga, and our school owner here in Winners for Life is so senior master Gonzalo Cabrera.
Speaker A:That's fantastic.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:I got to see you at nationals.
Speaker A:I don't think I got to see you afterwards.
Speaker A:How did your competition go at nationals?
Speaker C:Yes, sir, it went pretty great.
Speaker C:First informs and first in weapons.
Speaker A:Oh, yeah, that is pretty great.
Speaker A:I wouldn't complain about that.
Speaker A:Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker A:Hey, so as an athlete of the week, these junior ambassadors have been picking.
Speaker A:First of all, congrats on that.
Speaker A:That's super awesome.
Speaker C:Thank you.
Speaker A:Second, what.
Speaker A:You know, we.
Speaker A:I like to.
Speaker A:I like to prod and ask a little bit.
Speaker A:What is your, like, your favorite event for tournaments?
Speaker C:My favorite event is definitely traditional weapons.
Speaker C:I love competing with my sword form.
Speaker A:Ah, yes, I do remember sword form.
Speaker A:And if I'm not mistaken, you might be part of the ATA gumdo program.
Speaker A:Is that right?
Speaker C:Yes, sir.
Speaker C:Sir, I am.
Speaker A:How's that going?
Speaker A:Or have you started yet?
Speaker C:You've started, like, oh, so learning for it, but I haven't done any, like, any of the classes yet or any of the testing.
Speaker A:Gotcha.
Speaker A:So you've watched some of the videos they show you and get to do some of that, but not got to do, like, the live classes on.
Speaker A:On zoom or whatnot, so.
Speaker A:Oh, super cool.
Speaker A:Oh, man.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:I'm a little jealous.
Speaker A:That sounds awesome.
Speaker A:And so you, sword is your weapon to compete with.
Speaker A:Do you do extreme and creative weapons as well?
Speaker C:Sir, I do.
Speaker C:Yes, sir.
Speaker C:I do it with.
Speaker C:With the nunchucks, though, not with the sword.
Speaker A:Ah, interesting.
Speaker A:So what made you.
Speaker A:What made you go, hey, I'm gonna do extremely creative with.
Speaker A:With Chucks instead of swords?
Speaker C:Yes.
Speaker C:So you just.
Speaker C:We also love the chalks.
Speaker C:It's just kind of so cool for me to be able to spin them around.
Speaker C:And there's not another weapon that you can kind of spin it around like that?
Speaker C:Just.
Speaker C:Yeah, I just loved it.
Speaker C:Like, with the nunchucks.
Speaker A:I totally can get that.
Speaker A:I can totally see.
Speaker A:Like, for traditional, the sword is such a cool, clean weapon.
Speaker A:But sometimes when you want to show things off, you know, do some of that creative work and whatnot, I can see how the Chucks would be the way to, like, hey, you know, get to show off a little bit more.
Speaker A:So if there was an event that was like, hey, maybe not the top of your list.
Speaker A:I mean, we all love all the events.
Speaker A:We all, you know, think competition is great.
Speaker A:But what would you say is maybe not the very top?
Speaker C:That.
Speaker C:That would, for me, probably be sparring, since I don't really like the discomfort of getting kicked.
Speaker C:But in this past year, Because I've been working on that to try to get over that fear and.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:To be able to go into the mat with confidence instead of fear.
Speaker A:I love that.
Speaker A:That's really good because I think there's a lot of people out there that have that same thought.
Speaker A:They're like, hey, just getting kick thing is not really that great.
Speaker A:I don't love.
Speaker A:I don't mind kicking other people, but getting kicked is just not as much fun.
Speaker A:And it does take some work to just like, you know, get through that.
Speaker A:It's something you got to work on.
Speaker A:So it's a.
Speaker A:It's a natural response, though.
Speaker A:I mean, I think it would be weird if you were like, you got kicked and you're like, yeah, that's.
Speaker A:That's cool.
Speaker A:Hey, I think I remember we talked before that you are part of some team sparring or team combat.
Speaker A:Is that correct?
Speaker C:Yes, sir, I am.
Speaker A:Do you do both or just combat?
Speaker C:You do both, sir.
Speaker C:Team sparring and team combat.
Speaker A:Excellent.
Speaker A:And did you guys compete out there at nationals?
Speaker A:Are you guys ranked?
Speaker A:Getting ready for districts?
Speaker C:Yes, sir.
Speaker C:We are.
Speaker C:Are in for the districts, but.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:But for nationals, unfortunately, we did not compete.
Speaker A:No problem.
Speaker A:You know, it happens sometimes.
Speaker A:You got to get all the people there, and it's a little harder.
Speaker A:You know, it's a little easier.
Speaker A:When you Pittsburgh, you guys are a little closer there.
Speaker A:You might be able to get, you know, more people that way.
Speaker A:So we've got districts right around the corner.
Speaker A:What are your goals for districts?
Speaker A:And then world champion, you got this sweet red shirt on, so it looks like you.
Speaker A:You've accomplished a goal once before, but what are you looking for?
Speaker A:Districts and then worlds this coming year.
Speaker C:So for districts, of course, because I was.
Speaker C:Want to be able to get district titles in all of my events.
Speaker C:But so really for my main focus this year is forms and weapons, because I feel like I'm so pretty good in those this year, and I have a lot of confidence with those that.
Speaker A:You know, that makes a big difference, that confidence.
Speaker A:And is that what you're looking for for world championships as well?
Speaker C:Yes, sir.
Speaker A:Forms and weapons are the main focus there.
Speaker A:I like it.
Speaker A:I like it.
Speaker A:I was just talking to my competition guys yesterday about making sure, you know, as we go into that new year, we're.
Speaker A:We're picking a focus.
Speaker A:Sometimes it's, you know, everybody wants to be an expert at everything.
Speaker A:And yes.
Speaker A:What do they say?
Speaker A:You can be a jack of all trades, but a master of none.
Speaker A:So you got to work, work.
Speaker A:No, there are.
Speaker A:There Are those freaks out there that just can do it all and get like titles and everything?
Speaker A:Which that's just.
Speaker A:So what.
Speaker A:Before we go on to my final question, what other kind of goals do you have for yourself in martial arts?
Speaker A:Just maybe not competition wise, but just all around as part of your training.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:So for me, that would probably be to become an ATA brand ambassador, because I would love to be able to represent ATA and kind of to show my gratitude to ATA for everything that it has done for me, like, over the years.
Speaker A:That's awesome.
Speaker A:That's a big goal.
Speaker A:That's pretty cool.
Speaker A:There's been a lot of great ambassador out there.
Speaker A:So, um, you know, I know you put your hat in the ring, hopefully, you know, they'll.
Speaker A:They'll pick you.
Speaker A:That'd be awesome.
Speaker C:Hopefully, yes.
Speaker A:If not this year, you know, you can always reapply be able to, you know, just like, you know, just like world champion.
Speaker A:You know, sometimes it takes more than one.
Speaker A:So, hey, most important question.
Speaker A:What does it mean to you to be an athlete that goes beyond the belt?
Speaker C:Yes, sir.
Speaker C:So for me to go beyond the belt, it means to not only be able to gain all these, like, all these, okay, so life skills and stuff like that, but also to be able to help others gain all of those life skills.
Speaker C:I'm a first level instructor at my school and it's very important for me to be able to help other students instant game things like self esteem, confidence, discipline, and.
Speaker C:And sometimes if they need that little push beyond their comfort zone, I'm always happy to help.
Speaker C:A great example of this actually is with my mom.
Speaker C:She's doing Taekwondo with me.
Speaker C:And so in the beginning, because I remember that me and my instructor were trying so hard to push her to get into it, and she was skin and she was so scared.
Speaker C:She was like, no way, zero percent.
Speaker C:Because of two reasons.
Speaker C:One, because at that time she had some back problems and she was scared that if she got into all this kicking and jumping and punching, that that would make them even worse.
Speaker C:And then.
Speaker C:Okay, the second reason was that she had a fear of going up in front of people and performing.
Speaker C:Even if it was just a I get front of her class, okay, so doing her form or something, then she got scared, okay?
Speaker C:But finally, because she was able to get over that fear.
Speaker C:And so now she's able to get into.
Speaker C:And not only has it actually helped her back problems, but now she's able to get over that fear, like of going up in front of people and competing.
Speaker C:And now she's a Two time state champ and a two time district champ.
Speaker C:I'm so proud of her for that.
Speaker A:Oh my goodness.
Speaker A:Two time stage champ, two time district champ.
Speaker A:Go from completely afraid of being in front of people.
Speaker A:That is fantastic.
Speaker A:What a great example of, you know, you getting to share the benefits that you've learned through martial arts and then getting to see that in your own family.
Speaker A:That's super cool.
Speaker A:I love that.
Speaker A:Well, sir, it has been a pleasure to get to talk to you a second time.
Speaker A:I think you might be the athlete of the week that I've got to know the best because I've got to talk to you twice as much as everybody else.
Speaker A:But congratulations on being athlete of the week and thank you for.
Speaker A:You're welcome.
Speaker A:Thank you for being an inspiration for all of those out there and good luck at districts and world championships.
Speaker C:Yes, sir.
Speaker C:Thank you.
Speaker B:Here's what's going on in ATA nation.
Speaker A:In nation, it is that time of year.
Speaker A:We are furiously running into the end of the season, the postseason events and then getting ready for a new season.
Speaker A:So as I record this, I have just recently received an email from Chief Master Stevens that the final.
Speaker A:The state.
Speaker A:How.
Speaker A:How.
Speaker A:The preliminary final standings are live on atamartialarts.com you need to go and confirm that your points are correct.
Speaker A:If you see any discrepancies with any tournaments that were held within the last 30 days, you need to send those to ATA.
Speaker A:The the all of it is on social media, but you send that to tournaments@ataonline.com you need to make sure you include your full name, ATA number, tournament date and location, a brief description of the issue, the missing points details, whatever.
Speaker A:This has to be done by Sunday, May 11th.
Speaker A:The end of the day.
Speaker A: th,: Speaker A:On Sunday, May 11th.
Speaker A:If it is not done by then, it will not now just because the preliminary finals are out there.
Speaker A:You are not a district champ or a state champion yet.
Speaker A:You have to wait until those finals are finalized.
Speaker A:So they get this a couple of days to make sure all the points are correct.
Speaker A:And then from there to the ATA has to take all those that they get between now on Sunday to check if they're all okay.
Speaker A:And then they will post the final finals that then will trigger that one.
Speaker A:If you you got the title, you know, for state.
Speaker A:Congrats.
Speaker A:You know, you can start celebrating then.
Speaker A:Not until then.
Speaker A:But then that will also show who is going to be qualified for districts.
Speaker A:District registration has not opened yet.
Speaker A:We will learn when district registration opens by talking to your instructor and by staying tuned to ATA's social media channels, they will help you know that district's registration is open and that district's registration will be then a very short window.
Speaker A:It always is.
Speaker A:But I, I'm guessing, I have no inside knowledge on this, but I'm guessing that it's going to be extra short because districts and the end of the season was closer.
Speaker A:My, my district has one of the first districts in the country.
Speaker A:It's the end of May and we just had, you know, these preliminary finals come out and it's almost the 10th already.
Speaker A:So there's going to be a short window to register.
Speaker A:All the registrations must be done online.
Speaker A:You cannot register anywhere else.
Speaker A:You cannot register in person.
Speaker A:It must be done at ataeasysignup.com when district registration opens.
Speaker A:Be very aware of how you're registering and what you're registering for.
Speaker A:I have been in the position to have to turn people away at districts because they signed up for the wrong thing.
Speaker A:District championship registration will be on ata easy signup.com when it opens now.
Speaker A:Or world championships, the Super 20, which is the new season.
Speaker A:That registration is already open.
Speaker A:You can go now and register for the Super 20.
Speaker A:All right, go do that.
Speaker A:Get started.
Speaker A:Do it now.
Speaker A:Get registered for all of the seminars and all that kind of stuff on atamartialarts.com you can't register for world championship tournament the, the Super 20 until.
Speaker A:Or excuse me, on atamartialarts.com that's on ata easy sign up now.
Speaker A:The TOC registration, they'll announce that as well.
Speaker A:They have to finalize all the stuff before TOC registration.
Speaker A:They have to get their district people all that stuff.
Speaker A:So don't worry about it.
Speaker A:But remember, the TOC is separate.
Speaker A:That's the Tournament of Champions in Arizona is separate from the Super 20, which is the new season tournament where you get, you know, 20 points for first place.
Speaker A:That Super 20 is open now.
Speaker A:You can register, get started there for that.
Speaker A:All registrations for all of those things and basically every tournament you go to from now on, it's going to be on an ATA easy sign up.
Speaker A:So head over there, create an account, talk to your instructor about it.
Speaker A:Because sometimes they might have created an account for you.
Speaker A:So make sure you talk.
Speaker A:I think that gets us most of the information for districts and state title stuff.
Speaker A:I just wanted, as that was coming in, I wanted to get that to you.
Speaker A:Make sure you help those in your school who this may be a new process for.
Speaker A:Understand the process.
Speaker A:Some of you guys, a lot of you guys out there are pros.
Speaker A:You understand how this works.
Speaker A:But even those people who've been around for a while, I watch them ask questions and like, is this a.
Speaker A:So just make sure you're staying up to date.
Speaker A:I would definitely hit, you know, Atas social media pages and do that thing where you get to see all their posts.
Speaker A:You know, make sure you're really checking those because you might miss something.
Speaker A:That's going to take care of it for us today.
Speaker A:Thank you for tuning in.
Speaker A:And until next time, get out there and go beyond the belt.
Speaker B:Thanks for listening to another episode of the ATA Nation podcast.
Speaker B:Be sure to subscribe and share with your ATA family.
Speaker A:Hey, guys, that's gonna take care of it.
Speaker A:We.
Speaker A:I don't know if I have any secret stuff today.
Speaker A:I want to do some live shows.
Speaker A:We're gonna do some live shows.
Speaker A:I told you guys that last week.
Speaker A:Who do you want to hear?
Speaker A:Who you want to hear from on the live show between before World Championship gearing up for Worlds, Let me know.
Speaker A:Okay, talk to you soon.
