Youth Athlete Spotlight - June

Annabelle Alcorn – Black Belt

What got you started in martial arts?  What keeps in involved?    It all started with everyone's favorite clumsy panda warrior: Po from Kung Fu Panda! (Maybe a little inspiration from Jack Black's acting didn't hurt either!)  But cartoon inspiration only took me so far. What truly keeps me coming back is the amazing support system I've found. My friends, family, and karate team are my biggest cheerleaders. They push me to improve, celebrate my victories big and small, and help me through the tough training days.

What's the most epic pre-competition meal you've ever had?  For me, the most epic pre-competition meal ever wasn't your typical pasta or chicken. It was at the Pan-Am Internationals, where the unexpected heroes of the buffet were... smoothies and bacon!  It might sound strange, but this combo of sweet and salty, light and protein-rich, was exactly what I needed. It fueled my body without weighing me down, and honestly, it tasted amazing.

Imagine you're giving a pep talk to your younger self just starting out in karate. What's the one piece of advice you'd give them?  Here's the one piece of advice I'd give: cherish the friendships you make along the way. These aren't just classmates, they're future teammates, training partners, and they will become like-family. They'll be there to celebrate success, high five after a belt promotion, and most importantly, they'll be the ones cheering you on when things get tough.