Olsons Martial Arts July 2019

MARTIAL ARTS

AGENDA

JULY 2019

HOWMARTIAL ARTS

CHANGED MY LIFE

frustrating because I had to stop playing. I never performed, but I always enjoyed playing casually for myself and having fun. About four months ago, I decided to pick it up again. Today, I can pretty

and others. The program has reached over 400 schools throughout the United States and abroad, and has helped hundreds of kids. Martial arts has also been beneficial for me personally. About 5 1/2 years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I was quite fortunate that two months prior to my diagnosis, a neurologist and his family joined my dojo, and I was able to talk to him about the shake I was experiencing in my right hand. At the time, he told me it probably wasn’t something to worry about, but he came back later that week and did an exam in my office. Within 5–10 minutes, he knew; I had all the telltale signs of Parkinson’s. The first words out of my mouth were: “Rob, I’m such a blessed person. I have a job I love to wake up and go to, and I have a wonderful family.” He told me, “And you’ll continue to have a wonderful family and life.” This turned out to be absolutely true. It’s not to say that Parkinson’s doesn’t have struggles — it certainly does — but any problem or symptom that comes my way is a challenge I can overcome. My taekwondo training has helped me a lot in meeting those challenges — probably a lot more than I realize. The major symptoms I have with Parkinson’s are tremors in my right arm and leg and high anxiety. Practicing my forms and working out every day lessens my symptoms to the point that many people don’t even realize I have them. One major accomplishment I’ve achieved is picking my guitar back up. When I was first diagnosed, my tremor was

I always wanted to do martial arts, but growing up in small-town, rural Wisconsin with maybe 1,500 people meant my options were slim. I finally got the chance to sign up for lessons when I was in the military. I joined the Air Force in 1984, and two weeks after I arrived at my first duty station, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, I signed up for taekwondo. As Amanda mentioned in our first newsletter, that’s where we met. The reason I picked out my particular school was because they were the most experienced school in town. Martial arts wasn’t as popular as it is today, and there weren’t many schools to choose from, but my father-in-law’s school was the most successful. I signed up for a tryout class, which I enjoyed so much that I enrolled soon afterward. Once I joined, I knew it was something I wanted to do with my life. When I was 19 years old, still basically a kid and a white belt to boot, I went up to my instructors and told them, “Someday, I want to be an instructor as well.” Within the next 13 years, that dream came true. The responsibilities of martial arts instruction can be exhausting at times but also extremely fulfilling. I’ve achieved a lot in my time in martial arts, and one of the biggest accomplishments Amanda and I have achieved over the last 30 years is starting a program called Safety N.E.T. Kids. In 2003, I combined a child-safety program with a bully-prevention program and created Safety N.E.T. We developed a curriculum where children take action to protect or stand up for themselves

much play when I want to, and for me, that’s a tremendous victory.

I owe a lot to that first lesson I had at my father-in-law’s school all those years ago; it lit a fire under me and helped me pursue my dream of being an

instructor. Now, when I’m out on the floor teaching my students taekwondo, I feel the most at home.

– Glenn Olson

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SUMMER SWIMMING SAFETY

3 TIPS FOR SWIMMING IN OPENWATER

or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly. WATCH FOR RIP CURRENTS. These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly 80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current.

There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun. NEVER SWIM ALONE. When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc. KNOWWHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim JACKIE CHAN INSPIRING ACTOR, SINGER, STUNTMAN, AND MARTIAL ARTIST When you hear the name Jackie Chan, you may think of his most prominent films, like “Rumble in the Bronx,” “Drunken Master,” the 2010 remake of “The Karate Kid,” or “The Foreigner.” Although he is famous throughout the United States as a martial artist and actor, Chan didn’t start out that way. HISTORY At age 7, Chan’s parents left to find work in Australia, leaving him behind to study at a strict school. For 10 years, he remained at the institute, studying singing, drama, acrobatics, and martial arts, which helped him in all his later careers. After graduating, he began working as a movie stuntman and acrobat. One of his most notable jobs was his work in “Fist of Fury,” which starred Bruce Lee. STYLE Many people have watched his unique style of martial arts unfold in his films. While he was at school, he learned southern and northern styles of martial arts and later combined them with boxing, karate,

hapkido, and slapstick humor. By creating his own fighting style, Chan managed to break away from the legacy Lee created and start his own.

STUNTS Chan is known to do all of his stunts himself, no matter how dangerous. In an interview with Steve Harvey, Chan denies the rumor of having broken every bone in his body. “Not every bone,” Chan says. “But I can say every inch, from the head to my toes [has been] scratched, bruised, yes.” One of his most serious injuries occurred during the filming of “Armor of God.” Chan jumped from the top of a building into a tree, but the branch broke. He hit the ground, cracking his skull and lodging a piece of it into his brain. Chan had to be rushed into brain surgery, and while he made a complete recovery, he now has a hole in his head with a plastic piece that, as Chan puts it, “keeps my brains in.”

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ASK MASTER MOM

AFFECTING PARKINSON’S DISEASE ACROSS THE GLOBE THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was founded in late 2000 by Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with the disease in 1991. For the next seven years, Fox remained quiet about the disease before finally going public with it and dedicating his life to slowing its progression and finding a cure. He is a dedicated patient advocate and hopes to one day make Parkinson’s a disease of the past. WHAT IS PARKINSON’S? Parkinson’s disease (PD) was first characterized in 1817 by James Parkinson, an English doctor. It is defined by the Michael J. Fox Foundation as “a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects 1 in 100 people over the age of 60.” However, younger individuals have also been diagnosed, with the youngest being 18 years old. Many people who suffer from PD can be misdiagnosed, as there is not a specific “test” to diagnose the disease. The most common symptoms, and the ones that are easiest to detect, are bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, and resting tremor. THE IMPACT For nearly 20 years, The Michael J. Fox Foundation has put its efforts into aiding people who suffer from the disease. They have raised over $800 million for research into finding a cure. Over two decades, this research has provided better medications for people affected by PD and has lessened their symptoms. The volunteers and researchers who are involved with the Michael J. Fox Foundation are dedicated to giving patients the best results. Of the foundation’s investments, 45% are poured into altering and developing treatments, 35% into defining and identifying the disease, 15% into lowering untreated symptoms, and 5% into tools that help researchers dedicate more time to finding a cure. If you’re interested or want to become involved in the movement against PD, you can visit the official website at MichaelJFox.org. There, you can donate money, take part in fundraisers, and keep current with the latest research breakthroughs.

2 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE 1. Adults do not ask kids for help, like directions or to find a lost pet. If an adult you don’t know asks for your help, run to safety! Even if they look like a nice person. 2. Kids, make sure you ask your parents for the “safe” house on the block to run to if you need help. Also, make sure you know the right phone numbers to call.

MASTER MOM - AMANDA OLSON

JUICY LUCY SLIDERS

INGREDIENTS

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16 small potato rolls, toasted

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2 lbs. ground chuck beef, 20% lean 8 slices melting cheese (like American, Swiss, Muenster, or cheddar)

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Salt and pepper, to taste

•

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Your favorite burger accompaniments

DIRECTIONS

1. Divide beef into 16 evenly sized balls. 2. Rip cheese into roughly equal pieces, creating 16 equal portions. 3. Using your index finger, create a small indentation in each ball. 4. Fill indention with cheese and pinch meat around to seal. Then gently form balls into 3/4-inch-thick patties. Season patties. 5. Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high. 6. Lightly coat skillet with oil and cook patties in batches. Brown one side undisturbed, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium. 7. Serve on toasted potato rolls with your favorite accompaniments.

Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING:

LIFE-CHANGING

SELF-CONTROL IMPROVED

“It’s been life-changing. Olson’s has really brought (my son) out his shell. He’s so much more confident. His discipline is better; it’s just fantastic. Olson’s is just like family. You can tell they love what they do.”

“Our daughter has been at Olson’s since March of 2018. Her confidence has soared, and her self-control has improved. ” –Nani Hilbert

–Sara Perry

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

113 CHERRY ST. #10 JOHNSON CITY, TN, 37604

423-926-9161

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INSIDE

THE IMPACT OF MARTIAL ARTS

3 THINGS EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW BEFORE SWIMMING IN OPENWATER SLAPSTICK AND MARTIAL ARTS

THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION JUICY LUCY SLIDERS

EAT SEASONALLY THIS JULY

ZUCCHINI, AVOCADO, AND SWISS CHARD — OH MY! A GUIDE TO EATING SEASONALLY THIS JULY When you eat something during its harvesting season, you get the most out of your meal. In- season fruits and vegetables are more nutrient- dense than their out-of-season counterparts, and there’s no matching the flavor profile of fresh, in-season produce. Even better, because in-season foods are so bountiful during their peak, you can save a lot of money by shopping with the season. This July, enjoy some tasty foods during their prime with this handy guide. GRILL GAME SO STRONG There’s no better time to fire up the grill than July, and not just because of the weather. Zucchini and corn reach their peak during July, and these grilling favorites pair well with steaks, burgers, hot dogs, or fish. Go low-carb by stuffing your zucchini with vegetables and a protein for a charred skillet bowl. Even better, add some corn to your fresh salsa to add an extra zing to your tacos. Regardless of how you utilize them, zucchini and corn are sweetest, juiciest, and freshest during July.

FRUITFUL HARVEST Avocado toast lovers rejoice! Your season is

GO GREEN Filling your plate with plenty of greens is never easier than in July. Pick up a bundle of spinach, arugula, lettuce, Swiss chard, or any other leafy green, which are all juiciest and freshest during July. Cucumbers and green beans are bountiful this time of the year, as well. This July, add some fresh flavor to your water with cucumbers or create hearty salads with any of the leafy greens mentioned above. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate the middle of summer than by consuming its most delicious foods.

here. Avocados are in season during July, joining many other fruity favorites. Gorge yourself on scrumptious blackberries, sweet strawberries, and bountiful tomatoes. Don’t forget about the cherries and blueberries, too! Because these fruits are so plentiful this time of the year, it’s easy to find ingredients for your favorite recipes. Host a Latin- inspired foods night with fresh guacamole and salsa, or make a delectable shortcake with a blackberry and strawberry mixture on top.

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