Middle-aged Martial Arts
We enrolled my eight-year-old at MEKA in 2013. I took him to class twice a week, and it didn’t take long for me to feel a bit jealous—it looked like so much fun. My wife pointed out that MEKA offered adult classes too, but I wasn’t so sure. At nearly 44 years old and weighing an unhealthy 255 pounds, karate didn’t seem like something someone my age or fitness level should even consider. Still, the idea of getting some exercise—and rekindling my teenage obsession with The Karate Kid—eventually convinced me to give it a shot.
I’d been battling my weight since my teens. I tried diets and exercises—weights, swimming, jogging—but nothing ever stuck because I always lost interest after a few months. Karate seemed different. It looked challenging, fun, and just unique enough to keep my attention.
Starting at 43, though, was intimidating. I nearly turned the car around twice on my way to that first class. The only thing that got me there was the thought of admitting to my wife and kids that I’d chickened out.
That night, about a dozen adults were in class, ranging from their early twenties to their mid-fifties. After lining up and bowing in—something I’d seen my son do many times—I was taught my first kata, Tai Kyoku Ich. I thought I’d hate kata because it reminded me of dancing, which I’ve always loathed. My body felt awkward and uncoordinated, and I struggled to grasp the movements.
Later in class, Renshi Mark showed me some basic blocks and offered plenty of encouragement. By the end, I was physically wiped out and mentally overwhelmed. From dojo etiquette to bone alignment to kata patterns, my head was swimming. It was humbling—but I went back.
The following week, I received my gi. The pants were so long I had to roll them up, and during that night’s kick-focused class, they unrolled repeatedly, nearly tripping me more times than I could count. It was embarrassing, but I kept going.
Those first months were exhausting, humbling, and so much fun. I started enjoying the workout and loved bonding with my son. We were on this journey together, learning side by side.
The first year flew by. I discovered a love for sparring, grew to appreciate kata (which, it turns out, isn’t like dancing at all), and even started competing in tournaments, earning my first trophies in my mid-40s. The dojo community welcomed me with open arms, and I gained friends I never would’ve met otherwise. Ironically, there’s something about punching and kicking each other that brings people together.
In December 2017, I earned my Shodan (first-degree black belt). It was something I never would’ve thought possible when I started. Along the way, I lost over 80 pounds, got into the best shape of my life, and even had a cardiologist tell me I had a “Lance Armstrong heart,” thanks to my improved cardio fitness. I went from nearly passing out after 90 seconds of sparring to thriving in every class.
As the proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
Over the years, I’ve met people my age who considered starting martial arts but felt they were too old or out of shape. My answer? Don’t let anything hold you back. It may have been better to start as a kid, but karate offers benefits at any age. It’s not about defeating an opponent; it’s about defeating your worst self and striving to become your best self.
The hardest part is walking into the dojo for the first time. If you stick with it, karate can be a rewarding hobby, a stress reliever, a social outlet, a way to learn self-defense, and the best exercise you’ll ever find.
If you’re thinking about trying karate, don’t let age or fitness level stop you. Take that first step—you might just surprise yourself.