Hello,
I’m Mrs. Robbie Park,
I’ve wanted to participate in martial arts ever since I was a young girl, but back then, girls weren’t really encouraged to do martial arts. It wasn’t until college that I joined a Karate Club, and I’ve been practicing martial arts ever since.
I chose to become a martial arts instructor simply because I love teaching! I’ve been teaching in various capacities for nearly 20 years, and when I realized I could be certified to teach martial arts, I pursued it wholeheartedly. I especially enjoy helping adults learn martial arts—seeing them start later in life, much like I did, and helping them discover their potential.
What I love most about teaching martial arts is the variety. There’s always something new to learn, whether it’s a form, a weapon, or simply meeting new students. I strive to make each new student feel comfortable and welcome in this environment.
Martial arts has made me a more confident and empowered person. Thanks to the supportive culture at Pride Martial Arts, I’m more comfortable in my own skin, and I’ve made many lasting friendships. It’s truly a pleasure to teach martial arts for a living.
As an instructor, my goals are always evolving. Personally, I want to become one of the highest-ranked female martial artists in the Midwest, setting an example for young women in our field. I also love cross-training in other martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
I believe in building relationships with my students and their families through mutual respect and understanding. Rank and titles aside, we’re all just people living our lives. I listen to my students, empathize, and work with them to overcome challenges. Authenticity is key—when you’re true to yourself, others notice and follow your example.
The values I hope to instill in my students are confidence and empowerment, with the understanding that martial arts should never be used maliciously. My goal is to teach self-defense in such a way that my students feel confident they can protect themselves but never need to resort to violence.
To keep improving as a martial artist and instructor, I spend a lot of time at the gym, focusing on flexibility and power. I also set weekly fitness and martial arts goals to ensure I’m always growing, whether it’s reviewing forms or challenging myself physically.
A fun reason I got into martial arts is my love for Hong Kong action cinema! About 20 years ago, I got really into martial arts films, especially those featuring Cynthia Rothrock and Michelle Yeoh. They’ve inspired me throughout my journey.
One of my favorite memories from teaching is when young girls ask to take pictures with me at belt testing. Some of them barely know me, but they think it’s “cool” that I do martial arts, and their support means the world to me. I’ve even had students draw pictures of me, which is always incredibly humbling and flattering. The kindness of our students and families is something I’m truly grateful for every day.