An NHS intensive care Covid hero who turned to martial arts to cope with the stress of the pandemic has won a world title.
Becky Sheppard, 25, from Bristol, was in intensive care on her first job when Covid-19 broke out.
The 25-year-old is doing respiratory therapy with people, helping them breathe easier after an illness or accident, and has witnessed first-hand the terrifying impact of the coronavirus.
To relieve stress after work, she enhanced her martial arts training according to the Korean art of Tang Soo Do, one of the oldest systems, promoting self-defense, physical health and spiritual as well as personal development.
She trains at the Brenty Tang Soo Do Club in Bristol and has since competed in world championships in the US, winning two golds and one silver in arms, wrestling and figure sports. awake.
Becky Sheppard, 25, from Bristol, pictured, was in intensive care on her first job when Covid-19 broke out. To relieve stress after work, she has increased her martial arts practice according to the Korean art of Tang Soo Do, one of the oldest systems, promoting self-defense, physical health and spiritual as well as personal development
She said of working during the pandemic: ‘I’ve worked with people who were seriously ill and treated while on ventilators and hooked up to a lot of wires. It is quite scary to see and has a fear of harming people who are very unwell.
‘It’s a big responsibility and a lot of pressure. I usually come into contact with the same patients on a daily basis and are pretty close to them, so it’s heartbreaking when some people die.
‘People my age, or at least younger than my parents, don’t always recover, which gives me reality. But other times, people have recovered against the odds and that has been uplifting. ‘
Becky explained: ‘We run into life-or-death situations and it’s important to stay calm. I trained Tang Soo Do to help me relax, build my confidence and mental health.
‘One of the principles of first aid is to take care of yourself – and you can take better care of others. By keeping my spirits high, I was able to better motivate my patients and my team. ‘
She trains at the Brenty Tang Soo Do Club in Bristol and has since competed in world championships in the US, winning two golds and one silver in arms, wrestling and figure sports. awake. Pictured: Becky and members of Team GB at the World Championships in North Carolina
Becky competed in the Women’s 2nd Dan Black Belt and the team took home the men’s and women’s Grand Champion trophy. In the photo: With Master instructor Kristian Reed
The 25-year-old, who has reached E Dan, level 2, had previously qualified for the world championship in a competition in the UK in the spring.
Despite winning titles, she didn’t live up to expectations because she was ‘mental block’.
She said: ‘Sometimes life has setbacks and we all have our ups and downs. I remember having a particularly difficult week at work and not being fully focused and not performing at my best. But that’s life and it’s motivated me to pick myself up, spend more time with myself and make sure I’m better next time. ‘
But she worked on her technique with her instructor, Master Kristian Reed, for several months before heading to North Carolina with more than 100 members from Team GB.
She competed in the Women’s 2nd Dan Black Belt and the team took home the Men’s and Women’s Joint Championship.
Club member Mitch Hopes, 31, won two gold medals for forms and competed in the Dan 1 Men’s Black Belt category.
Club member Mitch Hopes, 31, won two gold medals for forms and competed in the Dan 1 Men’s Black Belt category. In the photo: Becky with a medal at the World Championships in the US
She did her Tang Soo Do workout on Zoom during the lockdown and says it’s great to see familiar faces and exercise because it’s a mood booster. In the photo: Becky at the club
The 25-year-old currently works at Cwm Taf Morgannwg hospitals NHS Wales Health Board as a rotational physiotherapist.
She did her Tang Soo Do workout on Zoom during the lockdown and says it’s great to see familiar faces and exercise because it’s a mood booster.
Becky says it caused her to fall off the sofa and challenged her mentally and physically.
During the lockdown, she doesn’t workout for anything and uses it for after-work entertainment and recreation, focusing on the present moment.
She explained that she did not know how long that moment would last.
Becky has been making Tang Soo Do since the age of 6, along with her older sister Alice.
For her parents, who later took up the sport on their own, it helped improve their daughter’s ability to concentrate at school.
Becky has been making Tang Soo Do since the age of 6, along with her older sister Alice. In the photo: Becky did Tang Soo Do when she was young
After four years leaving martial arts as a teenager, and with her parents’ divorce and attending her GCSE, she is back.
After taking a four-year hiatus from martial arts as a teenager, with her parents divorcing and studying for GCSEs, she returned.
She has become more focused and mature. Since then, Becky, Alice and her mother have earned their black belts.
The 25-year-old said: ‘I was more serious and focused when I came back. Now, I’ve learned that in times of stress, you should put the things you enjoy aside – but that’s probably when you need it most. ‘
Becky, the club’s assistant coach, said: ‘I love playing because it gives me goals to work towards and winning the world title is definitely a highlight. Competition encourages you to push yourself physically and mentally, as well as providing opportunities to travel and meet new people.
‘But I also like art, it promotes respect, discipline and self-defense. The club is family oriented and a very supportive group, everyone working together to help each other progress.
‘I have trained with great instructors who are passionate about the arts and their enthusiasm is contagious. I first trained with Master Rob Wootton, who would do a 120-stroke model, with a forward twist, to keep me motivated. I admire him and want to be able to do the same when I grow up.
‘Master Reed cares about his students and wants to share his knowledge with others. He has also been successful in competitions and he has found the techniques that work for me. ‘
Becky, Alice and her mother have earned their black belts. In the photo: Becky and Alice as children
Master Reed, 29 years old, a 4th Monk and European champion in weapons, form and combat, started training at the age of 7 and taught at the age of 18.
He said: ‘Becky has worked hard and we are all really proud of her at the club. We are happy to guide people who want to improve, not only for competitions, but also for personal development. ‘
Chuck Norris, the martial arts movie star, is a student of the arts. He has shown his technique in films such as Way of the Dragon with Bruce Lee.
Tang Soo Do is similar to the way Captain Kreese taught in Vietnam in the Cobra Kai series, the sequel to the 1980s Karate Kid movie.
And Grandmaster Pat E Johnson is the martial arts choreographer for the original films, has a 9th class black belt in martial arts.
Johnson rose through the ranks to become a principal instructor at Norris and captain of the Chuck Norris black belt team.
Master Reed said: ‘It’s great that popular culture is raising awareness about martial arts. It’s not just about kicking and punching – it’s about following a code of conduct, developing focus, confidence, and resilience.
‘I’ve seen how people have struggled during a difficult time in life and it has helped them get out of their predicament. I believe it can and will change lives. ‘
Tang Soo Do’s students have credited it with developing greater focus, clarity, flexibility, and strength.
