---

 Dr. Sandy Martin

---

Rank: 2^nd Degree Black Belt in ITF Taekwon-Do (UITF-2-1); Blue Belt Kenpo Karate 

"Day" Job: Medical Doctor, Graduated from the University of British Columbia - Island Medical Program on May 20, 2009

Favorite Martial Art Activities:

First and foremost, I love to teach. It is wonderful to watch others improve and I am so glad to have the opportunity to help. Second to teaching, I love to spar and I can think of no better way to get rid of school stress than to beat the filling out of the heavy bag. Over the last few years (and 2 knee surgeries) I have gained a greater appreciation for patterns and I realize that I can always work on improving them.

What do you feel are your weaknesses? :

I get frustrated when I have trouble getting a new concept or can't do things as well as I could before certain injuries. I have had to learn several "tricks" to be able to move beyond my frustration and concentrate on the task at hand.

What do you feel are some of your strengths? :

I love the martial arts and I feel that I bring my passion for the arts to every class.  I have a unique teaching perspective due to being diagnosed and overcoming a learning disability as a child and patience that benefits all my students.

Competition highlights:

I have competed in several tournaments. My original competition focus was sparring, particularly the continuous divisions. As time progressed (and my knee gave out) I have shifted to patterns. It was a thrill to qualify for the 2001 National Blackbelt League (N.B.L.) world championships for both Korean and Kenpo forms. As soon as my knee is 100%, I hope to return to sparring to complement my love for patterns. I have also competed in breaking, but I must admit, it wasn't my strongest division. I believe that competition is not for everyone, but I feel that people who participate in tournament enhance their total martial arts experience. I have met some of the nicest, most accomplished people (both in martial arts and in "life") at tournaments.

1999-2005 Tournament accomplishments: (click here to view complete listing)

Other recent personal accomplishments:

- Completed Bachelor of Science degree - with distinction, at the University of Victoria, 2005.
- St. John Ambulance First Aids certified, 2003.
- Awarded a 2002, University of Victoria, President's regional entrance scholarship.
- Completed an Associate of Science degree, with a major in Chemistry, at Camosun College, August 2002.
- Webmaster of Gecko K. Martial Arts, a Martial Arts resource website. 
- Promotion of Women in the Martial Arts director for the World Budo Alliance. 
- Judged and Refereed at numerous Open Martial Arts Tournaments. 
- Volunteered as a Brownie leader for the 1999-2000 year. 
- Horseback riding instructor for several years.

What are your Martial Arts goals (other than competition)? :

I hope to continue to improve my techniques and teaching skills. I always need to work on my flexibility.... STRETCH!!!! 
One specific goal is to land that split kick in Juche :)

Favorite martial arts moments:

The day my first students tested for their yellow stripe...WOW! 
The first Sandalwood class. 
The day I got my Yellow belt, I knew from that day on that I could actually "do" this sport. 
Grandmaster Hwang's KATU camp.
Pierre Guenette sparring seminar.
Seeing Avatar Self defence for the first time (my Kenpo instructor's own school in Kelowna). 

Favorite pass time outside of Taekwon-Do:

At the moment I would have to say sleep and "climbing walls". But when life is less hectic, I enjoy horseback ridding and hiking / mountain biking through the parks. 

Favorite Quote: "The fine line between Genius and Insanity is a Semi-Permeable membrane"

Me and Mr. Guenette	Me, Grandmaster Hwang and Albert