It’s been a while since I did a student spotlight so I thought now would be as good a time as any.
As many of you know Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts has amazing adult classes like Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Wrestling, MMA and so on.
Well we also have a children’s martial arts program that’s on the raise, and by raise I mean moving faster then the speed of light.
One of the kids that I’m most proud of is little Bryce Payne. Let me tell you a little bit about Bryce.
She first came to us around the holidays in 2011. Her cousin, Walker, told her about the classes and she decided to give them a shot. She did okay at first, but then something happened.
She was hit with bad anxiety. So bad in fact that she had a hard time coming out for the normal 5:30 kids classes.
This went on for a week or so and I was very worries that Bryce would quit martial arts. That’s when Miss Teresa, along with Mom and Dad stepped in and tried a new approach.
Miss Teresa would come out to the lobby and hold Bryce’s hand during the beginning of classes. This was to sort of “ease” Bryce into the classes.
It worked and Bryce didn’t need Miss Teresa to help her anymore. From that point on it’s been nothing but great progress and smiles for her.
In fact, Bryce has done so well in the classes that I decided to invite her into my Black Belt Club Program or better known as BBC. This is my higher level kids program and the one that kids and parents shoot to get into. Sort of like an Ivy League level program, at Ivey league MMA, haha.
I’m glad that Bryce stuck with it because the reality of it is that she’s very talented and could really do big things in her martial arts training. She’s also been a great leader in the class as she’s great when it comes to working with the younger students and making sure they understand the techniques.
A lot of credit has to be given also to the Payne family because they really do a good job raising such a fine child.
Training a young lady like Bryce and seeing her do so well is why I’m so glad I chose this field for my career. I’ve been teaching and training in martial arts for over 20 years and I’m still amazed at the wonders it does for people. It changes lives in such a positive way that I’m surprised more people don’t try it.
Hats off to you little Bryce, you make all the staff of Ivey League MMA proud as well as mom and dad! We look forward to your future progress with us here.