Welcome back to our ongoing series introducing the members of our club. This time, we meet
Faye, a white belt
Faye has been doing Shorinji Kempo for about 7 months, and is eagerly looking forward to her first grading exam – yellow belt, here we come!
Give us a vague idea of who you are outside of the dojo.
I love history and anything esoteric, I do healing and soul contract readings for people and am fond of a graveyard wander. I also love music and used to be a full time music journalist. I work for a charity as a head of communications and oversee marketing, PR, content, IT and web development as well as managing all donations, subscriptions, legacies and fundraising. I run a podcast as part of my role too. I love to read, and am a pretty good vegan cook (if I say so myself)!
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I once made the drummer from Slipknot cry
[Editor’s note: I want to hear more of this story, anyone else?]
Why did you start Shorinji Kempo?
I started because my friend James signed us up, and I was looking for a way to get more fit and active.
What were you most nervous about before you started?
I honestly didn’t overthink it and just went with the flow
What were you most looking forward to?
I loved karate, boxing and drumming when I was younger, so I was looking forward to actually fighting and releasing energy in that way, though that sounds somewhat aggressive, I mean it in the best possible way!
How long did it take you to learn how to tie your belt?
It will take decades at this point, ha!
Favourite Shorinji Kempo technique?
Gyaku Gote, or anything to do with kicking (Geri)
Current Kempo goal?
I would like by age 40 to be at least a green belt. It’s 18 months away.
[Ed: Good goal… fits all of the SMART criteria. Definitely achievable.]
What would you say is the main benefit you have got out of doing Shorinji Kempo?
I really like seeing the improvements I make and it’s good to apply myself to something that isn’t easy
If you could change one thing about the world, big or small, what would it be?
The absolute destruction of it at the hands of self-interested politicians, corporations and men intent on war… wait, how long do you have?