So after being out nearly 17 months from MA because of my ankle I decided that modern flashy sport TKD was not for me anymore. I looked in the area and there was really only one other option, a Shotokan school that was linked to the local Community Ed. In January my oldest daughter and I went and had a look. I ended up signing up a few weeks later in spite of a large amount of self doubt and personal demons I was facing. I am happy to say I have returned to about 90% pre injury and I have lost nearly 40 pounds. This last week the "Shotokan Classic" tournament was held, it's considered the big tournament to end our competition season. I competed in all three events open to me, and I placed second in one event, and first in the other two. It was a great feeling knowing that even after the years, and a injury that should have ended my MA career I returned and proved my critics wrong, and massively improved my shattered self confidence, which is worth more then a thousand gold medals. I feel better about myself then I have in years, my self esteem has come back, my relationship with my wife is the best it has been in years. All thanks to me not listening to the people that told me to give up.

Great news! Shotokan was the base for TKD--you must be seeing many similarities!

I am seeing a ton, and that has really helped as well. I have all the upper belts in my dojo wondering how to beat "the kicker" as I am called in kumite.

Cool. I had an ankle injury too that put me out for a time. It's great that you could train again.

Welcome back