“Kickin’ It” Up a Notch

Beverly and Kevin

Beverly Paul has her 9-year-old grandson to thank for helping change her life. Beverly, a strategic analyst in Beacon’s Strategic Planning Department, had been driving Kevin to Taekwondo practice in Elkhart for two years when the owner asked her if she wanted to take a martial arts class.

“I thought she was crazy,” Beverly recalls. “I didn’t think I could do it. There was just no way.”

Yet it wouldn’t take long for Beverly, 55, to become enamored with Taekwondo.

“I discovered that while it was hard work, I liked it. It’s more than just an exercise class. I get the workout of my life. It’s structured play and I feel like a kid again.”

Beverly, who began at Elkhart General in 1990, is always learning new moves at practice, and with the belt system, hard work and dedication is rewarded. Right now she is a purple belt, but she is moving up the ranks.

“With Taekwondo, you can see yourself progressing. I’m doing things I never thought I could do. My next test is breaking a board.”

The grandmother of three attends four classes a week, including her favorite on Fridays: combat class. And there’s even time to spar with her grandson at Saturday morning’s family class.

“Overall, I feel so much better about myself and about life. I’m in my 50s now and I look at life as only half over, not winding down. I want to continue living actively for another 50 years if I can.”

The hard work is paying off: Beverly won first place at two district tournaments in her age group, 50-59.

There are other benefits as well. In addition to losing 20 pounds, Beverly is using less medication to treat a health condition, has increased her amount of muscle, has more energy and is more confident.

Her advice to others: “Try something new, Taekwondo or other martial arts or another activity, and see just how much fun it can be.”

Kudos to Beverly for punching and kicking her way to better health. Beacon’s new LiGHT program encourages and rewards you to take steps to improve your health. Learn more by going here https://beacon.circlewell.com/