AN NHS physiotherapist who turned to martial arts to deal with the stress during the pandemic has gone on to win a world title in a combat sport.
Becky Sheppard, 25, started her first job working on respiratory conditions in intensive care after Covid-19 broke out – witnessing first-hand the devastating impact of the disease.
And she then upped her training in the Korean-based Tang Soo Do art as a physical and mental outlet.
Becky has gone on to compete in world championships in the USA – taking home two gold medals and a silver – for weapons, sparring and forms respectively.
Working in intensive care during the pandemic
Becky, who rotates around hospitals, offering support for conditions varying from stroke or injury rehabilitation, said: “It was my first job and I was thrown in at the deep end. I was working in intensive care which was busier than usual because of Covid and staff shortages due to sickness.
“I was working with people who were critically ill and being treated while ventilated and hooked up to a lot of wires. It was quite intimidating to see and there was the fear of doing harm to people who were very unwell.
“It was a big responsibility and a lot of pressure. I would often deal with the same patients every day and get quite close to them, so it was heart-breaking when some died. People who were my age, or at the very least younger than my parents, didn’t always recover, which brought the reality home to me. But other times people recovered against the odds and that was uplifting.”
Stress release
Respiratory therapy helps people to breathe more easily, following illness or an accident, and is a 24/7 role. Becky was called out at 2am on one occasion following a road traffic accident.
The Cardiff University graduate said: “We come across life and death situations and it’s important to stay calm. I trained in Tang Soo Do to help me wind down, build confidence and for my mental health. One of the principles of first aid is to look after yourself – and you are better able to look after other people. By keeping my spirits high, I was better able to motivate my patients and team.”
Becky, who trained during lockdown via Zoom, said: “I got to see familiar faces and exercise, which got my mood up – rather than sitting on the sofa, preoccupied. Tang Soo Do is not just physically demanding, but mentally challenging too.
“You have to focus on the moment. I didn’t know how long lockdown would last at that time and wasn’t training for anything in particular – just for fun and as a much-needed outlet.”
Pushing physical and mental boundaries
Becky, who trains with Brentry Tang Soo Do Club in Bristol, started the martial art with her sister, Alice, at the age of six. Her parents, who later took up the sport themselves, found it helped to improve their ‘high-energy’ daughter’s concentration at school.
But she took a break as a teenager when her parents divorced and she started studying for her GCSEs. She returned to the martial art four years later, more focused and mature. Becky, Alice and their mum have all now gained their black belts.
She said: “I was more serious and focused when I went back. I’ve learned now that during times of stress it’s tempting to put things you enjoy aside – but perhaps that’s when you most need it most.”
Becky, who has reached the rank of E Dan, 2nd degree, qualified for the world championships during a UK competition in the spring. She won trophies but did not perform as well as she had hoped due to a ‘mental block’.
She said: “Sometimes life gets in the way and we all have our ups and downs. I remember I’d had a particularly difficult week at work and didn’t concentrate fully or perform at my best. But that’s life and it was a motivation to pick myself up, make more time for myself and make sure I would be better next time.”
She worked with her instructor, Master Kristian Reed, to improve her technique over several months before heading off to North Carolina with over 100 members from Team GB. She competed in the Female 2nd Dan Black Belt category and the team brought back the overall male and female Grand Champion trophies. Fellow club member Mitch Hopes, 31, won two gold medals for forms and sparring in the Male 1st Dan Black Belt category.
Champion instructors
Becky, an assistant instructor at the club, said: “I enjoy competing as it gives me a goal to work towards and winning a world title has certainly been a highlight. Competing encourages you to push yourself physically and mentally, as well as providing an opportunity to travel and meet new people.
“But I also enjoy the art itself, which promotes respect, discipline and self-defence. The club is massively family orientated and a very supportive group, with everyone working to help each other improve.
“I’ve trained with great instructors who are passionate about the art and their enthusiasm is contagious. I first trained with Master Rob Wootton, who would do a 120-move pattern, with a forward roll, to keep me motivated. I looked up to him and wanted to be able to do the same when I grew up.
“Master Reed cares about his students and is keen to share his knowledge with others. He has been successful in competitions as well and he found the techniques which worked for me.”
Becky has also trained with SBN Ian Crook in Downend, Master Tim Butcher in Chipping Sodbury and Grandmaster Mujahid Khan. They bring their unique experience and approach to their classes.
Cobra Kai and Tang Soo Do
Master Reed, 29, a 4th Dan Master and European champion in weapons, forms and sparring, said: “Becky worked hard and we are all really proud of her at the club. It’s a pleasure to instruct people who want to improve, not just for competitions, but personal development as well.”
Tang Soo Do is one of the oldest martial arts systems and it promotes self-defence, physical and spiritual health and all-round personal development. Martial arts film star Chuck Norris is a student of the art and he displayed his techniques in films such as Way of the Dragon with Bruce Lee.
And it is the same style that Kreese’s captain teaches him in Vietnam in the Netflix Cobra Kai series, which is a sequel to the 1980s Karate Kid films. Grandmaster Pat E Johnson was the martial arts choreographer for the original films and holds a 9th degree black belt in the art of Tang Soo Do.
Changing lives
Johnson rose through the ranks to chief instructor at Norris’ school and captain of the Chuck Norris black belt competition team. Students of Tang Soo Do have credited it with developing focus, clarity, greater flexibility and strength.
Master Reed, who started training at the age of seven and teaching at the age of 18, said: “It’s great that popular culture is raising awareness of martial arts. It’s more than just kicking and punching – it’s about following a code of conduct, developing focus, confidence and resilience.
“I’ve seen how people have been struggling during a difficult time in life and it’s helped get them unstuck. I believe it can and does change lives.”
