Man, this resonates. I began my TSD journey back in 1986. I was fortunate to have a school in my home town, and even more fortunate that the instructor didn't care if it was profitable or not as classes took place in the gym he and his wife owned and he was a California Highway Patrolman. He taught the Moo Duk Kwan branch, very strict. I had begun my training in a west coast based school in 1979 that was some sort of Kempo offshoot and it wasn't very useful. TSD was a big part of my life for so long, and even after moving from the area and not having consistent instruction since the early 90's I still adhered to it as my core. No matter what, I come back to it. But. There were gaps in my training due to health issues. In 1994 I had a severe back issue, and I was on disability for 2 years, during which I got depressed and fat. I made a comeback to have it happen again in 1999! I never really recovered but plugged away. I found my other passions, running, and weightlifting was just too much for me. I tried to run again in 2005 but the pain was too great. I also messed up my rotator cuff trying to lift like I did when I was younger. So I was a mess and again put on weight as I felt the loss of my physical abilities deprived me of my quality of life. I was working in the mental health field at the time, and it also took a toll on my thinking. I felt I was on the verge of meltdown and needed a change. I wound up working my first factory job at 56. Man, was I tired! But several things happened. One, I lost weight and got stronger real quick. I discovered I could use a lot of my training mindset at work, and it rejuvenated me! For a while. Perhaps it was pride, maybe I didn't give all the glory to God, but 2 years ago I developed a severe case of anemia. I went from making the young ones sweat to keep up to barely making it through the day. I have never recovered from that and feel weak and weary all the time. Sadly, my kids are grown and I now have the money to indulge my training the way I have always wanted to. I have a B.O.B, a good heavy bag, training pads, weights, and gear, all the stuff I wanted years ago but couldn't afford. I have far more bad days than good. Working on concrete all day doesn't help, either, and for the first time, I am having knee pain and some really harsh cramps and strange pains that are almost debilitating. I feel my time to pack it in is near, and at 59 I think it has come. But I still have those days, one or two a week, where it all seems to vanish for a short while. Sure, I am slow and my flexibility is a joke. But I feel the thing that has kept me with it for over 30 years- I am not sure what to call it. It is a sort of spirit you don't' get doing other things. It keeps you going, on your feet one more step! Sorry for being long-winded, but I rarely find somebody that combines so many things I can identify with. Tang Soo, God, injuries, changes in life. Bod bless! I look forward to more. Perhaps we will find a way through this valley together. I do know we will fear no evil!

You just get old man!!!! No blame!!!! Peace!!!.

I just found your channel this week. Sorry to hear about the injuries but glad that you continue to fight through the adversity. Everything you've done to this point in your life has prepared you for this believe it or not. Keep it up, I'll be watching!!

Since 1980s i been ang tang so doo practisioner i am very loyal to the art til now with my children hope and i pray pls. Dont stop teaching god bless you and your family.

I'm turning 63 in February I stopped over 10 years ago but im going to try watching your videos and try to regain some health

Continue on brother. Kungfu practicioner for many yrs and back and shoulder injuries forced me redo training altogether. Best of luck friend.

Much respect to you🙏🏼 I dread this day for myself. I also study Tang Soo do and have bad knees😭 I’m rooting for your improved health & success Cheers!

Bless you. I'm looking forward to your future videos on the warrior spirit, and the mental/spiritual side of MA. This is the very 1st video of yours I've seen. I am also looking at career shift, same goals,different avenue.

I have many many injuries ankles knees lower back and shoulders..but I still do whatever I can in Martial Arts..hope all your aches and pains become less

I'm very sad to hear this. Bless your health.

Thanks for sharing your personal story about a difficult decision, I can relate. I'm about the same age, but outgrew TSD about 20 years ago, after 15 years of practice and making it to 3rd dan. I pursued other arts from Hapkido to Tai Chi to JKD, avoided chronic injury, and became a better fighter. Even back pain went away after learning to kick less rigidily. The funny thing is, I still practice TSD forms for exercise, and still kick a lot (but without so much jumping and spinning).

🙏😇 PRAYERS FOR YOU & STAY STRONG 😇🙏

Just found your channel. Sounds like you got a really good heart. This is what happens, man. We get old. Tai Chi has a lot going for it. Lots of good instructors. What style are you learning?

Found this video as an unfit 30 year old looking to get back into martial arts and trying to decide what style. I’m leaning more towards BJJ with possibly Thai or Western boxing to go with it. However I found this because in my youth I practiced tang soo do for years between the age of 7 and 15, won four gold medals in my age category (1998, 1999, 2000, 2003) so it has a special place in my heart! If I ever went back to it however it would be more for the spiritual side of it, as I really don’t think it’s a great form of self defence when it comes to a street fight.

You need to reach out to knees over toes guy. He can help you get back into fighting shape. He had surgery on one if not both his knees and now he can move as if he was a teenager again.

I practiced it I’m still a green belt

try Tai Chi I have horrible knees, torn ACL, torn meniscus, you name it. I come from a tsd background originally and even met Hwang Kee as a child because my original Korean master was one of his first students. that being said fast forward three decades later and I'm done traditional Japanese.jujutsu snd and Taijutsu where I cannot even really get into a good sitting seiza position anymore. one of my teachers does a lot of the traditional Chinese arts and I've really enjoyed doing the Tai Chi , bagua, and xing yi even though that I have bad knees I can still enjoy these arts. the trick is to find a teacher that can still teach you the combat of aspect of these as well and how to use for an actual fight. either way it goes I'm loving it and if you have bad knees don't quit martial arts all together give these arts a try they might surprise you and good luck

I can't do most of my old kung fu forms anymore because of my knees. I feel ya. I have been training in Krav Maga for a little over a year. When the focus is set more on self defense and combatives rather than forms, it is far better for the aging body.

My respects

I can appreciate that. I’m a 4th dan in Tang Soo Do. For knees, I had a lot of problems from back stances. Other then that things like front stances and horse stance is always helped it seems to stabilize my knees. The way I went around that was I adopted a different Tang Soo Do back stance from American Tang Soo Do. Helped incredibly. As for health in general I have had to modify my training and training in areas that only benefit longevity as I am 42 years old, I don’t do as much kicking especially high kicks, I definitely do more forms now and I often do them at a different pace. I say this just because you touched on some of it and why you’re changing what you’re doing then I realize my words are not gonna make you reconsider as you have gone with a different path but I just thought it was interesting to comment. I slowed down on kickboxing and that helped a lot too, the slower and more steady movement so forms have really helped me.

Wanna know that where can i learn/get TSD syllablus? I wish to learn this art

Classical story. TSD is developed, designed, by and for Korean people. 130 pounds average male weight. Young American men have incredible strength and kick work that will catch up. Chuck Norris; double hip replacement. Howard Jackson, Darnel Garcia, John Nativdad, legs gone by forty. Not to mention the blood and guts guys in Texas. However! Tang Soo Do Moo duk Kwan before it became Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan had essential yudo(Judo) incorporated. Teach the take downs, spinning, Hapkido type where you stay up opponent goes down. Lower impact. Keeps you on the mat and vital.

hey kevin dont worry if you still like the martial arts but you cant use your legs that much and you feel it's the end. you can still join the wing chun kung fu they dont use much kicks just the hand speed give it a try and see how you like it it is amazing art. good luck let me know how it goes.

My only problems is with jump spin kicks when I use my rotation and upper body my back muscles get messed up

For all those who have had bad luck with tang soo do, maybe it isn' t for everybody, l practice Tang Soo Do and it is a very challenging Martial Art and , just like my other styles, l also practice Kuk Sool Won, some Kung Fu and recently, African Martial Arts, maybe you should tried to find a style that would probably would have suite you. Now for me , l'm not a good kicker myself, so for me l like Joint Locking, that was why l studied Kuk Sool Won and also it contains Hapkido, l've always favored Hapkido, because l like to also throw, also like for me Tae Kwon Do isn't my style also so l know what you mean, but l would never say rest in peace. I learned in Kung Fu, because there are so many styles, sometimes pupils usually observe for themselves to see what type of style is best and suitable for them, now for me l think something that more similar to a Kung Fu style would suite me, not everyone is the same and l've had lots of luck with Tang Soo Do the most, as for you, you should of observed to see if this style would be for you, your almost a master, where is your Perserverance, get therapy, aren' t there or you know any healing methods, l know there are, or try using certain Medicines.

Did your training injure your knees?

If you have access to a 25/50 metre pool try swimming for cardio.

If you are not able, speak for yourself !!

You should try stem cell therapy before anymore surgery ??

these types of arts are never good on your body after a while what is the point of doing these acrobatic kicks

TSD & TKD are both for kids & none of it is practical anyway. should've gotten out of it yrs ago if you're 58 now. but if you ask me it's time to get real about self-defense....welcome to the world of KRAV MAGA. peace out.