Since the first edition of SetVR XL unleashed four months ago my autobiography was

 published the first of October. The process of writing this book made me realize what an 

incredible life I have lived.

I was a tiny, timid little girl when I started 1st grade in small town Mooresville, NC. Little did I

know that this was the beginning of a challenging but positive journey. With my Dad’s help I

learned to stand up for myself and not be bullied as a result of my size or being female.

When I was told over and over that girls could not do certain things I grew even more. At that

time and still to this day my response is “You tell me I can’t do it and I’ll prove you wrong in a

skinny minute”. When the song “How do you like me now” came out I knew it would be my

fight song.

By the time I was 16 I had the maturity and confidence to walk into that Tae Kwon Do Class

knowing I could face any challenge before me. My sensei, Chun Duk KI spoke very little

 English.

One word at a time. Kick, punch, block as we mimicked his moves. My first belt test was for

green belt before a “board” of 3 Korean men in suits and ties. After completing the physical

requirements the guy in the middle motioned for me to approach table. He had a blank piece

of typing paper and said “Kim say paper black.” I just stood there with a confused look on my

face. He then slid the paper toward me and tapped it saying”Kim say paper black!” I shook my

head and said “Looks white to me.” I flunked the test. A couple weeks later I tested again and

passed this time. However white typing paper was not involved.

 Of course as I got older I understood what he was saying. What ever Kim says goes! 

Not long after this test I graduated high school and was off to the school of music at East

 Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

The school of music was not for me! I had been playing in R&B bands for years prior and was

not confined to a small room with my saxophone, piano, and violin. This and classes became

too stuffy and formal for me. In my travels around campus I started seeing signs for ECU karate

club. My first meeting with Sensei McDonald at the gym to sign up for classes was met with

another challenge. When I walked in the guys were on one side and the girls on another side.

Sensei was standing in the middle. I walked to the middle and stood facing him. His 6’5” frame

towered over my 5’2” but I knew I had to challenge him on this setup. He finally responded to

my stance and said, “I don’t teach men and women together”. I said “Why? I was not treated

differently. His comment to that was “Well women are built different and they think differently

in my Tae Kwon Do class”. I then said I have one more question. ”When I walk back to my

 dorm tonight which of these two groups do you think I am most concerned about defending

 myself?”It was like a light bulb lit up in his brain. He paced back and forth for a bit then he 

walked between the two groups toward me. He literally pointed his finger in my face and said

 “You’re on!”

From that day forward my life revolved around the Martial Arts, training was six a week. Sensei

McDonald pushed me to levels of abilities that I never dreamed possible.

Our karate club was strongly supported by the university. We traveled the tournament circuit

from D.C. to Georgia and occasionally to Florida. Eventually the school of music took backseat

in my life. It became clear to me where my life was headed. Not only did he teach all of us the

physical movements we learned this was a way of life – discipline, respect and how to face our

fears head on Every failure was another step toward success.

I was reminded of my childhood, entering first grade as a small shy and easily intimidated little

girl. My Dad soon grew tired of me coming home after school and whining about being picked

on by the kids. I remember him sitting me down on the ottoman in our living room. Then the

lecture began. You can’t let the other kids push you around, it will not stop. So he had me hold

my hands out palm up. Then he curled my fingers into a fist and showed me how to punch. His

next statement would be the advice I would live by to this day. "Being a girl doesn’t mean you

can’t do certain things. You can be anything you want to be and do anything you want to do.”

That lesson stuck with me from that day forward. All my music journeys and martial arts I

realize have made me realize it was up to me to make it happen!

The tournament circuit was challenging, especially for a female in the early 70’s. One of my first

competitions was at a Jerry Piddington event in the D.C. area. I was the only female competitor

there. I was told I could enter the Kids Division. I refused. I entered the Men’s Division. I didn’t

win – but I didn’t lose either. I only lost by 1 point! What mattered was that I had faced the

challenge head on.

It was the early 70’s and I was traveling more, competing more with the East Carolina Karate

Club. It was the only Dojo available in Greenville, N.C. During this time I had been driving

around downtown and realized that there were some empty buildings for rent. I talked to my

Sensei and suggested a Dojo downtown so those that were not students at ECU could study

Martial Arts also. Liking my idea he went with me to see the space. He liked it! I had no clue

women could not get credit without a man’s signature! He went to the bank with me and

signed the note. I would need money to clean/paint the space and buy office furniture and

equipment. Once again he pushed me, supported me to be my personal best.

Turns out I was the first woman to open and run a Dojo in North Carolina, and one of the first in

the U.S. I am so grateful for my Sensei’s support and this opportunity.

In retrospect, living a lot of my life clueless about the barriers in my way, was probably what

saved me from hesitation and self doubt, which could have held me back. It gave me the

freedom to focus on what I wanted to do and go full steam ahead.

 I realized what I had overcome only when I saw them in the rearview mirror.

~ Vikki Morrow