Classroom To Kali: How Martial Arts Built Community and a Champion with Shannon Duval

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We welcome Shannon Duvall, a philosophy professor turned martial artist and coach, to explore how community, grit, and simple routines can change a life. From founding a dojang in ten days to competing in Filipino stick fighting, she shows how showing up builds confidence at any age.

• school is people, not a building
• starting martial arts as a parent alongside kids
• parking-lot plan that launched a new dojang
• how Kali works, from armor choices to ring control
• talent vs trainability and learning through feedback
• running, long COVID, and identity shifts
• coaching with care, critique as belief
• belts and stripes as motivation for kids
• Silver Sticks, canes, and practical self-defense
• aging strong through footwork, balance, and community
• turning disappointment into hard work
• confidence as the real outcome of training

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New episodes come out every other Thursday!