The Weight of Our Words: Leadership, Confidence, and the Power of Being “Floaty”

Last week, a new adult student stepped onto the mat.

As I looked around the room, I noticed something immediately. The class was filled with higher belts, black belts, instructors, and Junior Leaders. For someone brand new, that kind of environment can feel intimidating. You can see it in their posture, the quiet question forming behind their eyes.

Am I ready for this journey?

It is a feeling many of us forget once we have been training for years. But it is one we should never lose sight of.

A Room Full of Experience

One of the students training that night was Kristoffer.

Kristoffer has trained with me for over ten years. He is a high-level martial artist, disciplined, focused, and deeply committed to his craft. I am incredibly proud of the work he continues to put into Taekwondo. He was visiting from college, and moments like that always remind me how long this journey truly is.

Over the summer, while Kristoffer was home doing an internship at the dojang, he brought up a story I had completely forgotten.

And that story stayed with me.

The Courage to Step Forward

When Kristoffer was a teenager, he was shy and soft-spoken. As he progressed through the ranks, he would stay after class and quietly work on his own during adult training sessions. At that time, I was still an instructor, not yet a Master. I would lead adult classes and open workout sessions, and Kristoffer always positioned himself off to the side. Focused. Observing. Learning.

One day, he worked up the courage to ask if he could join the adult classes.

I remember hesitating.

I wasn’t sure if he was ready. I wondered if his age might be a distraction. I had doubts. But I respected his eagerness, so I allowed him to join, still unsure how it would go.

What I saw instead was commitment.

Kristoffer trained like a sponge. He absorbed everything. He never questioned the work. When given challenges, he accepted them fully. If he struggled, he stayed longer. He worked harder. He did not look for shortcuts. He earned every step forward.

A Single Sentence That Changed Everything

One night, we were working on jumping kicks.

I watched Kristoffer take off, rise into the air, and hang there just a moment longer than expected before releasing a powerful kick.

Without thinking much about it, I said,

“You’re floaty.”

That was it.

Just a simple comment in the middle of training.

I don’t even remember saying it.

But Kristoffer did.

He told me that after that class, his mom was upset because he stayed even longer at the dojang. He did not want the training to end. The next day at school, he walked a little taller. A little prouder. He repeated the words in his head again and again.

“Instructor Eric said I was floaty.”

That single sentence gave him confidence. It made him feel seen. It made him want to work harder. And he carried that feeling with him for years.

Listening to him tell that story stopped me in my tracks.

The Responsibility of Leadership

Last week, with a room full of leaders and a new adult student watching quietly, I shared that story.

I reminded everyone in the room of something essential.

As higher belts, mentors, instructors, and experienced students, the weight of our words is heavier than we often realize. What we say casually can become a foundation for someone else’s confidence. What we model can shape how someone sees themselves.

Leadership in Taekwondo is not just about technique.

It is about presence.

It is about awareness.

It is about how we lift others when they are unsure.

What we do matters.

How we speak matters.

How we carry ourselves matters.

Not only in the dojang, but everywhere in life.

Why This Matters at TVMA Academy

At TVMA Academy, community is not an afterthought. It is the foundation of everything we do.

We teach students to push themselves, but never at the expense of others. We teach leadership as a responsibility, not a title. We teach that true strength includes empathy, awareness, and encouragement.

Every student deserves to feel like they belong.

Every student deserves to feel seen.

Every student deserves moments that remind them they are capable.

Sometimes those moments come from years of training.

Sometimes they come from a single sentence.

Reflection Question

Think about the words you use with others. When was the last time something someone said stayed with you longer than they ever realized?

You may never know exactly when your words will land.

You may never see how far they travel.

But you might help someone stand a little taller.

You might help someone feel like they belong.

You might help someone take another step forward.

You might help someone become a little more floaty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is leadership important in Taekwondo?

A: Leadership sets the tone of the dojang. Instructors and senior students shape confidence, culture, and growth through their actions and words.

Q: Can encouragement really impact a student long term?

A: Yes. Small moments of recognition often become anchors for confidence and motivation.

Q: How does TVMA Academy teach leadership?

A: Through mentorship, responsibility, modeling respect, and fostering a supportive community.

Q: Is Taekwondo good for building confidence in adults?

A: Absolutely. Adults often experience growth through encouragement, structure, and belonging.