Building Confidence Through Faith at STEM Martial Arts Lakewood Ranch
and Warriors with Heart
At STEM Martial Arts, one of our greatest joys is watching students discover they are capable of more than they ever imagined. Every belt earned, every challenge overcome, and every new technique learned tells the story of a child growing in confidence—and Reese is a wonderful example of that journey.
Reese is a 6-year-old first grader who has been training at STEM Martial Arts Lakewood Ranch for just over one year. During that time, she has grown into a confident, determined student whose joyful spirit makes every class a little brighter.
🥋 A Heart Ready to Learn
If you’ve ever met Reese, you’ve probably noticed her smile first. She walks into class ready to learn, ready to laugh, and ready to give her best effort. She has a quiet determination that continues to grow stronger with every class.
Her favorite techniques are the Step Side Kick and Combo #5, but one of her biggest accomplishments so far has been breaking her first wooden board.
Anyone who’s watched a child prepare for a board break knows it isn’t just about strength. It takes focus, courage, commitment, and believing you can do something that feels impossible. Reese stepped up with confidence and proved to herself that she could do it.
Now she’s already looking ahead to her next goals:
“Break other boards and do the splits.”
That’s one of the things we love most about Reese—once she reaches a goal, she’s excited to chase the next one.
🌟 Full of Joy
Reese brings a contagious enthusiasm everywhere she goes. Whether she’s learning a new technique or encouraging a friend, she reminds us that training should be fun.
A few fun facts about Reese:
- 💛 Favorite color: Gold
- 🧀 Favorite snack: Cheetos
- 🦈 Favorite hobby: Shark tooth hunting
We love hearing about her adventures searching Florida beaches for treasures. Just like martial arts, shark tooth hunting takes patience, persistence, and excitement for discovering something new!
✝️ Growing in Faith
One of the things that makes STEM Martial Arts unique is that we train both the body and the heart.
Reese’s favorite Bible verse is John 8:12 (ESV):
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”
She smiles when she talks about this verse because she first learned it through one of her favorite songs at VBX.
One Mat Chat lesson has especially stayed with her:
“God made me perfect.”
At STEM Martial Arts, one of our Biblical Life Skills is Self-Worth: God Made Me Perfect. We teach our students that God created each of them with purpose. That doesn’t mean we’ll never make mistakes—it means our value comes from Him, and we can face challenges knowing we are loved, created intentionally, and capable of growing every day.
💪 Growing Stronger Every Day
When asked what she can do now that she couldn’t do when she first started, Reese proudly answered:
“Nunchucks!”
She also shared that martial arts has helped her become more thankful and remember that God made her perfect.
When asked which life skill she’s grown in the most, her answer was simple:
“Confidence and not being shy.”
That confidence shows up everywhere. She approaches new challenges with a willingness to try, even when something feels difficult.
And when training gets hard?
“My faith gives me confidence that I can do it.”
That’s exactly the kind of courage we hope every student develops—not confidence in themselves alone, but confidence rooted in God’s strength.🌱 Leading by Example
Even at just six years old, Reese understands that being a leader starts with how you treat others.
When asked how she tries to be a good example, she said:
“I try to be strong and confident.”
She also enjoys encouraging Blake, the youngest of the three brothers who train with us.
Those little moments matter. Leadership isn’t always standing in front of a class—it often looks like encouraging one friend, showing kindness, and setting a positive example.
❤️ What Her Family Has Seen
Parents often notice changes long before their children do.
When asked what they’ve seen since Reese started training, her family shared:
“She’s definitely more brave and confident to try new things in a group setting. Complete 180.”
We love hearing stories like this because they remind us that the lessons learned in class don’t stay in class. Confidence carries into school, friendships, church, and everyday life.
👏 Shout-Outs
Reese wanted to give a special shout-out to the people who encourage her the most:
💛 Mommy
💛 Daddy
💛 Nico
💛 Penny
Thank you for investing in Reese and supporting her every step of the way.
🌟 Why We Do What We Do
Students like Reese remind us that success isn’t measured only by the next belt or the next technique. It’s found in the little victories that happen along the way—a child raising their hand with confidence, trying something they once thought was impossible, encouraging a younger student, or walking into class believing they belong.
At STEM Martial Arts Lakewood Ranch, our mission is to help children grow in faith, confidence, discipline, and character while having a whole lot of fun along the way.
Watching Reese transform from a shy young girl into someone who’s willing to try new things, cheer on others, and confidently say, “God made me perfect,” is exactly why we love what we do.
Reese, we are so proud of your joyful spirit, your determination, and the confidence you’re building every week. Keep trusting God, working hard, and KicKing with Purpose. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll accomplish next!
