Michael's Boulder Blog

Posted By Michael Hughes      June 25, 2010

Kohai means “Eager Student” in Japanese. I am a black belt candidate in the martial art of Muay Thai Kickboxing at Trans Martial Arts in Longmont, Colorado (as well as a Realtor with Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty). Master Tran and Kru Meier are my teachers. They push me to my limit, every single time.

I actually started with Trans Martial Arts about 7 years ago. I was doing Tae Bo over at the Airport Road Trans Dojo. When they moved to another location I sort of lost track of them.  Then one day my daughter wanted to do kick boxing over at a dojo on Sunset Ave. I started as well to support her.  It was Trans. It was fun but very difficult.  I started going more, then I dropped out and went to Boot Camp over at Longmont Recreation. After I had pulled 2 hamstrings simultaneously because the instructor did not understand warming up,  Kickboxing looked a lot more plausible.

I could barely kick 3 inches off the ground when I returned to Trans Longmont. But I came with a resolve that I would not give up this time.  I remember my first testing from white to yellow belt.  I thought this is so difficult how can I possibly remember all the different katas.  I kept at it. I didn’t give up.

It is not only the workout that I love. It’s the people and their stories. I met Mr. Schlutz who lost the left side of his brain in a freak accident when a propeller on his airplane came in contact with his head, he was slated to fly large commercial jets for United Airlines the very next day. He is a prime example of when life gives you lemons make lemonade. He was in rehab for several years and when his right brain kicked in and he was doing therapy with modeling clay and he had some amazing dreams he realized he had a talent for sculpting American Indian bronzes. He had never done so before or had any formal training. He has become a world renowned sculpture and his sculptures are much sought after.

There is the woman Ms. McCullough who 4 years ago due to MS was in a wheel chair. She started Muay Thai Kickboxing and has not only ditched the wheel chair for several years now but also been able to stop the last of several medications because now her heart is so strong she no longer needs it. She has also started a business and website called Hopeology.

There is the woman and for her privacy I will not mention her name here. She had lost her son at 17 in a terrible car accident. She needed the social contact and the workout to help her through a devastating period in her life. She went on to partner, create and start a well known micro-brewery and restaurant in Longmont called Oskar Blues.

There is Ms. Nannen who I absolutely respect.  She started a company you may know called Greenspoint Catering. It has become a very successful and renowned catering company in Boulder County. She has started numerous successful businesses and she is one of Trans MAFC finest teachers and one of the greatest people you will ever meet.

There are Master Tran and Kru Meier. Here to teach, support and help us to be the best of what we can be.

There is Ms. Tran who has started a nutrition company  Nourische. She knows the importance of nutrition and feeding your body the proper foods.  She is a great spirit and a bright star in the Trans Network.

There are the Lucarelli Brothers (race car drivers and mechanics)  who are tough as nails and the nicest guys you will ever meet, There is Margie Balthous, Patty Chonis,  Ed Ruskus sparring partner extraordinaire,  Demian Weigle who has become not only a good friend but a great running companion as well or ms. Olson and Mr. Butler who are so commited to the practice and teaching of Muay Thai.

And it’s not all about the people. It’s also the weekly message, “if you have to eat a frog don’t look at it too long” (don’t procrastinate-if you have something difficult to do-just do it), “a smooth mountain cannot be climbed” this is one of my favorites as it makes it clear that without difficulties, problems and challenges we would not have the contrast between what is good in life and the not so good times, it’s all about contrast.

When my mother died last September I just could not act as if everything was great, and then I realized No matter what kind of day, week, month or year I am having; when I come in to Trans or even at work now, if someone asks me how I am doing; my answer is Super good and getting better…it elevates me; every time……..I hope one day you can say that about your life.  Super Good and Getting Better.  Life is so precious and so good.

If you have questions regarding this article or are thinking you will Buy A House In Boulder please call or text me 303-359-6627 or e-mail Michael Hughes at Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty in Boulder, CO. Featured Listings