Ep. 152 - Spotlight on International Talent: Daniela Vidal

The focal point of this episode is the introduction of an exceptional international athlete, Daniela Vidal, who exemplifies the spirit of ATA Nation. As we approach the world championships, we celebrate the achievements of our members, particularly those competing on an international stage. Daniela, an 11-year-old brown belt from Lima, Peru, shares her journey into martial arts and her experiences at the Pan American Championships, where she garnered two silver medals. Her reflections on the importance of effort over accolades resonate deeply, serving as an inspiration for young athletes worldwide. We extend our appreciation to all our international listeners, whose participation enriches our community and fosters a global connection among martial artists.

Takeaways:

• The ATA Nation podcast episode features an inspiring international guest from Peru, showcasing the global reach of martial arts.
• Listeners are encouraged to participate in the upcoming live podcast event on June 21, which promises to be an engaging experience.
• The podcast highlights the significance of dedication in martial arts, emphasizing that effort and commitment matter more than mere accolades.
• The episode includes an interview with a young athlete who has achieved notable success in Taekwondo, winning medals at international competitions.
• The hosts acknowledge the growing international audience of the podcast, which reflects the increasing popularity of ATA martial arts worldwide.
• The discussion emphasizes the importance of community and camaraderie among martial artists, particularly in the context of competitions and events.

Episode Transcript

(00:01):
We have another awesomeinternational guest.
Let's get started.
Welcome to the ATA Nation podcast.
Ladies and gentlemen,instructors, students, parents, family

(00:21):
members of Ata Nation.
Welcome back to the Ata Nation podcast.
This is episode 152.
We are getting darn close toworld championships.
We just finished our MidAmerica district championships this
last weekend.
I know most of you havedistrict champions this next weekend

(00:41):
if you're in the United Statesand Canada.
We have a lot of international listeners.
Shout out right now, all ofour international listeners.
I get DMS from them on Instagram.
I can go into our stats andsee what countries are listening.
We've got a lot in Chile, inPortugal, South Africa, a lot of

(01:04):
international guests, which is awesome.
And that actually goes rightalong with our episode today where
we have an.
International athlete of theweek, ATA Nation.
I am super excited to havewith us today an international member

(01:26):
of ATA Nation and one of theathletes of the week.
Hey, ma' am, could youintroduce yourself for us?
Yes.
I am Daniela Vidal.
I'm 11 years old and I'm from math.
My school is Maptai Konda andI'm from Lima, Peru.

(01:49):
And what belt are you?
I am brown belt.
Very good.
And who's your instructor?
My instructor is Master RandalMori, six degree black belt.
That's fantastic.
I'm so excited to havesomebody on the show from Peru.
I think you might be the veryfirst one on our show from Peru.

(02:10):
Now, can you tell us, how didyou get started in martial arts and.
Well, I'm.
It started when I was 6 years old.
My parents went to I do asport, but all the places were closed

(02:31):
because of the pandemic.
But they found Mape Kondo andI do the class and I like it.
And you've been doing it since then?
Yes.
That's fantastic.
I love it.
What's your favorite part ofdoing Taekwondo?
My favorite part is forms.

(02:54):
I love forms.
Did you.
I didn't ask you this earlier,so hopefully I don't know the answer.
Did you go to the Pan Am Championships?
Yes.
Yeah.
Did you compete there and didyou get any medals or anything?
Yes, I have two silvermelons.

(03:16):
Excellent.
Fantastic.
That's awesome.
Oh, that.
That is super cool.
Can you tell me, do you.
I.
Again, this is anotherquestion I didn't.
Ask you, so I hate to throw.
A curveball at you, but whenyou do your Taekwondo, is there an
event that is maybe not yourfavorite one?

(03:36):
That's like.
It's not my favorite thing to do.
Which one's that?
Yes.
Is sparring.
Still getting used to sparring?
Yes.
Yeah, yeah, No, I totally understand.
That's cool.
So forms is your favorite.
I like that.
Can you tell me what is one of the.

(03:58):
What.
What does it mean to you to.
Become a go beyond the belt asan athlete?
For me, beyond the belt meansthat no matter the prize, the awards
or the medals, it means thatyou need to put all the effort that
you put in your training, inthe competence in the competition.

(04:22):
Oh, I love that.
I love that.
That's fantastic.
Making sure you put everything into.
It doesn't matter about anymetals, things like that.
So that's a great.
A great piece of advice for others.
Do you have some friends thatyou've met at the.
The Taekwondo school there?

(04:43):
Do you like to, you know,compete against them with forms or
you like to go to tournamentstogether with your Taekwondo friends?
Yes, I like it.
Yeah.
And would you have.
Oh, do you like weapons?
Is weapons something you liketo do?
Yes, I like jumbo.

(05:04):
Oh, that's your favorite?
Yes.
Very cool.
Very cool.
I love it.
Well, ma' am, I am so excitedto have somebody from another country.
We've had some differentcountries across the globe as athletes
of the week and as interviewson the show, but I think you are
the very first kid that we'vehad on the show from another country,

(05:27):
and I love getting tohighlight people from all over.
Have you guys ever come toWorld Championships?
Are you gonna look at somedaybeing able to come to World championships
in.
The U.S.
yes, in the last year I came.
You did?
Did you have a good time?
Yes, I like it.

(05:49):
Did you think.
How did you feel about how hotit was?
Oh, it was so hot.
I agree.
I agree.
Well, ma' am, I thank you somuch for your time today.
I'm really excited about thejunior brand ambassadors highlighting
you as one of the athletes ofthe week.

(06:10):
I think it's super cool to seean awesome student like you.
And I really want to thank youfor being an inspiration for kids
all over the world in being anathlete that goes beyond the belt.
Thank you so much.
Thanks.
Click the.

(06:37):
I love getting to hear fromall our international guests.
I love World Championship justcontinues to grow in its international
presence.
I'm super excited for theSongam cup this year and all the
international teams competing,which actually brings me to our announcement.

(06:57):
We talked about this a littlelast week, but I wanted to show you
that we are moving forward onJune 21.
That's the date it's scheduled.
I don't have a time yet.
We are going to go live.
We're going to have our ATANation podcast live event on Facebook
and YouTube.
I don't think I can get it on Instagram.

(07:19):
Maybe I'll check that out.
But the ATA Martial ArtsFacebook page and Instagram page,
we will be streaming live fora live episode currently.
Now, don't, don't yell at meif, if things change because schedules
are always a little wonky.
But I believe we haveGrandmaster Tammy Harvey Stauber

(07:44):
on and I think I've got someother guests, some other guests.
We're going to be talking all about.
Things coming about world Championships.
I'm going to try to get somepeople from some of the international
teams so we can kind ofhighlight what's going on.
So big event live episode June 21st.

(08:08):
I don't know the time yet.
We'll let you know.
We'll, we'll post it out thereand that's going to be live on Facebook
and YouTube.
We're going to want you totune in live because we're going
to be having you, you know,pop in questions for our guests,
you know, give you a shoutout, all that kind of stuff.
So it's going to be a reallyfun event.
I am really excited about it.

(08:29):
We haven't done one of theselives for AT Nation podcasts or.
And I'm just, I'm just stoked.
I think it's going to be anawesome time getting ready for Worlds.
I'm going to get a couple ofother awesome people on there.
I can't give you all the info yet.
I just know here's the deal.
I'm having a little bit oftrouble only because so many of our

(08:52):
awesome athletes out there aregetting ready.
They're training hard.
Are you training hard?
Are you out there, you know,doing what you need to, to get ready
for the end of this season,the beginning of the next season.
Did you know if you're acolored belt, if you're a tiger,
if you're a recreationalcompetitor, you can still go and
compete in the Super 20tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.

(09:13):
Yeah, you can go.
My wife's very firsttournament white belt.
You can still go as a beginner student.
Don't, don't think it's justfor black belts.
Okay?
It's for anybody.
Also, I want to give a littleshout out to any stool owners, staff
members at Stools who areinterested the Thrive Live event
at Worlds.

(09:34):
I've gotten to hear a littlebit about what they're going to do
and it sounds amazing.
All about helping your schoolcreate just this culture that that's
going to help propel you inthe future.
You definitely want to checkthat out.
So that is for licensees andtheir staff at World Championship.
All kinds of other events coming.
We're going to be talkingabout them on the live podcast, but

(09:57):
I think that's going to wrapit up for us today.
We need to get back playing inthis awesome live event and checking
out these awesome athletes ofthe week.
Until next week, get out there and.
Go beyond the Belt ATA Nation podcast.
Be sure to subscribe and sharewith your ATA family.

(10:21):
I don't know if I haveanything for the secret section.
We're just swamped.
There's so much going on.
So much going on, guys.
But it's gonna be fun.
Talk later.