So what do you know about me?
It's a really important question isn't it?
I mean, you don't really know me from Adam, so who's to say that I didn't buy my Black Belt from Ebay.
Just for the record I didn't.
This is my 'creation' story.
I was born and raised in South East London (England) to a Scottish Mother and a Mauritian Father. My mum is white and my dad is Indian in appearance. That's relevant, because growing up in the 70's and 80's I was exposed to a lot of racial prejudice, some ignorance and a sprinkling of stupidity.
As an adult I stand at a respectable 6'6" tall. I was tall as a child too. I was bullied at school in equal measure due to my height and my background. It got a little too much at one point so my dad took me along to my local Martial Arts class.
Believe it or not, this is the earliest photo I own of me in a Martial Arts class.
I was 17, and was in my 8th year of training. Classes were off the scale tough back in the 80's & 90's.
Modern training standards have forced the Martial Arts to find safer ways to get to the end result.
Taking on my very first premises, I took to social media to pay tribute to my father who took me to my first class and supported me in my younger years.
Short story is I simply loved it, and now over 40 years later I find myself in a very privileged position. I have been running my own very successful physical Taekwondo Academy teaching all ages from just 3 years old all the way up to 60. Believe it or not, one of those students was my very own mother.
Taking on the new Academy. This property was twice the size of the old place, and again took to social media to thank my mother for all her support over the years, she was an amazing instructor within the Academy.
Why did I take to social media to express my gratitude to my parents?
Well, the main reason is because I think it's really important not just to celebrate present successes but also to acknowledge where you came from.
You possibly wouldn't be reading this email if it wasn't for my parents.
So now I'm treading a new path, and I'm really thrilled to be with you at the beginning of your journey and you are also part of mine.
I want to ensure that you are looked after every step of the way so I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Chat soon,
David Venkatachellum
Master Grade 6th Dan
Tan'Gun Taekwondo Academy