Candice Winter started Taekwondo a few years after she had been diagnosed with Sero Negative Inflammatory Arthritis. This is a systemic autoimmune disease that attacks all her major joints. She was told at only 33 years old she would be in a wheelchair within a few years and that her sporting days were over.

“My Taekwondo journey has been incredible, and it has changed my life. When I started Taekwondo, I started living. I had no idea how remarkable Taekwondo would be for me. I tried just one session of training and immediately I was passionately bitten by the Taekwondo bug. I knew I needed and wanted it in my life.”

“It took my pain away, made me strong again and opened my life to a world I only dreamed about. I had no idea of what I would accomplish in the short time I’ve been doing Taekwondo. This sport made me push myself to see what I was made of. It has given me the gift of self-discipline and it made me realise my worth despite my illness. However, thanks to Taekwondo I no longer feel I even have an illness.

If I don’t train for about three weeks, I can feel my body stiffening and my joints becoming more painful. I’ve realised that the harder I train, the less pain I’m in and my joints are so much stronger for it.”

Candice, a member of Lisburn Taekwondo Club in Northern Ireland, now represents Great Britain on the GB National Poomsae Squad and she says “I’m extremely proud to be on the National Squad. I never dreamed I would make it on to this talented team along with wonderful like-minded, driven and determined women. It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to represent Great Britain.”

Candice also praises the inspirational coaches she has had along the way. She says “They have been instrumental in my success. In times when I felt I could go no further, and I had pushed myself to the edge they gave me the strength and courage to keep going and demand more of myself. They brought out the stamina and determination in me that I didn’t know I had.”

The Taekwondo community worldwide has also inspired Candice to keep pushing herself to excel. “Taekwondo has introduced me into a community and a family, worldwide. We all support and cheer for each other. It’s been truly phenomenal meeting people who are so talented and driven. They’ve been an inspiration and I am so privileged to be associated with people who never give up and always expect more of themselves.

Candice hopes that by sharing her story and sharing what Taekwondo has done for her, she can inspire more women of all ages and abilities to give Taekwondo a go and see what an amazing impact it can have on their life!

A final word of wisdom from the inspirational Candice “I went from being weak, broken, and voiceless to being strong, empowered and I most certainly found my voice! Taekwondo made me into the champion I never knew I could be, and I feel this is only the beginning.”

You can find out more about Taekwondo clubs and sessions in your area using the British Taekwondo Club Finder.

If you would like to share your Taekwondo story please contact Anna Warburton-Ball, Insights & Communications Officer via insight@britishtaekwondo.org or 07562 647 880.