We're just two weeks from Fall Nationals and we have an athlete from Pittsburgh.

Let's get started.

Welcome to the Ata Nation podcast.

Welcome back to the Ata Nation podcast.

This is episode 171 and I'm your host, Senior Master Zach Hayden.

I hope you have been having an excellent time out there in at nation, Training, competing, testing, you know, teaching all of the, all the things.

I have been spending some time doing some training out at our regional camp.

We had an excellent time at the Region 102B training event.

It was cool.

Love sitting around the fire at the end listening to great stories about the history of ata.

You know, it was, we, we had the event over the weekend that had Founders Day in it and so we talked about Eternal Grandmaster.

You know, got to do some great training.

I got to teach on the 10 class management skills, which I just love.

I got to do some training.

Oh, we did some, some good technique, you know, working on some attributes down in the water at the beach at this event.

You know, there was a lot of awesome training things.

Those are just two of the things I got to teach and I love teaching.

You know, we don't talk about it much on the podcast cause I'm always interview people, but at heart I am an instructor.

That's what I love to do.

I love to teach and it's just so much fun.

Got to talk to a couple of licensees about business and things which I also really enjoy doing.

I love to just listen to what other people are doing, you know, get input, you know, talk about what, what I've done in the past, what I've messed up with, what I've gotten better at.

These, these camps are just a great opportunity to not just get some physical training in, but learn history, get to surround yourself with fellow ATA members and just build relationships.

So lots of fun for me this last weekend.

But let's talk about what we've got in two weeks is Fall Nationals.

Now I want to remind you that I just saw that out there in Facebook land.

They have extended late registration competition so you can get register still for national.

This is a great opportunity, guys.

And it is, you know, you can go compete on Saturday, come home, you don't have to, you know, if you're, if you're last minute, this is like a last minute decision you're gonna make.

You don't have to make this a week long event and you can pop in, do your competition, pop out as a, you know, if this is a last minute decision for you, I love to use the Whole week, you know, do the whole thing.

But you know, if you're just like, hey, I can get some extra points or hey, I think we can get over there late.

Registration has been extended until Monday, October 13th at noon Central time.

You don't want to miss out on that, guys.

That, that is an awesome opportunity to save some money, have fun, get some points.

And for somebody like where we are in my community, it's not that bad a drive out there.

You can drive out.

Depends on your ring, is you might be able to drive out that morning, compete and drive home, for goodness sakes.

Oh, and all over the east coast that would be easy to do.

So I want to go over a couple more things.

With Fall Nationals, if you aren't, you know, making plans to attend, you're missing out on some great things.

But before that, I want to hit.

We have our athlete of the week this week.

Super, super awesome to have another awesome high ranked athlete of the week and straight from the Pittsburgh area.

So let's get to our athlete of the week, ATA Nation.

We are excited to have with us not just an athlete of the week, but a master athlete as well.

Sir, can you introduce yourself?

Yes, I am Senior Master Michael Estep from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

And we'll be out there, you know, just another week or so.

We're all going to be joining you out there in Pittsburgh.

So Senior Master Estep, can you first give us a little background?

How did you get started in martial arts?

Sure.

So it was in 1989, being just a young little boy, four years old, and getting bullied and picked on.

And my dad was like, you know what, we need to do something so that you can learn how to stand up for yourself.

And I started in Westview Plaza.

It was Senior Master Brian Shipton, who's no longer with the ata, but that's who I started with.

And that's kind of, that's kind of where it all kicked off.

Very cool.

And as a, Were you an athlete before?

Did you do any athletic things or, you know, were you involved in athletes in school?

I mean, starting so young, at 4, I mean, it's like, you know, it's kind of hard to tell.

I did baseball for many years.

I started around the same time.

I did that till maybe I was about like 14 or so.

And then I felt like I needed to make a decision because once you get to that age, it's like you gotta fully commit to whatever sport you're in because it's so demanding.

Right.

So that's when I made that decision that, like, Taekwondo was the way to go, and I just kind of fully committed to that and was teaching a lot and competing and all that, and that's kind of the route that I decided to go, and I'm super happy that I went that way.

So, yeah, it seems to turn out, you know, senior master seems to turn out, turned out pretty decent for you.

So did you gravitate to, you know, early on in your martial arts training, did you gravitate to, you know, a certain side or a certain part of the martial arts that was more like, hey, this is what I, you know, this is the kind of competition I really enjoy doing.

Sure.

Definitely sparring was something that interested me more.

And I feel like there's like the forms and weapons people and then the sparring people.

Right.

So I definitely gravitated more towards the sparring side.

I love it all, but I mean, competition, I'm all sparring in combat.

I mean, you can ask all of my competitors.

They pretty much know that I'm not going to do my form or my weapon or anything like that, you know.

So, yeah, I'm all sparring in combat all the way, for sure.

And you're, you're a kind of tall guy, so those long legs probably were pretty beneficial in, in that kicking thing.

They definitely help.

They definitely help out.

And even distance control in combat, it helps because I can keep a little bit of a bigger range, you know, so that, that definitely is a benefit for sure.

Yeah.

Now, how has it been for you as, as you've transitioned?

So there's, you know, this, you know, as a, as a student only, you get, you know, to compete when you start teaching, and then, you know, really, you know, doing lots of teaching, you're still competing, but there can be a, you know, a, a switch in how you deal with that.

And then as a master, you know, now you get to compete like, you know, three times a year or whatnot.

How are, have those transitions been for you as you've gone through from student to instructor to master?

Sure.

So, yeah, just like you said, as a student, there's more opportunities.

I feel like even the more guidance.

When you're a student, you're training regularly with your instructor, you know, and so you have somebody kind of pushing you and motivating you and everything.

Yeah.

You're competing all the time.

So it's, it's almost like there's no off season.

It's like there's a competition this month and then next month.

You know what I mean?

As you start teaching more.

I feel like, especially whenever I was really running the school and more in the school owner position and everything like that.

You're not getting like regular training.

Like there's, it's not like every week I'm going to class three times a week.

Like I'm training a lot on my own.

I can remember, you know, staying after classes on Saturdays for a couple hours, just doing my own thing, practicing my form, you know, and doing this and doing that and just trying to keep myself accountable.

And then when you transition to the master kind of side of it.

Yeah, it's only three times a year.

But I mean, honestly, as I've gotten older, I've just, I've gotten more intense and more intense as far as my training.

I don't know, I just use it as motivation.

I always want to be better and get better.

You know, I honestly, I could compete any day of the year.

I'm always ready.

I train all the time.

So it's just something that I just enjoy.

I just can't get enough of it.

So that's awesome.

You know, I, I hadn't thought about it until just now, but having that three times a year opportunity for Masters almost, almost makes it easier.

Sometimes in setting up a training block and getting ready and, you know, you have these boom.

This is the performance where, you know, athletes these days in, in, you know, the ata, you could be at a tournament every weekend in part of these seasons.

And that makes it a little bit harder to set up, you know, a really efficient training system.

So maybe we have, have the better option there.

I don't know.

What about, what about the transition from yourself as the main athlete to helping other athletes?

How is, how has that been?

How have you been maybe, maybe inspired, maybe new avenue to do that, athletic pursuit?

Sure.

I feel, feel like part of the reason we, we have a pretty good competition team and people that do compete and everything.

And I feel like a lot of that is because myself, I'm still training, competing.

My students can't wait for fall nationals.

They get to come and watch, you know, senior master E step compete and midterm and all that stuff.

So I think it really is inspiring for other students to see, you know, me still out there training, you know, and not using my age as an excuse that I get to take a break and relax now.

And I've done it for this long and I'm still pushing myself and everything.

And there's no greater feeling than, and I'm sure, you know, seeing one of your students be Successful.

Seeing a student overcome something or win a title, it's just like the greatest feeling in the world.

So I mean, that, that's probably a higher focus for myself now than, than me really earning anything.

I just, I love to compete.

To compete, but to see them accomplish that, it's just huge.

Yeah, that it's true.

I mean, getting to watch our students succeed is just, you know, a special thing for you.

What kind of goals do you have set or looking at for the future?

And that doesn't, I mean, it can be competition, it can be personal.

What kind of things are you looking at as we go into, you know, 2026 coming up.

Holy moly.

And the future there.

Sure, sure.

I feel like the main thing on the horizon right now is scheduled to test for 8th degree this next worlds.

So definitely the main focus now.

I'm going to get my last midterm in at Fall Nationals.

I may.

My plan is to compete with my form at Spring Nationals and I do that intentionally just to hold myself accountable, you know what I mean?

Like if I'm going to be testing so, you know, and not that like I do enjoy.

I, I'm pretty good at a form, you know, it's definitely strong and I always do well.

But I'm a big fan of, you know, do what you love the most.

Right.

Put the most energy into that.

It's, it's very hard to be fantastic at all four categories.

It's just, you know what I mean?

So I put my focus and energy on it.

But a three definitely is the, the top of the goal sheet right now for sure.

Really focusing on that.

That's awesome.

Oh, well, that, that's.

I, I love the idea that you're going to go and, and compete with that just to stay, you know, make sure you're, you're staying up with it.

You're going to go test with it anyways.

I mean, and you're like, we look at these masters divisions, I mean, to be tops on, on all of them is just, I mean, that's an insane feat because we have some amazing talent.

There's, I mean, across the ata, but these masters divisions are just.

Yeah, for sure.

Okay.

So, hey, as we, as we get ready to wrap up here, what does it mean to you to be an athlete that goes beyond the belt?

I mean, I think it means everything.

It's.

The biggest thing is I'm not a, I'm not a big talker.

I don't, I don't post stuff on, on Facebook or Instagram or anything.

Like, that I'm like, hey, this is my workout.

This is what I did.

I'm a very behind the scenes.

I'm kind of like a man of action.

So I think just, I mean, make sure you're doing something every day.

Pushing yourself, you know, working towards the goal.

I think that's, that's, that's big.

And I think that's the one thing that people know, like, if I'm, if I'm at competition, you know, I'm prepared and I'm ready.

And I think that that definitely shows.

So it's the behind the scenes stuff that you do that nobody really sees that really, you know, makes the biggest difference.

Well, that's a, I mean, that's a, that's a big.

That's an important thing to, to mention.

I mean that the, the outward appearance is only so much.

You've got to be doing the work, you know, taking action to move forward.

I love that.

That's really great.

Well, hey, sir, thank you so much for your time today.

We look forward to seeing you out there in just another, what, like, week or two for Fall Nationals out in Pittsburgh.

How's the weather today out there?

The weather's actually up until today.

It's a little rainy today, but it's literally been like 80 degrees every day.

Like, it's been really, really nice.

So I don't know If I want 80.

Come on now.

We need a little bit cooler than that.

Pull it off a little bit.

Maybe we'll get some nice 70 degree days for you guys when you roll into Pittsburgh.

So.

Perfect.

Awesome.

Well, we look forward to it, sir.

Thanks so much.

Yes, sir.

Have a great day.

How cool to have a Senior Master as our athlete of the week.

Pretty awesome.

If you've ever seen Senior Master Estep compete, he is, he is quite the competitor.

You can check him out at Fall Nationals or Spring Nationals.

And speaking of Spring Nationals, ATA has put some information out about hotels for Spring national.

So you want to make sure that you check that information out right away.

Those always book up quick.

And we want to make sure that we are making the reservations early so you can get started with that.

I'm sure I don't have any inside knowledge, but I'm sure that the registration is.

All that kind of stuff for Spring Nationals will start, I'm sure, probably shortly after Fall Nationals.

Speaking of Fall Nationals, hey, what are you training?

My plan is to make it out for the Master's training.

I have signed up for that.

I haven't been able to make that for A little while and I would love to go.

And I was just talking to my legacy students last night about how important it is to get some training with people outside of your regular instructor.

And this is where I love to go and train with the master's counselor, with chief Master's Childs or, you know, different instructors that I can learn some different things too.

So that is huge.

If you're a master out there, hey, make the opportunity, if you can, to head to that master's training.

You know, they've.

They've introduced some new things this year at fall nationals.

We talked about them a while ago, but some of these business seminars, I'm pretty sure I'm signed up for this.

10 Simple Strategies to do right now to increase enrollment and revenue.

I'm pretty sure I signed up for that one.

Making sure that I'm working on my business as well.

But I got some physical training I want to do.

The legacy program.

Building your bench through internships with Chief Master Wegman.

I've taken that seminar for him before.

Licensees.

That's a fantastic one to check out.

Definitely something good, man.

If you haven't taken a self defense seminar with grandmaster Crusoe, you are missing out.

This is a no ATA black belt should get through their training without taking a self defense seminar from Grandmaster Caruso.

So PPCT competitive seminar.

He's offering that there amazing things.

10 class management skills.

I don't know if I'm signed up for that one this time, but that's a.

That's good.

The ATA sparring from beginners to champions.

How you're training that it's not just what you're doing, but how, how you're teaching that through, you know, strategic level ATA max.

Building a teams from the ground up.

I'm taking that one.

I've signed up for that.

So you'll see me at that.

Combat sparring from beginner to champion.

How you're training that a tournament culture.

I took that at world championships.

Fantastic.

Really good.

We had a review of that on business beyond the mat a couple of weeks ago.

The future of martial arts.

Harnessing AI to grow and scale.

I'm pretty sure I'm signed up for that as well.

Ooh.

Legacy program enhancements.

Class planning for success.

I don't know if I'm signed up for this one.

I'm in a little like a little anxious that I'm not signed up for that one.

Because that sounds really good.

I am one of these guys who loves, loves, loves, loves to learn more.

I am signed up for the song song on forms detailed review.

I want to do that.

Make sure that I'm updating myself on the Chung San and Sokbok so Bong.

Getting that increased then.

Guys, I don't know if you saw the post just came out from Senior Master Isaacs just a little bit ago, but Train Like a Champion seminar is back.

You don't want to miss this.

Two hours of sparring and two hours of combat sparring and you can do one or the other or both.

And this, you're gonna get trained with the best of the best with Team usa.

The athletes, the coaches you need.

Like if you are aiming to be a top level competitor in sparring or combat, you should be at that.

Okay, you hear Senior Master Isaac say it all the time.

You got to be in the room.

You're going to be one of the best of the best.

You got to train with the best of the best.

So get registered.

You guys can still do this.

You still register for these events.

You're not going to miss out if you, if you register now.

So Train Like a Champion seminar ata Max Battle Royale.

Always entertaining to watch as well and be part of.

Check that out.

So all kinds of great stuff.

Guys.

Don't miss out on these opportunities.

Just because we're, you know, a couple weeks away doesn't mean you can't still make plans to attend, you know.

And you know, if you are a high rank out there, you know, fourth degree and above that is looking at your plans to test.

You need to be looking at things like Camp Jongsu and looking at your personal development points and like are you earning these and doing these trainings personally?

Developing yourself at these events like all nationals is how you get those.

So you don't want to miss out.

Okay, These are, these are awesome events.

And I know travel can be a concern and whatnot, but it's, it's worth it guys.

It's so worth it.

So if you're not making it to Fall Nationals, start now, look at your calendar and make plans to hit spring Nationals in St. Louis.

That way you can get that training in be part of the adventure there.

Or hey, here's another opportunity.

Not as much training opportunities, but fun, competition, some other things going on.

Well, you do have the training opportunity at Camp Jeongsu, at World at Headquarters.

And then right after is the Huli Classic gonna be a lot of fun.

They're bringing some fun stuff to that event.

And it's in Little Rock.

And Little Rock is just fantastic.

If you've never been to ATA headquarters.

You need to go to that.

You need to check out the museum, see where it all happens.

You know, this is the home of Songam Taekwondo.

Little Rock is like a, you know, a place that I just love to go to.

Little Rock.

You know, I've been going to the Little Rock for 30 years and it's, it's just like another home for us.

So the HU League Classic.

You can get that information online as well.

And then, hey, I know I'm just like a broken record with some of these events, but I am such a fan of hitting up these training opportunities.

Don't miss out on the Legacy Academy online training as well.

They've got one of these every month through the rest of the year and I don't know, maybe 20, 25 or 6, excuse me.

These are through Zoom, where you're going to get some additional training again.

I was talking to my legacy guys about this last night as an opportunity to learn from other people where you're getting just a little different perspective on things.

Maybe just different wording on how to learn certain things and that it just clicks with you different.

So the Legacy Academy, you can check those out on the ATA martial arts website as well.

I know I've talked about all the training things, hit all that.

But you know, if you're going to be an awesome athlete like Senior Master Estep, you got to be doing the training.

You got to be taking advantage of these kind of things.

Training with the best, being part of the experience.

I think that's going to wrap it up for us today.

I really appreciate your time.

Hit the subscribe button on YouTube, your favorite podcast player, all the places.

Share with a friend and let us know who you'd like to hear on the show.

We've got our athletes of the week at all nationals.

I hope to get some in person interviews again with some people and I know I, I've got to reach out and be with some, you know, some, some other awesome people.

But I'd love to hear who you would like to hear from.

Okay, until next time, get out there and go beyond the Belt ATA Nation podcast.

Be sure to subscribe and share with your ATA family.