Stephanie Rodenhiser

Rokudan candidate at the 2025 UechiCon

BUTOKUKAN - Twenty-Eight years old - Began training in 2005

Introverted, but willing to discuss cats.

When I first started my martial arts journey, I was an extremely quiet kid. I was shy and skittish, and I didn’t really like talking to people… unless we could talk about cats. I went into class, kept to myself, and tried my hardest to perfect what I learned. Learning a new kata was so much easier than learning how to talk to people. But slowly, the one-of-a-kind dojo atmosphere got me to open up a bit. Soon after getting my brown belt, I joined the STORM program, and Mr. Traynor taught me how to teach. It changed my life.

I learned how to be confident, politely assertive, and even how to meet and talk to people. I did better in school (especially with presentations), had healthier friendships, and learned how to adapt to new situations. When I started officially working for Mr. Durkin, I landed my dream job.

It was tough at first. I had students who had trouble focusing in class. They’d spin in circles and want to play games instead of practice Sanchin. I learned how to make it fun for them to focus. It was hugely rewarding to see that aha! moment when they really got it.

Then, I learned about teacher-karma. I worked with students who were like ME when I was going up through the ranks. What a whole new challenge! I had perfectionists who memorized a new kata in the first five minutes of teaching when I still had twenty minutes to go. I would go to Mr. Traynor, panicking. “They learned it too fast, what do I do?” Entirely too amused, he told me that this was karma for how I was as a student. But he taught me how to teach those pesky perfectionists, and it was great to help them (and myself) stop stressing about being perfect and instead work on doing their best.

Today, I am still introverted and still willing to discuss cats. But I’ve grown more confident and capable as a martial artist, as a teacher, and as a person. And I am dedicated to always learning more.

Achieving Rokudan was something I had always imagined for myself, but never really thought I was ready for. I would not have gotten here, if not for the support and occasional tough love from my parents. Mom and Dad, thank you. 

Mr. Durkin, Mr. Traynor, and Mr. Beal, thank you for teaching me how to be a better martial artist and a better teacher. You have truly changed my life. My friends, who have encouraged me through my failures and celebrated my successes with me, thank you.

            And to my incredible students, who I am honored to teach, thank you.