Announcing the Never Settle Awards

https://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/about-whistlekick-martial-arts-podcast

Martial Artists aren’t just martial artists when they are in their training space.  Whether it’s called a dojo, dojang, club, garage, gym, or something else, true Martial Artists may take off their training uniform before they leave but they don’t stop being a Martial Artist when they walk out the door.  With this in mind, whistlekick, in collaboration with Martial Journal, is proud to announce the inaugural Never Settle Awards.  

Why?

The whistlekick Never Settle Awards grew out of a combination of core concepts fundamental and foundational to the whistlekick brand.  Many of these concepts provide the basis of articles here at Martial Journal.  Everyone would benefit from six months of traditional martial arts.  Do what you can, with what you have, where you’re at.  We are better, and can do more, when we work together. We all have something to teach and many things to learn.  

Martial Artists are Artists.  The works of Art they create are important to society and have impact and influence.  Great works of Art have an impact beyond the immediate reach of the Artist, beyond a town or country, and at times well beyond a single lifetime. 

You don’t stop being a martial artist when you walk out of the training hall. 

Each Never Settle Award represents a part of what it means to be a Martial Artist.  How many parents sign their children up for classes based on ideals such as honesty, integrity, perseverance, and self-respect because that is what they want them to demonstrate on a daily basis?  What do honesty and integrity look like?  Is there a better example of perseverance than having an instructor saying to do “just one more rep” when we thought we were already done and finding that we could dig deep and do it anyway? Can we show self-respect by demonstrating respect for others during everyday interactions?

Each Never Settle Award has a focus.  The Flashlight Award shines a light on those making a difference to the martial arts community, regardless of rank.  The Open Door Award emphasizes community and inclusiveness.  The Enduring Footprint Award recognizes impact across significant amounts of time and distance.  The Emissary of the Arts Award highlights those that have contributed to their community and not just their art.

Stories bring us all together. 

Every Never Settle Award winner has a story.  While some of the pieces of each story may sound familiar to ones we’ve heard before, the whole of each story is unique.  This uniqueness makes the stories worth sharing.  The familiar parts remind us that martial arts is a community larger than any single style, any single school, any single person. 

 

whistlekick.com

Want More Information About the Never Settle Awards?

Visit whistlekick.com where you will find specific information about each of the Never Settle Awards and how to nominate someone.  Nominations will be open through August 15, 2022.  During September and the beginning of October 2022 voting will open.  Look for winners to be announced in November 2022.  We’re not saying when, just yet, but if you’ve been following whistlekick for a while, you might have some ideas.  While the winners won’t receive monetary prizes, we will make sure they all receive something that captures the spirit of each award as a token of appreciation and recognition.

Look for updates to this page as we get further through the year.  We will update this article with direct links to nominations, voting, and more when that information becomes available.  If there is something you think I missed, please leave a comment and let me know.

Enduring Footprint Award Nomination

Emissary of the Arts Award Nomination

Open Door Award Nomination

Flashlight Award Nomination

About Chris Rickard 5 Articles
Chris began his martial arts journey with HapKiDo during high school and eventually earned his first black belt in Han Guk Moo Sool about a decade later. Life took him in a different direction and to a different location where he started teaching high school science classes. Over a decade later, he still teaches high school science and, as of fall 2021, helps teach at the Kenpo dojo where he is an active student.

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