A viral TikTok moment leads to real-life transformation: filmmaker Michal Simon shares her journey from watching Chase Infiniti’s powerful performance to earning her yellow belt in Taekwondo
By Karina Whamond, MartialArts.io, Martial Arts Software
When Michal Simon walked out of the theater after watching Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, she didn’t just leave with memories of a great film—she left with a decision that would change her life. The Phoenix native, who recently relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, was so moved by Chase Infiniti’s portrayal of Willa, a purple belt karate student who uses martial arts to navigate intense, dangerous situations, that she decided to return to martial arts training for the first time since childhood.
Her journey, documented on TikTok, has since gone viral with over 40,000 views and even caught the attention of Chase Infiniti herself, who left a heart emoji in the comments—a moment Michal describes as “confirmation that our energy aligned.”
@misi.universe Movies really give me that spark 💫 #filmtok #martialarts #fitness #movietok
The Film That Started It All
One Battle After Another isn’t your typical action movie. The film weaves together themes of revolution, community resistance, and family bonds, all centered around a father’s search for his daughter. For Michal, a filmmaker herself, the impact went deeper than just the fight choreography.
“It was honestly a roller coaster movie,” she explained. “I thought it was really powerful with a really strong message. I loved the revolutionary theme within the film—seeing communities come together to fight the system. The ‘revolution will not be televised’ aspect was really cool.”
But it was the character of Willa who truly resonated with her. “I loved that with all that revolutionary stuff, it was really all about love and finding his daughter. And the daughter was just so badass.”
What Made This Movie Different
As someone who appreciates film on a technical level, Michal identified exactly what separated One Battle After Another from countless other martial arts movies: the music and representation.
“I’m very moved by music, especially when I’m making my own films,” she shared. “Seeing her—a Black woman doing martial arts—with that Steely Dan song, it just made me want to learn self-defense. That’s what sparked something within me.”
Willa’s character embodied a balance that Michal wanted for herself. “She seemed very balanced, but she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and defend herself. She was very mature with how she handled these intense moments and was fast-thinking, especially in moments of danger when trying to escape.”
The film also highlighted how martial arts training translates to real-world situations. “Her experience in martial arts was one of the reasons the character got out of really intense situations,” Michal noted. “Even her sensei was like, ‘remember to breathe,’ and having those core lessons really helped her in situations outside of the dojo.”
A Childhood Dream Revisited
Michal’s decision to start training wasn’t just inspired by the film—it was also about fulfilling a promise to her younger self.
“I did karate when I was like eight years old, but I didn’t get far just because it’s an expensive sport and my mom couldn’t afford to put me through more classes,” she revealed. “Doing it again as an adult with my own money that I’m investing—it was kind of a fun moment because I felt like I was doing something for my childhood self. Like I was finishing something that I started.”
This time around, she chose Taekwondo, which brought its own learning curve. “It’s been a while since I changed martial arts—from karate to Taekwondo. It was a little different because they count in Korean, and in karate, I think it’s Japanese. There isn’t a lot that I really remember other than just the feeling of it.”
The Yellow Belt Achievement
Starting at the end of October 2025, Michal committed to training twice a week. By early 2026, she had earned her yellow belt—a milestone she had never reached as a child.
“It was really cool because I never moved up from a belt, so this was a very brand new experience,” she said. “I was kind of nervous because we had to go in a room with instructors watching us for the test, and you had to memorize all your movements.”
The experience has been about more than just learning techniques. “I would say the discipline—it’s two days a week, and I’m always trying to find a way to get to class. I try not to skip it. Health-wise, it’s been good for me, being active.”
Training as a Couple
What makes Michal’s journey even more special is that she’s sharing it with her husband. They train together, supporting each other’s growth on the mat.
“It’s cool to see each other grow,” she said. “It’s such a fun side quest for me. I just bring it up to people like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m in Taekwondo.’ That’s something you don’t normally hear from people. It’s a good little conversation starter, and I love showing my family the things I’ve learned.”
The Spiritual Connection
Beyond the physical benefits, Michal has found deeper meaning in her practice. “I’m also kind of spiritual, and I really like what martial arts brings to the table as far as spirituality goes—the connection of the mind, body, and spirit. Breathing is such an important thing to do, especially when you’re doing your poomsae (forms), because if you’re not breathing, you’re gonna be out of breath in the middle of it.”
The Viral Moment
When Michal posted her training video to TikTok, she had no idea it would resonate with so many people—or that Chase Infiniti herself would see it.
“That was the first time I’ve ever had a celebrity acknowledge me before, and my first viral video too,” she said. “For me, being spiritual, it gave me that confirmation. That was like a sign for me that our energy aligned. I saw her on the screen, she inspired me to do it, I put myself out there and posted it, and then she commented—that was my confirmation that our energy is aligned.”
Building Confidence Through Martial Arts
The past few months of training have had a tangible impact on Michal’s self-perception. “It’s helped me become a little bit more confident. It’s cool bringing it up to people, and it’s been really nice. Everyone’s very attentive, and it’s cool coming back and seeing the same people—they remember your name and all that stuff. The instructors have been very kind too.”
Opening Doors in 2026
Perhaps the most profound impact of returning to martial arts has been the mindset shift it’s created for Michal.
“Doing this kind of opened a door. Like, obviously I opened the door for this journey in life, but it’s making me not afraid to open other doors. I can be anything I want to be. That’s what I’m moving with as far as 2026 goes—opening all the doors that I can because I can be anything that I want to be in this life.”
When asked how martial arts helped push her into that thought process, she explained: “Definitely discipline, focus, being aware of the things I put my attention to, because it will show up. Especially when you’re practicing and you’re not focusing on your movements—if you pay attention to what you’re doing, it can be more accurate with how you’re moving.”
Advice for Those Inspired But Hesitant
For anyone watching her TikTok and considering taking that first step into martial arts training, Michal has this advice:
“I know there’s a lot of places out there that do trials. I would just give it a chance. See what you like. Do your research on the right place for you—don’t just jump into it and sign up. There’s so many different forms: you can do karate, you can do jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai. Do your research and take advantage of the deals they give out, because they’re always looking for people to join.”
The Power of Representation in Film
Michal’s story illustrates the real-world impact of representation in media. Seeing a Black woman excel at martial arts on screen didn’t just entertain her—it activated something within her. It reminded her of dreams she’d set aside and gave her permission to reclaim them as an adult.
One Battle After Another did exactly what great art should do: it inspired action. And for Michal Simon, that action has led to improved health, increased confidence, a stronger relationship with her husband, and a mindset of limitless possibility.
As she continues her Taekwondo journey, one thing is clear: this is just the beginning. The doors are open, and she’s ready to walk through them.
Are you inspired by Michal’s story? Have you ever watched a film that motivated you to make a real change in your life? Share your story in the comments below. Learn about karate school software at Martialarts.io
She is a part of the MartialArts.io team, a software for martial arts school owners who want to spend more time teaching.
She is passionate about the world of martial arts and how it can better a person from the inside out.
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