Episode 150
Ep. 150 - From Toddler to Competitor: The Rise of Luciana Madriaga
This podcast episode features an engaging conversation with Luciana Madriaga, a dedicated martial artist and a second-degree black belt. We delve into Luciana's early beginnings in martial arts, where she was introduced to the discipline at the tender age of two and a half, owing to her parents' involvement as instructors. During our discourse, Luciana articulates her fervor for combat and sparring, distinguishing these elements as her preferred aspects of martial arts. We also discuss her aspirations to become a world champion, particularly in combat, while examining her broader ambitions within the martial arts community, including her goal of evolving into a chief instructor. Through this dialogue, we explore the profound impact of martial arts on personal development, particularly in fostering confidence and interpersonal skills.
Takeaways:
- Luciana Madriaga commenced her martial arts journey at an exceptionally young age, influenced by her parents' roles as instructors.
- The podcast featured an engaging discussion about the various martial arts events, highlighting Luciana's preferences for combat and sparring.
- Luciana articulated her ambition to become a world champion in combat, demonstrating her dedication and aspirations within martial arts.
- The conversation underscored the importance of martial arts in fostering confidence and social skills in young practitioners, as experienced by Luciana.
- Luciana expressed her desire to advance to the rank of chief instructor, showcasing her long-term commitment to martial arts education.
- The podcast concluded with an acknowledgment of Luciana's inspirational role for other martial artists, emphasizing her positive impact on the community.
Transcript
That okay.
Speaker B:At nation, I am super excited to have with us other athlete of the week.
Speaker B:Can you introduce yourself, ma' am?
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker A:My name is Luciana Madriaga.
Speaker A:I am a second degree button.
Speaker B:Can you say that one more time.
Speaker A:Because there's no way Luciana Madriga.
Speaker B:Okay, I'll try.
Speaker B:Probably won't.
Speaker B:So we are actually Spring nationals here in Fort Worth.
Speaker B:You guys drove.
Speaker B:You just said you're here at spring Nationals.
Speaker B:Now, before we get to kind of what you like to feed in, all those kind of things, how'd you get started?
Speaker B:Martial arts?
Speaker A:My parents, they're both instructors, and when I was like two and a half years old, I started like kicking, punching, saying, hey, yes, sir.
Speaker A:Yes, ma' am, all those stuff.
Speaker B:Well, so you were kind of born into it.
Speaker B:That's the same way my fam.
Speaker B:My.
Speaker B:My kids will have that same story.
Speaker B:They'll be like, we just grew up in the taekwondo school.
Speaker B:That's the way it was.
Speaker B:So you.
Speaker B:You're stuck with it, obviously.
Speaker B:What rank are you now?
Speaker A:Second.
Speaker B:Okay, so you've stuck with it on your own.
Speaker B:If you started, you know, when you were really little, you've enjoyed it since then.
Speaker B:What kind of events, what kind of things do you really love to do in martial arts?
Speaker A:I really like doing combat and sparring.
Speaker B:Combat and sparring.
Speaker B:It's so fascinating.
Speaker B:I've been having these interviews with different athletes, and we have some that are like, they're the forms extreme guys.
Speaker B:And then there's this, the groups that are the.
Speaker B:The sparring and combat guys.
Speaker B:So really cool.
Speaker B:Are you.
Speaker B:Are you on a team?
Speaker B:Do you do some team stuff?
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker B:Trying out for other teams.
Speaker B:Do you do Team USA or anything?
Speaker B:No, no, not yet.
Speaker B:Maybe someday.
Speaker B:Athlete development camp, maybe.
Speaker B:Oh, very good.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:Very cool.
Speaker B:If you had to, like, pick a thing that you were like, this is not my favorite event, what would that be?
Speaker A:Probably forms.
Speaker B:Forms.
Speaker B:Really?
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:Well, I.
Speaker B:You know what?
Speaker B:A lot of sparring people are not forms people.
Speaker B:But it's so.
Speaker B:Forms are so great.
Speaker B:I love forms, but you can have your own likes and dislikes.
Speaker B:It's okay.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:So you're here Spring National.
Speaker B:What are you looking.
Speaker B:Your dad did the gumdo testing yesterday.
Speaker B:You said.
Speaker B:How was that watch watching?
Speaker A:It was good.
Speaker A:It was good.
Speaker A:It was really entertaining.
Speaker B:Do they do here when they do the testing?
Speaker B:I haven't been for a while.
Speaker B:Do they do the archery?
Speaker B:The archery or not when they're testing here?
Speaker A:I don't know.
Speaker B:Do they do they have anybody cutting like the, with the live source, the.
Speaker A:Bamboo in the fire?
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker B:Okay, very cool.
Speaker B:I know I've seen the archery before, but I don't know.
Speaker B:I didn't know if they like.
Speaker B:You can't really shoot bow and arrows in hotels and convention centers.
Speaker A:I wasn't sure.
Speaker B:I didn't think so.
Speaker B:Very cool.
Speaker B:And what other events are you planning while you're here in Fort Worth?
Speaker A:Forms, Weapons, sparring, combat.
Speaker B:Very good.
Speaker B:And what kind of.
Speaker B:Do you have some goals for this like tournament season that you are focused on or, or even longer term goals, things that you're looking at in your martial arts career?
Speaker A:My goals is becoming a world champ.
Speaker B:World champ.
Speaker A:A world champ and combat.
Speaker B:Combat.
Speaker B:Combat thing.
Speaker B:So you're looking to get some more points this weekend while you're here and go to world championship.
Speaker B:Have you competed in the TOC before?
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:So this is an old hat.
Speaker B:You've done it a bunch before.
Speaker B:Okay, very cool.
Speaker B:And, and one of the things that we like to ask all of the people that we've been interviewing, you know, the junior brand investor picking these awesome athletes.
Speaker B:I think it's just cool to see all these additional, you know, you know, investors.
Speaker B:I mean, you guys are investors, but it's cool to be highlighting these individuals.
Speaker B:So what does it mean for you to be an athlete?
Speaker B:That goes beyond the belt.
Speaker A:To me it means applying all the skills that martial arts taught you on daily basis.
Speaker A:Like sharing everyone, like what to do?
Speaker A:Like believe, respect.
Speaker A:Not just doing it inside the martial arts, but doing at school, at the supermarket, like asking someone, hey, like, where's the orange?
Speaker A:Where's this?
Speaker A:But like, instead of like being shy, like believe in yourself and go ask.
Speaker B:Oh, that's a great one.
Speaker B:That confidence.
Speaker B:Were, you know, you know, in your past, were you a shyer person?
Speaker B:Were you a more outgoing person?
Speaker A:I was a shiny person.
Speaker B:So you found that doing martial arts has really helped with that?
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker B:Okay, very cool.
Speaker B:And what about any, you know, you've got world champions.
Speaker B:Kind of the plan, you know, or the goal for.
Speaker B:Do you have any other long term plans?
Speaker B:Are you.
Speaker B:I see you've got a red black collar.
Speaker B:Are you, you know, following steps, a little instructions?
Speaker A:Yes, yes.
Speaker A:My goal is to be a chief instructor and maybe a master.
Speaker B:I love it.
Speaker B:I think that's a great goal.
Speaker B:Okay, awesome.
Speaker B:Well, we really appreciate your time today.
Speaker B:Thank you so much.
Speaker B:Not just for coming in, you know, dealing with our tech issues and figuring this out, but to be an inspiration for other martial arts.
Speaker B:We really appreciate, really appreciate it.
Speaker A:Thank you.
Speaker B:You're welcome.
