Black Belt Profile - Mrs. Deb Bodoh

3rd Degree Black Belt
2008 Regional Instructor of the Year

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Mrs. Deb Bodoh is a 3rd Degree Black Belt, a Level III Judge and a Level IV Certified Instructor. She has been teaching and training at Hoover's Martial Arts since 1998 and was honored as the Regional Instructor of the Year in 2008.
We've all either been taught by her or had her as our Floor Judge during a Promotional or Black Belt testing. In many ways, she is the definition of what it means to be a Black Belt.

"Deb is one of those rare individuals that naturally bring out the best in people. She's all heart. You watch her instruct her students and she brings those intangibles that you just can't teach. You'll see a new student who is maybe nervous or not in a confident frame of mind in class or during a promotional testing and she has this amazing ability to refocus them so they can succeed. Deb has such a sincere interest in the development of her students. She takes ownership of them and their success is her success. She's invaluable to the work we're doing here."
Chief Master Hoover

Q&A with Mrs. Deb Bodoh

Where are you from originally?
"I grew up in a small town in northern Wisconsin. (Yes, I am a Packers fan!)"

Tell us about your family.
"I am married and have two children. My husband, Tom, is also an instructor here. Our son Corey is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and our daughter Jennifer is a 2nd Degree Black Belt."

What did you study in college? What do you do for a living?
"By day, I am a data architect. That is a fancy name for a computer-related job. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing."

Why did you start Martial Arts?
"Our children were students here. I told my husband I thought it looked like fun, but until there were blinds on the window, I couldn't do this. After 9 months, he told me one day 'I am starting on Friday. If you want to do this together, come with me'."

What are your goals in Martial Arts?
"My goal is to continue to teach for as long as I can (or as long as Chief Master Hoover will have me :)."

When do you teach?
"I teach on Mondays and Thursdays. I also help out at Testings, Tournaments and whenever else they need help."

What does being an Instructor mean to you?
"It is very rewarding to teach our students Taekwondo and the underlying life skills that go with it. Courtesy, manners, and respect sometimes seems like a thing of the past. But I see it each and every day in our students. I feel great pride in knowing that I am helping to make that kind of a positive change in a person."

Who has inspired you?
"All of my instructors have inspired me in different ways. Whether it is pushing myself to do my best or making me step out of my comfort zone. Mr. B. had me teaching and floor judging when I didn't think I could. When I think of my training with Chief Master Hoover, I immediately hear him saying 'A little bit more Deb'. He has that way of making you want to reach higher and go further."

What advice would you give your students?
"Always do your best in everything you do. If you do, you will go far and have no regrets."

Most memorable moment?
"Had to be when I was a green belt and testing for my purple belt. I wanted to show the judges that my hand speed was incredibly fast. Well, when I finished the sparring idea and snapped my hand back toward my head, I punched myself in the chin! Hoping no one saw, I looked around and sure enough, Master Hoover was looking at me and smiling. He told me that next time that happened, I should block."

Favorite weapon?
"Double Bahng Mahng Ee (Double Sticks)."

What other hobbies do you enjoy?
"I am very heavy into crafting. (Ask my husband how many stamps, paper, etc. I have!) I make my own Christmas cards every year."

Favorite Books? What are you reading now?
"Any of the Harry Potter books. Right now I am reading Grimms Fairy Tales... Not quite how I remember them."

Favorite Movies?
"Again, any Harry Potter movie. Also musicals – Oklahoma!, The King and I, My Fair Lady."

Favorite Music? What are you listening to now?
"Easy listening. I like the Carpenters, Barry Manilow (yes, I will admit that!), and Mannheim Steamroller. My daughter is getting me to like some of the newer country singers also."

Favorite Food?
"Ooh, tough one. So many choices. Gotta be pizza. With lots of veggies!"

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