Daily Inspiration: Meet Niki Wright

Today we’d like to introduce you to Niki Wright.

Hi Niki, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began training in martial arts when I was 9 years old, I received my black belt when I was 15 years old, my training has always been something I’ve held very close in my heart. I became a teenager and my training wasn’t consistent and ended up stopping. But I always held onto what I learned and never let that knowledge go. In my early 30s I was teaching for a friend at their school. Then one day the recreation supervisor from the local park and rec reached out to me. She was looking for a martial arts instructor for her site. It was the tail end of Covid where classes had to be taught outside when I began my program.. I’ve been teaching my program for 4 years now. I took advantage of there not being many female martial arts instructors in the area.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a struggle starting a business at the end of Covid. There were restrictions like masks, distance we could be from one and other, and taking students temperatures. It changed a lot for instructors to have those restrictions and teach a sport where were in close proximity to one and other. Then I also had the pressure of starting a program from scratch. There was so much uncertainty if I could get enough students to run a class. It was also scary for me because this was my first time running my very own program, I wasn’t on the sideline’s anymore,

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a martial arts instructor. I specialized in helping children achieve their full potential, I focus on building life skills that will help them be successful in life. I also specialize in teaching the nunchucks. It’s one of my favorite weapons to use. My most proud moment as an instructor is when my student was feature in the local newspaper for Cerebral Palsy Awareness month. The interview was done at karate and he showed his moves to the reporter, it melted my heart. This is a kid whose mom was told he’s never walk. He’s so inspiring to me. What sets me apart from others is my teaching method, I genuinely do what I do because I love it. I love my students, their families, it’s just all around the most rewarding job.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t really think there such a thing as luck. Maybe more fate or destiny, I think that internally I know I was given this gift of teaching and it would be going to waste if I wasn’t utilizing it like I am, I don’t think I got lucky to have this skill, it was inherent in me. I found my passion when I was a kid and I made it in to my career.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninjaniki_karate_training
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NinjaNikiKarate

Image Credits
Misaaround photography