True Story London Podcast 34 - Kicking, Punching & Speaking Up w/Michaela Agapiou
4 snips
Jan 2, 2025 
Michaela Agapiou, a passionate storyteller and taekwondo enthusiast, shares her unexpected journey into martial arts as a self-proclaimed non-sporty person. She discusses the importance of belonging, the struggle for self-acceptance, and the emotional depth of storytelling. Michaela highlights how learning taekwondo transformed her confidence and perception of the world. She also delves into the significance of assertiveness in multicultural settings and reflects on the powerful connections forged through personal narratives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Michaela's Taekwondo Journey
- Michaela joined taekwondo in university despite being non-sporty and physically small.
- She gradually improved, felt belonging, and earned her first belt, gaining pride and motivation.
The Power of Asking for Help and Owning Your Boundaries
Michaela Agapiou discovered that in taekwondo and in life, she always had permission to ask for help and to assert her boundaries, even when she felt weak or out of place.
This realization came through a pivotal moment with her instructor who told her, "if someone is kicking too hard, you can ask them to stop," highlighting the importance of calm assertiveness and clear communication.
Michaela connects this lesson to broader life situations, emphasizing that the strength to speak up is not about physical power but about self-respect and finding belonging.
She also explains how this permission to set limits is something she continues to work on daily, transforming discomfort into empowerment.
Permission to Set Boundaries
- Asking for help and setting boundaries in taekwondo gave Michaela a new sense of permission and empowerment.
- This lesson transcended sport, aiding her in workplace and social challenges.