I've been training since I was 13. I'm 16 now and here's my thoughts.

I’ve been training in a martial art that blends Goju-ryu, Kenpo, Shuri-te, and Wing Chun (and some others, though the art itself is built upon those) since I was 13 (I'm now 16). Over the past three years, it’s become a huge part of my life.

I train about 12 hours a week at the dojo, plus additional time at home, so I’ve put in a few thousand hours overall. Along the way, I’ve done a lot of sparring and competed in karate tournaments. Been to seminars.

I’ve come to really love the dojo, my sensei and hanshi, the senpai, and the other students I train with. It's definitely shaped the person I've become. Plus the fact that the sensei has really taken me under his wing as I was there on the first day of him opening that dojo (his own dojo, he's taught at others before) - and how I've grown up and become more of a man and shaped my karate.

I sometimes just wonder if I started too late? Or if I should be in a different martial art?

I love this art though and just was wondering where my next steps should be. I'm ~2 years away from black belt but the journey is neverending and I want to continue and potentially even open my own dojo someday!