#65: Nicholas Hoekstra: Inclusive Martial Arts for Folks with Disabilities

<p>Nick Hoekstra is a doctoral student at the University of Kansas studying special education. He lost his sight at the age of eight and started wrestling in high school and practicing martial arts in college. Nick's career has focused on international development, especially around the promotion of special and inclusive education globally. He has lived and worked in five countries. Nick attributes his success and especially his ability to travel independently as a person with a disability to the confidence he gained through martial arts. Nick is currently a 2nd degree black belt in Judo, black belt in Aikido and purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Nick and Georgia discuss:&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>The benefit of martial arts specifically for people with disabilities.</li> <li>How martial arts have helped him, personally, with both skills and confidence in independent life and travel.&nbsp;</li> <li>How martial arts is often such a close-knit community and how we can make these communities more inclusive.&nbsp;</li> <li>Some of the struggles he's had within martial arts and why he doesn't stop practicing.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>To contact Nick:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nickhoekstra@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nickhoekstra@gmail.com</a></p> <p>Nick on instagram:<span>&nbsp;</span>@nikohoek</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sign up to the Conscious Combat Club newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://click.calendly.com/ls/click?upn=iv9HLNn5AOyjxPwviujPh7uTpy9R7VaSedlm2OJ3KVoZ-2FaEx-2BNARpTPDlDSBFZeeztPbTF3qXwz8UZ8dWzkKiw-3D-3DZMy9_OWk3aS73BwKUIQpQ-2BJAHBZnrhbuJqBxafHMqxE4-2BnAVp3pA4nrfkDWKyeTko5Ar2dolxvCBGDgjh5IZaAmj8dYAT4hfXn7Uyd-2FZ4y7kFYoTLwQbaY-2F9YpAfdPnN7vrQ8FzgOjLMETJFZiFR4QikX5-2Byz2tX0aybit09Jy04e3U-2BourPDY8LvN6feaknlVP8E1-2FWglIpInEcalf2pXDPHhYAVaD249PbtmoUeALSBY8e-2FuvJm8bIJlbEq3jsU9vb563Lza2ttE9cPuclVu4WOoXIz64-2FL3j6cjLh6ndn4ot4-3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>&nbsp;to get the latest updates about mindful and trauma-informed martial