Inside HDKI Hombu Dojo | Caitlin Mooney Tells All

🥋 From hating karate as a child to becoming an instructor at the HDKI Hombu Dojo!In this episode of the UK Karate Podcast, we sit down with Caitlin Mooney, an instructor at the HDKI Hombu Dojo, to explore her remarkable journey through traditional Shotokan karate, competition, teaching and life behind the scenes at one of the organisation’s central dojos.Caitlin first stepped into a karate dojo at just eight years old — but surprisingly, she didn’t enjoy it! It wasn’t until she reached 12 or 13 that something changed, sparking a passion that would eventually shape her career.By 14, Caitlin had achieved her Shodan (1st Dan), and at just 17, while still finishing school, she was offered the opportunity to become a karate instructor.At 18, she began working at the HDKI Hombu Dojo, combining teaching with the behind-the-scenes responsibilities of advertising, video editing and social media management.Her dedication continued with Nidan (2nd Dan) at 18 and Sandan (3rd Dan) at 21, with her Sandan examination marking her first grading abroad.🎙️ In this episode, we explore:🥋 Why Caitlin hated karate as a child — and what changed her mind.🥋 Her early competition experiences and how they influenced her development.🥋 Achieving black belt at just 14 years old.🥋 Becoming a karate instructor while still at school.🥋 What life is really like inside the HDKI Hombu Dojo.🥋 The challenges and rewards of teaching karate at a young age.🥋 The importance of social media and digital content in modern karate.🥋 Her journey through Shodan, Nidan and Sandan.🥋 The role of women in karate and inspiring the next generation.🥋 Her thoughts on the future of traditional Shotokan karate.From reluctant beginner to dedicated instructor, Caitlin’s journey is a reminder that sometimes the things we resist as children become the things that define our future.Whether you’re a beginner, experienced karateka, instructor or simply interested in the people behind traditional martial arts, this is a conversation worth watching.⸻🎧 ABOUT THE UK KARATE PODCASTWhere Every Karate Journey Has a Story.The UK Karate Podcast brings you conversations with karate instructors, competitors and inspiring individuals from across the karate world.We explore their experiences, challenges, achievements and the stories that have shaped their martial arts journeys.🌐 Website: www.ukkaratepodcast.co.uk📧 Email: ukkaratepodcast@gmail.com🎙️ LISTEN & FOLLOW▶️ YouTube – UK Karate Podcast🎧 Spotify – UK Karate Podcast🍎 Apple Podcasts – UK Karate Podcast🎵 Amazon Music – UK Karate Podcast💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONDid you enjoy karate when you first started, or were you like Caitlin and needed time to discover your passion?Let us know in the comments! 👇👍 Like this episode if you enjoyed the conversation.💬 Comment with your thoughts and experiences.🔔 Subscribe to the UK Karate Podcast for more inspiring karate stories.🥋 Every Karate Journey Has a Story. What’s Yours?#UKKaratePodcast #CaitlinMooney #HDKI #HombuDojo #ShotokanKarate #KaratePodcast #TraditionalKarate #KarateInstructor #KarateJourney #KarateTraining #MartialArts #WomenInKarate