I Trained Like A Black Belt For 90 Days

Thank you to Dove for sponsoring this video.

SPECIAL THANKS to everyone in the LA taekwondo community who made this journey possible.

FEATURING:
Michelle Khare
Simon Rhee
Peter Iacangelo

CREDITS:
Executive Producer - Michelle Khare
Calligraphy by - James Kim
Camera Operator - Simone Williams
Camera Operator - Madison Stonefield
Camera Operator - Matt Sweeney
Production Sound Mixer - David Beede
Production Sound Mixer - Michael Capuano
Re-Recording Mixer - Brian Tarlecki
Assistant Producer - Carissa Soh
Production Assistant - Troy Tapia
Production Assistant - James Allmon
Production Assistant - Skyler Bible
Production Assistant - Henry Enriquez
Production Assistant - Grace Kim
Production Assistant - Will Curtis
Location Rep - Jeri Habberstad
Location Rep - Tony Yoo
Location Rep - Edward Wazhapetian
Location Rep - Arthur Kusov
Location Rep - Cecilia Nguyen
Location Rep - Cort Maclean
Location Rep- Steve Wyshywaniuk
Thumbnail Artist - @venturepsd
Thumbnail Consultant - @TimoThePNG

ALSO FEATURING:
Phillip Rhee
Anastasija Zolotic
Benny Urquidez
Fariborz Azhakh
Kane Rhee
Cindy Rhee
Alexya Garcia
Darielle Williams
George Chung
James Lew
Thekla Hutyrova
James Nam
Erica Arrias
Abby Gennet
Graciela Casillas
Melanie Rains
Sean Rhee
Scott Rosen
Asher Rosen
Matt Ahmadi
Amy Baldwin
Troy Castaneda
Robert Dill

[MichelleKhare]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting our first FEATURE LENGTH episode! Martial arts is only made possible by only the generosity of the generations before us who pass on these traditions, skillsets, and life lessons. Please know that ANY success you may see throughout this episode is only made possible by the incredible Los Angeles taekowndo community. They truly are the best of the best. ❤

[sandrohartmann]

Michelle is straight up dropping movies at the point

[Goodwishes]

This is BY FAR my favorite challenge accepted. My gosh so deep and beautiful to see the deep respect and appreciation these teachers have for the sport and their students. The students not only learn from their teachers but the teachers learn from the students. It’s a sport that gives and takes both ways. Thank you for doing this!! You are a BADASS!! And you have officially inspired me to start Tae-Kwon-Doe!

[suryaprasanth]

This girl doing all this ON HER PERIOD ??!!! THIS IS TRUE MOTIATION FOR ME and also the hard work she put into this

[macadamia_]

that ending gave me CHILLS!! seeing her fail makes this message so much more human and so much more powerful, and I think missing out on the black belt matched that perfectly (in the best way possible). Breaking a brick with your bare hands is not something that can be done through sheer muscle or force. it's only accomplished with the proper technique, mindset and experience to fully embrace the art for all it is. Not being able to do it after trying a few times, just goes to show that the "yin" is something she's still learning and I know this will shape every challenge she does from now on. easily the best youtube video ive ever watched - thank you SO MUCH michelle for doing what you do ❤

[magnamater]

As a taekwondo student of 13 years, a black belt, and instructor, I am extremely impressed! You represented the sport incredibly well! Congrats!

[RickyC]

You performing the black belt form at the end with flashbacks of your instructor doing the form as well got me emotional. That was a great homage to the teacher that taught you.

[NjoodTakrouri]

I open youtube for the first time in almost 5 years. She pops up, never heard of her before, never seen her beofre. I just sat here for an hour and became the biggest fan, a true inspiration. You inspire me to do something. I dont know what, but i just can't sit still after watching this. The ending almost made me cry, but you can do it. Keep going. Don't give up. You are writing a story and a very interesting one

[frankchong]

Damn it... this is youtube. Never did I ever expect to feel so many different emotions on this platform when I began using it 18 years ago. This video may very well be the current peak of youtube. Well done done.

[xx_lolman_xx]

You could not have written a better ending with a better lesson. You really outperformed on this journey

[Hopischwopi]

I always feel like the videos get better and better. Not because the ones before were bad but it just feels like it is always fresh and exciting. It doesn't feel stagnant or like it is at it's peak. The videos all feel human from all perspectives and they are filled with love and desication which is beautiful!

[Onlyystuffy]

Omg, " this is about self-defense . DEFEND YOURSELF " that was a cold line

[Etitexity]

1 HOUR ?!?! Is it a youtube video or a movie at this point. Amazing quality keep up the good work.

[ashleynunnikhoven]

To go from white to red double stripe in 90 days is an achievement in itself! You’re a badass!! You will get there!!!

[raycapetillo]

The moment you realized that brute force was not enough, that you needed to find balance to be successful...This is what touched my heart. I watched this video several times because I found myself needing to find that balance. I am a quick study with most things, but I find myself lacking the full commitment to become a master. I find myself being a jack of all trades, master of none. Thank you for pointing out that I need to find that balance so that I can appreciate each thing to its fullness. Keep us posted when you do earn that black belt.

[tensorwizard]

Hey Michelle,

I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything that you do. Your videos are a special place for me on youtube where I can always come to find that inspiration that I need, whatever it might be for me in that moment, and most importantly - I really appreciate the journey that you show along the way. You've taught me that the only thing stopping me from starting something that I know I want to do is me, and that a small step either forward or backward is so much better and more rewarding than no step at all.

Over the last six months I have:
- Taught myself how to constantly re-evaluate my goals, helping me to get on top of years of substance abuse, and am on my way to sobriety
- Overcome my fear of needing to control and plan everything by booking tickets to a music festival halfway around the world before I even had flights booked. Both this festival and travel have been on my bucket list for over 10 years and I finally did it!
- Started balancing work and rest much better (yin and yang!), going from fortnightly burnout to consistent and sustainable productivity
- Started my first steps towards exercising again for the first time since high school. It's been almost 7 years but while the best time to start something is yesterday, the second best time is today.
- Continued learning French from high school and picked up learning Japanese and Spanish. Currently going almost 100 days strong with no plans on stopping soon.

All of these started with small steps and there's been a lot of setbacks and failures along the way, but I wouldn't have dreamed six months ago that I would be kicking these goals like I am now - much love from Australia <3

[gormaline]

I'm so glad she understands that we don't need her to be perfect all the time. We love seeing her giving it her all, pushing herself, and not taking on these challenges lightly. She accomplishes SO much by dedicating herself completely and it reminds me that power is in me too 💕

[Corenebubae]

Hello! I recently tested for my black belt last week and passed.
This journey, to me, was unbelievably inspiring. In my opinion; you are a black belt. You always have been. I have been told you do not earn a black belt the day you test, but you earn it every day you train. And I completely agree with that. You have put so much dedication into taekwondo, even if you do not display that belt on that waist, in your heart, character, and mind, you have achieved black belt excellence.
Do not stop training, again, this is only the beginning.

[lj]

WOW the editing for the choreo for Michelle’s blackbelt test was amazing! It really gives off the vibe of using everything you’ve learned so far such as Michelle using techniques and blending the footage of her masters teaching her

[olivier]

This is the woman so determined that she has 200 or 300 videos of learning. She has so many skills.