Karate Kicks and Life Lessons from Vegas

Hey Nonprofit Leader, What’s Keeping You Awake at Night?

This week, I’m momentarily stepping away from my usual nonprofit ramblings to bring you a story—one with roundhouse kicks, gold medals, and more inspiration than your last five leadership books combined.

We just returned from the Junior International Cup and the US Karate Open in Las Vegas (cue the bright lights and long concession lines). These tournaments, run by the US Karate Federation, draw more than 2,500 athletes from around the globe—kids under 9 to adults over 35, beginners to elites, and yes, para divisions that include athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Seiden Juku dojo (that’s us!) proudly brought the largest para team: 15 fierce competitors from La Quinta, CA, including athletes with autism, Down syndrome, blindness, and cerebral palsy—ranging in age from 8 to 70. Our crew didn’t just show up—they medaled. A lot. We took home 17 medals: 9 gold, 2 silver, and 6 bronze. Not too shabby, right?

Now before you imagine full-on sparring battles, let me clarify—our athletes competed in kata, a beautiful, pre-arranged sequence of movements that looks a little like martial arts meets interpretive dance. It’s precision, discipline, and determination, choreographed into art.

And wow, the podium moments—seeing our athletes wrapped in the US flag, hearing the announcer declare them the 2025 US Karate Champions—it’s the kind of moment that makes your heart grow three sizes. Yes, there were tears (maybe mine... okay definitely mine).

But what stuck with me even more than the medals? The families. The grandparents, the cousins, the aunts with cowbells and signs. Many said, “We never imagined our child would play a sport—let alone compete internationally.” This tournament didn’t just meet ADA standards—it shouted them from the rooftop. Accessibility, inclusion, community.

Some highlights you’ll want to hear:

• Adam, who has Down syndrome, spotted a Team USA athlete who also has Down syndrome and exclaimed, “Hey! He looks like me!” Cue all the warm fuzzies.

• Mario, our autism warrior, finishes every competition with a thumbs-up and a “I did it.” This time, we all gave him thumbs up and said, “You did it, Mario!” (Reader, he beamed).

• Isaac, our oldest and blind competitor, competed with the same poise as a seasoned Sensei.

And let me tell you, there’s a special kind of camaraderie among the Senseis who coach para-athletes. We know how hard this work is. So when they heard we hosted a para-only tournament last summer? Everyone asked, “When’s the next one?” (Don’t worry—we’re planning it.)

Now, let’s bring this back home.

Nonprofit leader, if you’re lying awake at night, stressed about your board, your budget, your inbox, your fundraising goals (or all of the above)—I see you. I am you. But here's the thing: If our para-athletes can show up, train hard, adapt, perform, and thrive on an international stage—you can show up for your mission.

Yes, the world’s messy. Resources are tight. Staff morale might be teetering. But if a 70-year-old blind karateka can take home a gold medal, you, my friend, can write that annual report, run that gala, and maybe even get to inbox zero (okay, let’s not push it).

We can do hard things. Because they do hard things. Every. Single. Week.

So let’s stop doom-scrolling at 2 AM and remember: You got this.