A Shodan, Stacy Strunk started karate in 2007 under the instruction of Master Keith Smith. Four years later and more than 100 pounds lighter, she has participated in dozens of karate tournaments across the country, dragging her children and best friend, who is also in competitive karate, along with her.
Stacy enjoys talking to clubs and other organizations about weight loss, setting and achieving goals, and competitive karate. Wickedly funny and brutally honest, she brings practical advice to those who are starting their fitness journey.
Now an assistant instructor at MSOI-Aurora, where she also trains, Stacy has a fitness-oriented and competition-centered approach to teaching.
When not in the dojo, Stacy is a marketing coordinator with a multi-brand corporation that provides recording media to the entertainment, non-profit and corporate industries. She is also an active blogger who writes about competition, weight loss and body image in her other blog, The Fat Karate-ka. Stacy is also an avid CrossFitter and paleo enthusiast.
Affiliation
AOKA Member, 2009-Present
Tournaments
- Dec. 4, 2011: 8th Annual Holiday Tournament, Gary, IN
- Sept. 4, 2011: 29th Northwest Indiana, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do Championship, Merrillville, IN
Weapons, 1st; Kata, 2nd; Sparring, 1st
- April 17, 2011: Illinois Valley Karate Tournament, Morris, IL
Kata, 3rd; Weapons, 3rd; Sparring, 2nd
- March 13, 2011: 4th Annual Naperville Challenge, Naperville, IL
Kata, 3rd; Weapons, 4th; Sparring, 3rd
- Feb. 20, 2011: Ken Knudson Tournament, Chicago, IL
Kata, 3rd; Weapons, 5th; Sparring: 3rd
- July 18, 2010: Isshinryu Hall of Fame Tournament, Knoxville, TN
- May 16, 2010: Silver Sun Tournament, St. Louis, MO
Kata, 5th; Weapons, 4th; Sparring, 3rd
- July 2009: Isshinryu Hall of Fame Tournament, Knoxville, TN
- August 2008: AOKA Nationals
- Plus 16 Champion Karate Studio Open Martial Arts Tournaments (a.k.a. Rocky’s Tournaments)
Other Experience
- Coach of Team-MSOI, which provides extra training and practice to MSOI students who are interested in competition and attending tournaments.
- Assistant/uke for Self Defense Seminar held at local women’s shelter.
Additional Training/Seminars
- 2011 AOKA Training Weekend, Aug. 27, Bolingbrook, IL
- 2009 AOKA Training Weekend, July 10-12, Fort Madison, IA
- Plus several local AOKA training seminars covering: Grappling/Ground Work, Joint Locks and Joint Lock Escapes, Women’s Self Defense and Kickboxing.
|
