Whether it's taekwondo or herpetology, martial artist and science enthusiast Liz loves the sense of community that brings everyone together in the gym and the lab.
My typical Saturday involves practicing some taekwondo, hanging out with friends, or chilling at home. I have been doing taekwondo for close to five years. Most people see it as violent, but I have found it to be a really disciplined way in which to exercise and develop necessary skills.
Anything martial arts-related has always been of interest in me. I did martial arts for some time, and also dabbled in wrestling, but taekwondo just stuck with me. There was such a great sense of community at the gym I practiced at and I believe that to be one of the main reasons I stayed.
Apart from sports, I am also interested a lot in science. I am attracted towards the manner in which you learn to think when you do science. There is a right and a wrong, but within that there is also variance. Science has helped me to understand that there is a method you can use towards achieving something, but that method does not have to be the only method. I think people often struggle with deciphering what is right and what is wrong because there is a belief that there is only one way of doing things and sometimes they can't come to terms with that. There are many ways in which to do something, and your decision on what method to use is largely based on your context, your experience, and the community around you. Decisions should never be made in isolation, and that is something largely emphasized in the science world.
Marie-Simone Kadurira