Bethel Joy Suison

Age: 34

Club: Blacktown

Rank: Blue 2

Beth began training with Hwarangdo in 2008 and is currently Blue 2.

Beth shares with HwarangdoSTARS that “2007 was the lowest time of my life when I came back from my holiday and saw all the photos of mine. I was over 100kg, I barely stand 152cm.”  As a result of the weight that she had “piled” on over the years that she worked in front of a computer, Beth suffered from many headaches, backaches and a knee injury.  “I started searching for a ‘quick fix’ to lose weight. I tried all those shakes, pills, those infomercial weight loss gadgets and all of them failed to make me lose weight.” she said.


Beth joined Blacktown Hwarangdo in January 2008.  She had previously trained in Taekwondo 15 years earlier, but found it hard as it was the first she had trained for so long.  “All the instructors were patient with me and made me enjoy every single moment at the Dojang.  I met so many friendly people who were always willing to assist and help me, who were always there to push me to run more, to stretch more, to kick harder and faster.” she said.  “All the friends I made at the Dojang were always there to congratulate me and compliment my weight loss achievement every single time they notice that I lost more weight.”

“Hwarangdo is a great way to lose weight, because our training involves a lot of cardio and stretching.  You exercise and learn self defence while trying to be fit and healthy.  I recommend Hwarangdo to everyone.  If I CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU!”

Q. What was your reason to start training?
A. For fitness, weight loss and for self defence.

Q. How did you find out about Hwarangdo and what made you decide to join?
A. My brother-in-law searched for it while I was overseas. I decided to join because I did Taekwondo when I was a kid and wanted to try it out again.

Q. What has been your proudest achievements/most memorable moments whilst training with Hwarangdo?
A. I was double graded. I skip yellow 1. I can now also do a good split, which was impossible for me to do before I joined.

Q. How much weight have you lost whilst training with Hwarangdo?
A. I have lost a total of 35kg during since I started training at Blacktown Hwarangdo.

Q. What is your goal weight?
A. I want to be 50kg

Q. How has your life changed since losing your weight?
A. I feel more confident, younger and healthier. I can now do the sports that I love.

Q. What interests/hobbies do you have outside of Hwarangdo?
A. I enjoy weight lifting and Muay Thai kickboxing

Q. What has been your proudest achievements/most memorable moments outside of Hwarangdo?
A. I made it to the Intermediate class when I went to Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand. I had enough stamina, I was flexible and had great kicks to show off and was able to train 6 hours each day for 5 weeks.

Q. How has Hwarangdo changed you as a person?
A. Hwarangdo has made me more focus and patient. I realised that nothing beats a good exercise to lose weight and to condition your body.

Q. Any advice you have for others trying to achieve what you have?
A. Keep attending Hwarangdo classes you will benefit from the result later on.

Q. Any other comments?
A. Thanks Master Kim for helping me lose weight. Thanks to all the instructors especially Steven Kim, Andrew Marks, Shane Gavan and Adam Potter for motivating me and for helping me out when I needed help with one step sparring and with my patterns.

Hwarangdo congratulates Beth for her achievements to date and look forward to seeing many more achievements in the near future!

Beth, you inspire us all !!!

A couple before and after progress comparisons.