Colorado Karate Club

From White Belts to Role Models

August 15, 20252 min read

Thirteen years ago, two little boys stepped timidly into our dojo —Logan, 5, and Trevor, just 4. Their first class? Lots of tears, because they were nervous and scared of this new place and the strangers around. But that day marked the start of a journey that would shape their character, challenge their limits, and eventually turn them into the kind of young men every parent hopes to raise.

Karate became more than a hobby for the brothers—it became their proving ground. While other kids came and went, Logan and Trevor showed up. Week after week. Year after year. They trained with focus, pushed through frustration, and even when they failed rank tests—sometimes more than once—they kept coming back. Not because it was easy, but because quitting would mean giving up on the bigger goal: earning their black belts.

Their parents were their quiet champions. Never making excuses, always encouraging effort over outcome. Whether it was driving to class, sitting through innumerable hours of training, or setting an example of perseverance in their own lives, they created a foundation the boys could stand on—even when self-doubt crept in.

When COVID hit and the dojo doors closed, Logan and Trevor didn’t take a break. They cleared space at home, logged into Zoom, and trained through screens and living room obstacles. That discipline paid off. After eight years of consistent effort, they both earned their black belts—marking not just a milestone, but a moment of transformation.

The story doesn’t end there

Today, Logan and Trevor are instructors at the same school where they once struggled as white belts. They’ve discovered a new joy in teaching and mentoring the next generation of martial artists. They are, in every sense, the kind of black belts who lead by example—not just in technique, but in character.

Outside the dojo, the brothers are just as driven. Both are passionate about cars and spend their free time turning wrenches with their dad. Trevor, a Brighton High School student, plans to become a technician or open his own business. Logan, will soon be attending the School of Mines, and manages to balance academics with his automotive passion and a Lego collection that rivals most hobby stores.

Their lives are full of horsepower, homework, and hard-earned wisdom. But at the center of it all is a deep love for their family, their roots, and the journey that started with two scared little boys walking into a karate class.

Logan and Trevor are more than black belts. They’re reminders that real growth takes time, that failure is part of the path, and that when young people are supported—and refuse to give up—they become exactly the kind of leaders our community needs.

Mario Waller

Art Director

Back to Blog