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Taekwondo is widely known as a Korean martial art sport involving various kicking and punching techniques. What many don’t know is that Taekwondo is so much more – it’s a practice built on five tenets: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. For Dr. Dimitrios Karamichos vice president of research and graduate studies and executive director of the North Texas Eye Research Institute, it was also a way to bond with his family of four and improve their Whole Health.

Karamichos’ teacher, Master Junghwan Kim, at Top Kick Martial Arts in Carrollton, Texas, speaks highly of the positive impacts Taekwondo has on those who take up the practice.

“Taekwondo is more than just a physical discipline—it is a holistic practice that strengthens the body, sharpens the mind and nurtures emotional resilience,” Kim said. “Physically, it improves flexibility, coordination and endurance. Mentally, it requires focus, strategic thinking and adaptability. Emotionally, training builds self-confidence, relieves stress and fosters a growth mindset. The principles of Taekwondo—courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit—help those who train find balance and well-being in all areas of life.”

When Karamichos and his wife signed their 4 ½-year-old son up for Taekwondo, they thought it would be a fun activity to help him burn off energy and come out of his shell. What they didn’t realize is how accurate Master Kim’s description of the benefits would be. The life lessons and Whole Health focus that accompany Taekwondo are irreplaceable.

“He would go to class, and they would ask him things like, ‘What do you do at home? Do you brush your teeth? Help with the dishes?’ I’m just thinking, you realize he isn’t evenfive yet—why are you asking about doing the dishes?”

Before he knew it, his son was coming home from class and asking to help with the dishes. A year later, Karamichos realized how his once shy son was coming out of his shell. He and his wife were now able to drop him off for day long camps each summer without any issues.

“After a year had passed, I started to get competitive with him,” Karamichos said. “I told my wife if he could do it then I could too.”

Despite his initial concerns about not being able to pick things up quickly, Karamichos signed up for classes and quickly fell in love with the art of Taekwondo and the Whole Health benefits it brought him. He recalls his first few classes being embarrassing as he navigated the challenges of learning the kicks and punches, but as time progressed, he was able to ignore his surroundings and other people and really focus on his physical and mental skills.

Not only did he grow his mental and physical strength, Karamichos also grew the bond he has with his son—which ultimately led his wife and daughter to join them in taking Taekwondo lessons so they could join in on the fun.

“My son and I would spend our evenings discussing the new kicks we learned or the other lessons we took from class and my wife and daughter got jealous,” Karamichos said. “They decided they wanted to be part of the conversation too, so they began taking lessons. It’s really become a family affair.”

Now, three years into Taekwondo, Karamichos—who has since earned his blackbelt alongside his wife and son—can look back on the overall benefits he’s experienced and the biggest benefit he’s found is on his Whole Health. He is able to leave his workday at the office because he burns off any frustrations at Taekwondo, then goes home feeling refreshed and ready to be with his family.

“Taekwondo helps me change my mindset so I can show up for my family,” Karamichos said. “I’m not sure how I lived without these classes.”

The Whole Health impact of taking these classes is what Karamichos notices the most—especially the community pillar. Being surrounded by classmates who are all striving to have the same mindset makes it easier to show up each day and give it as much effort as possible, Karamichos explains.

Taekwondo has allowed him to connect all the pillars of Whole Health. Having a community that supports him has strengthened his mental, physical and spiritual well-being.

“We practice meditation—something I never thought about doing—and it helps with the spiritual aspect of my Whole Health,” Karamichos said. “Having those 30 seconds to focus on relaxation and the mind really has such a positive impact on my life.”

Looking toward the future, Karamichos doesn’t see anyone in his family giving up Taekwondo any time soon.

“The bonding experience, on top of the overall benefits are exactly what my family needs,” Karamichos said. “I encourage everyone to find something that benefits them the way Taekwondo does my family and me.”

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