Walk softly and carry a big heart
Phil Duffy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Apr 27/01) - Not only does Jeff Ells teach Tae Kwon Do weeknights, he holds down two other part-time jobs, as well as his full-time job.
Ells works full-time as a community support worker for the YWCA, has a part-time gig as a driving instructor at Arctic Defensive Driving School, and holds down yet another part-time position at the Territorial Treatment as a relief child care worker.
As if this wasn't enough, on his one weeknight off, and on weekends, Ells does his own Tae Kwon Do training. On top of all of this, every Saturday evening Ells meets with his dance group to learn new dances and steps.
"It takes a lot of time management skills and a fair amount of juggling but I manage it well enough," says the second degree black belt.
"I'm happy with the directions my life is going in. I believe most of what I do is really worthwhile."
Ells is a single, 29-year-old Nova Scotia native, that has lived in Yellowknife for the last six years.
"Yellowknife is great! I love the summers here and I am definitely looking forward to this one. I even like the winters," he said.
While he likes what his other jobs and hobbies have to offer, his true passion is his sport.
"The most rewarding thing in my life is Tae Kwon Do. I like helping people and I am certainly able to do this through martial arts."
"The thing I enjoy most about teaching is when I see one of my young students surprise themselves by doing something that, just a while ago, they never thought it was physically possible for them to achieve. That is the most satisfying feeling, and rewarding experience that I get as a teacher," said Ells.
Ells specific area of training is tournament sparring in olympic style Tae Kwon Do.
He has competed at the national level four times, reaching the quarter-finals three times.
"I have yet to crack the medal podium, but the next national team tryouts are coming up in July, and I look forward to seeing how things will go this year."
