We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christina Mrkonja Sheleheda. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christina below.
Hi Christina, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I grew up in a first-gen American house. My parents always wanted my sister and I to get an education and work hard. I was bullied as a child for being quiet, for being poor, for being overweight – you name it. When my parents enrolled me in karate at 10 years old, I suddenly felt like I could be good at something. My instructors and I were (and still are) very close, so when I showed an interest and talent with teaching others, they helped to develop me into an effective instructor. Their guidance and mentorship offered me so much more though; it taught me resilience, dedication, responsibility and that I could make a difference.
My purpose will always be to offer the stability and kindness I sought as a child.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the Owner/Chief Instructor of Rising River Martial Arts. I joined River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy in Ambridge in 1993 as Master Scott Homschek’s first youth student, earned my Black Belt in 1997, my Second Degree Black Belt in 2000 and my Third Degree Black Belt in 2003. I also had the opportunity to train and instruct at Shin Karate Philadelphia under World Tang Soo Do Association Founder Grandmaster Jae C. Shin from 2003-2004.
A certified instructor and lifetime Gold Member in the World Tang Soo Do Association, I particularly enjoy teaching children and teens. I help to manage the marketing and social media content for multiple schools in Region 22, and I am involved with our region’s Scholarship Committee that offers academic scholarships to students who want to further their education.
In 2023, I opened Rising River Martial Arts in Bellevue, just outside of Downtown Pittsburgh and recently moved to the North Hills. As the mom of a special needs child with Epilepsy and Dyspraxia, I have dedicated my time and effort into giving all children the confidence needed to advocate for themselves, whether it be verbally or physically. My goal is to make karate accessible to all who want to train, regardless of socioeconomic status, disability, gender or age.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
– Commitment is absolutely number one. Being a “one-man show,” I don’t get sick days; I don’t get to randomly decide that I can’t teach on any given evening. My students depend on my school being a safe space for them to release their frustrations and stress.
– Empathy is important to me. Somebody once told me to “be who you needed as a child,” and I’ve never forgotten that. I want my students to feel secure and safe sharing their experiences with me.
– Communication. Whether it is good news or not good news, it’s important to be open and transparent with others. I try to be as up front with things as possible, and I truly believe that helps to establish trust.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
I have fought imposter syndrome for as long as I can remember. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to a point where I don’t have the voice in the back of my mind saying, “are you sure you can do this?” But I can promise that if you stay true to yourself, learn as much as you can about your craft through continuous research and treat others with dignity and love, that “voice” gets more and more distant. If you would’ve told me 10 years ago that I would own my own business where I took something that was a hobby for years and made it into a role where I can truly make a difference, I would’ve vehemently denied it. I deserve the happiness I feel when I see a student succeed because I work every day to put that happiness into the world. Representation matters, and even if one little girl who was bullied ends up turning her pain into purpose by reading my story, then all of it is worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.risingrivermartialarts.com
- Instagram: @rising_river_martial_arts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/risingrivermartialarts
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