Below is a Q&A with Kirkwood Community College alumna Katie Sievers (Class of 2018). She and her husband, Wyatt, co-own the Guardian Martial Arts Institute in Marion. Severs graduated from Kirkwood University with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree.
Why did you choose Kirkwood and your major? I chose Kirkwood because of the flexibility of the program and how quickly you can complete your nursing program. I started nursing school at another university in 2007, but my life started to suffer.
After 10 years and four children, I realized I still wanted to pursue a career in nursing, which led me to Kirkwood.
So why a fitness/martial arts school? What inspired you to go in this direction? I joined Taekwondo to help with fitness and as a way to spend time with my kids. The rest of my family started the program long before I did, but it was great to learn and grow together. I always said I was grateful to be able to be with the kids during class without actually having to parent them.
In 2021, the previous owner approached my husband (Wyatt) and I with an offer to sell the school due to declining health. Owning our own martial arts school was a dream for us, so we accepted the offer.
Are you using your nursing degree from Kirkwood? Yes, I work as a full-time home health nurse at St. Luke's Home Health during the day.
How did you decide on the location? The school is still in its previous location. We've been talking about relocating, and this is recognized as a place where people remember the school being.
Have you ever thought about expanding? We had many conversations about when and how we wanted to expand. We have already grown in the last three years.
We've added Geumdo Iaido, a Korean swordsmanship program, restarted Kindergarten Taekwondo Tiger, formed a demo team to perform at farmers markets and competitions, and started a competitive team for students who want to take it to the next level. raised.
Additionally, I teach self-defense courses to local Girl Scout troops and college groups. In the future, we would like to move to a larger facility, especially with higher ceilings.
If you were asked to speak to a class in your major at Kirkwood University, what advice would you give?Giving a speech about martial arts to nursing students is a difficult question.
I believe that life's unexpected events can make you a better nurse. When Taekwondo makes you feel safe and confident in yourself, it becomes easier to deal with difficult patients. But it's also important to find an outlet outside of work. For a long time, when I first learned it, it was Taekwondo. The stress, fatigue, and whatever I brought home from the hospital went away as soon as I stepped on the mat, giving my brain and body something else to focus on.
