‘It’s never too late to follow your heart.’ At 71, she earned this prestigious honor

In one way, Molly Varghese is known as a petite and gentle 71-year-old, a native of India. In another way, she is known as a powerhouse. Varghese is a high-ranking certified black belt in the martial art of taekwondo.

She earned the honor at a bustling Johnson County martial arts studio.

“I wouldn’t have imagined that 10 years ago,” she said. “Coming from India, I was shy. I wouldn’t be flexible.

“I didn’t know what taekwondo was, but I wanted to check it out. I’m still doing it.”

The payoff? Cardio workouts, better mobility, and physical and mental balance. Also, a boost in self confidence, she says.

Nathan Abbott, Varghese’s grandson, was in elementary school when she watched him practice the movements of martial arts.

”I loved the idea of his mental discipline,” she said, recalling that she wished she could participate. “But I thought, ‘You cannot. You are a grandmother.’”

Then an instructor gave her the nudge she needed.

“When Molly first walked into our school, she was so worried,” said David Popper, master instructor/owner at Martial Arts Institute North in Overland Park. “She had the desire. She said she couldn’t do this, then she proved she could.”

A core program for children at the Institute is licensed by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. Led by Popper, it’s an after-school childcare program with basic martial arts training appropriate for kids. For adults in day or evening classes, a series of 12 to 28 movements form the curriculum.

“Black belt training is however long it takes,” Popper said. It could take five years, or it could take much longer.

The philosophy behind the martial art form is simple, no matter the age of the student, Popper says.

“We learn to fight so we don’t have to fight,” Popper said. “The goal is to increase confidence. Be aware and alert.”

An aggressor, he said, is not looking for those who carry themselves confidently. Taekwondo includes spinning, kicking and hand strikes. The sequence of movements often seem like a choreographed dance.

Varghese’s children and grandchildren traveled from three states to join the audience for her black belt presentation, which started with a three-hour test of skills.

Reading and writing are connected to Popper’s program. Each candidate is asked to write and read aloud the answer to a question: “What does a black belt mean to you?”

“It’s a philosophical moment,” Popper said. “Reaching into sharing their feelings is pretty powerful.”

Varghese was happy to write the essay.

“My first sentence was who inspired me. It was my grandson, Nathan. I wrote it before I knew he was coming. I read it and I cried.”

Varghese, who moved to Kansas with her husband, George, in 1997, encourages others to take similar chances if inspired.

“It’s never too late to follow your heart,” she said. “Too late will be that you didn’t do it.”