Travis Halladay Interview
When you first meet Travis Halladay, his angelic face and diminutive frame gives no clues to his physical ability or his painful past... His quiet manner and positive attitude would leave you none the wiser, but in the Dojo, part of his history reveals itself. At only nine years old he wears his black belt with hidden pride...
Travis is one of the most laid back lads you could ever meet, however, whilst training he seems to transform... In the minutes before a lesson, instead of chatting with the other students, he finds a quiet area and begins to prepare - perhaps some star jumps or skipping before a light stretch ahead of the class... To this small nine-year-old, Karate is a serious business and he absorbs every valuable second of instruction with a hidden hunger.
I know this is all good stuff, but what really makes Travis unique?
You only have to study the pictures closely and his history soon becomes clear... Travis was born with two holes in his heart and, at three months old, was seriously under weight. His heart tripled in size and his breathing rate doubled. Travis was in trouble and his parents Julie and Dale Halladay [first Dan and a current instructor with Phoenix Karate Schools] were told that, without an operation, Travis would not survive beyond his third birthday. Travis had a traumatic first year, suffering constant hunger and receiving a continuous stream of medication, before finally undergoing open-heart surgery at eleven months old.
On his first birthday, Travis came home from Great Ormond Street Hospital a different boy. His parents believe this experience built strengths into Travis no ordinary child would naturally attain. Once recovered, Travis was like a lightweight car with a V8 engine. When specialists gave him the all clear, Dale thought back to his own earlier experiences learning Karate and took Travis to meet his original instructor, Master Charlie Trorey, fourth dan. Initially this did not go well, with Travis crying and dropping out of many of his first lessons. Some might accuse Dale of being a pushy parent, but he had a gut instinct that his son would enjoy Karate and continued taking him - even rejoining himself... Dale regularly talks with the parents of new students and happily gives support to those who encourage their children to come back ‘just once more...’
Travis was introduced to Karate just before his fifth birthday and now trains six to eight hours a week, often going into the garden with his father to continue the perfection of techniques after lessons at the Dojo. Dale would never profess that it was he who taught his son - Chief Instructor Charlie Trorey fourth dan [of Phoenix Karate Schools, Great Yarmouth] has spent hundreds of hours teaching Travis. Charlie has an ability to get the very best out of younger students, with his calming mannerism and ‘demonstrate everything’ teaching method. Other Phoenix instructors, Vivianne Trorey, second dan - who pushes Travis constantly for the absolute perfection he is now achieving - and Dean Snowling, second dan - who specialises in maximum impact, stamina based pad work and conditioning - have helped.
Undoubtedly, it has been the quality instruction and his own dedication, total focus and self discipline that has earned Travis the reputation of being a ‘Pint sized Karate Kid.’
MAI: Charlie, what are your first memories of Travis?
Charlie: He was a quiet, reserved little boy, who I could see had potential talent but did not believe in his own ability.
What is he like to teach?
He tries hard and never gives up until he perfects a technique. In class he is a well behaved and focused student - with a cheeky grin!
How do you see him progressing?
Travis has the ability to achieve anything he wishes - if he continues to show the determination he had when he achieved his Junior Black Belt. I personally, would like to see him enter more competitions in the future, when he feels the time is right. At the present time he attends the Saturday morning fight club where he gets to test his skills against several of our AMA National squad members.
Have you seen any similarities between Travis and his Dad in his earlier days?
The focus and self-discipline are things I remember from Dale, but Travis has shown more determination... Both have a similar pride in their achievements and like nothing more than to train with, and talk to, the best Karate men in the country. Both have had the opportunity to meet AMA National Team Coach Peter Allen and trained earlier this year with England coach Wayne Otto when he visited the club for a seminar. They also to met my very good friend, the legendary Joe Tierney, at a recent birthday celebration.
PETER ALLEN
Dale, Julie and twelve-year-old sister, Ebony-Storm, herself a second kyu brown belt at Phoenix, would like to take this opportunity to give their thanks to the fantastic people at Great Ormond Street Hospital for saving Travis’s life.
