Emma de Wolff

About me

My name is Emma and I’ve lived in Tilburg all my life. I started Krav Maga training at Taus Gym when I was 16. Before that, I wasn’t really very interested in sport. I was much more into creative things like writing, drawing and painting. My mum had taken me to all sorts of taster sessions in the hope that it might spark my interest, but that didn’t work out either. Until one day, a friend of mine suggested we should have a look at martial arts in Tilburg. We made a plan: she’d choose the sport and I’d choose the gym. And so we went along to a Krav Maga taster class at Taus Gym.

Right from day one, I actually noticed that there was a really friendly and close-knit atmosphere at the gym. Everyone was keen to help one another – not just the trainers, but the members themselves too. That really motivated me to train more and improve. I discovered a very sporty side to myself, with loads of energy and potential. That potential was also recognised within the gym, so when I was asked if I’d be interested in taking on a different role there, the answer for me was an obvious ‘yes’.

Those of you who’ve known me for a while will know that I wasn’t exactly the most sociable or confident person when I first joined Taus Gym. If you’d told me back then that I’d become an instructor and part of the Taus Gym team, I’d probably have turned on my heel and cycled straight home. Now I’m motivated and full of enthusiasm, ready to take on my next challenges.

And that’s exactly what Taus Gym has meant to me: a place where I was free to grow (though sadly not in height). I started here with the aim of doing some exercise, but in the end I did and learnt so much more than just exercise. I got the feeling that I was capable of more than I thought, and that turned out to be true. Especially in Krav Maga, where, as a small and light person, I’ll always be at a disadvantage against an attacker. I’ve learnt to defend myself effectively despite my height and weight. That also shows that Krav Maga at Taus Gym really is for everyone, and I’d love to be able to convey that message to others.

At the moment, I’m based in Breda, where I really enjoy running training sessions for children, teenagers and adults alongside Riaz. I’m also involved in various behind-the-scenes roles at Taus Gym, where I’d eventually like to play a bigger part, so if you’ve got any good ideas, do let me know!