It was the final test before being rewarded with my black belt. There were rumours of how difficult this would be and no matter how hard you trained, nothing could prepare you for what happens that night.

We were brought into the dojo and worked hard for two and a half hours straight. After the time, we were physically and mentally exhausted, having given everything we could. The end was in sight.

Then, for the last half hour, we were told we needed to fight.

They wanted to see what we had left when we were at our limits. The instructors chosen to fight us were told not to take it easy either. They were to keep pushing us, past the point of exhaustion.

This was done to answer one question:

Can you summon the strength to continue when it feels impossible?

It’s a lesson I keep reminding myself of when I feel I can’t go on any further. There’s always more to give.