When I was younger I did karate and martial arts, and I think

"When I was younger I did karate and martial arts, and I think it's really cool for girls to have those kinds of abilities." These words, spoken by Rebel Wilson, speak not only to the personal empowerment found through martial arts but also to the breaking of societal norms that have historically placed limits on what women can achieve. In this statement, Wilson reflects on a truth that has been echoed throughout history: the strength and courage of women have often been underestimated and overlooked. To engage in martial arts—an art that requires both physical prowess and mental discipline—is to embrace a power that transcends gender, and Rebel’s words encourage a redefining of strength and what it means to be a woman in the modern world.

In the ancient world, women were often relegated to roles that emphasized domesticity and submission. The Greeks, for example, believed that physical strength and combat were the domain of men. Yet even then, there were warrior queens like Artemisia I of Caria, who commanded ships in battle and fought courageously alongside her men. These women defied the expectations of their time, proving that strength, whether physical or mental, is not bound by gender. Similarly, Rebel Wilson reflects that same spirit of defiance—asserting that girls, too, have the right to cultivate abilities that were once thought to belong only to men.

The history of women who challenged gender norms through martial prowess is a long one. Consider Joan of Arc, the young peasant girl who, through sheer will and divine inspiration, led French forces against the English during the Hundred Years’ War. Joan was not only a military leader but a symbol of courage and resilience. Though her life was tragically cut short, her legacy endures as a reminder that women, too, can wield swords and lead armies, just as men have done throughout history. In a world where women were expected to stay within the domestic sphere, Joan’s courage showed that the strength of women is a force to be reckoned with.

Martial arts themselves, as a practice, teach us that strength is not simply about muscle or brute force; it is also about discipline, focus, and mental agility. To train in martial arts, one must cultivate an understanding of the self—its limits, its capabilities, and its inner strength. This is true whether you are a woman or a man. Bruce Lee, one of the most famous martial artists in history, emphasized the importance of mental strength, saying, "Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own." The essence of martial arts is about finding your own power and using it to create something meaningful, something that is uniquely yours, regardless of your gender.

In the modern era, more and more women are stepping onto the mat and into the ring. Martial arts and combat sports like karate, judo, and boxing have become arenas where women can express their physical prowess, reclaim their power, and defy the limitations imposed upon them. Women like Ronda Rousey, who rose to prominence in mixed martial arts (MMA), have become icons of strength, proving that combat skills are not the exclusive domain of men. Rousey’s rise to fame shattered many myths about women’s abilities, much like Rebel Wilson’s reflections on martial arts show the world that women can possess and hone skills once thought to be the province of men.

The lesson here is clear: strength, both physical and mental, knows no gender. To take up martial arts as a woman, as Rebel Wilson did, is to embrace empowerment. It is to say that your abilities are not defined by the expectations of others, but by your own willpower and determination. Just as Joan of Arc fought for her cause, just as Artemisia led her men to battle, so too can women today step forward and claim their space in arenas that demand strength and courage.

In practical terms, this means encouraging young girls and women to explore fields that challenge the traditional boundaries of what they are “supposed” to do. It means fostering an environment where martial arts, physical fitness, and self-defense are not seen as male-dominated spaces but as opportunities for all to grow, to learn, and to empower themselves. So, let us pass down this lesson to the next generation: that true strength is not bound by the body, but by the spirit. Let us encourage the women of tomorrow to step forward, to train, to grow, and to show the world that they, too, can possess the kind of abilities that defy expectations.