Jo Mueller , TSMMA Montgomeryville

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring; all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

Joanne Mueller walked into the Tiger Schulmann’s Montgomeryville location in July, 2006, and immediately felt at home. She was tired of the gym scene, and alarmed at her vulnerability as a woman who did not know how to defend herself. Already in incredible shape physically, Jo threw herself into her martial arts training. During her 30 day trial, Jo trained 27 days. If the school had been open on Sundays, she’d have trained all 30 days. She was energized by the workout, but also by the family atmosphere that is abundantly evident at Montgomeryville. Jo’s immediate family was not in the area, but she was welcomed into the Tiger Schulmann’s family with open arms, quickly developing strong relationships with fellow students. What Jo could not have realized at that time, was how her training as well as her relationships at Tiger Schulmann’s would prepare her emotionally for what was to come.

On April 25, 2008 Jo was training for Challenge of Champions. Running sprints with her team after class, she felt herself falling without knowing why. As she hit the ground, Sensei Marchand was immediately at her side, calmly taking charge. Although Jo did not realize the severity of her injury, Sensei Marchand recognized right away that she was in trouble. “I had never wanted so badly to trade places with someone before”, says Sensei Marchand. “I knew it was really bad. All I could think to do was get everyone else far away from Jo so they didn’t see what I saw. And, I needed an ambulance two minutes ago. The worst part for me personally, was trying to convince Jo that she was hurt badly enough to get in the ambulance. She wanted to drive herself to the hospital. That alone gives you insight as to what kind of person Jo is.” Jo had suffered a compound right knee dislocation, which severed her femoral artery. Emergency surgery was performed that night , reducing the dislocation. However in the process, the ACL and PCL ligaments were removed. She had an arterial bypass from her left leg to the right leg in an attempt to restore circulation. Unfortunately this caused irreparable nerve damage, leaving her with no sensory feeling below her knee, and no motor function in her right foot. To this day, Jo must go weekly to have fluid drained from her leg due to the lack of circulation. After the surgery, Jo’s first question to the doctor was, “How long before I can drive, and how long before I can train?” The doctor told her that most likely, she would never do either of those things again.

At this point, facing the possibility of life in a wheelchair, many people would never even think about training again, and surely no one in their right mind would fault Jo for feeling that way. For Jo, that simply was not an option. She began physical therapy with a vengeance, learning how to adapt to a leg that didn’t do what it was told. At times she did indeed feel like giving up. But a quick phone call to one of her fellow students immediately bolstered her will to keep going. Sometimes, you have to lend your non quitting spirit to others, and sometimes you have to borrow some of theirs. At times, Jo felt guilty for “bothering” people. What she didn’t understand was that everyone she reached out to for encouragement, gained strength from her. Exactly seven weeks after her injury, Jo limped with grace and determination into the school, and took a core class. The students who were at the school that night to witness her strength will never be the same.

Again, at this point many people would be happy just to be training, but not Jo. No, she wanted more, and in September of 2009, started training hard core for the Black Belt Test. She was extremely aware that another injury to the knee would have serious repercussions. Best case scenario was confinement to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Jo managed to dig up the courage required to keep going, in the quest for her goal. Courage is not the absence of fear - rather it’s the ability to fight through your fears. Jo had plenty of fears. What started as a serious question led to a locker room rallying cry. “What if my leg fails at the test?” to which she was answered, “What if it doesn’t?” “What if I physically can’t do this?” “And what if you can?” Finally, humor getting the best of everyone, the rally cry morphed into “What if your leg falls off during the test?” to which Jo answered, “I will pick it up and beat you with it.” That sense of camaraderie, humor and friendship is what Jo relied on in preparation for her test. She says, “I cannot begin to express the genuine sincerity of everyone I have come into contact with not only at the Montgomeryville school, but throughout the entire organization. This could not have been more evident when I suffered my injury. It was not the friends I’d known for the thirteen years I lived in this area, but my TSMMA family that stood and continued to stand by me every step of the way.”

October 18, Joanne Mueller entered William Paterson University, ready to test her mettle. Surrounded by her TSMMA family, she was prepared for the ultimate challenge to both her physical and emotional conditioning. Both proved to be more than ready. Her basics were flawless, and her sparring was amazing. Just before her final grappling round, Jo saw the EMT’s wheeling a gurney past her ring. She thought to herself, “Oh no you don’t, don’t you dare come over here!” She knew then, that she’d be okay. She received her 1st Degree Black Belt that afternoon, and there were very few dry eyes in the stands among her fellow students. Reflecting on Jo’s character, Sensei Marchand sums it up nicely. “We all fall down from time to time, and it’s to learn how to get back up. Jo taught me the harder you fall, the tougher it is to get up, but the stronger you will be when you stand again. The black belt I had the privilege of tying around her waist is a testament to her strength.”

If you were to guess Jo’s goals, you would assume the title of “Sempai” would be at the top of the list. However, when one understands what it is to be a true black belt, their goals aren’t necessarily what you might think. Asked about her future goals, Jo replied, “As Sensei Marchand says, and better portrays, my goal is “to be significant”. Not in the sense of fame, but that of motivation. I have lived the power of mind over matter firsthand, and can help others overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.” By allowing us to tell her story, Jo has ensured that she will do just that, not only in her own school, but in every school.

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