Dasha L Anderson
Dasha Anderson is the Co-Owner of Andersons Martial Arts Academy and Founder of Kettlebell Kickboxing. She is a blackbelt in Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts and Kali. Dasha has been featured as Black Belt Magazine’s 21st Century Martial Artist, the only woman to receive this accolade.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
Nothing and everything. I want to conquer the wellness and creative spaces while helping support my family, soul and community.
MY CREATIVE PURSUITS:
I just finished a second draft of my screenplay, which I am writing at home while on maternity leave with my daughter.
MY PROFESSIONAL PURSUITS:
I’m gearing up to film a 16 part, 4 stage postpartum workout program — something I created to get into the best shape of my life, post-baby! That will be live on my platform KBBODY.com March1st!
MY PASSION
Teaching — and learning and self-improvement — is my everything; it’s why I wake up happy and grateful to go to work everyday.
Working with my private clientele, as well as teaching and training at Anderson’s Martial Arts Academy, is my heart.
I’m currently completely booked with private clients, but I do still work on custom programs for people. My husband and I are also going to a special apprentice class together every Tuesday night. I love having that hour with him, doing what we love.
WHAT DOES “SUSTAINABILITY” MEAN TO YOU?
In my career of martial arts and fitness, sustainability means being responsible about what I put out there. I want to make sure that what I do lasts and has relevance today and in the future.
I do not work in fashion, but if I did I would think that sustainability would mean to the integrity behind the craft and how it affects lives.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?
Wake up at 8AM. Head downstairs with my hubby, the baby and the dog to sit in the kitchen and make coffee. Ari, my 11 month old daughter, gets eggs or avocado toast; I drink a glass of warm water with lemon, then coffee. I read some news and answer an hour worth of emails while I compose a mental to-do list. We play with our daughter. By 10AM she goes down for a nap and I go workout. By 11:30AM I am training clients back to back until 2PM, at which point I do my padwork or trapping (martial arts). Then I spend an hour on business (e.g. staff meetings, calls). Twice a week I spend this time filming new workouts for my platform kbbody.com. Then I am with clients again 4PM through 9PM. When I get home, Ari usually is is asleep. We eat dinner and then I write creatively for a couple of hours before spending time with my husband and going to sleep. On Tuesdays my husband and I teach a special group martial arts class together. And on Fridays I do special projects: guest appearances on podcasts, photo shoots, writing for publications, preparing my film project, and work for our brands. I look forward to bath and sleep time with our daughter on the weekends.
“TEACHING – AND LEARNING AND
SELF-IMPROVEMENT – IS MY EVERYTHING;
IT’S WHY I WAKE UP HAPPY AND GRATEFUL
TO GO TO WORK EVERYDAY. ”
IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I’d love to speak any language! Seems simple enough. But instead of reading minds I’d like the ability to have meaningful conversations with anyone, anywhere in the world.
I would also like to be able to hold my breath for a very long time!
HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE YOURSELF AND STAY MOTIVATED?
While I need motivation like everybody else, my life revolves around staying motivated for my clients and students, in my videos and public speaking, in my workouts, and of course, with my family.
MY TACTICS FOR STAYING MOTIVATED ARE SIMPLE:
I try not to say the words, 'I’m tired.'
I travel to places in the world where people have a lot less and often accomplish a lot more. This provides great inspiration for what humanity is capable of enduring and accomplishing.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART ABOUT BEING A FEMALE MARTIAL ARTIST? WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING YOU HAVE HAD TO DO IN YOUR CAREER?
Aging. Learning how to hold myself back and to preserve energy. Learning when to sit one out is critical if I want to do martial artsts for the rest of my life (including when I'm 90 and older).
Coming back to work after a pregnancy has been a challenge. Carrying a child, no matter how strong you are, is physically taxing. I tore my labrum in labor and it's been a long road back to a full recovery. But the joy of having a baby has made it all worth it. And I believe the journey has made me a better teacher and practitioner.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK (AND FIGHT!) WITH YOUR HUSBAND ON A DAILY BASIS?
In the beginning it was an emotional rollercoaster of excitement and intense conflict. Then we learned how each of us communicates and we stopped taking our differences personally. I came to understand how to get my point across in a way that he understood. I learned to be patient and to listen to his point of view.
To be clear, there are times we still disagree and sometimes we still operate in different ways with conflicting ideas. I strive to evaluate a person’s intentions over their tone or process. If someone’s intentions are good, I believe everything else can be worked out.
WHAT ERA, DAY OR EVENT IN HISTORY WOULD YOU LIKE TO RE-LIVE?
I love living today both personally and in relation to history (enjoying the benefit of things like antibiotics, the internet, wireless headphones, podcasts where I can learn and get my voice out). However, I wouldn't mind trekking back to the 90's for a long weekend. It would be great to party at The Tunnel nightclub in NYC without thinking about posting it on Instagram or worrying about the many things I want to accomplish tomorrow.
GIVEN THE CHOICE OF ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHOM WOULD YOU WANT AS A DINNER GUEST?
My husband’s father, who is deceased. I never had the chance to meet him.
FOR WHAT IN YOUR LIFE DO YOU FEEL MOST GRATEFUL?
My family. My parents, for bringing us to America, which is truly the land of opportunity. I am also grateful for having found my passion early in my life and for having had the opportunity to make a career out of it.
AT 9PM ON A WEDNESDAY - WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I am either trying to get Ari to sleep (9P is when the negotiation begins) or working with m final client of the day, watching her accomplish something great, like a first pull-up.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My passport.
WHAT WOMAN INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
The human spirit inspires me. It is a stronger power then water, fire, time or just about anything else in the world.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS?
Japan (specifically Kyoto); Thailand: Chang Mai, Chang Rai; Cambodia: Siam Reap, Iceland; all of it!; and Italy: Florence.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR TRAVEL ESSENTIALS?
My husband and now my daughter. A great fitting yet loose pair of black slacks, the Katla [is this correct?] slip dress (which I wore every which way on my last trip to South East Asia); my NYC subway token necklace (so I remember where I came from).
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT IN THE US?
Momofuku Ko [is this spelled right?] if you're looking to spoil yourself in NYC while taking a crazy journey through flavor, texture and design.
DESCRIBE A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU.
A solid hour of writing in the morning after my daughter’s smile wakes me. Good coffee, yogurt with blueberries and a strength workout shortly afterwards. The joy of witnessing my daughter see or try something for the first time. Doing martial arts with my husband. Talking to my mom and sister and grandma on the phone.
WHAT ARE YOUR THREE FAVORITE KATLA PIECES?
The slip dress in black and silver. The workout pants (love!), and the white long sleeve (I love that dress!).