About the Author

Jill Cross has spent more than 32 years training in Taekwondo and holds the rank of 6th-degree black belt. She is the owner and head instructor of Saddle Rock ATA in Aurora, Colorado, where she has dedicated her career to teaching martial arts, building character, and helping kids discover their confidence.

Jill is married to her husband, Matt, and together they have four children—Emily, Garrison, Baylee, and Gavin. Working with children has always been more than a job for her; it is her passion.

What began as teaching kicks, blocks, strikes, and forms quickly grew into something much bigger. Over time, Jill realized her role wasn’t just to train martial artists—it was to help shape leaders, build resilience, and guide kids through challenges both on and off the mat.

Along the way, she discovered something unexpected.

She wasn’t just the instructor.
She was the student.

The lessons learned from the kids she teaches—their honesty, resilience, humor, and perspective—have shaped Jill into the instructor, mentor, and person she is today. This book is a collection of those lessons, told through real stories, laughter, and meaningful moments that prove kids often understand life better than we give them credit for.