(MURFREESBORO, TN) - Earning a black black belt in martial arts at age 74. With more on this story, here's WGNS' Josephine Walker...

When most people hit their 70's, they focus on slowing down, relaxing or at least not starting a new hobby or sport... In reality, starting a new hobby or striving to meet a new goal is one of the best things you can do as you progress in age...  Local resident Darlene Baker started taking taekwondo lessons in the peak of the COVID Pandemic and enjoyed it more than she expected...

Baker's trainer Ken Carlson is no stranger to unique clients who come from all backgrounds and yes – all age groups. Carlson was trained under a man by the name of Jhoon Rhee, who was a South Korean master of taekwondo...  Rhee held free taekwondo classes inside the Rayburn House office building, which is across the street from the south side of the United States Capital... Carlton explained why Rhee started the martial arts classes for congressional leaders in the late 1960's...

Some of the folks that Carlton trained over the years...

Martial arts exercises both the mind and body and that was a win-win for 74-year-old Baker... She told WGNS that she enjoyed the challenge...  Baker said you can do anything - if you put your mind to it. That's a lesson that others can perhaps be reminded of, thanks to Darlene Baker - - a black belt in taekwondo.

Learn more about the late Jhoon Rhee (1932 to 2018) HERE. Hear the longer version of the WGNS interview with Ken Carlson and Darlene Baker HERE.