Thelo

13/07/2026

Do you have a child who struggles socially, physically, has developmental issues, low self-esteem, and / or has low confidence?

If yes, this is the podcast for you.

From teaching special-needs children in Zimbabwe to running one of Finland's largest karate clubs, Darlene Koskinen has spent over 40 years discovering what kids actually need to thrive - and most parents and educators are missing it.In this powerful conversation, host Vickie Simos sits down with Darlene Koskinen - founder of MoovKids, 4th Dan Black Belt in Shukokai Karate, and former national gymnastics champion. Born and raised in Zimbabwe and now based in Espoo, Finland, Darlene brings a uniquely global perspective on why children today are struggling physically, emotionally, and academically - and what we can do about it.

In this episode, you will learn about Darlene's experiences working with young people and how karate gave them a sense of identity and accomplishment.

Hosted by yours truly, founder of Thelo Active Therapy. A fourth-degree black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima. A second-degree black belt in Arjukanpo Karate. Author of The Boxer Within. Counsellor and Psychotherapist.

To learn more about Darlene, you can watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

https://youtu.be/ZfuS7K04xOU?si=hEISI1hXjMLXlNxA

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ffDMbKUodc9jdPQnPfMws?si=F6qeaWHCQLe5yaf9zPPjvA&utm_source=copy-link

www.theloactivetherapy.com

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

Learning how to box has been one of the hardest and greatest things i have ever done.

First and foremost, it teaches you patience. As there is so much to learn and I'm still learning.

Second, I'd prefer a punch to the head instead of the liver. A liver shot feels like you've been stabbed.

Third, being hit for the first time can give you quite a shock. The best way to describe it is like a deer in headlights.

Fourth, you have to fight your own fight. Don't worry about what your opponent is doing. Just worry about what you're doing.

Fifth, you have to sometimes imagine your opponents, i.e... shadow boxing.

Six, you should always expect the unexpected. That's life, right?

Seven, boxing gives you confidence.

Eight, just like life boxing can knock you down, but it also teaches you to get back up.

Nine, sometimes you have to do hard things. Learn to appreciate them.

Ten, a good coach, sees your potential before you do.

Eleven, when you feel like given up, think how far you've come. And...

Twelve, if you've managed 3min x 12 rounds of sparring, there's no stopping you.

At , you will learn a lot about yourself and what you are capable of.

To learn more, contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com or DM me.

09/07/2026

DO YOU HAVE A CHILD WHO IS SHY, UNCOORDINATED, WITH LOW CONFIDENCE?

Well, this is the episode for you!

In episode five of The Boxer Within Podcast.

I speak with Darlene Koskinen, born and raised in Zimbabwe and based in Espoo, Finland.

With a background in education, Darlene brings 40 years of experience discovering what kids actually need to thrive and what most parents and educators are missing it.

Darlene is the founder of MoovKids and a fourth-degree black belt in Shukokai Karate and former national gymnastics champion.

She brings a uniquely global perspective on why children today are struggling physically, emotionally,
and academically.

She also has 13 years of teaching experience working with special needs children.

Darlene tells the story about one her students, who went from a shy, uncoordinated, boy, with low confidence to a champion.

She explains that this young man trained harder and persevered more than the other students to achieve his goal. He never missed a class and believed in himself.

I, too, was one of those students, so I understand what it takes to go from challenges to champion.

This is why I do what I do to help young people find their potential.

Please LIKE, SHARE, FOLLOW, and SUBSCRIBE.

To watch the full episode and to learn more about Darlene's teachings, head to YouTube or listen on Spotify.

www.theloactivetherapy.com

07/07/2026

In episode five of The Boxer Within Podcast (just dropped).

I speak with Darlene Koskinen, born and raised in Zimbabwe and based in Espoo, Finland.

With a background in education, Darlene brings 40 years of experience discovering what kids actually need to thrive and what most parents and educators are missing it.

Darlene is the founder of MoovKids and a fourth-degree black belt in Shukokai Karate and former national gymnastics champion.

She brings a uniquely global perspective on why children today are struggling physically, emotionally,
and academically.

She also has 13 years of teaching experience working with special needs children.

In this video, Darlene states that monkey bars are a great way to develop hand strength and upper body strength.

She also suggests that parents can provide challenges for their children to help with autonomy and strength.

To watch the full episode, head to my YouTube channel, or you can listen on Spotify.

Thank you for being here from day one.

Please LIKE, SHARE, FOLLOW, and SUBSCRIBE.

www.theloactivetherapy.com

06/07/2026

This was my last fight, and it wasn't for a title or a belt. It was just something I had to do.

You see, and I'm not ashamed to say this, I had never won a boxing match. Well, that's actually incorrect, but that's a story for another day.

Anyway, I was stepping into this fight, knowing it would be my last, and I clearly had a lot riding on it. I needed to win.

I had done all the preparation, and I had many, many sparring sessions.

And I know i had the skill, but that's not what let me down. It was my mind.

The good ole, what if? And not to mention the self-doubt, anxiety, etc. All these thoughts crept in my mind, and that's what caused me many of my losses.

I feared it would happen again because usually it would happen minutes before the fight.

It was the absolute worst. My whole body would freeze, like I was made of cement, and I was stuck under this dark cloud.

Like I was watching someone else, but couldn't stop it.

So, i did everything humanly possible to prevent it.

From hypnosis to seeking therapy (which i still do) to role-playing the fight during many of my training sessions.

Unfortunately, this fight didn't apply to it doesn't matter if you win or lose. In my mind, I had to win.

And it's not what you think. The only opponent I was trying to beat was me. Because if I could that, the fight was already won.

You'll have to watch the video the result, but the moral to the story.

If you're struggling with fear, doubt, not being enough, or whatever it might be, deal with it now!

Get help, come see me, do what you have to do.
Just don't wait!

Because it's a lot harder when you're an adult.

www.theloactivetherapy.com

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