Gaby the Great!

My cute little sister-in-law Gaby has been really busy with her Martial Arts and it's starting to really pay off! They even featured a story on Fox 13 news of her! Here's the story they posted on the Daily Herald website:

"SPANISH FORK -- Thirteen-year-old Gaby Braun became involved in martial arts at 3 years old and earned a black belt at age 11, but she has only recently gone extreme with her talent.
Just more than a year ago Braun was introduced to extreme martial arts, otherwise known as XMA, and is now competing on an international level. XMA is a variation of martial arts that is much faster moving, involves music and has a lot more moves than traditional martial arts.
"In December 2010 I went to a United Professionals Convention in Tempe, Ariz.," Braun recalled. "There was a team there called Change the Game run by Lauren Kearney. They showed all their XMA stuff, which I had never seen before. I thought, 'wow, that is the coolest thing I have ever seen' and I decided I wanted to do it."
The fact that nobody in Utah had XMA lessons available did not stop Braun.
"She is completely self motivated," her father, Hans Braun, said.
She began studying YouTube videos to teach herself moves and routines. Additionally, she connected with out-of-state coaches who have expertise in XMA. Braun received lessons via Skype from Kearney, who trains some of the best in the XMA world. When possible, she has traveled to Las Vegas to learn from another XMA expert, Paige Bantum, and she receives coaching before or after tournaments.
With her new skills, Braun has joined in with the most competitive martial arts circuit in North America, known as NASKA. She went to her first NASKA competition in September in San Diego and was pleasantly surprised when she walked away with a first place in creative forms, her favorite XMA category.
Braun wanted to bring XMA to Utah and share what she is learning with others. Maple Mountain Martial Arts in Spanish Fork, where Braun trains and teaches, is making that possible. It has recently adopted a program called Hyper.
"Hyper is a martial arts curriculum with weekly classes, cool contests, challenges and special events," said Tyler Kelly of Maple Mountain Martial Arts. "The curriculum helps create martial arts athletes with modern drills, kicks, acrobatics, extreme forms and pro-athlete mindset."
Being able to teach other students at the facility brings Braun satisfaction.
"I love teaching because I feel like I'm giving back to the martial arts community. I feel like so many people have taught me and I want to give back and teach what I know," Braun said.
A dream for Braun is to earn a world champion title in extreme martial arts. In the meantime, she is enjoying the process of developing her talents and being instrumental in bringing XMA to the area.
"I love the feeling that I'm doing something different," she said. "And with this, the learning never stops. You're always learning something new and progressing."
Braun is limited in how many tournaments she is able to attend, since each trip ranges in cost from $1,000 to $1,500. Anyone who may be interested in sponsoring Braun can contact her father Hans Braun at (801) 319-3991.

-Daily Herald"

Way to go Gaby! We are so proud of you and excited to see what the future has in store for you! :)