I took a bunch of Tae Kwon Do as a kid. My master was a middle weight kickboxing champ for some of the time I was under his instructions.

Teacher was great, taught a ton of non-martial arts lessons about life. Big emphasis on respecting others and protecting (verbally, spiritually, physically) people who couldn't protect themselves. Persevering in the face of adversity. Observing the environment around you. Listening to others. How to take a fall without breaking your ass. Taught lots of dirty fighting techniques because karate isn't all that useful compared to jerking a guys balls as hard as you can if you are on the ground. Taught kids what to do if someone tries to abduct them. Really the guy was great and taught a million little things about life.

I ended up being the sparring partner for a junior Olympian kick boxer for a few years, it was horrible. Pretty much me getting beaten up three days a week, I wouldn't do that part again. I was never all that great at martial arts. I got slow ass hands that really aren't worth much in punching situation. I had pretty heavy kicks and a decent defense but when anyone pushed past that I was a goner.

I can break pretty much any untrained hold with a quick move and a shift of weight, I guess that has been useful here and there. The formal art wasn't of any big use but stuff like getting out of holds and dirty fighting have been useful.

My master always said that if you want to win a fight go into it with surprise and a weapon and leave the fancy stuff at home. Every time I got my ass whipped it was because I didn't know it was coming so I guess he was a pretty wise guy.