Imagine going through a day without control. Your body needs certain physical functions to survive. This lifestyle could be a challenge to any person, but luckily most people are not affected by it.

However, there are a few who are. Tourette syndrome attacks a body's nervous system by causing a person to make repeated involuntary movements and sounds. These motions are often called tics, and vary in severity depending on the person.

Often it can be noticed in early childhood. Although Tourette syndrome is a complication in a person's life, it does not throw away his or her ability to be a success in many different areas.

Century High School junior Nathaniel Blake knows this well.

Blake was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in first grade, and has been working hard throughout his whole life. Blake participates in numerous activities and is a good student. Taekwondo is one activity that he excels greatly at.

"If I really focus, I find that I don't tic as much," Blake said.

A tic is the common outburst done by the individual. It can be something as small as tapping a finger or as large as screams and acts of violence. Blake's case is quite mild; he was born with it and strives to manage to the best of his ability. Even with the tics, Blake is able to channel his focus and compete at high levels in taekwondo.

Taekwondo is a demanding sport. It requires discipline, strength and confidence. Students who take classes in it are required to show up three times a week, for two or more hours at a time. The effects of taekwondo are many. Any person will become stronger both physically and mentally if they try hard. People who participate in this sport will most likely be able to be more sociable; they learn how to speak to all types of people with respect.

One of Blake's training partners, Nate Haynes, said, "His speed makes him so fast, and with his endurance I can hardly keep up." Haynes is a junior at Century and has been training with Blake since last September.

Blake has proven himself to be a success in taekwondo. His many years of lessons, as well as accomplishments in testing, have earned him a black belt. This is the highest level of any taekwondo standard.

"He's a good fighter, hard to take down. And he is a nice guy," junior Zec Gronowski said. Gronowski also has been training with Blake since September.

Living a life with Tourette syndrome is on average more difficult than the so-called typical lifestyle. Blake is aware of that and still tries his hardest to be the best he can be, in every angle of his life. Taekwondo, in particular, seems to have helped Blake in a variety of ways.

"I like them. I've been in them for a long time. Thinking about not being in them would be weird," Blake said when talking about his future in taekwondo.