There’s a particular kind of discomfort that comes with being a beginner as an adult. Not the casual, low-stakes kind—but the kind where you’re visibly unsure, a step behind, and surrounded by people who seem to know exactly what they’re doing. That’s exactly where I found myself when I started fencing. Foil felt fast and technical. Épée felt slower, more strategic—like a quiet chess match with sudden bursts of intensity. But regardless of the weapon, what stood out most wasn