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ever watched the Olympics, seen the fencing,

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and thought, wow, that's...

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It's always so intense.

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Yeah, but also like,

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probably costs a fortune to even try, right?

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You're not alone if you've thought that

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fencing has this image.

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I feel like. Like it's only for...

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It's like the gated community of sports.

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Yes, and that can be really intimidating.

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For sure, keeps people away who might actually love it.

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Exactly.

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So we're doing this deep dive to get into it all.

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We've got a great blog post

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from the Academy of Fencing Masters.

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They're a great resource.

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They are. Some comments from actual fencers too.

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Always good to hear from the source.

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Right, and even a personal blog post

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that gets into the nitty gritty, you know?

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Yeah, those personal takes are so valuable.

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Totally. So goal is,

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you leave here knowing what fencing actually costs.

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No more mystery.

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Exactly.

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I like it.

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So Academy of Fencing Masters, AFM for short.

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Makes sense.

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They lay things out really well.

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Yeah, they do.

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Starting with that initial investment.

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Which, let's be real, every sport has.

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Oh, for sure.

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You're gonna spend something to get started.

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Exactly.

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But in fencing, it's specialized.

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It is.

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You've got your weapons, all the protective gear.

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The whole shebang.

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The whole shebang.

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And the AFM blog, they mention around $400 to $650.

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Okay, so not chump change.

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When I saw that number, I was like, oof.

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Right, it's an investment.

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It is, but here's where it gets interesting.

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Okay, I'm listening.

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They break that initial cost down over two years.

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Okay.

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Because good fencing gear, it lasts.

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Oh, it's made to last.

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Unlike basketball shoes or something.

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Right, so over two years,

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it's more like $20 to $30 per month.

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Oh, see, now that's not bad.

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Right, suddenly feels more doable.

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Way more approachable, yeah.

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And AFM gives us great tip for beginners.

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Oh, I love good tip.

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Used gear.

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Oh, smart.

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Saves money, especially starting out.

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And it's good for the planet too.

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Sustainability, love it.

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Good quality gear, lower cost, win-win.

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Exactly.

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Okay, so we've tackled the gear.

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What about the consistent costs?

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Right, because it's not like...

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It's not a team sport where it's like one fiend, you're done.

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Exactly, it's more like...

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More individualized?

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Yeah, like taking lessons or classes.

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You got it.

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And the AFM blog, they actually...

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They break it all down?

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They do, they break it down really well.

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So they've got these tiers, right?

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Group lessons.

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Which are great for beginners, I'd imagine.

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Exactly, yeah, on the basics.

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Those run, let's see, $10 to $30 an hour.

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Usually.

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Okay, that's not...

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Pretty reasonable.

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Yeah, way more than I thought, honestly.

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Right, and then if you want more one-on-one,

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there's private lessons.

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Makes sense, but those are probably pricier.

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They are, yeah, those can be $120 to $200.

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There's a butt.

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Big butt.

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Those are usually only 20 minute sessions.

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Oh, okay, so it's like...

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Way more focused.

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Right, you're paying for that expert's undivided attention.

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Exactly, and that can be so valuable

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when you're really trying to improve.

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It's like, hmm, getting your car detailed

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versus just a wash.

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Perfect analogy, you pay more,

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but you're getting a much deeper level of service.

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Totally, and it highlights how those fencing costs,

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they can seem misleading if you...

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If you don't know the whole picture, yeah.

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Right, which by the way, this comment from Kevin

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on the AFM blog, so good.

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Oh, what'd they say?

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He said, and this is great,

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I've paid more for a semester of college.

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No.

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Than I have for months of fencing.

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Wow, okay.

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And fencing is way more fun.

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I mean, he's not wrong,

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sometimes those college courses.

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The worst, but his point is so key, right?

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Like, cost isn't everything.

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It's about value, isn't it?

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What you get out of it.

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Exactly, and sometimes it's about the experience,

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not just the, you know.

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Not just the dollar amount.

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Yes, okay, but speaking of dollars and cents.

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Hit me with it.

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Hidden costs.

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Ah, yes.

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The sneaky ones.

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The ones no one tells you about.

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Yeah.

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This personal blog post we found,

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the cost of competitive fencing, a modern paradox.

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Okay, I love the title.

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Right, they get real about it.

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Lay it on us.

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So they break down all those extras.

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Stuff that adds up, right.

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Oh, big time, competition fees.

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Coaching at the events.

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Mm-hmm, gotta have a coach.

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Travel.

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Right, getting, there's not free.

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You can like, parking food, it's wild.

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It's the whole picture,

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and most people don't realize.

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They don't, and the blog actually lists individual fees,

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like $30 for an RIC admin fee.

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What even is that?

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No idea.

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But then there's $60 for ROC registration.

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Okay.

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A $9 sanction fee, and a $70 VTME event fee.

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Okay, at this point it's just letters and numbers.

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Right, like what am I even paying for at this point?

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It's overwhelming, honestly.

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Totally.

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Oh, and don't forget the credit card processing fee,

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a whole $4.42.

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You've gotta be kidding me, that's brutal.

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It's those little things.

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Death by a thousand paper cuts, you know?

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Oh, I feel that.

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But seriously, this blog post makes it clear,

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you wanna compete, be ready financially.

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It's not just a casual hobby at that point.

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Exactly, and because of all these extras,

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the blog author estimates.

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Okay, let's hear it.

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Casual fencing, maybe $2,500 a year, but elite.

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Elite's gotta be way more.

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Up to $20,000.

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Whoa, see that's on par with like gymnastics or something.

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Which also have those hidden costs.

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Right, but with fencing it's less.

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Transparent, yeah.

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Yeah, and that makes it harder to budget for.

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And scary for people who are already hesitant

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about the cost.

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Totally, it's like surprise, here's a whole other bill.

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Right, but even with all that,

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the blog author, they're still in it.

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Really, after all that?

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Yeah, because they're kids, like lives for fencing.

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Yeah, go.

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That brings us to the big question then.

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The million dollar question.

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When is something worth the cost?

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Like really worth it?

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It's easy to fixate on the dollar amount,

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but at the end of the day it's like,

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what are you getting out of it?

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Exactly, and for different people, that's different things.

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Right, for some people it might be like,

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I learned this cool skill.

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Right, it's unique, it's challenging.

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Yeah, or the competition.

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Yeah, the adrenaline rush for sure.

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Or even just like being part of the fencing world.

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It's a whole community.

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And those little wins, you know?

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Like when you finally get that move down.

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Oh, those moments are the best.

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Or you score that point you've been working towards.

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Like priceless.

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Honestly, it's often those things.

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That keep you coming back.

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Totally, even when you're like, oof, my bank account.

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For real.

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And it goes back to that commenter, Kevin.

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Oh yeah.

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Saying fencing is the quote,

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Jim he actually wants to go to.

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I love that.

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Yeah.

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Because it is an investment.

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In yourself, basically.

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And that makes you wonder,

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like could we make it easier for people to get into fencing?

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Because those costs we talked about,

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they're a barrier for sure.

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Totally, like what if we could break those down?

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Right, think of all the people who could be amazing.

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Who just need a chance.

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And I think honestly, there are ways to do it.

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Like what?

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Remember how that Academy of Fencing masters blog?

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They were very upfront about the costs.

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Exactly.

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Imagine if more places did that.

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No more hidden fees.

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Exactly.

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Yeah.

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Everything's clear from the start.

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People know what they're getting into.

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I love that.

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And maybe even like sliding scale fees.

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Yeah.

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Based on what people can afford.

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There you go.

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Or partnering with those used gear places.

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Oh, that's smart.

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Make it easier to get the equipment

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without breaking the bank.

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Right.

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It's about making it for everyone.

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Not just the quote unquote elite.

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Yes.

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It's fencing, not a country club.

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Exactly.

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I think that's a good note to end on.

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It is.

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So if you're thinking about fencing, do your research.

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The costs are real.

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You ute.

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But there's so much you get out of it.

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The community, the challenge, the pure fun of it.

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Who knows?

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It might become your new favorite thing.

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Thanks for joining us.