White Belt: A Mother-Daughter Journey

Kyssi Arshe' never expected to find her strength on the mat. After escaping an abusive relationship and moving to Manhattan with her young daughter, she sets out to rebuild their lives and protect them both. When her daughter joins a local karate class, Kyssi becomes a regular at the dojo, first as a parent on the sidelines, then as a student, competitor, and eventually, a fighter in her own right.

Told with honesty and heart, White Belt: A Mother/Daughter Journey is a memoir of grit, growth, and the unexpected ways we reclaim power. Through setbacks, sparring, and self-doubt, Kyssi discovers that the journey to a blue belt isn't just physical-it's personal.

What happens when a mother finds her own fight while supporting her daughter's? This is that story.