Renshi Melanie Girard Adam began her martial arts journey at the age of 17, training in Tae Kwon Do at a local school in Crescent Valley, British Columbia. After a year and a half, a life transition took her away from training. Eventually settling in Ontario, she reignited her passion for martial arts and committed herself fully to the discipline.

She began training in Goju Ryu Meitoku-Ha Karate under Hanshi Ken Tallack, where her journey expanded beyond empty-hand techniques. After only a few months, she was introduced to Kobudo—traditional Okinawan weapons training.

Within her first year of training, Hanshi Tallack recognized her potential and offered her a position at Tallack Dojo as a Karate Kids instructor and receptionist—an opportunity that proved to be life-changing and led to her long-term career in martial arts.

In May 2009, Melanie (then Melanie Loxton) became a Director of Tallack Martial Arts, helping continue the legacy of Hanshi Tallack’s teachings. The following month, in June 2009, she successfully completed her First Degree Black Belt examination.

Melanie’s dedication extended beyond training and teaching. In 2011, she played a key role in planning and organizing the Canadian Butoku Sai in Kingston, Ontario. In April 2012, she traveled to Kyoto, Japan to attend the 4th World Butoku Sai, deepening her connection to the international martial arts community.

Her commitment and spirit were recognized by her peers in 2014 with the Humberto Medeiros Memorial Award, and again in 2015 with the Chelsea Tobin Memorial Award, as she earned her Third Degree Black Belt in Karate.

Melanie’s contributions to the martial arts were further recognized in 2019, when she received the Kobudo Builder Award for her dedication to training and teaching the classical weapons arts. That same year, she earned her 1st Degree Black Belt in Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo under the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai (OKDR), followed by her 2nd Degree certification in 2021.

Today, Renshi Melanie holds a Fourth Degree Black Belt in Karate and a Second Degree Black Belt in Kobudo. In addition to serving as the lead administrator of Tallack Martial Arts, she continues to share her passion through teaching in the Karate Kids Program, Adult Beginner and Advanced Karate Programs, and the Kobudo Program.

Her journey reflects a lifelong dedication to the martial arts, marked by leadership, perseverance, and an indomitable spirit.