Q&A with Carter Bradshaw

Carter is a tenth grader at the Commonwealth School in Boston.

How Carter Discovered Fencing

How did you learn about fencing? How long have you been fencing for?

I initially saw a fencing demonstration at a town day when I was about 3  years old, and (according to my mom) I decided right then and there that I was going to fence, and kept asking her for a while until she eventually found Olympia when I was 4. They agreed to let me do the free trial class, and 4 year old me was instantly hooked. I’ve been fencing ever since, first at Olympia, then at Leo when it opened. In total I've been fencing for about 12.5 years. I plan to fence until I can’t walk.

The Joy of Fencing

What do you love about fencing?

I absolutely love the mental planning aspect of fencing. Being able to approach a problem in so many creative ways depending on the situation really keeps things interesting for me. This is especially true when I have to fence against people who are bigger, stronger, or faster than me. I really love the challenge of what I will do to counter these differences quickly.

Why LEO

What do you like about LEO? 

There is so much that I really like about LEO. I really like that there is never a shortage of things to learn and that we have two amazing coaches with different styles. The coaches are always coming up with drills that help us work on difficult situations in a bout. This lets us learn in a controlled environment and can try different strategies too. It's also really great to have so many different and interesting people to talk to and fence. There are also so many different styles of fencing to keep us engaged, challenged. I also like how open and welcoming LEO is to everyone. I never get bored at fencing.

Life Lessons from Fencing

What is one important lesson you have learned about life from fencing?

One of the most important things that I have learned from fencing that helps me in life is the ability to think logically under pressure. Not only does this help on the strip where it is critical to maintain your mental state, but also in school during tests. Being able to stay calm, slow down, work hard, and think in a situation has helped me so much on numerous occasions in school. I also learned that the challenges you have on the strip are usually the same ones you have in other parts of your life too.  

Beyond Fencing

What do you enjoy doing outside of fencing?

I really like to spend time with friends, whether that is in person or online playing games with them. I really enjoy teaching my friends how to fence during the school fencing season when I also help to coach the school Epee team. If I'm not with friends, I generally enjoy watching movies, learning about racing, playing video games, crocheting, or reading (usually for school, but it's still quite enjoyable). I also like making chocolate chip cookies too.

Looking Ahead

What is your next goal (fencing or otherwise)?

My next big goal for fencing is to get to go to a lot of NAC’s and place consistently well at them. While I do fence each month at tournaments, my results have not always been the most consistent over the past few years, so having more consistently high finishes is my next big goal for the near future. Beyond that, I hope to some day reach a point where I can begin to compete internationally, but that's for after I achieve my consistency goal.

Words of Wisdom for Young Fencers

What advice do you have for younger fencers?

Don’t be afraid to try something new. It might not work the first time, but if you keep trying eventually you will figure out what works and that feeling is unbeatable. Also make sure to have fun when you fence. You will feel so much better if you have fun, even if you don’t win.

A Note of Gratitude

A gratitude for.....

I'm very grateful for my mom and my coaches.  I am grateful to have been fencing with Julian since he came to Boston years ago. I’m grateful for each of the coaches who taught me everything I know about fencing and kept helping me even if I wasn’t having a good day or doing a good job. Having someone who will listen and can  help you overcome whatever challenge from the last tournament is really amazing, especially if I have no idea how to even begin thinking about a high level bout. Frederick and Julian do such an amazing job teaching and guiding me through every aspect of fencing. I would never even begin to think about some things without their help. I'm also very grateful to my mom for helping me start my fencing journey when I said at the age of 3 “I’m going to be a fencer,” as well as for always being there for me at tournaments regardless of the result.

Join Us at LEO Fencing Club

At LEO Fencing Club, we help fencers of all levels unlock their full potential. Whether you’re a beginner or a future champion, we’re here to support you. Join us and be part of a vibrant community that shares your passion for fencing!