We've all been there. I'm still trying to figure that out at 32!
There are very few folks who manage to make historical fencing a profitable career. I think John Clements has been doing this since he was 15 or so. I don't mean to sound negative, but it's alot like the chances for becoming a professional athlete, plenty make it, but most do not.
Even the ARMA members who have published books have careers outside of sword weilding. Many also have jobs or qualifications that they draw on as part of their historical fencing pursuits. Several folks have training in linguistics, history, art, anthropology, archaeology, metallurgy, engineering, video production, law, military, the list can go on and on. Even things like law enforcement and security services can help give perspective on fencing studies, be it practical application of techniques or understanding the basis of some chivalric ideal.
Oh yeah, where in TN because ARMA has several study groups there. I'm not sure about the western part of the state, but there are groups in Tullahoma and Knoxville (sorry if I forgot anyone.) I'm not far the state line either, so pretty much fall into Jake Norwood's personal fief of Tennessee and Kentucky.
Our hope is that someday many of them will come around, but we're not holding our breath.
