Sometimes, it’s easy to forget there is more to your instructors than Martial Arts. So we’re going to start a new little thing the first of every month and highlight a different black belt and help you to get to know a little more about them.  First up, the head of our wonderful schools, Grand Master John. W. Rankin.

1. What got you into taekwondo?

Friend in submarine service studied Tae Kwon Do

2. What’s your favorite thing about taekwondo?

The Students

3. Have you studied any other martial arts?

Go Shin Ru

Ie I Do

Hapkido

Tai Chi

4. What do you do when you’re not doing taekwondo?

Work a 9 to 5 job in Engineering, family, clocks

5. What aspect of taekwondo have you struggled most with?

Left side technique

6. Favorite weapon and why?

Bo or Jo…I can pick up a stick anywhere…looks like a hiking staff…

7. Favorite technique and why?

Side kick..for sure…I have had success with it…

8. How has taekwondo changed you?

Martial Arts has given me another family to care about and who care about me…

9. What would you tell someone just starting out in martial arts?

Patience….Patience….Patience

10. What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I am a Horologist….

11. Favorite form?

Piong Ei Dan

12. Favorite place?

Anywhere fishing….

13. Favorite book/author?

Some of my favorite authors are:…Grisham, Rose, Collins, Jules Verne, Claton…Belville….Jack London…Poe….

14. Favorite movie or tv show?

Sorcerer…movie

15. Favorite quote?

Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction “I served in the United States Navy”

John F. Kennedy

16. Favorite season?

Fall

17. Favorite food?

Italian or Mexican

18. Favorite ice cream flavor?

Chocolate

19. What hobbies do you have?

Clocks

20. Dream vehicle?

Jeep cj7

21. Pets and/or kids?

3 dogs, 2 sons, 2 grand daughters with another grand daughter on the way

22. Dream vacation?

China or Alaska

23. What did/do you want to be when you grow up?

I wanted to be an artist

24. What do you want to learn?

To play the piano

25. Vampires, werewolves, or zombies?

werewolves

26. Ninjas or pirates?

Ninjas

27. What can’t you live without?

coffee

28. Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Trek

29. Hero?

My Dad

30. Who or what inspires you?

My Students

31. One thing you wish you were better at?

communication