Our Instructors

Kelly’s Biography

I’ve always wanted to do martial arts for as long as I can remember.  Because I was the girl and the “baby” of the family, I wasn’t allowed to join when my brothers did karate.  When I was 15, I had a hard time at home and in life in general.  My oldest brother Kenny asked if I wanted to do a martial art with him and I jumped at the opportunity.  That’s how I started Kuk Sool Won.

When I joined Kuk Sool, my whole world changed.  I practically lived at the dojang; the people and workouts were amazing and it sure beat being at home. It was an awesome way to release aggression and stress.

The more time I spent at the dojang, the closer I became to the people there; especially my instructors Master Jack and Sa Bum Nim Lee Harvey.

The Harvey’s took me everywhere with them; if it was Kuk Sool related, I was there.  I had never really been out of Missouri until I started traveling to different states doing tournaments.  After competing for so long, I started seeing familiar faces at the tournaments.  Everyone thought I was Master Jack’s daughter since I was always with him.  I never told them any different because he was like a father to me. I guess they thought Sa Bum Nim Lee was too young to be my mom because that thought never came up.

In 2002, I was 22 years old when I traveled to South Korea with a large group of people from all over the United States to compete in a World Kuk Sool Won Tournament.  It was on this trip I met my husband George. 

His instructors were competing against my instructor…how cliché.  If there was ever love at first sight, I saw it.

George is from Houston, Texas which made our long distance relationship a very expensive one.  In May 2004, George moved to O’Fallon, Missouri.  In September 2004, we were married.  Master Jack walked me down the aisle along with my step-dad and dad.  Sa Bum Nim Lee was my maid of honor.  So to say the least, Kuk Sool Won has had a tremendous impact on my life.

Since Kuk Sool Won has done so much for us, we thought what better way to give it back than by opening our on school. This dream became a reality in March of 2005 when we opened our school in O’Fallon, Missouri.

In January 2007, we had another dream; a baby girl.

George Bio

Martial arts has always been a part of my life, however, I never actually found what I was looking for until a neighbor of mine was really into the arts. He introduced me to Kuk Sool Won of Meyerland and I was invited to try a class. Once at the dojang, I was absolutely floored to find such active artist of all shapes, sizes, and ages. I tried the class and was instantly hooked on the beauty and variety of Kuk Sool Won. I immersed myself as much as I could to attending as many classes as my instructor would allow; training everyday and every weekend until it became a way of life. I am still training with the same excitement today!

I love the enthusiasm and sense of camaraderie with the students. I have a blast teaching the intense and challenging classes because of the level of energy my students give me and each other. They push me to excellence. There is a sense of accomplishment when I see a student benefit from what I am teaching. Teaching completes me in my training and it gives me an opportunity to redirect people in a positive manner.

I have found lifetime friends from all over, met my beautiful wife at a World Kuk Sool Won Tournament in Korea, as well as opened a Kuk Sool Won school. To say the least, Kuk Sool has had a powerful impact on my life; the biggest blessing is my new baby girl…..thank you Kuk Sool.

Lauren Heppermann

I began my first martial art in 2002; it was Tae Kwon Do.  At first I really enjoyed it but eventually found myself going to class just because I had to, not because I actually liked to go. My freshman year of high school I took cardio kickboxing but soon found that I wanted something more than just kicking and punching. I had discussed this with my brother and he told me about Kuk Sool Won.  After trying just one class I realized it was exactly what I was looking for. I enjoy Kuk Sool  of the hard classes and intensive training which is involved, because it not only challenges your body but your mind and spirit as well. I also love the sense of family I feel with everyone at my school.

I like to teach class because no matter who I teach I can learn something from them. The most important thing I have learned as an instructor is confidence. I now have the confidence to take on anything in my way, and I love to teach others to have that same confidence.

Eric Clark

Martial Arts is something I've wanted to do since I was a kid but never pursued it.  Now that I'm in Kuk Sool, I'm glad that I never tried it because I don't think I would have appreciated it like I do now. When my older son started, it rekindled that desire.  It was also an opportunity for my son and I to do something fun and beneficial together.  Finally, I have wanted to get back in shape for awhile and this seemed to be something that had a better than good chance to help me.

Teaching is something that I've always liked. I enjoy passing on knowledge to others and feel that I can learn something as I do.  In Kuk Sool I love the feeling when someone finally gets what you've shown them; that point when all the work they've put into a new form or technique suddenly clicks and they understand how it works.

I enjoy teaching the adult classes the most.  The adults seem to be the most focused and surprisingly the most ready to learn and ask questions.  The children's classes are great as well though because they keep you on your toes at every minute.

I bike regularly and have seen a huge improvement in endurance, strength, as well as focus so that activities such as gaming and reading have improved.

I've never taught in the traditional sense.  However, I have younger brothers that I helped along in both school and work as well as I have two children who I teach and who teach me on a daily basis.

Kuk Sool has definitely has an impact on my life.  I've noticed that I have more energy during the day and have less trouble holding my temper.  I'm slowly beginning to learn to focus more and become core disciplined in my life.  As well, I feel healthier than I have at any other point.

Marc Azurin

I started Kuk Sool because I was looking for a Martial Art school that would come to my expectations. Kuk Sool O'Fallon exceeded those expectations and showed me what I wanted.
Kuk Sool has changed my life. I have lived everywhere, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, and the Philippine Islands in the span of my age, 15 years. Kuk Sool gave me a reason to settle and now I lead a very fun life with many new friends. My instructors Kelly and George are great instructors and great people too. Speaking of great people, two parents, John and Cindy, have been very kind to me and have done special things for me. I used to have a family of two, now my family contains more than 100 members here at Kuk Sool O'Fallon.
I would like to think I picked up pretty quick on teaching. I am the second youngest S.W.A.T. member making me one of the least experienced in instructing, but I guarantee I will try my best with every student and teach as if this student or class is the last thing I will ever teach.
I like teaching Kuk Sool because to explain something, you must know what you are talking about. While teaching day-one students, I have learned and discovered many different things about the curriculum. Remember the first time you succeeded at something; the joy flowing through you as if no one could touch you? When I am teaching, I love being able to see people understanding something for the first time, like their first jump kick or an epiphany about a technique. It's so......so......so riveting and is definitely worth my while. Kuk Sool without teaching is fun, challenging and exciting, but the degree of challenge, excitement, and fun goes to a whole new level when teaching is introduced. Teaching, all in all, makes you a better martial artist, period.

I personally prefer teaching the kids because showing something to a kid is much harder than an adult. Adults have a fully developed brain and pick up on things more quickly than kids, making them easier to teach. Kids are more of a challenge but develop one's instructing skill way more than an adult. Plus, you can be goofy around kids without looking like a fool.
Anyone that does Kuk Sool correctly will feel an improvement in almost every aspect of physical and mental health. Endurance, strength, and focus is just a small part of what else could improve such as flexibility, attention span, looks, shyness, and many others. I have become a stronger, more caring individual and I love seeing others develop too.

I took Tae Kwon Do for 2 years and earned my black belt. In 2 years, I achieved 10 different belts. I can tell you it was the easiest thing ever, but that is not what I wanted. I wanted to learn and develop my mind, body, and spirit to an enlightened degree. In Kuk Sool it takes 3-5 years to get your black belt, but is way more appealing and I appreciate it more. I have heard of stories about people in Kuk Sool nearly coming to tears over their black belt, because they have put their heart, soul, tears, and sometimes blood into the training for that belt. A black belt is a true black belt when one understands that it is the significance of the belt, not the color.

Tyler Lowery

I began Kuk Sool Won because I have always loved the martial arts and I thought it would help out with my football skills, which it did tremendously.

Kuk Sool has changed my life in so many ways I could not begin to tell every single one; a couple things are confidence, humbleness, and to have an open mind to anything. From my very first class at Kuk Sool O’Fallon I fell in love with Kuk Sool because of the mix of traditional and modern atmosphere.

When I learn something that is great I want to share it with the whole world, no matter what it might be.  When I teach, I don't feel like I'm just showing the student how to kick and punch, but I feel like I am teaching them a way of life. Also, it is obvious that everyone is a different shape or size, so they would naturally bring their own style to the table, therefore I can learn something also. I just teach the way I like to be taught, which is slow and extremely detailed.
I truly love all the classes, but my favorite would have to be the adult beginner’s class. I love to see the changes that the students make from when they first start to their present rank.  The adults learn on a different level than kids, so they tend to pick up on the details a little better.
Kuk Sool has helped me tremendously with football.  During my junior year I didn't play a single down, and it discouraged me; but I'm the kind of person that when people don't believe in me, I will push myself to prove them wrong.  The entire off season was devoted to the weight room in the morning and Kuk Sool at night.  Kyo Sa Nym George and Pu Sah Bum Nym Kelly both helped me with what I needed to become faster while the weight room made me stronger.  When my senior year came around I had improved so much that I earned a starting defensive back job, received the conference most improved player award, and became one of four team captains.  I truly believe that Kuk Sool was a major part in my success, and that is why I devote so much of my time to Kuk Sool.

I have taken Tae Kwon Do for 3 years at champion martial arts, wrestling for 2 years, and Sambo for 2 years at champion martial arts.

Leigh Ann Stumpe

I started Kuk Sool through some friends that go to church.  I always knew that I wanted to take some type of martial arts, but I never really looked into it.  When I heard about Kuk Sool, I fell in love with it, and have ever since.

It has given so much to me. I never could’ve even imagined how much more it is than just kicking and punching.  You actually get a family out of it; people that you know that you can go to for anything.  We all help each other out. I’m so glad that I started Kuk sool. I don’t know what I’d be doing without it. It has literally changed my life, especially being on the SWAT team.  Getting to teach others what I love I don’t think it gets much better than that. I love teaching all of the classes; I don’t really have a favorite.  The little dragons, kids, adult or beginner, they all have their own qualities.  I like the little dragon class because I love seeing the look on the kids faces when you tell them that was a good kick, or they’re doing a nice job.  The only reason I don’t want to teach all the time is because I want to train.

Kuk Sool is hard work; I’m not going to lie. But I think it is worth it. I love the challenge. The hardest classes are my favorite because it gives me a chance to push myself and improve. Since I started I have improved on many things like strength, agility, endurance, focus, and even grades.  On my last report card I got a 4.0 GPA. Usually I have a lot of homework, but I always get it done.  Even when I go straight to Kuk Sool from school, I do my homework there before class.  My instructor always gets on me about my homework but I am glad he does.

You can see how much Kuk Sool has changed my life, and I hope that you can give it a chance to change yours.

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