Instructors

Chief Instructor – Josh Martin

Mr. Josh Martin started Taekwondo when he was 8 years old, in the American Taekwondo Association (ATA). He then changed organizations (to USTA) to train with his current instructor, 7th degree Black Belt, Mr. George Strickland in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Martin achieved his 1st degree Black Belt in 1989, and began helping Mr. Strickland teach as an Instructor Trainee. After teaching for 6 months, Mr. Martin started teaching Taekwondo after school at Montessori Day Care Center. In 1990, his family moved to St. Louis, MO where he opened his first Taekwondo Club. This club was successful until he closed it in 1995 to open a full time TKD School in Indianapolis, IN.

After opening a second location in the Indianapolis area, he then moved back to Charlotte to purchase Mr. Strickland’s school. Then, in 2003 he took over a small program in Locust, NC. That location has since moved to Mt. Pleasant, NC, which he still owns and operates today. Mr. Martin has spent the last 4 years planning a new location in the N. Charlotte area, and will be opening in the Highland Creek area in late 2009.

Mr. Martin’s Taekwondo career has had several milestones along the way. In 1994 he earned his Senior Certified Instructor certification. In 2003 he earned his current rank of 5th degree Black Belt at a National Testing in Greensboro, NC. He has also won first place at nine National Tournaments for free-sparring, while finishing in the top three 17 times. Mr. Martin has been voted top ten in the nation for free-sparring three different years. In September 2010, he will be testing for his 6th Degree Black Belt/Master Instructor, at the National Tournament in Ft. Mitchell, KY.

Chief Instructor (Mt. Pleasant) – Ashley Martin
Mrs. Ashley Martin started Taekwondo in 1998 under 7th Degree Master Instructor George Strickland. Mrs. Martin achieved her first degree black belt in 2000. She then went on to become a Certified Instructor in October 2007 and a Senior Certified Instructor in February 2010. After taking a year off from Taekwondo for the birth of her and Mr. Martin’s son, Makyah James Martin, she is currently training for her 3rd Degree Black Belt. In January 2011, she will be testing for her 3rd Degree Black Belt, at the National Tournament in Orlando, FL.

 

 

Junior Certified Instructor – Connor Martin
Connor Martin started his taekwondo career in 2002 under Mr. Josh Martin and now holds the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt. Having taught for several years, Mr. Martin first received his junior certification in 2006 and his national certification in May 2009. Mr. Martin is committed to teach students of all ages and abilities. His next personal goal is to achieve his 3rd Degree Decided Black Belt in the spring of 2011. He enjoys his students and seeks to uplift, teach and challenge each of them to do their best.

 

 

 

Certified Instructor – Steven Hickson
Mr. Steven Hickson started Taekwondo in 1994 under 7th Degree Master Instructor George Strickland then continued training under Mr. Josh Martin. Mr. Hickson acheived his First Degree Black Belt in 2000 and his Junior Certification in 2006. He is currently attending Clemson University, involved in their Taekwondo organization, and training for his 3rd Degree Black Belt and Senior Certification.

 

 

 

Certified Instructor - Michelle Fehlman
Mrs. Michelle Fehlman started her Taekwondo training under Mr. Josh Martin in Spring 2004. She took a short break in late 2005 until July 2006 due to the pregnancy and birth of her fifth child. Mrs. Fehlman received her Black Belt in 2007 and became a Certified Instructor in April 2009. She continues to train with Mr. Martin along with three of her older children, two of which are also black belts.

 

 

 

Instructor Trainee – Theresa Fehlman
Miss Theresa Fehlman started her Taekwondo training under Mr. Josh Martin in December of 2004. She received her First Degree Black Belt in 2006 and became an Instructor Trainee in October 2009. Her next goal is to achieve her 2nd Degree Black Belt.

 

 

 

 

Instructor Trainee – Jeremy Fehlman
Mr. Jeremy Fehlman started his Taekwondo training under Mr. Josh Martin in Spring 2004. He received his Black Belt in 2006 and became an Instructor Trainee in April 2009. He currently holds the rank of Second Degree Senior Black Belt.