Testimonials

We would like to thank everyone that has submitted one of the following testimonials! If you have submitted a testimonial and there isn't a picture along with it, it is because we have not received a picture from you yet. Please send new testimonial submissions & accompanying pictures to our webmaster at thinkboldly@gmail.com. Click here for the helpful worksheet to help guide your testimonial. If you would prefer not to have a photo accompanying your testimonial, please e-mail our webmaster about said preference so we can remove unnecessary "picture coming soon" placeholders. Thanks!

Kris Lorenz
- Parent of Tae Kwon Do students

"What a blessing Spellious TKD has been to our family. Our younger son, Alex, was the first to join. He has really enjoyed mastering new forms and kicks and, of course, breaking boards! I have really enjoyed watching him thrive under the guidance of Master Spellious. Alex's focus and self-confidence has grown and grown. We are proud of him and he is proud of himself, as he should be. He just became a 12-year-old black belt.

Alex's older brother, Colin, followed in his footsteps about 10 months after Alex. This turned out to be rewarding as well. Colin has thrived with Master Spellious as well. He has gained skills and self-confidence and he doesn't mind having to bow to his younger brother...too much.

I consider Master Spellious and his fine team of teachers to be invaluable role models to my boys. They are shown respect and taught to treat others the same way. The tenants of TKD: Courtesy, Integrity, Perserverance, Self-Control and Indominable Spirit aren't just words, they are truly taught and practiced here. I whole-heartedly recommend these facilities."

Renee Lamberson
- Parent of a Tae Kwon Do student

"My son has been diagnosed with severe anxiety. He was diagnosed with anxiety last year. He has had a very hard time getting out and doing anything because of this fear. Anxiety has caused a fear that starts small and grows to the point where he is terrified to do most anything. In his case, he fears separation and social anxiety. He has longed for lessons in Martial Arts since he was four; watching the ninja turtles and playing Mortal Kombat. For eight months, I tried to get him to enter the door to Master Spellious' Tae Kwon Do lessons. It wasn't any easier than any other fear. Master Spellious has gained Anthony's trust to the point where I can drop Anthony off at Tae Kwon Do, and when I pick him up, he tells me how much fun he had. Anthony has made so much progress since Tae Kwon Do started. As Anthony says, 'I had a wall that was in front of me. I couldn't get through or around the wall. Now the walls are gone!'

Thank you so much Master Spellious for everything you have taught my son and for helping him feel comfortable! This is the only area so far that he's been able to conquer this horrible fear. We are truly grateful. Your classes are building his self esteem. His promotion from white to yellow to orange belt shows him he can step out away from his comfort zone and do very well. We just can't put down in words just how important your class has been for him and how wonderful it's been for his father and I to see him step out in this way. It has answered our prayers. There just isn't any way we can thank you and Mr. Zurker enough!"

Janel Miner
- Parent and Tae Kwon Do student

"When people learn of everything I do in my life -- wife; mother of four active kids; full time labor and birth nurse; HypnoBirthing instructor; lay breastfeeding counselor; graduate student; third degree black belt -- they often ask me, “How do you do it all?”. The lighter answer I give is “Through the grace of God and caffeine!” The truth is as a child I learned how to set a goal, work towards the goal and achieve it.

In 1985, I saw The Karate Kid. Like many kids back then, I wanted to do karate and be just like Ralph Macchio. I started Tae Kwon Do at the age of seven. I quickly discovered martial art isn’t the glamorous sport Hollywood had portrayed it to be. Learning TKD took hard work, sweat, and a lot of knuckle push-ups. I dreaded every TKD class. I begged my dad to let me quit, but my dad made me earn my black belt. It took me almost six years to earn my cho dan (first degree black belt). I quit the day I received it.

The lessons I learned as a child through TKD I have carried with me through the rest of my life. I believe learning at such a young age the determination needed to work towards a goal has given me many skills that I use as an adult. I am able to achieve a long term goal while managing the demands of daily life. For example, I am in graduate school for nurse-midwifery. When I felt the calling to be a midwife, I had my undergraduate degree in finance and economics. By the time I finally graduate as a midwife, it will have taken me about an additional decade of part time schooling.

I didn’t realize the profound influence my TKD training had on my life until my two oldest children were white belts. Listening to Master Spellious recite the TKD pledge and the five tenants of TKD sparked something within me. The five tenants of TKD describe how I strive to live my adult life: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. Hearing Master Spellious define TKD as the “art of kicking and punching”, I made the decision to start training again. I figured it would be a great way to stay in shape and keep my kids motivated to earn their cho dan.

The desire to start training again surprised me. I never thought I would actually want to return to the sport I hated as a child. I remember running into Master Spellious when I was twenty. He encouraged me to start training again. The mere thought of doing TKD again almost made me nauseous. I walked away determined that TKD was definitely not for me!

I am thankful God changed my heart. As an adult, TKD has given me one more reason to stay healthy. A lot of adults start TKD as a way to get into shape; I try to stay in shape to be a better practitioner -- to be a better artist."

Brian and Melissa Henniges
- Parents of a Tae Kwon Do student

"We would like to thank Master Spellious for the wonderful job he and his team of black belts do teaching our son, Andrew! Tae Kwon Do has provided a wonderful connection to my sons Korean heritage. Not only is Andrew learning Tae Kwon Do, but [also] the Korean principals and meanings.

I have watched Andrew excel since he switched over to Spellious Martial Arts Center! There really is a difference between instructors and dojangs. The instructors really care about their students and not just their techniques, but their character growth! Master Spellious has been a rold model for Andrew and he has shown him the importance of discipline and self-control. Master Spellious has a gift to know when to push and when to take a more gentle approach to correction/teaching. Another great attribute at [the] Spellious Martial Arts Center is the dojang, which is always clean and welcoming!

I would highly recommend [the] Spellious Martial Arts Center for any child who has a desire to learn under a wonderful team of black belts!

Proud parents of a brown belt,
Brian and Melissa Henniges"

Cheyanne Elizabeth Creger (and her grandmother)
- Tae Kwon Do student

"I, being a student for a month, have already learned discipline and my self-confidence is a lot higher since I started. Tae Kwon Do is the 1st martial art [form] I've done and is the best thing I've done. Master Spellious is a really sweet instructor."

"My grandma will now tell you her opinion/testimony of Tae Kwon Do:"

"I believe Cheyanne neets to build up some confidence, which this is helping. She also is learning, through Tae Kwon Do, how to stick with something ... and work to improve herself in many ways. It is well worth the money. I observe each class and believe Master Spellious is a great teacher."

Lee Siddall
- Parent of "little tiger", Gavin

"I have been extremely impressed and pleased with our experience at [the] Spellious Martial Arts Center. My son, Gavin, has shown great growth in his obedience and discipline since joining the class. I am excited to see him continue to grow as he continues his education. Master Spellious demands respect from his students, which he extends from the class to the home. I would highly recommend it to everyone."

Monte, David, & Paul Schwartz
- Tae Kwon Do students

"My two sons, (ages 6 & 8) and I have been taking Tae Kwon Do together with Master Spellious for several months. It has been a great and rewarding activity for all involved.

I had hear about the benefits of martial arts training for years. I now know first hand that it is all true and then some. We've benefited from the exercise and conditioning, and it's been a great way for my kids to work out some of their energy. It's also helped with their self-control, self-esteem, balance, confidence, and coordination.

Tae Kwon Do is not always easy, and my sons were initially resistant. Now, however, they love going. In fact, it went from me dragging them to class to them dragging me sometimes to make sure we make it. I love how they have learned that achieving things of value can be difficult but also rewarding. They are so motivated to earn their next belt.

Finally, Master Spellious seems to be very good at working with kids, regardless of their age or development. I have seen a wide variety benefit, even those with special learning needs."

Carly Mince
- Mother of Tae Kwon Do student, Carrigan

"Carrigan's experience at Spellious TKD has been so positive! Carrigan has learned many new things. She loves doing and showing the different techniques to everyone. Besides the techniques, she has learned things about herself. Carrigan has a stronger self-confidence in her abilities. She has gained strength and balance. She is very proud to tell everyone that she takes Tae Kwon Do. This is an activity that she pushes herself to do better. She takes a lot of pride in the techniques she has learned. Carrigan has also developed a close bond and respect for Master Spellious and the other instructors. I would highly encourage anyone that is interested in Martial Arts to go to Spellious TKD."