my+interview

This is my Inerview with Kim Gaither at the Champlin Tae Kwon Do school.
__How long have you been doing ATA Tae Kwon Do?__ I have been doing martial arts for approximately 14 years.

__What belt level are you?__ I am a 4th degree blackbelt.

__Do you enjoy your work?__ I LOVE my work. I don't even think of it as work but as helping others and playing with little kids.

__Who was Eternal Grand Master to you personally?__ I never personally met Eternal Grand Master but I feel connected to him. I have some very dear friends who knew him and have relayed stories about him and his passion for teaching and his love of martial arts and his genuine care for each and everyone of us and most of all his humility. Look into his eyes in his picture on our wall and you can see his kindness. He met the president of the United States and the president was given the same courtesies and respect as a 5 year old Tiger. How cool is that? I do know the current Grand Master though and even sat with him last month for a seminar.

__How much of the history and origin do you know about ATA’s interpretation of Tae Kwon Do ? Is that something you are taught as a black belt?__

I have read about the history of Taekwondo and of ATA. I visit the ATA museum every year. I have learned alot but continue to learn new things every year. Eternal Grand Master first came over to the US with Major Reed after the Korean conflict. Grand Master envisioned the people of the US learning martial arts. Basically a Pay It Forward approach. We continue to pay it forward and his vision continues to bloom. There is so much knowledge out there about so many different things, the biggest obstacles we face are usually the ones we build ourselves. There is no reason we cannot continue to learn and grow throughout our lives. My goal each day is learn something new. I try to instill that concept to all our students, white belt to black belt and beyond....

__At what belt level can you start your own school?__

You can start your own school at anytime. I have known blue belts that have started clubs. ATA has special classes to take and things to do so that all ATA instructors are continuing to learn and grow and have all been through the same rigorous training physically and mentally. Generally people are at least level 2 instructors and 1st degree black belts. Even as we go up in rank, we have the help and support of our peers and our instructors. If I need help I can ask other instructors including my instructor Master Hoover. If Master Hoover is not able to answer my questions, he will ask Master Jaeger, if Master Jaeger can't help he will ask Grand Master. Everyone is there for knowledge and support.

__Is your whole family into Tae Kwon Do? What belt levels are they?__

My son Ben started taekwondo with me when he was 6. We have trained together and encouraged each other. When Ben and I earned our 1st degree black belts, Mr. Frank Gaither started. Ben and I are 4th degrees, Frank is a 3rd degree (he is eligible for testing for 4th degree in about 14 months.) Two of my cats spar regularly, but it is more ground fighting than taekwondo.

__Is your school a family business? Or just yours?__

My name is on the license for the school, but all of us work together. I think it would be very difficult to have a successful school without the help of my family and the leaders in the school.

__Is Tae Kwon Do your full-time job?__

Taekwondo is my full time job. I do some of the administrative work from home, some community work, and teach classes in the evenings at the school.

__How many tournaments have you been to? What is your best placing at your best tournament ever?__

I couldn't even count the number of tournaments I have been to. I routinely do 4 regional tournaments, 1 national, 1 world, and 1 out of region tournament each year. There was one year I think Ben and I hit 10 tournaments for the year. I have taken 1st place and I haven't placed at all. I try to bring something home from each tournament and sometimes it is a new friend, a new experience, and some humility. I think the biggest win I have had was a 2nd place at Fall Nationals for weapons. Only to find out I had my uniform tied the wrong way all day.

__What belt is your goal?__

I would like to eventually become a Master. I would be eligible 1 year after achieving 6th degree. The earliest that could be achieved will be in approximately 15 years. So I guess 5th degree will be my next goal. Then 6th degree, then master, then perhaps 7th degree, by that time you could be a master.

__Do you know anyone (personally) at that level?__

Master Gleisner is the first black belt in the state to earn master. She achieved that last year. I workout with her occasionally. Chief Master Hoover is an 8th degree (you've met him at our school). It will be my priviledge and honor to watch my first instructor, Mrs. Scott, test for yher 6th degree this year at Worlds. She was a 4th degree when Ben and I began.

__Where did you start Tae Kwon Do? (state)__

Mrs. Scott was our first instructor in Tulsa, OK. She still has a school there. She has been my hero for many years. She came to one of our black belt testings several years ago. I was excited and nervous because I wanted her to know how much of an influence she had on my life. I hope she can come again some day. I miss her but see her every year at worlds, and it is like we have never been apart.

I hope I have answered everything for you. If you think of anything else, please let me know. Good Luck and I'll see you on the mat!