Grey Hallock is a 25 year-old Traditional Tae Kwon Do practitioner in our community at Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do. An on-the-go-breaking-news producer for local TV station, WLOS, Grey is a high-energy professional. Grey brings that same high-energy to class where he is a dedicated student and an enthusiastic partner for all. Though only a green belt at this point in his practice, Grey is quickly establishing excellent fundamentals while contributing greatly to the level of energy and engagement in the room at every class he attends. Grey is an excellent example of a working adult professional. He uses his martial arts practice to enhance his level of professionalism, focus, and efficiency at work while simultaneously discharging the accumulated stress from the day. We are honored to have Grey as part of our Asheville Sun Soo practice and part of our Asheville Sun Soo family.
How old are you?
25
What is your rank?
Green Belt
What is your occupation?
News Producer at WLOS
Why do you practice?
Before Tae Kwon Do, I was working out and running but I wasn’t becoming more flexible or learning anything while improving my fitness. I started Tae Kwon Do because I wanted to learn a skill while getting a great work out. Now I continue because it’s helping me a lot with my focus. My job as a news producer is really demanding and often I don’t have much time to react to a change of plan – if we a get a breaking story I need to be able drop whatever I’ve been working on and switch gears. Tae Kwon Do is helping me learn to do to this quickly and effectively.
How long have you been practicing?
Almost a year.
What do you enjoy most about your practice so far?
My improved ability to focus in all aspects. I also enjoy feeling accomplished!
What are some of your other hobbies, activities, or interests?
Snowboarding, wakeboarding, soccer, hiking, and reading – my favorites are science fiction and history.
What is something people at Asheville Sun Soo probably don’t know about you?
Over the past 6 years I’ve lived in several different cities in Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, and several cities before that, mostly moving around for work. I think Asheville is a really cool city and I’d love to stick around long enough to earn my 1st degree black belt.
What is your favorite Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do moment?
The first time I took a class and felt like I understood how the moves worked – like this wasn’t impossible for me, I could actually do it and it was accessible.
Piper Keliher is an 11 year-old , blue-red belt, Traditional Tae Kwon Do practitioner in our community at Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do. She is part of a sibling dynamic duo, practicing along with her brother Banyan. Piper is a dedicated student, who consistently demonstrates focus, precision and rigor in her execution of technique while maintaining a calm, friendly and approachable demeanor with her fellow practitioners. Piper is an excellent example of the combination of grace, intelligence and power that serves as an inspiring example to us all. We are honored to have Pyper as part of our Asheville Sun Soo practice and part of our Asheville Sun Soo family.
How old are you?
11
What is your rank?
Blue-red
What is your occupation?
Student
Why do you practice?
To learn self defense and other important characteristics of life
How long have you been practicing?
1 ½ years
What do you enjoy most about your practice so far?
Getting to know all of the instructors and the people who practice at Asheville Sun Soo.
What are some of your other hobbies, activities, or interests?
Soccer, swimming, me time, family time, and hanging out with my friends.
What is something people at Asheville Sun Soo probably don’t know about you?
My passion used to be gymnastics, but now it’s Tae Kwon Do!
What is your favorite Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do moment?
Testing for my white-yellow belt, my very first testing ever.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Tae Kwon Do to me is more than just how to defend your self- it is about how to be kind, patient, and helpful to others. Asheville Sun Soo is truly my family.
What is your rank?
I have a 2nd degree in TKD and a Brown belt in Danzan Ryu jujitsu
What is your occupation?
I am a science teacher currently working with at risk students.
Why do you practice?
This is a huge question – – I believe that martial arts serve many purposes for many people such as: exercise, the beauty and tradition of the art, spirituality, community/friendship, sport, self-defense, self-improvement, etc. All of these are important factors for me, and each one’s prominence in my thinking changes from month to month and year to year. Currently exercise and self-defense hold most of my attention.
How long have you been practicing?
About eight years in formal martial arts – but I believe that many other sports/activities have been an art in their own way and have I been on a 40 plus year path to what I do now.
What do you enjoy most about your practice so far?
I enjoy the ever elusive challenge of perfection. (And that my family is there to enjoy it with me.)
What are some of your other hobbies or interests?
I love joking with my kids/family, being outdoors, reading/learning, playing guitar and listening to music. I am enriched by studying religion, history, spirituality and martial arts. I enjoy cooking and craft beers and I have a modest single malt scotch collection. I hand carve wooden knives and Japanese katanas/boken and a few other things.
What is your favorite Tae Kwon Do moment?
There are so many that it is hard to say – – – the easy answer would be my black belt testing. But I’m not so sure that that would be true. Then my mind jumps to my intro or my first class. They were pregnant with such hope and possibility. But today, my answer is every class I come to – because it is one more day on my martial arts journey!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks to all of the staff for who you are and what you share with my family and me.
https://www.martialartsasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/markmeiri.jpeg20481152Ms Smithhttps://www.martialartsasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo-Dark-Background-300x198.pngMs Smith2016-02-09 18:08:532016-02-26 12:53:51Mark Meiri – Science Teacher, Father, Asheville Martial Artist
Student Spotlight – Grey Hallock
/in Student Spotlight /by Ms SmithGrey Hallock is a 25 year-old Traditional Tae Kwon Do practitioner in our community at Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do. An on-the-go-breaking-news producer for local TV station, WLOS, Grey is a high-energy professional. Grey brings that same high-energy to class where he is a dedicated student and an enthusiastic partner for all. Though only a green belt at this point in his practice, Grey is quickly establishing excellent fundamentals while contributing greatly to the level of energy and engagement in the room at every class he attends. Grey is an excellent example of a working adult professional. He uses his martial arts practice to enhance his level of professionalism, focus, and efficiency at work while simultaneously discharging the accumulated stress from the day. We are honored to have Grey as part of our Asheville Sun Soo practice and part of our Asheville Sun Soo family.
25
What is your rank?
Green Belt
What is your occupation?
News Producer at WLOS
Why do you practice?
Before Tae Kwon Do, I was working out and running but I wasn’t becoming more flexible or learning anything while improving my fitness. I started Tae Kwon Do because I wanted to learn a skill while getting a great work out. Now I continue because it’s helping me a lot with my focus. My job as a news producer is really demanding and often I don’t have much time to react to a change of plan – if we a get a breaking story I need to be able drop whatever I’ve been working on and switch gears. Tae Kwon Do is helping me learn to do to this quickly and effectively.
How long have you been practicing?
Almost a year.
What do you enjoy most about your practice so far?
My improved ability to focus in all aspects. I also enjoy feeling accomplished!
What are some of your other hobbies, activities, or interests?
Snowboarding, wakeboarding, soccer, hiking, and reading – my favorites are science fiction and history.
What is something people at Asheville Sun Soo probably don’t know about you?
Over the past 6 years I’ve lived in several different cities in Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, and several cities before that, mostly moving around for work. I think Asheville is a really cool city and I’d love to stick around long enough to earn my 1st degree black belt.
What is your favorite Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do moment?
The first time I took a class and felt like I understood how the moves worked – like this wasn’t impossible for me, I could actually do it and it was accessible.
Student Spotlight – Pyper Keliher
/in Student Spotlight /by Ms SmithPiper Keliher is an 11 year-old , blue-red belt, Traditional Tae Kwon Do practitioner in our community at Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do. She is part of a sibling dynamic duo, practicing along with her brother Banyan. Piper is a dedicated student, who consistently demonstrates focus, precision and rigor in her execution of technique while maintaining a calm, friendly and approachable demeanor with her fellow practitioners. Piper is an excellent example of the combination of grace, intelligence and power that serves as an inspiring example to us all. We are honored to have Pyper as part of our Asheville Sun Soo practice and part of our Asheville Sun Soo family.
11
What is your rank?
Blue-red
What is your occupation?
Student
Why do you practice?
To learn self defense and other important characteristics of life
How long have you been practicing?
1 ½ years
What do you enjoy most about your practice so far?
Getting to know all of the instructors and the people who practice at Asheville Sun Soo.
What are some of your other hobbies, activities, or interests?
Soccer, swimming, me time, family time, and hanging out with my friends.
What is something people at Asheville Sun Soo probably don’t know about you?
My passion used to be gymnastics, but now it’s Tae Kwon Do!
What is your favorite Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do moment?
Testing for my white-yellow belt, my very first testing ever.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Tae Kwon Do to me is more than just how to defend your self- it is about how to be kind, patient, and helpful to others. Asheville Sun Soo is truly my family.
Mark Meiri – Science Teacher, Father, Asheville Martial Artist
/in Student Spotlight /by Ms SmithI will turn 50 on October 25.
What is your rank?
I have a 2nd degree in TKD and a Brown belt in Danzan Ryu jujitsu
What is your occupation?
I am a science teacher currently working with at risk students.
Why do you practice?
This is a huge question – – I believe that martial arts serve many purposes for many people such as: exercise, the beauty and tradition of the art, spirituality, community/friendship, sport, self-defense, self-improvement, etc. All of these are important factors for me, and each one’s prominence in my thinking changes from month to month and year to year. Currently exercise and self-defense hold most of my attention.
How long have you been practicing?
About eight years in formal martial arts – but I believe that many other sports/activities have been an art in their own way and have I been on a 40 plus year path to what I do now.
What do you enjoy most about your practice so far?
I enjoy the ever elusive challenge of perfection. (And that my family is there to enjoy it with me.)
What are some of your other hobbies or interests?
I love joking with my kids/family, being outdoors, reading/learning, playing guitar and listening to music. I am enriched by studying religion, history, spirituality and martial arts. I enjoy cooking and craft beers and I have a modest single malt scotch collection. I hand carve wooden knives and Japanese katanas/boken and a few other things.
What is your favorite Tae Kwon Do moment?
There are so many that it is hard to say – – – the easy answer would be my black belt testing. But I’m not so sure that that would be true. Then my mind jumps to my intro or my first class. They were pregnant with such hope and possibility. But today, my answer is every class I come to – because it is one more day on my martial arts journey!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks to all of the staff for who you are and what you share with my family and me.