John Schmalbach, 3rd Degree Black Belt

I am a 3rd degree Black Belt now after doing the full allotment of 21 tests from the Red belt level to Deputy Black to my present rank. I am proud of this accomplishment because I believe I am the only adult Black Belt to go through this long and difficult process. I started me Martial Arts training at Chungs Tae Kwon Do in 1997 with my daughter Emily as a way for her to keep her sugar levels in control in a natural way,  that being exercise. She was diagnosed as a diabetic at the age of 2 1/2 and we started when she was 4 1/2. I started teaching a few classes for Master Chung in 2000 and then shortly after my daughter and myself began teaching at the Niles facility on a regular basis for almost 3 years. Since then I started to teach on a regular basis at the main school.

Emily also reached the level of 3rd Degree Black belt but has had her attention switched to school and now high school sports. It is my feeling that her accomplishments in Tae Kwon Do have been the very most important thing I have derived for my martial arts training.
As an instructor now I feel that it is critical to teach Tae Kwon Do students the art as Master Chung wants us as instructors to do as we are simply an extension of his philosophy. I feel that by continueing my own education in Tae Kwon Do I can help the lower belts achieve an even higher level that I will able to do personally due to my age. ( 39 + ?? ). When I see their progression being done in the correct manner it makes me proud to have helped guide them to their goals. I plan to teach as long as Master Chung sees that I am a benefit to his school.

I have been selling real estate locally ( surrounding 20 miles ) since 1981. My calendar has been available at the school every year since 2001.

My goal in life is to remain 39 years old as long as I can!