Instructor Profile Grandmaster Travis has been involved in the training of all the black belts in the NATKDA and also in the Elkhart Charter School for Chun Moo Hapikdo USA. The following, highlights one of the outstanding Black Belts that Grandmaster Travis has had the honor of training and promoting. Bruce Andresen, 4th Dan Tae Kwon Do, 2nd Dan Hapkido Bruce Andresen has been practicing the martial arts since 1962, when he was 8 years old. His parents put him, his brother, and his sister in Judo at the Elkhart YMCA, after he was bullied by some 6th graders. Money was tight in their home, and his father pulled them out of Judo after he thought they knew enough to defend themselves. Those Judo lessons instilled a love for the martial arts that continues to this day. Mr Andresen has practiced 9 different martial arts, looking for one that met his needs. He saw some good instructors and bad instructors in that time. When Mr Salomon open the Penn Club at Queen of Peace, Mr Andresens son Eric decided that he wanted learn Tae Kwon Do. After awhile, Eric convinced his father to practice with him, in 1994. While practicing, Mr Andresen realized that he had finally found the martial art he was looking for. In 1996, the Penn Club merged with Elkhart Martial Arts. Mr Andresens continues to train and instruct at Elkhart Martial Arts to this day. Mr Andresen received his 1st degree black belt, in Tae Kwon Do, on May 31, 1997. When he was asked why he was training in the martial arts, he said one of the main reasons was to have options. He strongly believes in the Code of the Masters: “I will avoid rather than block, block rather than strike, strike rather than maim, and maim rather than kill because all life is precious and none can be replaced”. Mr Andresen has attended over 50 N.A.T.K.D.A. instructor seminars. He has participated in a workshop seminar with Bill “Super foot” Wallace. He has attended seminars on Jeet Kune Do, Stick Fighting, Hapkido, Jiujitsu, Jujitsu, Falling Ways, Self Defense Instructing, and Cane Techniques. He also was certified in Pressure Point Control Tactics. His favorite weapon is the cane. In addition, Mr Andresen is a certified Official and Coach, with AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and USAT (USA Tae Kwon Do). He has refereed, officiated, judged, and coached at the local, state, and national level, since 1999. He has attended many Official Certification Clinics at both State and Nationals. He has also hosted Official Clinics at Elkhart Martial Arts. Mr Andresen has also competed at the local, state, and national levels, winning many Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. Mr Andresen is also the editor of the NATKDA Instructor Manual, and 1st Training Manual. He was also the editor of the NATKDA Newsletter. He also is involved in running the NATKDA website. He has been chosen twice as NATKDA Black Belt of the Year. Mr Andresen is very involved in the community; MDA, Relay For Life, Pay it Forward, Santas Pantry, YMCA, Elkhart Youth and Community Center, and the Pilsung Foundation. Mr Andresen serves on the board for the Pilsung Foundation, which helps provide the means for those in need to be able to practice the martial arts. He is also an Executive Board Member of the North American Tae Kwon do Association. Mr Andresen is known for his ability to teach all ages, from 3 to 80. He has a particular gift working with kids. He has even been given the nickname, “The Kids Whisperer”. In 2004, Mr Andresen moved to Florida for 4 years. He started the first of his Tae Kwon Do Outreach Ministries through a church in Florida. In 2008, he moved back to Elkhart, Indiana to become the manager for Steves Gym / Elkhart Martial Arts. He has also been instrumental in starting Out Reach Programs at Northside Baptist, Grace Bible, and Trinity Lutheran. Through his many accomplishments, Mr Andresen has placed a high priority on the needs of the students, placed under his supervision. Grand Master Travis says, His martial arts philosophy isnt just to train and instruct in the martial arts, for him it is a way of life.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 01:16:38 +0000
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