Welcome back GM Spillman!
We welcome our new 9th Dan Grandmaster, Konrad Spillmann.
Dear TaeKwonDo International Grandmasters, Masters, Instructors and Members,
It is a great honor to return to TaeKwonDo International. I have not been fully active due to moving my school and organization headquarters from California to Tennessee and my two AFiB surgeries in 2020-2022; now with all of that behind me, I am happy to be back with our TaeKwonDo family. I started TaeKwonDo back in the 1960’s and have known and worked with Grandmaster S. J. Kim for more than 35 years. I received my 8th Dan from Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim on January 23rd, 2009. Just as I have done before at the beginning stages of TaeKwonDo International, I will try my best to assist the union in the continued growth of TaeKwonDo using marketing methods and creating a more noticeable online presence as well as assisting wherever else I can in the growth of the union. Over the past 40 years of operating multiple successful schools in the USA and overseas, many TaeKwonDo and Martial Art school owners have asked for my advice. Over those years, I have assisted many instructors in expanding and growing their schools. I have also consulted for many top organizations and academy masters, taking them to the next level by balancing quality and professionalism. I have assisted in the opening of TaeKwonDo schools in the USA and overseas and produced several books including “The TaeKwonDo Business Manual” and many training videos. I also developed the Little Lions programs (Leonard’s World) for young children, with my wife Master Joanne Spillmann back in 1990s. My wife, a teacher and child development specialist, also developed the little lions series of children’s books which focuses on morals, values and the tenants of TaeKwonDo, and we both worked on a special kids coloring book within the Leonard Series. I currently operate a large school in Gallatin, Tennessee with my wife, Master Joanne Spillmann, and my children, Master Andrew Davis-Spillmann, Master Kurt Spillmann, Master Matthew Unamann, Instructor Ana Spillmann Durrett and my grandchildren. They all assist in the operation of our 15,000 sq. ft. martial arts school along with my other great instructors. At our school, we teach several martial arts styles and also offer after school pick up and a homeschool tutorial program. However, our main focus is family and changing lives. We all work hard on the promotion of TaeKwonDo and offering quality martial arts training. On August 28th, 2023, I was honored as Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim elevated me to the rank of 9th Dan Black Belt. I understand this level has many responsibilities, and I hope I can make a difference while assisting others in growing TaeKwonDo. I consider all my past and present grandmasters, instructors and students, part of my extended martial arts family. I may seem overly enthusiastic at times, but my life since I was 4 years old, has been TaeKwonDo along with other martial arts, and that has been my main drive. In the last several years, some of the greatest masters and grandmasters have passed away; however, their teachings live on after them through their students. It is in this tradition that I hope I can continue to make a difference in people’s lives. So I, personally and humbly, would welcome communication from any school owner who wishes to share ideas with me to assist in the further growth of TaeKwonDo as an art as well as to procure the growth of TaeKwonDo International. Anyone who loves TaeKwonDo or Martial Arts can contact me at my school, GMA Martial arts, Gallatin. I also wants to let all members know that my door is always open to anyone and I am eager to share ideas and teaching methods.
Dear TaeKwonDo International Grandmasters, Masters, Instructors and Members,
It is a great honor to return to TaeKwonDo International. I have not been fully active due to moving my school and organization headquarters from California to Tennessee and my two AFiB surgeries in 2020-2022; now with all of that behind me, I am happy to be back with our TaeKwonDo family. I started TaeKwonDo back in the 1960’s and have known and worked with Grandmaster S. J. Kim for more than 35 years. I received my 8th Dan from Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim on January 23rd, 2009. Just as I have done before at the beginning stages of TaeKwonDo International, I will try my best to assist the union in the continued growth of TaeKwonDo using marketing methods and creating a more noticeable online presence as well as assisting wherever else I can in the growth of the union. Over the past 40 years of operating multiple successful schools in the USA and overseas, many TaeKwonDo and Martial Art school owners have asked for my advice. Over those years, I have assisted many instructors in expanding and growing their schools. I have also consulted for many top organizations and academy masters, taking them to the next level by balancing quality and professionalism. I have assisted in the opening of TaeKwonDo schools in the USA and overseas and produced several books including “The TaeKwonDo Business Manual” and many training videos. I also developed the Little Lions programs (Leonard’s World) for young children, with my wife Master Joanne Spillmann back in 1990s. My wife, a teacher and child development specialist, also developed the little lions series of children’s books which focuses on morals, values and the tenants of TaeKwonDo, and we both worked on a special kids coloring book within the Leonard Series. I currently operate a large school in Gallatin, Tennessee with my wife, Master Joanne Spillmann, and my children, Master Andrew Davis-Spillmann, Master Kurt Spillmann, Master Matthew Unamann, Instructor Ana Spillmann Durrett and my grandchildren. They all assist in the operation of our 15,000 sq. ft. martial arts school along with my other great instructors. At our school, we teach several martial arts styles and also offer after school pick up and a homeschool tutorial program. However, our main focus is family and changing lives. We all work hard on the promotion of TaeKwonDo and offering quality martial arts training. On August 28th, 2023, I was honored as Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim elevated me to the rank of 9th Dan Black Belt. I understand this level has many responsibilities, and I hope I can make a difference while assisting others in growing TaeKwonDo. I consider all my past and present grandmasters, instructors and students, part of my extended martial arts family. I may seem overly enthusiastic at times, but my life since I was 4 years old, has been TaeKwonDo along with other martial arts, and that has been my main drive. In the last several years, some of the greatest masters and grandmasters have passed away; however, their teachings live on after them through their students. It is in this tradition that I hope I can continue to make a difference in people’s lives. So I, personally and humbly, would welcome communication from any school owner who wishes to share ideas with me to assist in the further growth of TaeKwonDo as an art as well as to procure the growth of TaeKwonDo International. Anyone who loves TaeKwonDo or Martial Arts can contact me at my school, GMA Martial arts, Gallatin. I also wants to let all members know that my door is always open to anyone and I am eager to share ideas and teaching methods.
We welcome our new 9th Dan Grandmaster Mark Nathanson
"First off, let me start by saying how completely honored and humbled I am with this promotion. Reaching this goal was something I always strived for, but never knew if I would achieve...and now it has become reality. When Grand Master Kim called me to let me know of his decision, I was of course thrilled, but the best part of that conversation was that he mentioned to me that whatever his legacy will be, I will always be a part of it. Just to be considered in that way is an honor in itself, and I am truly grateful.
My Taekwon Do journey began in 1974. Call it fate, destiny, or just luck, but as a young boy I had decided that I wanted to learn martial arts, and I walked into a small school in Bergenfield New Jersey, and met a man by the name of Master Kim. He was not the owner of the school at that time (he later would be), but he was the head instructor for a man named Master Lee, and it was Master Kim that signed me up to start classes. Again, fate, destiny, luck...? but I had no idea I was meeting a man that is likely one the greatest Taekwon Do practitioners in the world, and a man that would forever more shape my growth from a boy to a man.
I have continued with Grand Master Kim until this day (taking brief chapters away as I attended college and medical school), and have the distinction of being the only individual who started with GM Kim as a white belt, and now reached this ultimate level of 9th degree Grand Master.
As I reflect on this moment, it honestly is not about me, but it is more about those who have surrounded me during my journey. Grand Master Kim has created Taekwon Do International, a union of schools that is remarkable. It is this union, this gathering of students, teachers, masters, and Grand masters that should be celebrated with my promotion. Taekwon do International has supported, nurtured, and helped me grow into the master instructor I have become, and I would be remiss not to mention those individuals. There are many, and I can't name them all, but several stand out.
Grand Master Tony Morris of Asheville Sun Soo, Asheville North Carolina, Grand Master James Marr of Marrs Taekwon do, Cleveland Ohio, and Grand Master John Meany, and Master Laura Giletti, Glen Ridge Taekwon Do, Montclair New Jersey. These schools, and their entire Taekwon Do familes have welcomed me into their schools, and their homes to allow me to teach, train, and judge. Special thanks goes to Master Giletti, and Grand Master Meany who have welcomed me as a constant presence in their school to assist with their classes.
No individual reaches the level of 9th degree without support, and it is this Union, this gathering of phenomenal individuals who have allowed me to attain this goal, and for that I am forever grateful.
Of course my ultimate gratitude is with Grand Master Suk Jun Kim. Without him, none of this, my achievements, the multiple schools, the Union, would have been possible.
Again, fate, destiny, luck...but on that day in 1974, my life changed forever...thank you all.
With gratitude and humility,
Grand Master Mark N Nathanson.
My Taekwon Do journey began in 1974. Call it fate, destiny, or just luck, but as a young boy I had decided that I wanted to learn martial arts, and I walked into a small school in Bergenfield New Jersey, and met a man by the name of Master Kim. He was not the owner of the school at that time (he later would be), but he was the head instructor for a man named Master Lee, and it was Master Kim that signed me up to start classes. Again, fate, destiny, luck...? but I had no idea I was meeting a man that is likely one the greatest Taekwon Do practitioners in the world, and a man that would forever more shape my growth from a boy to a man.
I have continued with Grand Master Kim until this day (taking brief chapters away as I attended college and medical school), and have the distinction of being the only individual who started with GM Kim as a white belt, and now reached this ultimate level of 9th degree Grand Master.
As I reflect on this moment, it honestly is not about me, but it is more about those who have surrounded me during my journey. Grand Master Kim has created Taekwon Do International, a union of schools that is remarkable. It is this union, this gathering of students, teachers, masters, and Grand masters that should be celebrated with my promotion. Taekwon do International has supported, nurtured, and helped me grow into the master instructor I have become, and I would be remiss not to mention those individuals. There are many, and I can't name them all, but several stand out.
Grand Master Tony Morris of Asheville Sun Soo, Asheville North Carolina, Grand Master James Marr of Marrs Taekwon do, Cleveland Ohio, and Grand Master John Meany, and Master Laura Giletti, Glen Ridge Taekwon Do, Montclair New Jersey. These schools, and their entire Taekwon Do familes have welcomed me into their schools, and their homes to allow me to teach, train, and judge. Special thanks goes to Master Giletti, and Grand Master Meany who have welcomed me as a constant presence in their school to assist with their classes.
No individual reaches the level of 9th degree without support, and it is this Union, this gathering of phenomenal individuals who have allowed me to attain this goal, and for that I am forever grateful.
Of course my ultimate gratitude is with Grand Master Suk Jun Kim. Without him, none of this, my achievements, the multiple schools, the Union, would have been possible.
Again, fate, destiny, luck...but on that day in 1974, my life changed forever...thank you all.
With gratitude and humility,
Grand Master Mark N Nathanson.
