About Us
FUN,
FITNESS,
CONFIDENCE, CAMARADERIE
SELF-DEFENSE
The Instructors
Master Hope
Hope has been practicing Martial Arts for more than 40 years and is a fifth degree black belt. She is a national champion in Tae Kwon Do and was picked to train for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea. Hope is originally from Chicago and has lived in Santa Barbara for over 20 years. Hope also teaches Women’s Self Defense Seminars to help Women become more self confident. Hope does private training and customizes each class to her clients needs. Hope’s gift is seeing energy in people. She helps tap into your own unique energy inside of you!
Master Mike Whitney
With over four decades of martial arts experience, Master Mike Whitney holds advanced black belts and instructor-level ranks in multiple disciplines, including a 5th-degree black belt in Rising Phoenix Boxing. His specialties include practical self-defense, weapons handling, and situational awareness training. Since 1997, Master Mike has taught students of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs. His teaching emphasizes personal discipline, self-reliance, confidence, mindful conflict resolution, and the development of inner strength through martial arts practice.
Master Saxberg
With over 20 years of Taekwondo experience, Mr. Tor Saxberg began his training in Virginia and quickly grew into a leadership role, teaching children and adults from white to black belt after earning his second-degree black belt. During college, he continued training independently, focusing on refining his techniques and correcting habits, before returning to Virginia to earn the third-degree black belt. Now teaching under Master Hope, he specializes in fluid technique, sparring, and dynamic kicking, and he is passionate about helping students grow in skill, confidence, and character.
Mr. Xie
Mr. Xie has been practicing taekwondo since he was four years old. Now he is a second-degree black belt.
Grandmaster Han
Grandmaster Han Won Lee is the Master Instructor of Han Lee Taekwondo Academy in Castle Rock, CO. He is a 7th Degree Black Belt and is a 35 year veteran of Taekwondo.As one of the most successful coaches of the USA National Taekwondo Team, Grandmaster Lee has earned international recognition for his Taekwondo skills and teaching methods. He was the head coach at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs from 1993 to 2003 and also coached the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia Now teaching under Master Hope, he specializes in fluid technique, sparring, and dynamic kicking, and he is passionate about helping students grow in skill, confidence, and character.