Master Instructor James Theros

Instructor Title: School Owner/Master Instructor
Instructor Rank: 5th Degree Black Belt

Biography:

James Theros began training in martial arts at the age of 7. He began his studies at a program offered at his elementary school at the time and fell in love with the training. He knew from the first moment he stepped onto the training floor that this was what he wanted to do with his life.

Theros continued his training after the program had finished and then went on to train with Grand Master Young Pyo Choi in both Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu. He has an extensive background in many forms of martial arts including Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Hapkido, Chinese and Korean Weaponry and Boxing.

Master Theros is a very generous teacher and holds nothing back when a student demonstrates a true eagerness to learn and improve. He loves positive attitudes and the willingness to sacrifice to succeed. Theros has had to make many sacrifices in his own life to achieve his goals and recognizes when others are on a similar mission. He empowers his students to think and act like leaders and role models. He does not believe in welfare mentality where people expect others to give something for nothing.

His philosophy on being successful is simple. He believes that we are in life where we want to be and that, if we are not happy with where we are, we have to change and grow, to be where we want to be in life. We cannot expect someone to do it for us and we must learn to be able to do for ourselves. His favorite saying is, “I'd rather teach you how to fish for yourself than simply give you a fish to eat.”

Master Theros is very philosophical and an observer of people and life. He says that “Principles are principles (no matter what the subject matter) and if you learn this then life’s mysteries won’t be so mysterious.” He believes that conflict is conflict and that learning to deal with one form of conflict can help you deal with all forms of conflict, including (but not limited to) sales people, bullies, sibling rivalry and spousal conflicts and most importantly the conflict we have each day in our own minds.

Master Theros describes himself as 60% serious 40% fun.

Awards/Special Achievements:

• Student of the year 1996
• Leadership Award 1997, 1998
• Instructor of the year 1999
• Instructor Certification from Oriental Martial Arts College 2000
• Instructor Certification from World Black Belt Bureau 2003
• Instructor Certification from ACMA (American Council on Martial Arts) 2003
• 9 Time International Grand Champion (Forms, Weapons and Self Defense)
• Best Demonstration Award at Battle of Indianapolis 2002
• Martial Arts Dedication Award from Classic Martial Arts Federation 2004
• Businessman of the Year (Business Advisory Council) 2005
• Pioneer Award (World Mudo Federation) 2008
• Student of the Year (Awarded by his own students) 2008 
• Father of 2 Girls, 2 boys
  

Articles written by Master Theros

1. Baking a Cake Martial Arts Style
2. Communication
3. Observing
4. Article: Don't Compare Yourself to Others

Selected Photographs of Master Theros' Master Instructors:

Grand Master Young Pyo Choi (Tae Kwon Do/Kung Fu/Hapkido)	Grand Master Byoung Yil Choi (Deceased) (Traditional Northern Kung Fu)	Grand Master Kang Hee Rhee (Tae Kwon Do/Karate/Kung Fu)
	Grand Master Bong Soo Han (Deceased) (Hapkido)	Master Kenny Perez (Traditional Kung Fu/Modern Wushu)
Grand Master Hi Seup Na (Traditional Northern Shaolin Kung Fu)