Masters Profile

May 2008 Masters Profile

Full Name: Ronald D. Schmitt Rank and Date of Rank: Sah Dan Master, July 2006 Region, Studio Name and Location: Region 3, Dubuque Karate Club, Dubuque, IA Contact Information: boda@mwci.net

Personal Information

Where were you born?

I was born in Dubuque, Iowa on May 20, 1971.

Family members involved in Tang Soo Do:

My father is Master David J. Schmitt, a 6th Dan Senior Master in WTSDA. He began his training in 1966, and opened one of the first karate schools in Iowa in 1970. My mother, Susan Schmitt is a second degree black belt and has been involved in the martial arts for over 35 years. She is adored by her legions of Little Dragons and Karate Kids, and has touched the lives of hundreds of children over the years. The delight my parents and I feel is indescribable as the third generation of family members, my sons Kolton (4 years old) and Karter (3 years old) begin their martial arts journey. As I watch the excitement and determination on my sons' faces as they demonstrate each new move, it reminds me why I continue to do what I do.

Profession or trade outside of Tang Soo Do:

I am a full time Martial Art Instructor.

List your academic accomplishments, military service:

I graduated from Loras College with a Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Philosophy & Business/Marketing Management. I am also a Certified Fitness Trainer and column writer for local sports paper titled “The Masters Corner”.

Martial Arts Career

When, where and why you started Tang Soo Do?

I began throwing some of my first kicks by age two. I started my official training by age seven. My father (Master David Schmitt) was my instructor. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to train with masters in various weapons and styles, such as Hwa Rang Do, Tai Chi, Hapkido, Kung Fu, as well as formal training with the Modern Arnis Association which was under the late Grandmaster Remy Presas. This system focuses on various weapons such as dagger, single/double sticks, nunchakus, and sword. We also covered joint locks, disarms, and submissions.

Notable accomplishments in the martial arts field?

As a child growing up in the 70s and 80s, we hit the tournament circuit very hard. We went to several tournaments every month for many years. I had the honor of earning over one hundred awards in competition. In my region, I earned the 1985, 1986, and 1987 competitor of the year, 1989 Black Belt of the Year, 1989 Instructor of the Year. Additionally, I was privileged to earn the 1995 Regional Grand Champion & 1998 Regional Grand Championship. I was also Captain of World Champion Winning Demonstration Team, one of the only teams to place in the top three for six consecutive years, from 1994 to 2002.

Master Schmitt with his sons, Kolton and Karter and his father, Master David Schmitt.

Tang Soo Do Career

What was your master's thesis on?

The title of my Master's thesis was “Children in the martial arts: The future of tomorrow”. Having started my training as a child, and making a lifetime commitment out of the marital arts and the art of Tang Soo Do, I felt that I could relate to children who train today. Some of the topics covered in my paper were: the advantages Tang Soo Do has on children who struggle with learning disabilities such as ADD/ ADHD. I also focused on understanding the different cycles and phases children go through during their martial arts journey, as well as recognizing and helping them overcome obstacles in their quest for black belt excellence. They are the future of the martial arts. I wrote about the responsibility of being a black belt and master as it relates to our youth. As a Tang Soo Do leader, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to not only provide life altering experiences to my students, but I am consistently humbled and inspired by the experiences of those same students.

What is your favorite part of Tang Soo Do and why do I continue to train?

I like the fact that you are always a student, as an instructor you learn from teaching. It is amazing to me how the student becomes a mirror image, or reflection of their instructor. This allows the instructor to learn from the mistakes of the student. The most gratifying part of being a marital arts instructor is watching your students grow. There is nothing more satisfying then watching a student blossom from a beginning white belt into a member of the black belt society.

In light of the fact that I was not a “natural” student, and that I had to work hard to get where I am today, I have a great appreciation for those who also have to work hard. It’s easy for an instructor to take full credit for the natural students’ abilities, and say they taught them everything they know. In reality, that person could probably put their foot to the top of their head the day they joined. I get more satisfaction working with the “problem students” and watching the excitement on their face as they meet their goals and overcome their obstacles. This is what teaching is all about. This is why I choose to make a lifetime commitment out of the martial arts. As a master instructor I can’t think of anything else I would rather do. It comforts me to know that I will always be able to reflect back on my life and know without a doubt that my life had meaning and purpose. I heard my calling, I took it and I have no regrets.

What is your favorite hyung and weapon?

I enjoy the Filipino stick fighting because of its practicality and versatility. The sky is the limit with this weapon. It uses an angling system that carries over into all weapons from tactical knife fighting, kama, sai, nunchaku, bo staff, and sword techniques. It incorporates an endless variety of defenses, such as trapping hand drills, block check drills, disarming techniques, joint lock manipulations, and the list goes on.

Master Schmitt with Filipino Fighting Sticks and Jang Gum.

Who are some of your role models in and out of WTSDA?

Without a doubt my biggest role model has always been my father. Traditional martial arts were passed on from father to son and I had the honor and privilege to be raised with that custom. I could not have asked for a better teacher. He instilled in me the same values that my grandfather passed on to him and which I am passing on to my own children.   He was strict yet fair. He made me work hard for everything but was supportive and encouraging.  Most importantly he always believed in me! As a younger student training in the 70s and 80s, it was very intense. There were no kids and I was not one of the naturals; I had to work very hard. Some people assumed that having a Master for a father would make my martial arts journey easier. They clearly didn’t know my father, or his father. I come from a family who does not believe in free handouts. This has what has given our school a strong reputation. These core family values such as integrity, honor, loyalty, perseverance, humility, and basically striving to be a good person match the core values of Tang Soo Do. My father expected more from me than everyone else. Consequently, when your father is a master you are being watched closer by everyone and expectations for your performance are higher. It came with its share of challenges, but it has been an absolute honor! I can honestly say that my martial arts training has made me the person I am today, and I would not trade that for all the money in the world. 

My two boys are my other role models, or perhaps a better word is inspiration. They are my living proof that I have an ultimate purpose on this planet. When I look at their innocence it inspires me to be the best dad and person I can be. As a single parent, I want to set the best example I can, to be there for them and support them in everything they do. It is so easy to get lost in the shuffle of the daily grind; they keep me grounded and focused as to what my true priorities are. When I watch how fast they grow it reminds me of how quickly life passes us by, and to savor ever special moment and to stay plugged in and connected.

What are some of your favorite memories of your time in WTSDA?

I have experienced many powerful memories along the way. A few of them include:

• Watching Grandmaster Shin knight my father at the World Championship (this inspired me to get my Master's belt);
• Going to the Master’s clinic for the first time with my father;
• Becoming the first Father and Son Masters in the WTSDA;
• Watching the third generation, my sons Kolton and Karter, throw their first kicks at 13 and 14 months old;
• Grandmaster Shin presenting my Master's belt in front of my boys.

Master Schmitt with Grandmaster Shin and his sons, Kolton and Karter.

Difference between when you first started training and today?

When I began training there were almost no children involved in the martial arts. The one or two kids, who were training, at that time, were taught the same as adults. The training was more intense, many refer to it as “old school”. I have seen the difference in my father's training as well, exemplified by his maturity. When he first started teaching in his early twenties, classes were more physically demanding and much rougher. It wasn’t an issue that age made him softer, rather experience made him wiser. He originally taught on a military base; everything was obviously very regimented and strict. This transcended into his early teaching experiences because he didn’t know any other way. This was the “old school way”. The instructor says it, the student does it, and if they had a problem with that, they were going to have an even bigger problem.  Respect was earned by putting the students in their place, usually with a swift kick or punch on the mat during a full contact sparring session with no safety equipment- it had not been invented yet. Obviously we have now come to learn that this isn’t the most effective process for teaching respect. When the Karate Kid movie hit the silver screen it was a very exciting time. Kids were lined up around the building and the phone rang off the hook. Parents wanted to sign their children up for martial arts classes (“no not at the Y, at a good school”) as Daniel so eloquently put it. Many instructors were unprepared for the boom and continued to teach little children like adults. My father was one of the instructors who quickly realized that you cannot teach a child with the same methods used for teaching adults. He adapted a new curriculum that was age specific and age appropriate.

After the Karate Kid boom, the industry was again blessed with round two - the Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers. Today, the marital arts has become saturated in regards to the children’s market. This is because generation X parents are now enrolling their children in martial arts. They grew up somewhere between the Karate Kid and Ninja Turtle craze. Consequently, many parents today view the martial arts as a kid’s activity. They often lump us in with the soccer/little league category. This is obviously not the case. The beauty of the martial arts is that it is not only for children. The martial art’s has something to offer everyone regardless of race, gender, age, etc. It is an activity you can do your entire life and it has no end, you are constantly a student. I have been doing this for thirty years and I am always learning new things.

Advice/Words of Wisdom:

Strive to be your best, never settle for good enough. If you say you're going to do something then do it.  We teach our students to strive for perfection. However, many students often misinterpret that lesson through miscommunication. Striving for perfection means to give it your all, be your best, be good to others, avoid negativity, find the good, and to develop your overall character. This does not mean perfection is attainable or that being a black belt or master will make you perfect. On the contrary, I believe, as human beings, we are destined to fail and make mistakes. There is nothing wrong with that. Mistakes are what make us grow as a person. The lesson is to learn from our mistakes. We hold the key to our own destiny. One of my favorite quotes is that “we make a living by what we get and we make a life by what we give.”

Tang Soo!