| I've had the pleasure to train with and watch many martial arts students and teachers over the years. I believe that the Chayon-Ryu Teaching Method, developed and continually refined by Grandmaster Kim Soo, is the safest and most effective manner of teaching martial arts. I am proud to pass along this education to you, and am here to help you reach your personal goals in martial arts. I grew up in Houston, Texas with my father as my first martial arts teacher. As a child, I thought that all fathers knew martial arts, and was quite surprised when I found out that my friends' fathers didn't know. Later, my father took me to his martial arts teacher from the 1960's, Grandmaster Kim Soo. During college in Houston, I continued to study under Grandmaster Kim Soo and began to assist directly under him. In 1994, I re-located to Arlington to pursue a Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering degree at The University of Texas at Arlington and (with Grandmaster Kim Soo's permission) establish a Chayon-Ryu Branch School in Arlington. During my time in engineering school, I did some soul-searching, and decided that I didn't really want to spend my life in engineering - I really wanted to dedicate my life to helping others with Chayon-Ryu and be a full-time professional martial arts instructor. I re-directed my University studies to help me with my goal and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. As an undergraduate, I was hired to direct the EXSA 1246 "Self-Defense for Women" program as a faculty member of the Kinesiology department. In the 2 1/2 years I directed the program, the classes grew in enrollment by 33% and I was nominated for The Provost's Teaching Award. In December 2001, as much as I enjoyed instructing the classes, I made the choice of leaving the University to spend more time promoting Chayon-Ryu martial arts in Arlington. My dedication is to give students the best education in the safest manner possible. I continue to travel and take instruction directly from Grandmaster Kim Soo and his Son, Master Sean Kim. I am continuously working on my current rank requirements in addition to requirements for all ranks. Chief Instructor Robert N. McLain Robert McLain's Resume Black Belt Magazine Profile |
