Testimonials for World TaeKwonDo Academy and Family Fitness Center
With eight Minneapolis and St. Paul locations


The Hamamoto Family
Our family has been very happy with our experience with Mr. Shipley at World TaeKwonDo Academy (WTA) in Osseo. My older son started our family tradition with WTA in the fall of 1999; and now everyone in the family takes classes (except my husband who would but can't).

I believe the reason that Mr. Shipley is so successful is because he is very passionate about teaching people about the sport and discipline of Tae Kwon Do. You can tell that he loves what he does. You can see it in the way he interacts with his students, especially with the children. In addition, the assistant instructors Mr. Shipley has are also very committed in providing a fun and positive experience.


Gene and Julie Montenez
I have recommended to people of all ages to join Tae Kwon Do with Mr. Shipley. Not only do the kids learn what respect, perseverance and self-control mean, but they also gain confidence and self-esteem. They learn to set and achieve goals. Adults get a great workout and learn how to be humble.

It has been such a positive experience at WTA. We have made many good friends. We feel like a family. We have experienced the joys and sorrows of life together. Mr. Shipley has watched our children grow and mature; and we have seen Mr. Shipley reach many milestones in his life, such as getting married and having children.

I have recommended Tae Kwon Do to several of my friends. There are no contracts so it is comforting to know that they could try Tae Kwon Do out (knowing that there is huge money and time commitment). And I am happy to say that my friends now have their children with Mr. Shipley at WTA and are very satisfied too.

At our old Karate school self defense and sparring were not taught. They only seemed to focus on attendance and contracts. Switching to the WTA was the right move.


Brian Gates
My name is Brian Gates. In November of 2002 I joined the World TaeKwonDo Academy . I had not exercised in years and had grown to 315 lbs. with a 44 inch waist. Originally I had sought out martial arts as a way to develop my sons coordination and not necessarily looking to make a change in my life. In an effort to help motivate and help my son I joined WTA with a 1 class a week commitment. In less than a months time I had started to see not only results in my son but also in myself. A loss of appetite for food and a gaining need to exercise. Once I made the commitment to obtain my blackbelt my life changed for good. As the months went by the classed increased to 3 to 4 times per week and my weight continued to drop even faster. I found a new sense of self-confidence and drive to better myself.

Now three years later and 115 lbs. lighter with a 34inch waist I find myself months away from obtaining my goal of earning a blackbelt. In addition I have become a better athlete and am able to participate in marathon running and triathlon, things of which I could have only dreamed of less than three years ago. The skills that I have learned and the attitudes taught at WTA helped change my life and that of my families to a more healthy happy future.


The Shilsons
We love the workouts and enjoy competeing in Olympic style sparring. Our 6 year old son loves to spar and thinks the instructors are great.


The Andersons
Before I brought my son, David, to " World TaeKwonDo Academy ," he never really seemed to be paying attention. I would say something to him, and he might nod his head, but I could tell that what I was saying wasn't registering. What had me really worried was that his first grade teacher said the same thing. When David took WTA's introductory program, his teacher, Master Lee taught him the "3 rules of concentration." That night, we went home and practiced all three! Now, when I see that David isn't paying attention, I just remind him of his very first TaeKwonDo lesson. He loves TaeKwonDo so much, he is eager to practice his new skills!"


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