Lee's Black Belt Academy Reviews

Our family joined LBBA in February of 2014. The amount of growth that our two kids have shown over these last 5 years is truly amazing. Both have gained confidence and a sense of responsibility, as well as leadership skills they use both at the Dojang and in the community.

As their father, I too have enjoyed learning Taekwondo from Master Lee. I enjoy being able to share this interest with my kids and spending time with them participating in a sport we all enjoy. Taekwondo offers a good and challenging workout for me. I enjoy the sparring that Master Lee offers and have seen an increase in my overall health since we joined Lee's BBA.

Our Dojang has a great community feel to it and we have made friends with many of the other families. We all hang out together at tournaments and at belt-advancements and it has been fun watching the development of all the other kids and adults that are part of our Dojang.

As I think back over the past 3 years I can't help but shake my head and wonder at how we ended up at Master Lee's Black Belt Academy. We weren't looking for it. We weren't even looking for taekwondo, we actually knew next to nothing about it. It all started around Christmas time when we noticed that our two oldest boys were getting a little bored with gymnastics. We could tell it wasn't their fit. It just didn't inspire them. We decided to give karate a try when I saw a Groupon for two months at a low price. The two oldest boys started classes after the holidays and were enjoying it, but as the trial period was coming to a close, I was beginning to have my doubts about signing the contract.

I happened to bring one of my sons to his friend's birthday party and met a family that goes to LBBA. They couldn't stop raving about LBBA in Rogers, so we decided to check it out. I called Master Lee to see about an intro class and liked what I heard on the phone. We went directly from a class at the karate studio to our class at LBBA. Within minutes Tom and I looked at each other and had the same thought, "Wow, this is really different." The skill and dedication of the young students was notable by comparison. The attention to detail, focus on the students and energy from the instructor was even more notable. We decided that night to make the switch, and could not be happier. Initially, the boys were less enthused about the change. They were going from a shorter class where they mainly played games to a longer, more challenging class with much higher expectations. Kylan came to enjoy it pretty quickly, but it took Rowan, who was only five at the time, a little longer. Rowan was more than a little confused by Master Lee's unique (but totally awesome) sense of humor...he frequently just looked at him as if he had two heads. Master Lee really stuck with Rowan and found a way to make a connection with him. It was only a few months later that Rowan told us that he didn't just like taekwondo better than karate, he LOVED taekwondo!! Somehow Master Lee has the ability to make our kids work harder than they have in their entire lives and they enjoy it!

We have seen our whole family flourish in ways that carry over into every aspect of their lives. They are far more dedicated, resilient, confident and focused then they were a 3 years ago and much of that comes from the unique coaching style of Master Lee. Watching class from the cheap seats, it is very evident that there is an expectation of effort and dedication to the sport, but more than that, a passion to build within each student the character to become the absolute best version of themselves they can imagine. It is a concept that we have seen modeled throughout the organization and with all the families involved, as well.

After multiple attempts to find a place that fit our family…I feel so fortunate that we took that ‘one more chance’ and found, Master Lee's Black Belt Academy. My son had taken a class offered through community education (offered through a karate dojo) when he was 4, and really got interested. As did my 8 year old daughter. When we realized the contract and commitment that we were faced with after the initial “free month”, we were all disappointed.

My kids were really upset and we searched out all other avenues to find a place that fit our family. Flexible, affordable and nearby. As a last chance we tried LBBA in Rogers. The minute we walked in, Master Lee was very welcoming and even recognized my daughter from a demonstration that he had done at her school. It was an instant connection, as skeptical as I was.

My son started in the Little Dragons Program and it was amazing to see the transformation of a shy 4 year old boy into a, now 11 year old outgoing kid who can speak up in a group and answer questions when asked by a teacher or Master. Lee. His self-confidence continues to grow, as well as his focus and respect. He has met some great friends and is learning many life lessons with each class. He is now a probationary black belt and is very proud of his hard work and commitment.

My daughter decided to give up dancing and Girl Scouts for Taekwondo. After the initial shock of that, and the instant connection that she had with Master Lee when we first stepped into his dojang, we decided it was worth a try. 5 years later, she is now a 1st degree black belt and has happily committed blood, sweat and tears to this sport. She has had the opportunity to join the Black Belt Club, which has allowed her to join the Competition Team as well as be a Junior Leader and assist in teaching class to younger students. Her confidence has gone through the roof. She has learned many life lessons and understands the importance of believing in yourself. She has met many true friends, and has found out that hard work really does pay off.

I appreciate the time and dedication that Master Lee pours into his students daily. He is an amazing mentor teaching not only Taekwondo, but life skills that are required in order to succeed. He holds his students to a very high standard teaching them accountability. I also appreciate that he is willing to go above and beyond his commitment outside of class time. He has visited my kids’ schools on multiple occasions for talent shows as well as demonstrations. He also gets involved in community events, (the kids love being a part of the Rogers Day Parade), as well as some of the other local festivals. I look forward to the opportunities that are yet to come and the growth my kids will continue to make

I asked my teenagers what they've learned over the past 6 years we've been involved with Master Lee and Lee's BBA. They agreed their kicking and punching has gotten better, but more importantly, they've learned:

- respect is key to working with other people

- hard work pays off

- self control is important in any situation

- if you give 110% and you lose, that's ok you did your best.

What they don't see is the imprints these lessons have made on their character. The kids found a safe, fun environment to expend some of their pent-up energy. They've learned practical leadership skills which they apply in all areas of their life. As they've helped teach, they've learned to be better students - not only in the dojang but also at home and in school.

There are really three main areas I (Mr. Reshetar) invest in: my church, Boy Scouts and helping instruct with Master Lee. LBBA is important to me because we make a difference in kids lives by providing them a challenging and safe environment to build confidence and develop their leadership skills. I am excited to be involved in this program.

We transferred to the LBBA from another school and from another state 5 years ago. The transition was emotionally stressful and challenging for our kids. Being the new kids at school and having all other parts of their lives in some sort of transition – Taekwondo offered a comfortable consistency. Master Lee and the students/parents at the LBBA accepted our family into theirs immediately and that was felt by our two kids Metabelle and Parker.

They thrived in the relaxed atmosphere while being held to high standards of the basic & necessary kicks, blocks & forms. Parker has flourished at the dojang. She continues to confront her fear of performing and participates on the demo team. In addition, she takes great pride in her forms and her inquisitive nature is only spurred on by Master Lee’s fondness for foreign languages and 80’s pop culture.

From the start, Metabelle began to show an interest and talent for helping newer and younger students in class. Metabelle finds great joy in all aspects of Taekwondo whether helping in class, participating in a demo out in the community or working toward her next Black Belt degree. Master Lee has encouraged Metabelle to try all interests & she has excelled.

Through transition and now some stability, we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the families at LBBA. The openness and accepting environment has allowed our children to work toward some pretty important goals. We now look forward to the girls’ continued development and our son has begin taking classes as well!

George started as a Little Dragon in 2013 when he was 5 and 1/2 years old. He connected with Master Lee from the beginning. It's been a wonderful journey, seeing him grow and develop as a child, as well as an athlete. The combination of discipline, respect, martial arts, and fitness empowered George to become a confident, strong boy. The after-school program has been a wonderful addition to the LBBA that George enjoys.

5 years ago a 6 year old told his mom he wanted to try taekwondo. He walked into the Dojang that first day and he worked hard and he loved it. He was awkward and a bit clumsy but he listened, he took in what he heard, practiced and worked hard with a great attitude. It took that little six year old twice as long to get his yellow belt as it does most kids his age, but he did not care, he had grown to love this sport.

That little 6 year old is my son Drew and he is now 11 and is a 1st degree at Master Lee's Black Belt Academy. Taekwondo has taught him perseverance from day one. Master Lee can always be heard saying, 'never give up.' It has taught Drew that if you want something, you might have to work hard to get it. There would be many nights that he would come home and practice what he had just been doing at the dojang so that it would stick in his head and then he would get up in the morning and do it again. It has taught him how to set goals and how to be reflective. Each time he gets ready to graduate to the next belt he needs to set three new goals and tell one thing that he has improved on. It is awesome to see this skill being taught at such a young age and it is even more amazing to watch him write them and meet them. Taekwondo has taught him to ask questions when he doesn't understand and to make sure that he is really listening.

Master Lee has always been and continues to be an amazing coach and mentor who really lives the words he speaks. He has always seen Drew as a hard worker and a thinker and has really nurtured and encouraged that. Master Lee also seems to know just how hard to push to make Drew do his best. Master Lee sets high expectations and has always helped Drew to reach them, even if it meant telling Drew that he needed to practice a bit more on a certain skill. Drew went from barely being able to round kick, to now being an example during class. The dojang has become a second home to Drew, my intellectual athlete.