Master Santiago, 4th Degree Black Belt certified by the Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)Headquarters. She brings 21 years experience in ARMY self defense training; 14 years in Taekwondo; mixed Martial Arts: Karate, Hapkido, WingTsun Kung Fu, and Non Deadly Force Training (CDT).
Master Santiago says: I have honorablyretired as a SFC/E7 from The United States Army (21 years). I hold a degree in Casework Counseling and Computer Information System. My experience as an ARMY soldier was very instructional, and I am very thankful for that. In the US Army, I received different types of special training opportunities; but the one that I admired the most was my martial arts training. I took discipline to a higher level of expectancy which increased my self-confidence, respect for myself and others, determination to do what is necessary to achieve greater goals and grow as a leader, and because the rewards through rank structure as you advance in your skill level.
·I am very thankful to the following teachers for their hard work and training during my Black Belt journey: Master Richards, Master Hardee, Master Sung Mi Lee, Master Sung Soo Kim, Master Sung Lim, Master S. Lee, Master T. Le, and Sifu David Fiedler. You will always be a part of my Black Belt journey. During competition, I have taken numerous medals in sparring at state and international tournaments. One of the most exciting and powerful experience in my life was to participate in a Korean tournament. There I was in the land of the Korean Masters. What an awesome feeling was to take the Silver Medal at the 2nd International Women’s Tae Kwon Do Open Championship Gyeongju Korea in 2003.
Personal Motto: Live in peace with one another. Each of us are still learning and growing and it's not too late to apply our capacities for hope, belief, and faith in learning anything that you set your mind to. Believe in yourself and the wonderful journey of making a difference in someone else's life is yours; then, pass your gift on to someone else. LIVE ON! Always think on a higher dimension and give God the praise knowing that trials test your faith, your foundation, and what you are truly made of. Forgive yourself and others, and let God turn situations around. Once your life mission has been accomplished you should experience a certain peace that is out of this world.
