about Taekwondo, I decided to fulfill a childhood dream of learning a martial art.
After years of on-again, off-again yoga, random visits to the gym, and no consistent exercise regime, I walked into Grandmaster’s elegant studio in TriBeCa and found there a lifelong friend, mentor, teacher, and great source of happiness.
In my media career I had the chance to work with various life improvement experts, including some in the fitness arena. And while many were talented, few exuded the kind of warmth, authenticity, and practical wisdom of Grandmaster Kang.
In my time studying with Grandmaster, from White Belt all the way to 2nd Dan Black Belt, I found solace, a special place where worries melted away as we studied ancient forms, sparred against each other, and attempted harder and harder techniques, constantly stretching our minds and bodies to greater heights.
In studying with Grandmaster Kang, I soon realized that his style of teaching, motivation, authenticity, and vision was unique and that it needed to be shared on a wider scale. It was then that the idea of this book was born.
In these pages you will find the essence of Grandmaster’s teachings, philosophy, and workout programs, all of which are transformative, not only from a physical standpoint, but more importantly from a mental standpoint.
Through practice of these routines you will find your physique improved, your concentration better, you will focus more clearly on the important things in your life, and you will find the strength to overcome any challenge.
This is what I gained from studying with Grandmaster Kang and through this book, you can too!
Andrew J. Federici
T. Kang Taekwondo student, 2nd Dan Black Belt
CHAPTER 1
Finding the Will—The Story of Grandmaster Tae Sun Kang
I know what it’s like to be out of shape, to be unhappy because of the way you look or feel. If you’re reading this book and you feel the same way, you’re not alone. Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of people get into the best shape of their lives mentally and physically—and I can do the same for you. Let me teach you a method and mindset that can turn exercise into an enjoyable part of your life instead of a chore.
In the end, it’s not an exercise regimen or diet that will change you, it’s your attitude that will change you. Give me a chance to be your personal coach to guide you through this journey to change your attitude and become a healthier, more confident, and happier person.
If it wasn’t for Taekwondo, I wouldn’t be writing this book. Like many of you, I’ve had my share of ups and downs, sleepless nights caused by stress, doubt, and fear of failure. I can honestly say Taekwondo has saved my mental, physical, and spiritual health.
I’ve been in the fitness industry since I was a teenager and have been a practitioner of the martial arts for over 40 years. I learned from watching my father, Grandmaster Suh Chong Kang. During summers when most of my friends were away at camp or out all day playing sports or hanging out, I was stuck at the Do Jang (Taekwondo school) in Brooklyn, NY. My father held a very high position in the Taekwondo community, and because of this, he was frequently out of town at seminars, tournaments, and belt tests. It was up to me and my two older brothers to run his studio. I was only 13 when he put me to work. At 16, my older brothers went off to college and I had to run it by myself. After school, I’d rush to the studio, teach classes, and do my homework when I had any free time. After closing up, I’d get home at 11 pm, have dinner, and finish the rest of my homework. Despite this, I still had good grades. When the teenagers I teach today complain about all the school work they have, I have to laugh. I wish when I was their age all I had to worry about was homework.
Having reached my full height at 13 years old, I told students I was really 18. Back then, the martial arts was all about who was the toughest and the best fighter. People came in to learn how to fight, not stay in shape. The only way these people would take me seriously as an instructor was if they thought I was older than I really was. It’s one thing to tell people you’re 18 when you’re only 13, but it’s another thing altogether to act like you are. Before taking over the responsibility of running my father’s school, I was a typical teenager. Every other word that came out of my mouth was a four-letter word. But when I had people looking up to me as a role model and really respecting me—even people who were old enough to be my parents—I realized that I had to behave a certain way. Even the top instructors under me never knew I was only a few years older than them.
I have to admit; I was not happy at this point in my life. Miserable would be the right word. Believe it or not, I actually hated teaching Taekwondo then. I hated that I had no choice about whether or not I wanted to run my father’s school. At 18, when I decided to go to college and pursue my own goals, I looked at every option other than Taekwondo. I never wanted to teach it again or run a school. The main reason for that was my father.
When Michael Jackson died, I realized I had a lot in common with him. I learned he hated his father because his father took away his childhood and forced him to work. Not only that, he was physically and emotionally abusive. The only difference between his father and mine is that my father didn’t physically abuse any of us. And thank goodness! The man was capable of killing someone with a single punch or kick. In Korea, he was the head instructor of the Korean Military Intelligence Agency and the commanding instructor for the entire Korean army. Part of his job was interrogating North Korean prisoners of war. He used to routinely terrify grown men! Having worked for the Korean Military Intelligence Agency, he knew how to scare people and get in their heads.
People that know him have nothing but praise for him. To them, not only was he a great Taekwondo instructor, but also a great person. He would go out of his way to help people. What these people didn’t see is the side of him when he drank. My father was an alcoholic. He drank every night and every time he got drunk, he turned into a completely different person. I saw, from a very young age, the destructive power of alcohol. Every night, from dinner until 4 am in the morning, my parents would fight. That sounds like an exaggeration but it was the truth. I can’t remember even one single time they didn’t fight all night. I remember telling my mom to divorce my father. I told her this man was no good for her. Can you imagine that, a son telling his mom to get a divorce?
When he got drunk every night, I could see the fury in his eyes. The smallest things set him off. If the dinner wasn’t to his liking, he’d go into a rage. Like I said, he never physically abused us, but the fear of being physically abused was always present. And let me tell you, when he stared at you with his angry eyes, I don’t care how tough you are, it was scary! I’d stay up all night to make sure he didn’t hurt anyone. He’d go to sleep around 4 am and only when I knew he was asleep did I feel safe enough to go to sleep.
Later on, I started dating the woman who would become my wife. She was the only person I could talk to about my father, but she was a student at the school and only saw the sober, instructor side of my father. She came over one night and witnessed firsthand what I had to deal with every night. I was sitting on the couch with her when my father went into another rage—he was seething with anger. I whispered to Cristina to not make a noise and just sit there as quietly as she could. She looked terrified. I could see she was doing everything she could to not upset him, she didn’t even want to make eye contact with him. As soon as my father fell asleep, she ran out the door and told me she never wanted to come back.
My parents later separated and my mother and second oldest brother moved out West to Seattle. My oldest brother was away at college. I was the only one patient enough to stay with my father.
