Kent Island Martial Arts Instructors

 

Master Tom Fox Exercise Physiologist; NFL Fitness Consultant; NHL and MLS Nutrition Consultant, Health Education Consultant, Author; Black Belt Stevensville, Maryland Tom Fox holds a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Maryland. He has served as assistant strength coach and martial arts consultant for the NFL's Washington Redskins, flexibility consultant for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and nutritional consultant for both the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the MLS’s D.C. United Soccer team. Mr. Fox is the author of a book titled "The Logical Approach to Diet and Weight Control" and "The System for Health and Weight Loss". Tom is the founder of the Kent Island Martial Arts Center, which provides a variety of mixed martial arts programs. A former professional kick boxer and master instructor, he has trained numerous Olympic and professional athletes, including members of the Washington Redskins Football team. Mr. Fox is a professor at Chesapeake College and president of Capital Sports Consultants, LLC, an organization, which provides a variety of health related education, coaching and training services. Martial Arts Career Tom Fox began studying Tang Soo Do (Korean Martial Arts) in 1972 at which time he began actively competing in amateur Martial Arts tournaments and semi-pro competitions. He received his black belt in 1977 and began competing in professional kickboxing competitions. In 1979, Tom was ranked in the top ten as a middleweight by the World Black Belt League. Following his competitive career, Tom continued to train in a variety of Martial Arts including Hapkido with Master Joe Sheya and Ju-Jitsu with Soke Sensei Doc Cohe. Mr. Fox currently owns and operates The Kent Island Martial Arts Center.

Master Doc Cohe Dr. Cohe began his martial arts studies in the early 1950's with Korean Tae Kwon Do. He drifted to Japanese Shotokan and found that the "hard style" systems did not fulfill his image of the magical aura of the oriental martial arts. Trials with "soft style" systems of Tai Chi Chuan did not seem physical enough at the time. Later study and practice of Tai Chi Chuan did fill in the many gaps of understanding. Both karate and tai chi are much in evidence in the foundation of Tsugiashi Do as it continues to evolve. Introduction to traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, bridged the gap between the soft and the hard styles. Dr. Cohe eventually achieved "Menkyo Kaidan Shihan" (master teacher) rank. Dr. Cohe increased his knowledge through the study of several Jiu-Jitsu and weapons systems. A major influence was the study of Hakkoryu Waza. A career highlight was a visit to Hakkoryu Hombu Dojo in Omiya Japan. Concepts inherent in these styles were included as part of the birthright systems of Tsugiashi Do.

Mr. Ryan Voss (Mixed Martial Arts Instructor/ Head Instructor) Mr. Ryan has been training in Martial Arts for fourteen years and holds the ranks of third degree. He has trained and competed in Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Karate. Mr. Ryan teaches Mixed Martial Arts classes at the center and helps out with Sparring classes on a weekly basis. With over ten years of teaching experience, he is a great asset to our program and is a favorite amongst the students.

Ms. Rosemary Lewis (Head Instructor) Rosemary Lewis started karate as a Lil' Dragon when she was four years old. Right before going into high school, Rose earned her Black Belt in the style of Sho Yu Sha Do. She continued to train in other styles such as Tsugiachi Do Ju-Jitsu taught by Doc Cohe. She is currently working towards her Blue Belt in that style. She has been instructing karate classes at KIMAC for seven years and plans to continue training and instructing until she leaves AACC and starts working towards her goal of being a Physical Therapist at the University of Maryland.

Ms. Candace Boettcher (Instructor) Candace Bottettcher joined KIMAC when she was eight years old. After seven years of training she achieved the rank of First Degree Black Belt in the Sho Yu Sha Do system. She has also trained in other Martial Arts including Brazilian Jiu Jit-su. Candace is a Black Gi instructor for the Youth Beginner and Lil' Dragons programs. Currently Candace is working on her Second Degree Black Belt.  Outside of Martial Arts, Candace attends High School where she is a member of the Student Government, Varsity Soccer and the National Honors Society.

Mr. Joe Grzymkowski (Instructor) Joe has been studying and training in the Sho Yu Sha Do style of Martial Arts at the Kent Island   Martial Arts Center for more than five years. Joe is a first degree Black Belt and has been leading Youth/Beginner Program classes for two years.

Mr. Will Brinton (Assistant Instructor) Will Brinton is a Red Belt Assistant Instructor with Kent Island Martial Arts. Under Master Tom Fox, he began training in the Sho Yu Sha Do martial arts system in 2005 and is working towards his first degree Black Belt. Will instructs the Youth/Adult Beginner program and is a member of the Black Belt Club. He also is an AAAI/ISMA Certified Personal Trainer and Cage Fitness ® Instructor.

Mr. Brad Hartlove (Assistant Instructor) Brad is an Assistant Instructor in the Youth/Beginner programs at Kent Island Martial Arts Center. His training began with the studio in 2007 after seeing the success his son had after only a few years with KIMAC. Since then, both he and his son have achieved the rank of Brown-stripe Belt and both are pursuing their Black Belt. His daughter also attends KIMAC in the Little Dragons class.

Ms. Ashley Cook (Assistant Instructor)    Ashley is an Assistant Instructor in the Youth and Adult Beginner programs at Kent Island Martial    Arts Center. She is currently training at the blue belt level and is working towards her Black Belt.

Mrs. Bonnie Fox (Instructor)   Bonnie Fox is a Certified Fitness Instructor with over 20 years teaching experience. In addition to teaching a variety of group fitness classes, Ms. Fox has been actively teaching fitness kickboxing for over a decade and has recently been certified to teach “Cage Fitness ®” a 30 minute intense workout based on mixed martial arts training. Bonnie is also a Certified Personal Trainer whose knowledge of nutrition and exercise physiology has allowed her to help hundreds of individuals from collegiate athletes to health challenged senior citizens.