Jo Kyo Nim Nico Breed

Jo Kyo Nim Nico was born in South Africa and attained his Master of Laws degree at the University of South Africa, after being awarded the LL B and B Juris degrees at the University of Potchefstroom, South Africa. He moved to Canada in 1995, spending time in Manitoba prior to settling in Calgary in 1999. He became a Canadian Citizen in 2000.

He has been admitted as a lawyer in South Africa and to the Bar in Manitoba and Alberta, and he is currently head of the Immigration Law Group at MacDermid Lamarsh.  He is a member of the Immigration Section of the Alberta Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Lawyers Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

JKN Nico reached his goal in January 2007 by passing the first degree black belt grading.  The diversity and vastness of the black belt curriculum caused him to continue and re–adjust his goal.  He says, “Training in this martial art has physical, mental and physiological advantages and it has improved my quality of life.”

Jo Kyo Nim Dan Varvos

Born in Montreal, Jo Kyo Nim Dan has an MBA from the University of Calgary among other degrees. JKN Dan has his own practice wherein he assists businesses manage their Research and Development financing requirements.

JKN Dan feels that Kuk Sool Won has restored his youth by helping him to recover from several prior injuries and regain full use of his legs. Best of all, Dan loves the irony that Kuk Sool Won brings into each life.

Level 1 Irony

“We never want to use our martial arts training, yet we practice continuously to improve our skills."

Level 2 Irony

“We teach competence in violent action in a family-like caring environment with much laughter.”

To JKN Dan’s knowledge, there is no other form of exercise that keeps you as fit and flexible while challenging your mind to learn a curriculum. Compared to Kuk Sool, gym work is simply a one dimensional activity.

Jo Kyo Nim Rachel Williams

Originally from the UK, Jo Kyo Nim Rachel has lived in Calgary since 1997.

Her educational background is in comparative religion, specializing in Zoroastrianism.

She has travelled extensively, including India, South America, Europe and Africa.

Since November, 2007, she teaches English as a Second Language (TESL).

She has two fantastic children, Sebastian and Sofia, and is married to KJN David.

JKN Rachel is proud to be a part of the Kuk Sool Won family, and is delighted with the physical, mental and personal benefits gained by training in this martial art.  She would like to encourage other females to challenge themselves and try out Kuk Sool Won - a way to gain a valuable skill while improving mental and physical fitness in a safe and welcoming environment.

Jo Kyo Nim Larry Doyle

Jo Kyo Nim Larry Doyle was born in Montreal more years ago than he cares to remember!  JKN Larry is a chartered accountant in public practice and provides accounting, auditing and taxation services to small business and to the not-for-profit sector.

JKN Larry feels that KSW is one of the most beneficial things he has ever done from a physical point of view.  KSW participation can be tailored to the level of one’s physical abilities and for this reason is an excellent means of long term exercise for older people.  Additionally, the KSW environment is social and congenial which makes such long term participation easier and more enjoyable.

JKN Larry thinks he is not particularly skillful at KSW (or indeed at anything involving athletics); nevertheless, he plans to keep at it for as long as he is physically able to.

Jo Kyo Nim Duncan MacMinn

Jo Kyo Nim Duncan considers Kuk Sool Won to be one of the most influential factors in his life. He looks forward to what he hopes will be a long life filled with constant practice and advancement through Kuk Sool Won. He would also like to specifically encourage his peers (in terms of age) to maintain an open mind not only about Kuk Sool Won, but all martial arts.

Jo Kyo Nim Jessica Allan

Jo Kyo Nim Jess Allan joined Kuk Sool Won of Calgary West with her father on September 22nd, 2004, at the age of twelve. Since then, Jess has found Kuk Sool Won to be one of the primary elements of her life goals and attitude. As a lady in Kuk Sool Won, Jess feels that the art truly caters to both genders, and it has given her the confidence and knowledge she needs to feel safe, while still enjoying the art itself for its physical, psychological and social attributes.

If all goes well, JKN Jess hopes to open her own Kuk Sool Won studio in the future.

JKN Jess has moved to Vancouver Island, and is now a member of Kuk Sool Won of Victoria.

Kyo Sa Nim Morgan Freeman

Kyo Sa Nim Morgan Freeman has studied and practised martial arts since 1987. During this time, he has studied many and varied styles, finally choosing Kuk Sool Won in 1997, when he met and had the privilege of studying under Kwan Jang Nim (Master) Philip D Holmes in the UK. Since that time, he has had the honour of studying with the founder of Kuk Sool Won, Grandmaster Suh, In-hyuk, as well as Kwan Jang Nim Suh, Sung-jin and Kwan Jang Nim Alex Suh.

KSN Morgan moved to Calgary in November, 2007, to study under Kwan Jang Nim David Williams, and he hopes to help further promote this amazing martial art in Alberta.

Kyo Sa Nim Emma Freeman

Kyo Sa Nim Emma has studied Kuk Sool Won since 1999 under Kwan Jang Nim (Master) Philip D Holmes in the UK. She started Kuk Sool two years after watching KSN Morgan practising. She had no prior martial arts experience, but this has not stopped her from progressing within Kuk Sool.

KSN Emma moved to Calgary in August, 2007, and is currently taking Business Studies at Mount Royal College, whilst continuing her martial arts education under Kwan Jang Nim David Williams.

Jo Kyo Nim Tim Allan

Jo Kyo Nim Lou Furano

Jo Kyo Nim Vince is a native of Saskatchewan, but he moved to Calgary in 1992.

He started Kuk Sool Won in January, 2007, and, since then, this martial art has played a large part in his life. If all goes well, he hopes to start his own dojang "some day".

On the application form to join this school, students are asked to give their occupation. JKN Vince's occupation is "Dad", since he is the proud father of two great kids, Shelby and Molly.

Kim began training under KJN Michael Nebgen in Houston, Texas, in 1997. After reaching the level of brown belt, she, with her husband and family, moved to Michigan and could no longer train in Kuk Sool.

In 2007, upon returning to her native Alberta, Kim began training with JIKN David Williams and earned her black belt on Nov 28, 2009.

Kim is a photographer and owns and operates a photography studio with her husband in northern Alberta (www.dragonhare.com).

She is mother to four young children and continued testing for black belt throughout her last pregnancy. Kim loves Kuk Sool because it physically works the whole body and mind, regardless of your age, gender, shape or physical limitations.

Like Kim, Brian began training in Kuk Sool in Houston, Texas, in 1997. Brian and Kim wanted an activity they could do together as a couple and, working together, they achieved the level of black belt.

Brian is fascinated with martial arts history and the weapons associated with it.  He greatly enjoys the weapons training in Kuk Sool and the challenges it presents him.

Brian owns and operates a photography studio with his wife, Kim.  He is father to four young children, three of whom have begun training in Kuk Sool.

KSN Erin was born in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. She began her training at the age of 11 at Family Martial Arts in Sault Ste. Marie under SBN Monty Pinder. Erin went to the University of Western Ontario where she attained a combined honors degree in Media Studies and Visual Arts. She continued her education at Carleton University where she attained her Certificate in French Language Studies. Erin was also the recipient of the Cours de Vacances scholarship program and studied French at the Free University of Brussels in Belgium.

Erin moved out to Calgary in November 2009 to take up a position at the National Energy Board.