MASTER MONTY HENDRIX
8TH DEGREE BLACK BELT
EMA FOUNDER
Master Hendrix is the Founder and Owner of Essential Martial Arts. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in both Broadcast Journalism and Interpersonal Communications. In his teens and twenties he was a successful tournament competitor on the regional, state, national and world levels. He founded Essential Martial Arts at age 22 in 1996 (known then simply as Hendrix Tae Kwon Do). Over the years he has taught thousands upon thousands of martial art classes.
Master Hendrix is a published author and his column “The Essentials” was featured in several issues of the international martial arts magazine “TaeKwonDo Times” (sold at Barnes and Noble). He has also been featured on the cover of TaeKwonDo Times as well.
Currently, Master Hendrix holds the rank of 8th Dan Black Belt through the Unified International Taekwon-Do Federation with black belt number A-8-5. (A=American, 8=8th Degree, 5=5th promoted to this rank). Additionally, Master Hendrix is an Internationally certified Instructor with the Unified ITF – Certificate # A-18, class A. The Unified ITF is a very special Taekwon-Do association as it is founded by Grandmaster K.S. Hwang who was one of only five men ever promoted to Grand Master by the late General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-Do. GM Hwang’s black belt number from General Choi is (K-9-1).
Master Hendrix also holds the rank of 5th Degree Master in HapKiDo and is the World HapKiDo Association’s Eastern United States Director. Master Hendrix was originally a HapKiDo student of the late Grandmaster Bong Soo Han. Master Hendrix earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt from GM Han and had permission to test for 3rd Degree before Grand Master Han’s passing. Master Han’s three original senior students tested and promoted Master Hendrix to HapKiDo 3rd Degree black belt.
In his free time, Master Hendrix is a competitive endurance runner. He competed in the 2013 Chicago Marathon where he was the #1 fund raiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. He also enjoys riding motorcycles.
OTHER NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Master Hendrix is a published author and his column “The Essentials” was featured in several issues of the international martial arts magazine “TaeKwonDo Times” (sold at Barnes and Noble). He has also been featured on the cover of TaeKwonDo Times as well.
Currently, Master Hendrix holds the rank of 8th Dan Black Belt through the Unified International Taekwon-Do Federation with black belt number A-8-5. (A=American, 8=8th Degree, 5=5th promoted to this rank). Additionally, Master Hendrix is an Internationally certified Instructor with the Unified ITF – Certificate # A-18, class A. The Unified ITF is a very special Taekwon-Do association as it is founded by Grandmaster K.S. Hwang who was one of only five men ever promoted to Grand Master by the late General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-Do. GM Hwang’s black belt number from General Choi is (K-9-1).
Master Hendrix also holds the rank of 5th Degree Master in HapKiDo and is the World HapKiDo Association’s Eastern United States Director. Master Hendrix was originally a HapKiDo student of the late Grandmaster Bong Soo Han. Master Hendrix earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt from GM Han and had permission to test for 3rd Degree before Grand Master Han’s passing. Master Han’s three original senior students tested and promoted Master Hendrix to HapKiDo 3rd Degree black belt.
In his free time, Master Hendrix is a competitive endurance runner. He competed in the 2013 Chicago Marathon where he was the #1 fund raiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. He also enjoys riding motorcycles.
OTHER NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- One of only four individuals in the world ever promoted to Symposium Master Trainer in the Easy Tai Chi system. This is the highest rank available in the Easy Tai Chi System and awarded at the discretion of Easy Tai Chi Founder Dr. Keith Jeffery. . The Easy Tai Chi system is a beautiful and simple blend of traditional Yang and Chen family styles of Tai Chi along with QiGong energy drills and elements of Pakua and meditation! Master Hendrix is also certified in Dr. Jeffery’s 4 Minute Fitness system.
- Full Instructor in Contemporary Jeet Kune Do Filipino Martial Arts & awarded through Sigung Paul Vunak & Progressing Fighting Systems & the Descendants of the Masters Program. Eventually becoming Paul Vunak’s Vice President. Contemporary Jeet Kune Do is a blend of: Jeet Kune Do Fundamentals with Filipino stick and knife fighting along with Mixed Martial Arts & grappling.
- Level 5 Apprentice instructor in HARDCORE Jeet Kune Do through Sifu Lamar Davis & the HARDCORE Jeet Kune Do Asscociation.
- Full Instructor in Filipino Martial Arts & Black Belt awarded through the Philippine Martial Arts Association.
- 5th Degree Black Belt in KamiBushiShinDo Karate & 4th Degree Black Belt in weaponry through the U.S. KamiBushiShinKai Organization.
- Level 3 Certified Catch Wrestler under legendary Catch Wrestler and Coach Billy Robinson.
- Level 2 (of 2) Judo certification under Judo World Champion and Olympian Mike Swain.
- Additionally, Master Hendrix spent several years actively training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
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