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September, 2001 WTSDA Master of the Month
Master Matt Ochs, Sah Dan
Grand Tradition Martial Arts, Swartz Creek, MI
(This information was borrowed from The World Tang Soo Do Association home page)

Master Darrell Matthew Ochs has been a master since 1996. His friends call him Matt because his father's name is Darrel, spelled differently but the same name. Born in Flint, MI, he is of German and American Indian descent.

"I started Tang Soo Do back in 1982 out of a small dance studio 2 nights per week with about 5 other students in Clio, Michigan. From there we bounced around to gyms, libraries, back yards, garages, and finally ended up in a YMCA where I took over the program. At that time I had to drive about 1 hour 15 minutes to get instruction at least once per week from my Master at his club in Livonia, Michigan."

My first instructor was Master Michael Romines, 6th Dan. Master Romines was the World Technical Advisory Chairman and Region #5 Director back in the late 1980's.

"I hold a first Dan in ITF, WTF, Tae Kwon Do. I also have studied Judo, Sho Bu Do Ju Jit Su, and Braziallian Ju Jit Su for a couple years at a time, but have never tested for rank."

To Master Ochs, teaching others is one of his favorite parts of Tang Soo Do. He has promoted over 30 Dans and is glad for the opportunity to have a positive impact through martial arts teachings on so many students' lives. "We must do something right with over 350 students in 5 schools." Master Ochs studio was able to put together the first American Team to travel to Europe and support the European World Championships in 1999. They went back again in 2001. "The friends we made with the European Masters/students and experiences the student took away are priceless."

"My Master's Thesis was on KI. I chose the topic because I have always been able to control my mind and body to a great degree and accomplish things that others would never believe possible. I was interested in the limitations, or lack thereof, of the human body and mind. I found that there have been many studies on these exact types of things, mainly in the Asian cultures. These countries have not only studied these philosophies, but practiced Ki, internal power, in many aspect of their lives and used it in their daily lives to heal the ill, move objects, and affect outcomes in their favor. As I said, there has been many studies on KI, but not really any documented cases where anything has been scientifically proven. I think that the mind is a powerful thing and if you believe in it, it's possible."

Every year Master Ochs' chain of clubs raises funds to offset the cost of student's trips to their regional tournament and clinic. Through their efforts they have been able to take nearly 100 students to functions that most wouldn't be able to attend due to finances. They raise over $4,000 per year to off-set student travel costs through kick-a thons, candy bar sales, cookie sales, and many more fund raisers.

Master Ochs also has a Bachelor of Science from Saginaw Valley State University in Political Science/Pre-Law, with an English minor. He played college football for a year and a half before deciding to go into the professional world and actually make some money. In the professional world, he has done things ranging from marketing of computer hardware and software for companies such as IBM, US Robotics, Cisco, all while teaching TSD full time. In the past 2 years, he has gone into the Real Estate Industry and most recently bought a franchise of Keller Williams Realty, which he is in the process of opening. They currently have 15 agents and a target grand opening date at the end of September.

"My favorite part of Tang Soo Do is teaching and helping people to better their lives. A close second is the sense of family and camaraderie. I have made most of my life long friends through TSD. Most of my circle of friends are related to martial arts in general. I continue in the WTSDA and serve as much as possible to help pave the road for the future generations of the art. In essence, we are all striving for the same common goals of unity in technique and thought. I think in some small way I can help contribute to making these traditions, whatever we decide that to be, easier for people to follow in the future through training and documentation. By contributing, I feel good about myself and where we as a group are going."

"One of my favorite little tricks for teaching children their Korean Terminology is to have them repeat every command immediately after I say it in Korean and in English. Most of my 3 to 5 year olds know the terms better than the adults and it really fires up the class."

Master Ochs' words of wisdom: "Don't re-invent the wheel, but don't always travel the path most worn either. There is room in this world for leaders and followers both. You will never satisfy everyone, so don't try. Only worry about the things you can change. Keep a good attitude!"

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