Today we’d like to introduce you to Nic Ilias.
Hi Nic, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am writing to share my personal story and reflection on my journey with Soo Bahk Do, and to express my deep gratitude for the profound impact this art has had on my life.
In 2006, following the tragic loss of my brother and sister, my life came to a complete standstill. Struggling with severe grief and depression, I spent months completely disengaged from the world. When I eventually took a warehouse job to rebuild my life, a co-worker introduced me to Soo Bahk Do. Though I was hesitant at first, he convinced me to visit the studio, where Sa Bom Nim (Master Instructor) H.Y. Kwon welcomed me warmly, handed me a uniform, and invited me to train.
That single 60-minute class was transformative. For the first time in months, I felt a sense of relief and renewed purpose. I officially enrolled that day, beginning a journey that truly saved my life. Over the past 19 and a half years, this art has given me the strength to navigate personal hardship, achieve emotional balance, and build a fulfilling life.
Today, I am honored to own two studios, Summit Martial Arts in Blakely and Hallstead, where I teach this art full-time. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan has not only provided me with vital life lessons, but it has also given me a community of lifelong brothers and sisters. When asked about this practice, I describe it as a spark that ignites inner strength, helping us overcome challenges that seem physically, mentally, and emotionally impossible.
I am immensely grateful to the entire Soo Bahk Do community for their guidance, support, and dedication over the years. My hope is that I’m able to help someone like me and ensure that the art is passed down for others to enjoy as I have.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has certainly been a challenging journey to get to where I am today.
I served for six years in the Merchant Marines, spending nine months of each year at sea. Maintaining my martial arts training required immense self-discipline, especially while working exhausting six-hour rotations. Over time, I realized that life was about more than just a paycheck, so I decided not to renew my contract and left to pursue my true passion.
Using my retirement and personal savings, I opened my first martial arts school. To support this venture, I also worked as a personal trainer and general manager of a training studio. After two years of building the business, COVID-19 hit, and I lost nearly everything in a matter of months.
However, I reopened my studio in June 2020. As one of the few places open at the time, I was fortunate to build a strong student base that ultimately laid the foundation for where I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Teaching children is a true privilege. An instructor often serves as a mentor, coach, drill sergeant, and friend. Unlike many martial arts studios that operate as belt factories where advancement is simply bought, my studio is a meritocracy built on personal achievement. We set clear standards, and advancement is earned. I always ask new students: “Do you want to look like a martial artist, or do you want to become one?”
Over the past eight years, I have seen our students accomplish great things both inside and outside the studio. Shaping the future one student at a time is something I never take for granted. Regardless of how long a student trains with us, they leave with life lessons to help them navigate the world. Those who commit long-term gain the confidence to hold their heads high, having proven to themselves what they are truly capable of achieving.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
No luck—just relentless determination and the good grace of God has gotten me to where I am today. As the saying goes, luck is simply when preparation meets opportunity.
Pricing:
- Start for as little as $110 a month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Summitmartialart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summit_martial_arts?stkn=dGpvZ3R6NWF2bHp2&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C5VfUg9D8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@summit.martial.ar8?_r=1&_t=ZP-99adxggvhhm
