Soaring Eagles MA
Taekwondo and MA-based fitness
About Us
Soaring Eagles MA is a conveniently-located, affordable, family-friendly Taekwondo club that supports the development of physical fitness, moral character, self-confidence, and self-discipline in students of all ages.
Krista McGrath
Manager and Head Instructor
Instructor profile: Let me tell you a little something about myself. I have been a Taekwondoist at Soaring Eagle Martial Arts for the past four years. I also coach runners and teach self-defense seminars. I fully believe that everyone has the power inside of them to achieve their fitness goals, whatever they may be.
Being diligent with my attendance and relentless with my training, I have reached the level of 1st Dan Black Belt in these first four years. It wasn't an easy ride, for sure, and I have many more miles left in my journey as an student of TKD and an instructor. I remember starting in the Dojang as a white belt and wondering if I could ever be able to do a head high kick, do a full push-up, or even strike with another person, or be struck and live to tell the tale. My first goal was to reach green belt and then re-evaluate my goals. After I earned my green belt, I was at that point completely addicted to martial arts. There was no quitting or turning back for me. Call it stubbornness, but I pushed on through the sweat, the bruises, and even a few injuries to get to where I am today.
I'm not young in age, but I'm young in spirit. I started my journey at the age of 41. I had the support of an amazing instructor, Andre Doiron 3rd Dan Black Belt, and the support of a family-based group of amazing classmates.
A good example of my determination or stubbornness is when I tested for my blue belt. I had previously, in a non-martial arts accident, broke my hand. I had a belt testing three days before a surgery to fix up the broken bits. I wanted my blue belt soooo bad, that I wasn't going to let an injured hand get in the way. For sparring, I wore a boxing-type glove. For board breaking, I used my left hand for a knife hand break and succeeded my first try! I'm not suggesting to anyone that they do the same thing. I can be stubborn, but the heart wants what the heart wants and I wanted that blue belt.
The story is really just to tell a person can achieve amazing things and overcome obstacles when they are truly invested in what they do, in sport and in LIFE. Yes, Taekwondo, has also changed my life,as it can change yours. At my day job, I am no longer hesitant to speak up when I have something to say and I do many other activities with my family and friends with confidence.
The tenets of Taekwondo (Courtesy, Integrity, Self Control, Perseverance, and Indomitable Spirit) are infused into everything we Soaring Eaglesdo, inside the dojang and out. As head instructor at Soaring Eagles, I want others to experience what our current students already know. You can achieve anything you want as long as you commit to it and it would be my absolute pleasure to guide you along that journey.