This page is dedicated to our Co-Founder Grand Master MeLisa Turcott Strongheart who passed away from cancer in the Spring of 2021. Mercer Island Martal Arts wouldn't be the school it is today without Grand Master Strongheart. We honor her by conintuing to teach, grow, learn, and provide the unique community that is Mercer Island Martial Arts. Thank you Grand Master Strongheart for all you have done for us and your students.
- Grand Master MeLisa Turcott Stongheart is a 7th Degree Grand Master Instructor and black belt. Her title is Grand Master Strongheart or Kwan Jang Nim Strongheart.
- She received a very high honor from the National Korean Martial Arts Association (NKMAA) as Chief Master. The Chief Master award is given to individuals who conduct themselves according to the highest standards of Korean Martial Arts, and to live by the tenets of the ancient Hwa Rang warriors, which strive discipline, honor, loyalty, and intellectual excellence.
- She is the Co-Founder of Mercer Island Martial Arts (MIMA)
- She has a M.A. in Psychology from Anitioch University
- Grand Master Strongheart has been working as a counselor, self-defense instructor, and educator with kids, youth, and adults for over 20 years in the greater Seattle area. Her practice has evolved as fusion of training in psychology with martial arts, and an entirely new program of self-defense, for the body and the mind.
Here are some of her projects
Self Defense
▪ Rape prevention training
▪ Safe Kids Project
▪ Abduction Prevention
▪ Educational Achievement
▪ Experiential Leadership Project
▪ Drug and Alcohol Abuse prevention
▪ Fitness
▪ Mindful Eating
▪ Positive Psychology
Peace Education
▪ Conflict Resolution
▪ Respect & Tolerance training
▪ Anger management
▪ Conscious consumption
▪ The Story of Stuff
▪ Environmental Awareness & Action
▪ Square foot Gardening
▪ Compassion Project
Community Action
▪ Oral History Video Project
▪ Living Heroes Project
▪ Emergency Preparedness
▪ Self Defense and Safety training
