John Graybeal

John Graybeal was born in Bloomington, Illinois in 1966. His parents were life long residents of the community and raised him with a strict sense of right and wrong. He attended local public schools then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University in 1988.

Below is an excerpt about his childhood from his book The Art of Empowering Children, A Karate Master's Secrets.

In grade school, I remember my parents and teachers were concerned about my inability to focus. I recall a "special teacher" pulling me out of class and taking me for hearing and vision tests. She showed up once a week and took students to the "round room." Some never returned as they were shuffled off to other classrooms or special schools. The "round room" was about twelve feet in diameter and painted cream color to match the asbestos on the ceiling. It was just around the corner from the principal's office, a place no student wanted to go. I sat there listening to beep after beep then read letter after letter. One by one I aced each test. I'm sure I left everyone confused: if it wasn't my hearing or vision - then what was it? Why was I having so much trouble? Did I have "Attention Deficit Disorder?" Back in the early 70’s, they called it being "all boy," or being "hyperactive," or "active imagination."

I returned from the round room and my troubles continued. One afternoon I eavesdropped as my teacher complained to my mother. "Why is he not listening to me? He has the ability; he just isn't using it." I went through most of my childhood hearing the same thing over and over "He has the ability...if he would only try."

It wasn't until I started Martial Art lessons in the fall of my sophomore year of high school that I began to understand my potential. I also began a new understanding of life - or what could be understood at the ripe old age of fifteen. Suddenly I had physical confidence and the ability to change the way I communicated within my own mind. I didn't know it then, but this would be the springboard for teaching and empowering others.

It's quite a motivator to stay focused when someone is kicking and punching at your head. I learned to focus through Martial Arts and one by one my "troubles" began to disappear. My grades began to climb and so did my ambitions. I started to dream, not only about tomorrow, but about the next month and next year.

John attended his first Martial Arts class in August of 1981. His soon to be teacher Mr. J. F. Penn was out of town and a blue belt took him through his first class. "After that first day I knew I wanted to be a Black Belt."

Over the next three years he missed only five classes, four while he was on vacation and one because relatives came to town. When John was a 17-year old red belt, he noticed the classes growing and asked his teacher if he could start a children's class. Every Tuesday and Friday night he worked with anyone who showed up. Over the next few months he was able to build the program up to 50 students. Two years and ten months after his first Martial Arts class Mr. Penn promoted him to Black Belt, a day that changed his life. For the first time in his life he had achieved a dream. Goal setting worked and he would not soon forget that lesson.

Throughout four years of college he trained three to four times each week perfecting his skill as a Martial Artist and teacher. The was fortunate to be recruited into the local boxing club as a training partner for Francisco Arreola (a future WBC Intercontinental Champ). He then began to add boxing to his training routine. He required that his first two jobs after graduation allow him time off to teach Martial Arts and train. While teaching classes he was reunited with a family friend who was a fighter pilot in the Peoria Air National Guard. Once again John added another goal to his life, to become an outstanding fighter pilot. Two years later, and after hours being prodded during physicals and passing numerous tests John entered the United States Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock Texas. After the year of training he graduated number one in his class earning the Commander's Cup and the Top Stick awards. Once again he achieved his goal using what Martial Arts had taught him. Over the next three years John learned to fly F-16 Fighting Falcons and studied Martial Arts with Masters throughout the country.

In 1993, he opened Twin City Martial Arts and soon grew to the largest school in the state outside of Chicago. His passion comes from working directly with children using his unique teaching techniques. Over the years he has been recognized as an "United Way Volunteer of the Year" and his school has been awarded one of the "Top 200 Martial Arts Schools in North America" two years running. In 1997, Chuck Norris presented John with an awarded for his work with "Kick Drugs Out of America," Chuck Norris' non-for profit organization to help children. In 1998, he formed "Twin City Boxing" the only boxing and fighting gym in Bloomington and continued operating both school and gym until after his return from the 2nd Gulf War in 2004.

John is one of the leading writers in the Martial Art business and teaching field and was a contributing writer to Martial Arts Professional and Martial Arts Business Information Magazine the industry's leading business magazines. And continues today consulting martial arts school business owners on advancing their adult programs.

He is a Master Instructor and a former United States Tae Kwon Do Champion (USTA 1988). He had his own Martial Art television show, Twin City Martial Arts, where he capitalized on the opportunity to present the true Martial Art philosophies. Through his work with children he has created a sensible approach to interacting with the future leaders of our society.

John currently focuses his training on mixed martial arts. His job allows him to travel the country training with the best mixed martial art fighters and grapples around. While traveling and training John concentrates his training efforts in Judo, BJJ, and Submission Grappling.

5th Degree Moo Duk Hai (WTF) (Tae Kwon Do) under John F. Penn (6th Degree Soo Bak Kwon) and Hank Giles (7th Degree WTF)

3rd Degree Soo Bak Kwon (Hap Ki Do) under Hank Giles (6th Degree under Ji Han Jae)

1st Degree Shihan Ju Jitsu under Phill Porter (10th Degree) (Notice not Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu this is a difference art see below)

USA Boxing Certified Coach

1st Degree Black Belt Judo, Nikyu USJA - Coach - George Weers (6th Degree USJA Board Member)

Pruple Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - under Robson Moura (3rd Degree) Danny Dring (1st Degree BJJ, under Andre Pederneiras)

Blue Belt 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu-under Scott Epstein (Brown Belt)

Email John Graybeal: jcgraybeal@aol.com

Steve Peckmann

Steve Peckmann was born in Normal. His father provided ample examples of how hard work is something to be proud of. A common phrase that reverberated around the Peckmann house was, "If a job worth doing, it's worth doing right." As well as instilling a strong work ethic, his parents also made it quite clear that there are consequences for your actions. These life lessons have stuck with Steve, and he often says that "the harder I work, the luckier I get."

After graduating from Normal Community, Steve enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and enjoyed eight years of hopping the globe and broadening his horizons. Most of this time was spent in the infantry, although he has also served in the military police and a counterintelligence team. During those hectic eight years, he developed a reputation for having a high level of pride in his work and was awarded numerous certificates and accommodations; this time became his introduction into the combative arts as Steve proved always willing to seek out and learn from those that would/could make him a better warrior.

The experiences in the Marine Corps continue to enable Steve to be uniquely qualified and stand out in the practical application of self-defense. 

4th Degree black belt in Jido Kwan Tae Kwon Do under John F. Penn (6th Degree Soo Bak Kwon)

3rd Degree black belt Ni Dan Shihan Ju Jitsu under Phill Porter (10th Degree) (Notice not Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu this is a difference art)

3rd Degree WTF under Hank Giles (7th Degree WTF)

Blue Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Robson Moura (3rd Degree)

Email Steve: slpeckmann@aol.com