Confidence. Balance. Self-protection.

Upon his return to the United States, Mr. Teran was offered six more months to train in Seoul with the Olympic committee, as well as an opportunity to travel to Colorado Springs for the United States Olympic team trials. All these years of training, Taekwon-Do has given him the tools and discipline to take on any challenge life would throw at him. Mr. Teran joined the Marine Corps at age 18, attending Marine Corps Boot camp in Parris Island, SC.

Upon graduation, Mr. Teran was stationed in Camp Lejeune NC, taking on a new challenge as an Infantry man. In early 1999, he came across a Taekwon-Do club where he continued his training, and within a few weeks Mr. Teran became the Chief Instructor for the Marine Corps Taekwon-Do team. Mr. Teran's main focus was on "fighting" drills while he was waiting for approval to participate on the Pan American Games in late 1999. In 2002, Mr. Teran attended the Marine Corps Martial Arts program. Through hard work, blood and sweat he was able to move up the ranks and graduate as a Marine Corps Martial Arts/Close Combat Instructor trainer. Mr. Teran continued his service in the military for eight years. He then left the Marine Corps to pursue other challenges in life.

Mr. Teran not only became a close combat instructor (Hand-to-Hand) but also a Military Operation in Urban Terrain instructor (House to House clearing), Enemy Prisoner of War instructor as well as an attending advance sniping and counter sniping instructor course. Mr. Teran attended many other tactical courses to include intensive weapons training, tactical operations, medical training (Johns Hopkins hospital and field related) and multiple high threat evasive driving courses to name a few.

In 2003, Mr. Teran deployed to Iraq, fighting the War on terror. In March 2004, he decided to leave the Marine Corps to join the U.S State Department as a Private Security Contractor stationed in Iraq, conducting high threat personal protection for High level dignitaries. During this time, Mr. Teran would train his teammates in both Taekwon-Do and Close Combat.

Mr. Teran promotions/titles are as follow: Personal Security Specialist; Tactical commander; Quick reaction force commander; Advance /reconnaissance commander; Air reconnaissance and reaction force; Shift leader; Detail Leader and finally Agent-in-Charge (Security Protection Specialist) for the U.S Ambassador /Consul General protective detail and any other high level Diplomatic Advisors under the U.S Department of State.

In 2011, Mr. Teran became the Chief Instructor for the Baghdad Taekwon-Do Club, where he trained the Iraqi Olympic Committee in Baghdad Iraq under a US - Iraqi Diplomatic program. Shortly after, Mr. Teran reported back to Washington DC for 6 month intensive training. Upon graduation, he gained the title of Security Protective Specialist (Agent-in-Charge), returning to Iraq as his first post as direct hire with the U.S Department of State.

After ten and a half years operating in Iraq, Mr. Teran decided to resign his position with the federal government to continue his teaching and training in the art that first taught him the basic fundamentals. "Taekwon-Do is a way of life, by following the tenets of Taekwon-Do it can only lead to success. What I have learned over all these years is not just kicking, punching or doing the exercise; but understanding the importance of these fundamentals and guidelines we must abide by. These guidelines are what made me successful in life and kept me alive".

Mr. Teran's understanding of the tenets of Taekwon-Do and the Marine Corps core values, is what he plans to bring forth into his new school - courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit, honor, courage and commitment. In addition, Mr. Teran is also looking forward to teaching the next generation of students and see them grow and learn the art of Taekwon-Do.

"One of the most rewarding things as a teacher is passing my knowledge and the love for the art. The greatest gift that I can receive is having those who want to put that extra effort to learn."

Mr. Teran has received many awards and letters of recommendations from American Ambassadors in Iraq, Secretary of State, Consul General, Certificate of Appreciation from the Baghdad Taekwon-Do Club and many other Diplomatic figures who were stationed in High Threat. The International Taekwon-Do Academy has received a 'Letter of Proclamation' from the Jersey City Mayor's office and a letter from the New Jersey Governor and two Outstanding Leadership Awards signed by the Mayor of Woodbridge, New Jersey.

Mr. Teran not only teaches martial arts and teamwork to the youth in our community but he is also an Ambassador for the Student Veterans of America Chapter for the American Military University. His focus is to work with veterans' outreach programs, partnering with other organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project to provide mentorship and training for the wounded veterans who suffer from PTSD, CTE and TBI.

Mr. Teran is specialized not only in personal protection (Diplomatic Protection in high threat), but he has also been in the fitness industry for many years. His passion is to teach self-defense and fitness. This passion has earned him the opportunity to partner up with a bodybuilding supplement and fitness company, to one day reach the ultimate goal of becoming a "Sponsored Athlete".

In addition, Mr. Teran has also been accepted and is part of the Men's Health Fitness Council, where he will share fitness strategies/exercises, meals plans, etc. and be featured on future fitness articles

International Taekwon-Do Academy has been awarded as the "Best of Jersey City" in the Martial Arts category for the year 2015 and 2016. Awarded "Best School" in Championships four years in a row. (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017). Received the 2016 Excellence Award. Ranked Top ten "Best Instructor" in Northern New Jersey. Awarded the 2015 & 2016 New Jersey Metro Taekwon-Do Championship and 2016 New Jersey State Championship.

"We are looking forward to continuing our service in the community and making a difference one student at a time."