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Master H.C. Butch McLaughlin

Primary Rank: Rokudan-6th degree
Began Training: Jan 6, 1986
1st Black Belt Date: April 1989
Primary Classes Taught:
Black belt, Advanced , STORM, MMA, Grappling & IMPACT
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training: Discovering the amazing capcacity of the human body, mind, and soul      
 
Reason you started training: I was being bullied... and I thought "kung fu masters" were supermen...
 
Favorite Kata: Kusanku - it embodies everything I love about the arts
 
Favorite Book: What ever I'm currently reading Serious Times by James Emery White & Emperor - Field of Swords by Conn Iggulden
 
Favorite Movie: Star Wars, The Book of Eli, Braveheart     
 
Favorite Music: Contemporary Christian, Classic Rock, some country, some classical
 
Favorite Quote:
"Anything worth doing is worth doing well..."  
...My Dad - H.C.McLaughlin, Sr  
 
Sensei Smyth
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Benjamin Smyth

Primary Rank: Nidan - 2nd Degree
Began Training: 1998
1st Black Belt Date: May 5 2007
Primary Classes Taught:
Lil Warriorz, Kids classes, all ages & ranks
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training:  Being able leanr new things and pass them on to others.      
 
Reason I started training: To improve my hand-eye coordination as well as my confidence
 
Favorite Kata: Sunsu... it uses pieces of previous kata plus it contains its own (unique) moves... it was like ... a gift for our black belt.
 
Favorite Book:The Box Car Children (series) by Gertrude Chandler Warner
 
Favorite MovieThe Grinch starring Jim Carrey        
 
Favorite Music: I enjoy most... however, movie and video gam soundtracks are... my favorites
 
Favorite Quote:
"It's better to give an answer and to be wrong than it is to say nothing at all"
Sensei HC Butch McLaughlin
 
What I like about the classes I teach: Being able to help someone change their life for the better.... 
    
Sensei Heise
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Terry Heise 

Sensei Terry Heise
Primary Rank: Nidan—2nd Degree
Began Training: 2002
1st Black Belt Date: August 2007
Primary Classes Taught:
Adults, Lil Warriorz, Starz
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training: The martial arts create a new sense of self, and builds confidence, that can not be taken away from you.       
 
Why I Started TrainingOriginally it was something I could share with my kids and would benefit all of us. It turned in to something I discovered I had a real passion for.
 
Favorite Kata: Seiunchin - the sense of power and discipline... that demonstrates how critical katas are in your development.
 
Favorite Book: The Bubishi - unknown - it has become a valuable reference in my advanced trainng.     
 
Favorite MovieThe Last Samurai      
 
Favorite Quote:  "Failure is not an option"
President John F Kennedy
 
What I like most about the classes I teach is: I like helping students see that they can do more than they ever thought they could... that realization is a great feeling.
      
Terry Heise
Sensei Benedikovicova
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Martina Benedikovicova

Primary Rank: Nidan—2nd Degree
Began Training: 2003
1st Black Belt Date: Nov 2007
Primary Classes Taught:
Adults & Intermediate Kids
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training: Where else can you challenge your mind, body & spirit at the same time and have fun doing it?       
 
Reason Your Started Training: Curiosity & I love a challenge
 
Favorite Kata: Kusanku
 
Favorite Book: I can't pick one, but here's a few of my favorites - Tartar Steppe by Dino Buzzatti; Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; Catch-22 by Joseph heller; Keys to the Kingdom by AJ Cronin
 
Favorite Movie: Blow Up (1968); Matrix; Almost Famous; Kelly's Heroes; Platoon; Mission    
 
 
Favorite Music:Some rock; some classical, some alternative, country...
 
Favorite Quote: "Some dance to remember, some dance to forget..."                                    Eagles (Hotel California)   
 
What I like most about the classes I teach: I enjoy the "epiphanies" of the students when they figure out (a technique), and the pride they expereience when they share with me how the were able to use a technique from class in everyday life - like a breakfall. Its especially rewarding if it was something they were reluctant to do in the beginning - that's priceless.  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sensei Bennett
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Randy Bennett
 
 
Primary Rank: Nidan—2nd Degree
Began Training: 2001
1st Black Belt Date: May 2008
Primary Classes Taught:
Adults & FIT Power (Randy's Power Hour)
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training:       
 
Favorite Book:     
 
Favorite Movie:        
 
Favorite Quote:       
Sensei Meinzer
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 Jonathan Meinzer
 
Primary Rank: Sho-dan—1st Degree
Began Training: 2003
1st Black Belt Date: Sept 2009
Primary Classes Taught:
Phoenix & Fast F.I.T.
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training: The personal improvements its helped me make      

Reason I started Training: I love martial arts films, and I figured... if they can do it ... then I can do it..
 
Favorite Kata: Chinto & Kunsanku, because of the kung fu reflected in them..
 
Favorite Book:Hard choice     
 
Favorite Movie: Inception        
 
Favorite Music: Beatles
 
Favorite Quote: "Everything works out in the end, If it hasn't worked out... then its not the end.." Unknown
 
What I like most about the classes I teach:  The things that I learn while I'm teaching.... it helps build confidence....     
 

Sensei Marisa
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Marisa McLaughlin

Primary Rank: Shodan –1st Degree
Began Training: 1998
1st Black Belt Date: Sept 2009
Primary Classes Taught:
Lil Warriorz, STARZ
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training: Learning to accept criticism and pushing myself to be the best I can be.      
 
Reason the You Started Training: Dad made me... :) and I thought it looked like fun..
 
Favorite Kata: Chinto - its challenging and I love the jump kick
 
Favorite BookShopoholic   
 
Favorite MovieThe Proposal      
 
Favorite Music: Pop, Christian, R&B
 
Favorite Quote "...All that is needed to make a happy life is within yourself..."                           Marcus Aurelius  
 
What I like most about the classes I teach: The sense of accomplishment when I can help someone understand something.   
Sensei Legg
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Brian Legg
 
Primary Rank: Sho dan—1st Degree
Began Training: 2007
1st Black Belt Date: Feb 2010
Primary Classes Taught:
Phoenix & Adults
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training: Learning new self defense techniques and learning to be better balanced   
 
Reason You Started Training: I always wanted to learn and when my son expressed an interest I jumped at the chance (to be part of it)
 
Favorite Kata: Sunsu - it contains rapid movement, fluidity, grace (even if I don't) form and power - the perfest summation of the joruney from White through Brown belt
 
Favorite BookInto the Wild John Krakhauer    
 
Favorite Movie:   Patton (1970) - directed by Franklin Shaffner     
Favorite Music: Christian
 
Favorite Quote: "Its foolish and wrong to mourn the men whom died (in war), rather we should thank God that such men lived."
General George Patton
 
What I Like most about the classes I teach: I enjoy watching others explore and learn to do what they (once) thought was impossible.
   

 

 

 

 

Sempai Kayla
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Kayla McLaughlin
 
Primary Rank: Shodan-ho – Junior 1st Degree
Began Training: 2003
1st Black Belt Date: Sept 2009
Primary Classes Taught:
Lil Warriorz, STARZ
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training: Spread my knowledge of the martial arts to others      
 
Reason I Started Training: Sensei (Dad) made me do it :p . Really... so I could learn to defend myself
 
Favorite Kata: Kusanku... it just feels ...right....
 
Favorite Book: The Sisters Club by Megan McDonald    
 
Favorite MovieToy Story 3      
 
Favorite Music: Christian Rock & Pop
 
Favorite Quote: 
"Don't let your victories go to your head... nor your failures go to your heart..."
unknown
 
What I like best about the classes I teach: I like walking into class and seeing all the smiling (eager) faces of everyone htat wants to learn the martial arts     
Sempai Nicholas
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Nicholas Lewsey
 
Primary Rank: Shodan-ho – Junior 1st Degree
Began Training: 2003
1st Black Belt Date: Sept 2009
Primary Classes Taught:
Lil Warriorz, STARZ
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training: Self Defense because it teaches me how to protect myself and others.       
 
Reason I started training: Mom got me started when I was 5 years old (and I'm glad she did)
 
Favorite Kata: Sunsu because its a combination of bits of all the other kata.
 
Favorite Book: The Bully by Paul Langan    
 
Favorite Movie: Dennis the Menace ( I look like him don't I)       
 
Favorite Music: Rock & Pop
 
Favorite Quote: "Even if your on the right track...you can still get run over."
Ms. Sparrow (my language arts teacher)
 
What I like most about the classes I teach:  I like teaching with my Mom... plus the sense of accomplishment and gratification I get from helpig others learn...      
 
Sempai Michelle
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Sensei Isaac Loydpierson
 
Primary Rank: Sho dan—1st Degree
Began Training: 2001
1st Black Belt Date: Oct 2010
Primary Classes Taught:
Youth
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training
 
Reason You Started Training: 
 
Favorite Kata: 
 
Favorite Book:  
 
Favorite Movie:  
 
Favorite Music: 
 
Favorite Quote: "
 
What I Like most about the classes I teach:    
 
Sifu Gopaul
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Sifu Dale Gopaul
 
Primary Rank: 5th Degree - Snow Tiger Combat Systems
Began Training: 1990
1st Black Belt Date: 1996
Primary Classes Taught:
Snow Tiger Kung Fu
IMPACT
 
Favorite Aspect of Martial Arts Training:  Personal growth I see in myself and my students    
 
Reason I started training: As a kid (7 or 8) my grandfather would take me and my brother to the movies to see kung fu or westerns. I loved it, as much as he did. I thought the moves were so cool. Then after high school, my brother joined a kung fu school, he would come home and “practice” on me. I went to see a show the school had put on with big names like Dan Inosanto, Eric Lee, Orlando Yarborough, Lee Cunningham, and others. I was hooked, I had to join, after I got my first job, I joined and never looked back.

Favorite Kata: I was never good at remembering forms as some of the others, but my favorite for demos is the Cat Eagle (combination of leopard, tiger and eagle).
 
Favorite BookThe Fountainhead by Ayn Rand     
 
Favorite Movieanything with Clint Eastwood       
 
Favorite Quote:  “We are what we repeatedly do, excellence, therefore is not an act but a habit.” ...Aristotle     
 

 

Inactive Black Belts
Stacey Reed
Stacey Reed
 
Primary Rank: Shodan– 1st Degree
Began Training: 1986
1st Black Belt Date: May 2007
Primary Classes Taught:
Retired 2009
 
Where are they Now? Stacey retired to pour her self into family and is now the proud Mom of Dakota Reed with her husband Jonathan
Brianna Heise  
Brianna Heise
 
Primary Rank: Shodan
Began Training: 2002
1st Black Belt Date: May 2008
Primary Classes Taught:
Retired 2008
 
Where are they Now? Brianna is currently enrolled at Columbia Univeristy in Columbia, SC
 
Justin Groody
 
Primary Rank: Shodan –1st Degree
Began Training: 2003
1st Black Belt Date: Sept 2009
Primary Classes Taught:
Retired 2010
 
Where are they Now? Justin continues to be a stand out Lacrosse Player and student at Lake Norman High.   
   
Michael Bravo
 
Primary Rank: Shodan-ho – Junior 1st Degree
Began Training: 1998
1st Black Belt Date: Feb 2010
Primary Classes Taught:
Retired 2010
 
Where are they now? Michael is a solid student as well as swimmer and competitive shag dancer.. We hope he'll come to his senses and return...  

 

 

APEX Martial Arts

8715 Sidney Circle - Suite 600

Charlotte, NC 28269

info@apexkarate.com