May 17, 2017

Meet John Lupone of Tomball Soo Bahk Do in Old Town

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Lupone.

John, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started training in Soo Bahk Do when I was in college going for a degree in chemical dependency counseling. I had been in the army for four years (87-91) and was now using my army college fund. I needed some PE credits and thinking of my new daughter, Liked the idea of self-defense. Master Ron Williams was teaching at the college at that time and our classes were always very exciting and active. After the class was over, I saw him at a Murphy’s Deli and he asked me to come to the studio and join the regular adult class. I told him that I was a college student and did not have any money. He replied by asking me if I could do anything. I mentioned that I was handy with a hammer. We set up a barter system wherein I would repair things around the studio and at his home in loo of tuition and dues at the Stafford studio. I trained under him for the next five years and received my black belt in 2001. Shortly thereafter, I started to teach my daughter who lived in Tomball. Late in 2002, one of my peers opened a studio in Tomball. In 2003, I tested for my 2nd degree and for an instructor (Kyo Sa Nim). I moved many times all around Houston and landed in Tomball. It was much easier to train with Master Travis Guinn in Tomball than to travel back down to Stafford, and I could take my daughter to class more often. In 2006, we moved the studio to its current location at 216 W Main St Tomball. Later that year I tested for my 3rd degree. In 2009, Master Travis Guinn opened another studio off 105 in Montgomery. We taught on alternating days at both locations with another instructor name Zach Mckay. In 2010, I tested for 4th degree the masters level. Travis and I resided to change the teaching format at the studios. I taught mainly in Tomball and Master Guinn taught mainly at the Montgomery studio. In 2014, I tested or my master’s instructor rank of SaBomNim and then in 2015 I tested for 5th degree black belt in Soul, Korea.

Has it been a smooth road?
Being a single parent. Travel and going to school. Raising my daughter after it was no longer safe for her to stay with her mother. Training with 2 instructors and then realizing that the high rank I achieved the more I would have to train and motivate myself. Opening a studio and finding a balance between the traditional style I was taught and what most people want to learn now a day.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Tomball Soo Bahk Do is mainly a self-defense school. We teach a traditional South Korean style that is one of the for runners of tea Kwan do. I am very proud of the way our student grown and become great adults. I’m not going to say that all our students are becoming doctors or lawyers, but we have had a few army men and policemen. Many of our students go to college and start teaching or opening a martial arts club on campus. We have teachers, actors and caregivers training with us.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Soo Bahk Do and the wider parent Moo Duk Kwan is all over the world. Soo Bahk Do is in almost every state. Houston with its millions of people is a great place and opportunity for people to live, work and train.

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