Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Seemangal.
Hi Adrian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After seeing a local news segment on martial arts as a child, I became interested in practicing myself. Shortly after, my mother enrolled me in taekwondo classes at Bladensburg Community Center. I was 5 at the time, and I haven’t stopped training since then. At 17, I received my black belt from my instructor, Dr. Clifford Thomas. Going to college shortly after, I managed to keep training because the University of Maryland, College Park was close to home. In the summer of 2021, he passed away, and I took over as head instructor of the school, and President/CEO of his non-profit, We Lead by Example, Inc. That same year, I started training in Muay Thai and Boxing as well, and started to incorporate those styles into our program.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No. I took over when I was 20. I was still in college. We have averaged between 70 and 100 students since I took over. Dealing with kids, parents, adult students, paperwork, taxes, and the like took some getting used to. Thankfully, I was an assistant instructor for many years before I fully took over, and that part came naturally to me. But just teaching is a much simpler task than overseeing both the front and back-end. Thankfully I have a capable cadre of board members and assistant instructors to help take some of the pressure off me. I’ve been able to train, compete, and work all while running the school.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
During the week I’m a Data Analyst. I’d say about half my year is developing and enhancing an analytics codebase, and the other half is compiling metrics and presenting to customers.
As an instructor and coach, I’d say my specialty is fusing traditional martial arts techniques with Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Western Boxing. I really learned how to do that from my coach, Jason Farrell of Level Up Boxing & Fitness, who grew up doing taekwondo and kyokushin karate before taking up Muay Thai and Boxing as an adult. We are the first and only program to offer Muay Thai through THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION, and the first program to teach both taekwondo AND Muay Thai through PARK AND PLANNING.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
There’s nothing more gratifying in life than being someone that others can rely on.
Pricing:
- 65 dollars per 8 week session, all ages
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ramblers-tkd.org
