Mr. Philip Herzog

Mr. Philip Herzog's interest in martial arts began as a child, inspired by the action movies and television shows of his youth. His formal training became a reality in 2021 when he joined Gordon Martial Arts. Initially inspired to step onto the mat by his children, he realized that martial arts offered a unique opportunity to train and grow right alongside them rather than just cheering from the sidelines. While he trains in both Taekwon-Do and Combat Ju-Jitsu, Taekwon-Do serves as his foundation and first passion, drawing him in with its deep study of movement and the demonstration of power and technique. A major highlight of his journey has been seeing his entire family obtain their black belts in Taekwon-Do, including the distinct honor of testing for his own 1st and 2nd-degree ranks right alongside his wife and daughter. For Mr. Herzog, being able to share this entire journey with his loved ones truly embodies why Gordon Martial Arts is known as "The Family Center." Throughout his ongoing training, he credits his growth to the collective influence and support of the many dedicated instructors and peers at the dojang.

This family-oriented approach naturally evolved into a passion for teaching. In his classes, Mr. Herzog focuses heavily on the value of perseverance, helping students push through moments when a technique feels too hard or the urge to quit sets in. For him, the most rewarding part of being an instructor is witnessing a student's "aha" moment—when they accomplish something they genuinely believed they couldn't do. He believes the confidence gained from these breakthroughs creates a snowball effect, fueling even greater success in the future.