Our Team

MASTER THOMAS SAUERS - CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

Mr. Sauers is a 5th Dan Black Belt and has been training in the Martial Arts for nearly 30+ years. He has a passion for Taekwondo and other styles such as Hapkido, Muay Tai, Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do & Pekiti-Tirsia Kali. He also is a Green belt in Hotjitsu, the Art of Weaponry. He also Instructs Women self-defense, Martial Arts Combative Classes and experience in Handgun Training.

He is a part of USAT, who continues to learn more of other Arts to expand in his Teachings for his Students. Mr. Sauers taught Taekwondo at the Fife Community Center from 2015 - 2017. Mr. Sauers played soccer and did Martial Arts as a child and teen. He has lived in the area for 50+ years.

He has Extensive experience as a Soccer and Baseball Coach; he held the position of Vice President and Ethics Chairperson at Norpoint Soccer Club in Tacoma for several years.

Mr. Sauers has also been the Vice President and Sr/Jr Director of Soundview Little League for several years. And Baseball Team Manager and Coach. He takes all of his coaching skills and brings them to the mat. It takes a Special person to spend their "Downtime" coaching kids.

Mr. Sauers does a lot of volunteering of his time in the surrounding Communities and Mentoring kids and his Students. He has a Degree in Business Management from Green River Community College and was part of the Honor Society.

The hours of preparing drills, practice and game time. This is how Mr. Sauers approaches every day at FMAA. He cares about each of his students and their family. You will find Mr. Sauers on the mat working out alongside his students and showing them how to correctly do their Techniques, Kicks, Blocks, Forms or Punches. He is a Hands-On School Owner! 

MRS. GINA SAUERS - OWNER/WOMEN SELF DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR/OFFICE MANAGER

Mrs. Sauers is the owner of FMAA and Lead Women Self Defense Instructor. She is also the After School Coordinator and office administrator. Gina Sauers is a certified Instructor of AWSDA (American Women Self Defense Association), a national non-profit organization and is certified instructor for NRA’s Refuse To Be a Victim program.

She has been a Taekwondo mom for many years and loves being at the school. Her favorite part of Taekwondo is seeing the pure enjoyment on the children faces as they train and accomplish a goal. Especially seeing the confidence and respect grow within each child. Her son trained and earned his Black Belt at the school. She has spent many hours, on the same benches our current parents sit on, watching her son train. She understands the commitment the student have to make but also the parents.

Mrs. Sauers strives to follow the 5 Tenants of Taekwondo not only in her personal life but also professionally at Microsoft. Mrs. Sauers uses her years of training on culture differences, inclusion, diversity, and ethics from Microsoft at the school. She deeply cares for all and wants to make an impact on the local community by providing a safe, encouraging place for kids to go and thrive. Mrs. Sauers believes in equality, supporting each other, and giving back to the community. She started the Fierce Diva program to empower women since she is a survivor of domestic violence from her first marriage.

MR. JEFFREY BROWN - ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

Mr. Jeffrey Brown is a 3rd Dan Black Belt and has been training in Taekwondo since 2004. Mr. Brown not only continues to pursue his own daily training in Taekwondo and self defense, but he also spends much of his time co-teaching our juniors, kids, and adult students, as well as assisting with belt tests and facilitating many of schools extracurricular activities. Mr. Brown enjoys martial arts because everyone can learn from one another and the connections you make. His hobbies are video games, cosplaying, reading and learning things related to what he likes.

David Sherfield, Combative and Ju-Jitsu Instructor

Mr. Sherfield is a Black Belt in Maki Te Ju-Jitsu under Sensi Glenn Skotdal. Maki Te Ju-Jitsu is a modern blend of traditional Ju-jitsu and Wing Chun Kung Fu and heavily influenced by several other systems. Mr. Sherfield began his varied martial arts training in 1989 under Sensi Ben Kahananui in Kara-Ho Kempo Karate. Since then he has continued to add to his experience and various training. He has also worked as an armed security guard while in college all over the Puget Sound. To continue his studies, he has been training and assisting at Freedom Martial Arts Academy under Taekwondo Master Mr. Sauers, Self Defense Instructor Mrs. Sauers, and Pekiti-Tirsia Kali under Instructor Art Samson.
Mr. Sherfield’s hobbies include, Ham Radio volunteer, Mountain biking, Hiking, Camping and IDPA Competitive shooter Marksman.
Assistant instructor for the combative, self-defense classes and Taekwondo Dad.
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” -Bruce Lee

SIFU NORM - SHAOLIN KUNG FU

Sifu Norm has been studying traditional Kung Fu for over 18 years within the Shaolin Kung Fu system he teaches. His passion and primary focus is on traditional mind and body conditioning, stances, empty hand and weapons forms. He emphasizes the artistry of Kung Fu for the benefits it gives the practitioner, however the heart of even the most beautiful Kung Fu movement is rooted in martial application.

MONICA NGA THOMPSON - YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Starting on 3/3/23, Hatha Yoga will be at FMAA starting at 9:30 AM. Bring your yoga mat, block, strap and water bottle. Stretch, strengthen, and get toned with Monica! “I have been practicing yoga since 2015 and I have loved every step of my journey that has led me to where I am today. It is the love of the practice that has led me to my second yoga teacher training this year. I love how yoga has been the one consistency in my life that I know I can depend on whether it be for a great workout or a stress reliever. Yoga has been a big part of my health and has led me to meet many great people. Now I am happy teaching others about how great yoga can be for them and their health journey too!”

CLAIRE BERRY
BODY SCULPT INSTRUCTOR

Local and fun fitness instruction! They both are passionate about fitness and having fun. Claire brings so much energy into the classes that women and men can’t get enough. Tuesday morning at 9:30.

CARLEEN CUSTIS
DANCE CARDIO INSTRUCTOR

Every Monday night at 6:30 PM, Carleen brings the funk and dance moves. Dance to the latest songs and sweat it out!

Her son attends the school and does additional sports too in the area.