Episode 16 - Master John Lacey - Owner MUSA Martial Arts - Chief Instructor Taekwondo & Hapkido

In this episode, I leave the office and lockboxes behind to step onto the mats at Musa, a Sherwood martial arts school that’s so much more than just kicks and belts. Over coffee and laughter, Master John Lacey shares his remarkable journey from Olympic dreams cut short by a devastating accident to building a dojo that now shapes the hearts and minds of an entire community.

Highlights from our conversation:

• Leaping: How Master Lacey and his wife went from teaching in a cramped space to negotiating a lease on a new, bigger dojo by having honest conversations, taking strategic risks, and believing in the dream, even if it meant maxing out a credit card.
•  Community at the core: Musa isn’t just about martial arts, it’s about building character, respect, gratitude, and resilience in kids and adults. Students learn teamwork, patience, and how to choose peace over conflict —lessons that extend beyond the mats.
•  Programs for everyone: Family classes, Brazilian jiu jitsu, hapkido, after-school programs with tutoring and daily martial arts classes, summer camps that partner with local favorites like Langer’s Fun Center and Hungry Hero, parents’ night out events, and even pop-up women’s self-defense classes.
•  Why parents really sign up: It isn’t just to see their kid break a board, it’s to watch them become kinder, braver, and more respectful. As Master Lacey says, "There's not a shortage of taekwondo… what families want is character."
• Full-circle moments: From a once-angry student becoming their #1 instructor, to a 60-year-old earning his black belt and later officiating Master Lacey’s wedding, the stories prove how martial arts can truly transform lives.
• Vision for the future: Expanding Musa’s reach, building systems to serve even more families, and keeping alive the art of character education, especially as school programs fade.

Master Lacey’s story is raw, funny, deeply moving, and proof that when you combine passion with community support, you don’t just build a business, you build a family. 

Thank you for listening! Connect and collaborate with Realtor Rashelle on any of her social media platform pages > https://linktr.ee/RealtorRashelle

Transcript

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Welcome to the Realtor Who Wines podcast. I'm rashelle Newmeyer, your hostess with the most as a student of life, a connector, a passionate wine enthusiast, and your local favorite guide. Join me as we explore the vibrant Pacific Northwest. Savor the finest wines and champion the spirit of entrepreneurship. Each episode, I'll sit down with inspiring guests, supporting business ownership and uncovering the stories that make this community unique. So grab a glass of wine, settle in, and let's embark on a journey of discovery and connection together. Cheers. Hi, everyone. Welcome back to the realtor who whines. I'm Rachelle Neumeyer, the realtor who wins. And today we are in Mousa, which is a dojo. Would you say a dojo in Japanese? It's a dojo in Korean. Okay. And we're in Sherman, Oregon. I'm here with Master Lacey, and we're going to talk all about what goes on here at Mr.. Today. But first I'd like to cheers you. Cheers. Cheers. Thank you for being on. Thank you. Oh yeah. We are filming a little bit early today because there's classes and students that come in later. So we opted out for wine. My second beverage, love is coffee. So we went with coffee this morning. So shout out to Dutch Brothers in Sherwood, Oregon. Thank you for the beverages. But, Master Lacey, would you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started? Yeah, definitely. So I grew up in California and right before high school started, I moved to Oregon, and I wasn't very happy to move to Oregon. I was pretty unhappy. Yeah, most kids don't like leaving their home. Yeah, especially sunny California for Oregon. Yeah. Quincy, that's a transition for sure. Coincidentally, I moved in the summer and it was really hot. And I lived in a house that didn't have insulation and I thought to myself, wow, I thought it was supposed to rain in Oregon. What's going on here? And then September hit, and I never asked that question again. So it's what, like 30 years and 40 something? I don't know, it's a long. Yeah. Yeah, it's really just. And when you first got here, talk a little bit about how you had a hard time making friends and that's how you got into martial arts. Yeah, definitely. So what happened with that was it was high school, and it was also a different feel. And the schools were different. And I think it's just a socioeconomic status. It was kind of hard, but also I wasn't really looking to fit in. I kind of just fell into a hole and I just became depressed. And I was sad. In my whole freshman year, I didn't really have any friends, and I got to thinking through the summer like, I need to start something up again because I used to play sports. But you know, like with depression, you lose love. Yeah, well, with the new school, it's intimidating to to join a sports team. Super intimidating. But a new martial arts school was opening down the street from my high school. Awesome. And I thought, oh, that'll be cool, because there'll be nobody higher belt. So we can all start get it won't be that intimidating. Yeah. So when they ask you to shoot fireballs, I won't be, you know, overwhelmed by the fireball aspect. So I joined the martial arts program there, and it was martial arts one, and it was by master Lee Cheong Soo. Lee's my master and teacher, but it was honestly, it's just a lot like The Karate Kid because I moved in and I didn't fit in. And then I found martial arts and we hit it off so well and, he was there for me to help me through it. And I, you know, it was just doing something like getting busy and getting away from, you know, your head and out of your head and feeling so sad. And then you get to something. Well, maybe I like this, and you just start training and it's good. And maybe I don't fit in and maybe I don't, you know, have, like, the stuff the other kids have, but hey, I'm good at this. You know, something good at it doesn't matter how much money, what kind of car you drive. I didn't have a car and all those things, but you just train. And if you practice, you get better. And it started to do that for me, and given me an identity for sure. And it became like a big passion of yours. And you started competing and you even were training for the Olympics that one time. Talk about that. Yeah. That's right. I, hit the other curve. So going into my senior year, I was thinking, you know, I, I really want to do something. I feel like I want to do something big. So how can I make the most of this opportunity with my master? I said, what's the highest you can go? And he said, probably the Olympics. And so I said, okay, well, I started training for the Olympics, but around that time he had closed his school in Beaverton. I don't know if this is going to show it, but he had a school in Gresham, which is like 45 minutes away or an hour and a half on the max. So I said, okay, I'll do it. So every day after high school, I'd hop on the max train for like an hour and a half. I'd go out to Gresham and then train for five hours, you know, like just with the dedicated. Yeah. And and the truth is, like, when it's your idea, you love it. Like I loved it more like, oh, it's going to be hard. But then you love that. It's hard because it's just you and the mat you and kicking you, and you just got to improve. And you have you competing with yourself. Like, how do you get better each day. Yeah. And feeling like you're getting better too. Like it gives you hope and you know, you just you're doing something. Yeah. Yeah. And then talk about what happened in your life that changed the trajectory of everything. Yeah. So we were eating lunch. You know, that's a sunset High School on Cornell Road. And, I was crossing the street with my friends after lunch, and I didn't see a truck, and I got hit by a truck, and then that put me in the hospital for about six weeks, and I got crazy. Yeah. They didn't, you know, like I said, I was there with my friends. And so they saw me, you know, they had to run the school and get help and hold me while I was dying, basically. But I went to the hospital and I was in intensive care there. I didn't know anything. I had to learn how to walk and breathe and talk and who my parents were. I didn't know, you know, any of that stuff I had? I had the near-death experience where you go to a place and and there was somebody there, and it's just an overwhelming piece in this place, your near-death experience. And they said, you're not ready to be here. And, I mean, they could have said anything, but it would have been the best news they could have said, like, you know, you're going to break your leg every day or something. And they're, you feel like everything is going to be okay. And so I just told the person, I said, okay, and they said, it's going to be hard. And I said, okay, that's all I remember. And that and then, you know, take it as you want. Yeah. You know, sitting up there. Yeah, sure. So going into the hospital and not knowing everything, and I broken all the bones in my ear, too. So the room would always swirl for like a year that could move around. And I actually checked. And you were a senior at the senior in high school? Yeah. I tricked my way out of the wheelchair because they used to have a wheelchair, me to classes, but I was too proud. And so I told them, I said, hey, I don't need that anymore. You know, they let me walk to the classes in the classes it consists of like putting puzzles together, coloring or. Yeah, stuff for that. And they said, okay, prove it. You know, walk to the elevator at Legacy Emanuel. I said, sure. And I walked to the elevator and the whole room was spinning. I thought I could have been falling over and I just looked back at her and said, see? And she's like, okay, I guess you don't have to do it. And, I ended up regretting that. Oh for sure. I walked to the class. It was torture. But yeah, you know, just the whole thing, like an not knowing, even my mom and dad, all that stuff. I had to relearn that. Get it back. Your brain has to pick it up again. Yeah. When you woke up, the only person you recognized was your master, right? Yeah. First person, first person. I think that was because he has a distinct accent, for sure. And I spent a lot of time with him up to that point. And I think, you know, with brain injuries, there's like an ebb and flow, like hope for my parents that were suffering a lot. Like, am I going to come back? Because some days it seemed like I knew what I was talking about. And some days I just be talking about Ninja Turtles throwing firecrackers and just weird. Yeah. Yellow. This and red. Hey, John. Yeah? This is what you back? I mean, they kept you on a leash, and they have, like, security tags on me, and I would have, like, I had, like, bad things, like dreams or something, and people, like, they're not going to treat you here. And I would try to escape. Oh my gosh. So I use the tape dispenser to cut my security tags and run. And they sound like a nightmare for the nurses. Just like this trained ninja trying to get out of the hospital, which, yeah, and with your poor, poor nurses is right. So shout outs to legacy manual nurses, because that's a half of it. You say a lot of mean things. Your language goes out the window. Very insulting. And they tie you to your, your bed strips because you can be combative and, and it's, they're heroes. Yeah. No. They are. Yeah. And then because of your injury, you can no longer compete or train for the Olympics because you can't compete at a high level once you've had an injury like that. Yeah. And, you know, a lot has gone that way with, research on brain injuries and, you know, post traumatic brain injuries and things. I just couldn't take any more shots to the head at that level because they describe it like a bank account. And I was basically. Yeah. Yeah. And you don't know what's going to happen. I never want to go back to that situation because it wasn't just, you know, that part. And obviously I can walk and talk. And I remembered my mom, I remember yeah, yeah, I came back. Yeah. But socially, like you have to get everything back, how to act and how to behave. And your brain is still a little off. So it's kind of like your mind was the right way to say that. I don't want it. You're not thinking straight. Sure, you might be under the influence, but it's all the time. You also know how you were and you know that you're not exactly right. The things you say, your impulse control, it's like a severe case of ADHD and you can lose your temper and just the highs and the lows and the. Yeah went on for years. Yeah. Well and then so you struggle with depression again because you're like well now what. Like I had this plan and you were working so hard towards it. So talk a little bit about how you got out of the depression the second time. Yeah. It's a it's a big thing because I think, you know, there's little moments in your life that you remember. And I remember the first time when I decided I want to go to the Olympics, it was my dad took me aside and he had said, how, you know, he didn't want me to waste my natural ability. Maybe whatever I did just go do something great. And so that's why I was like, okay, I should try the Olympics. And, you know, started work as undefeated in competitions. That whole thing is fun. But then the second time rolled around because I, I had stopped doing martial arts and I was like, lost my way. And I got a call from Master Li and he said, hey, sorry I rushed you back too soon because he had tried to get me to come back and train for the Olympics because he was thinking that would help. It's great to have an Olympian, you know, and he said, you know, whatever you do, do something great. So it's kind of like what my dad said the first time. And he goes, you know, I'm sorry I pushed you, but you're capable of, you know, more. Don't get caught up, because around the same time, there was like, a lot of bad things my friends group were participating in, you know, like normal teenage angsty things and selling drugs. Okay. I mean, not normal for everybody, but, they're okay now. They're doing really successful things. If you're listening. Yeah. We won't name names. Yeah, yeah. Sorry, guys. But that's just a phase. But no. And it was that way for me. It was where I thought, okay, yeah, I should do something. I called them back up. I said, hey, can we can we try martial arts again? You know, and he said, sure. So I started taking classes, you know, slowly but surely, my my brain didn't function, you know, the same way. So short term memory was still hard for me. So things like, the forms poomsae or katas, they're like pattern movements like move number one two, they have like two arms. And I couldn't remember them. And I worked so hard and I would be so scared. So it would be, anxiety causing two. Totally. So I'd get upset and I'm scared like, oh, I used to be the best at this. And now I'm. I'm nothing. I can't even remember two moves or six. Yeah, but I just, I just stayed with it and, slowly started to build up and that's he I guess you just get back on the horse. And then persevere. You know, same thing like martial arts teaches you, you know, and hopefully like anybody who goes through anything, you know, they can just fight through or find a way like a purpose to just guide them through it and get that goal. And, and that's kind of where it progressed, you know, getting back into martial arts and then talk about how you transitioned from being the athlete to being the teacher or the master. Funny stories, because I think I'm like a dramatic guy. Okay. So I always think, like, life is like a movie or things like that. I don't know why it's silly that way. I see life as a movie all the time. Yeah, maybe it's just because we grew up with, like, the best movies. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And hopefully you're the main character. Or maybe you're not. I don't know, but, my master said, hey, can you help teach. And I thought, you know, the things come in like, well, who would want to learn from a brain damaged ADHD who wants to do this but, I started teaching and, you know, that process was, it's a big change, but it was neat because I remember the moment and I remember the kid's name who went to a competition, and he got a gold medal. Your first, like, major student. Yeah. Jesse. Ivy. And then I had also coached another boy named Robert McNichol. And he had his family took me under their wing to like, hey, my son would really love lessons with you. So we did a lot of private practices and things like that. And just seeing when they did it, when they'd win these medals, when they would do all the stuff, it was better than when I won. Yeah. And I'm not like the being, you know, overexaggerating or anything. No, it's so true. I think the same thing. It's almost like being a parent to like when you've accomplished something, you're like, okay, cool. Yeah, I worked hard, but then when you see your kid accomplish something, you're like, oh my gosh. So it's the same when you're like coaching kids. Yeah, it's 100% like that 100%. It's just like the family thing. And so they started, you know, win medals themselves. So the joy when you can teach them to do it. And it's just like this is the greatest thing. Yeah. You know, it's felt so cool. And and so, you know, and you need the little thing to get momentum, build up momentum. So the kids started winning medals. But then also I started to see how it was changing their lives. Yeah. And and that was awesome. Well it's one thing to make yourself great, but then when you watch linear impacting others, especially like young people and like seeing them change their lives, change how they perform, change how they act, the respect level, like all those things like that's got to be so rewarding, so rewarding. And now that's just in my mind, having like, I had a kid who was not a kid came to class yesterday and he was dropping something off, and now he's sorry, 24, I think 25. And he was my first student. We'll get to that, you know. Yeah, we'll get back to that. But I just want to like, interject this is he gave me, a wedding invitation. Oh my gosh, I love that. And he's the student that I've known the longest since I moved to Sherwood, which we'll get into. Yeah, but you sound like make a difference and things like that. Now he's an EMT, and you just look at these kids and. And you're just so proud of them. Absolutely. You know, you tear up a little bit. Kind of like oh my gosh. You know I remember when you were just seven and now you're getting married and you're successful in your career path and you know. Yeah. And they take the lessons with them. Yeah. And you had an impact on their journey. That's really cool. So you started teaching a few students and then how did that grow to you owning your own business. Yeah. So there's a big stretch in between. But with with fast Forward because I can get a little lengthy. We, I started teaching in out in Gresham. And the school was out there and it was, you know, like I say, it was great. My master eventually ended up moving to California, which was ironic, because that's what I thought I wanted for my life when I first met him. I told him every day, I just want to go back. Yeah. So he ended up going to California? Yeah, he let me. Thanks. Massively. And I ended up, staying here and then teaching with another master, Master Kim. And that was going, you know, okay, for a while. But I think I just fell into, like, an instructor thing where I was just teaching, and, I think the recession hit and I was in actually, I don't know how much I'm like. Gresham. Gresham is a different place. Like, my experience in Gresham is different. You know, shout outs to Gresham. And I just thought to myself, like, I got it. I got to be doing more than this. And, you know, so I asked if there was anything out there, and and there wasn't a master wasn't ready to, like, open up hours or anything. And my unemployment was running out. And. Yeah, all these things and you just looking at your life like, wow, I thought I was destined for something a little more than this, you know, like I told you, I went to the place and they told me I needed to go back. I needed to go back so I could just teach for 400 bucks a month in, right. And work at a dive bar on the weekends. It was not really fitting. So, I looked around and there was another martial arts school, and the guy had said, hey, I'll introduce you to the guy who runs the show. And he did. So I ended up meeting with him and going out to Sherwood. And from Sherwood was, night and day from my experience in Gresham. But, the biggest thing was in Sherwood when I came out here. Now, I wasn't sure, you know, I was basically, I don't really like, say this, but, like, getting evicted from my place in Gresham. Not because of me, but my roommates sure kept smoking and getting caught smoking on the patio. Friends? Yeah. I mean, that's the theme of this podcast so far as you need new friends. Need new friends. Yeah. And, and so I, I just got here. It was time for a change. It was time for a change. But I met I met my wife, and that was the biggest, like, redirect I've ever had in my life. It's the greatest thing about anything ever in my whole life is my wife is is the best in meeting her. And she, talked with me, you know, and encouraged me, like, maybe when it got to that point where we were thinking maybe we should open up a school, you know, because it wasn't exactly working with that place, the other place I was teaching in. And so, you know, I think you need somebody to believe in you. Absolutely. And she had said, like, hey, maybe go back to school. So I started going back to school and, you know, then the opportunity came when maybe I could start my own school. Wasn't sure if I was ready, but there's all these things. You don't know if you're ready. But you can't just sit there. Yeah. Well, how will you ever know if you're ready. You just have to make action. Yeah. And and that was the biggest thing was that in her opening my eyes like this could be you can do this, you know. And when you're in the mud all you see is mud, right? Till someone's like, shining the light like, hey, look, you could do this. And and so we did, we opened up our own school and it's been, it's been a dream. Like, the whole thing is honestly the movie that I was talking about, you know, because you go through brain damage, you go through bad situations, and then now I can, you know, live. This is what I wanted, like a nice place. We raised a family, two wonderful kids, you know? Yeah. And you guys are very heavily involved in the community. We saw you my, at my daughter's elementary school at the school carnival the other day, and she was, like, so excited. But she wasn't the only one. I don't know, the kids are like, Master Lisa. Master Lisa and stuff, like, all the kids know, you know, it's just got to be fun. Yeah, I think I think the there's things for me where like I put obstacles in my own way and I there's just stuff that always moves them out. Yeah. And so I think it's something else, you know, bigger that is just going through like you know, meeting my wife and then staying on that and then like, okay, now I have to raise a family. So if I was nervous or anxious, I can't be a good teacher or, you know, I had anxiety and I go through anxiety and you seeing all that stuff and getting nervous in, but like extreme anxiety problems, but that always be something that would push it. Like one day I'm feeling now, I don't know if this is it and be a kid that I see at a carnival and they're like, hey, this is great. Hi, Mr. Lacy. And you're like, okay, we're doing something right. Like, keep going, just keep going. And that's the thing. You just just keep pushing. And so, we did and and we we just kept going. We actually end up we won business of the year in 2014. That's awesome. And some of this stuff is surreal. Yeah. You know, it sure would. Because then you look around and then you see the kids that now like they're growing up, like I told you, that boy came back to me. He was my first student. Yeah, I love that ever. Yeah. You just came back to me yesterday and they're just like, hey. And he said, you know, I made a difference. Hey, maybe I'll come back, you know, and we're seeing like, that's amazing. It's so cool. Yeah. Well, even this morning when I stopped to get coffee at Dutch, you know, they always ask me, like, what are you doing today? And I was like, oh, I'm actually interviewing. Must really see it. And they're like, we love him. He brings us pizza. I was like, he does. And they're like, yeah, if he has leftover pizza from camp and stuff, he brings it to us. Yeah. I was like, that's cool. Yeah, it's just. And I said, like, This is Sherwood Community. Because when we're here, it sure like people are looking out for each other. You know, I was fortunate enough to move next to JJ Bittner. Doctor Bittner and he like, you know, when you're in a different situation, like I said, you don't know not how to act or things like that. But he helped me a lot in the beginning, too, because he's a dentist. He's a dentist for kids. Dentist. He's actually the coolest dentist in the history of dentistry. Actually, I think he holds the he holds out a Guinness Book of World Records for actually the don't take our word for it, look it up the biggest mouth. He holds the record for the biggest mouth. That's true. Oh my gosh, that's crazy. But also, he's a great guy. His brother helped with our graphic design, but he, you know, there's so many people that just go on on the way. I met him the first time and he was waving and talking everybody. And he knew their life. And, you know, now that's. That's where I am. Yeah. You just seen it. Like this picture. This community can be great where everybody's uplifting each other and we're all on the same page. And it just thriving together, just getting behind each other. Like when Covid came, I had to close the school down. Well, yeah. You can't really do like hand-to-hand. Yeah. You're not supposed to be touching you just like shadow doing it six feet apart. Yeah, with mask on. But then about the same the people came to and they like still stayed in zoom classes. Those are horrible. That was traumatic. Zoom classes are terrible. But it wasn't a it was an option though during the time and they stayed with it. And and then they would tell me like, you know, the city's offering grants to help businesses and things like that. They just rallied, like everything just keeps going back. And people really got behind me. So it's it's more than me. It's not even me. Yeah. None of this is me. Yeah. It's a whole community. Yeah. Talk about. So when you and your wife decided, like, okay, we can do this, let's open up a school. How did you go about deciding where to open it? Like where? Like what kind of lease to sign? Like all that kind of stuff. That, brand new business owners don't always know what to do. Like, did you research it or did you ask around, like, how did you know? Oh, this would be a good lease, sir. Oh, this is a good spot. It's a funny thing because, it just how much you don't know for sure. Like, and you kind of own your own business and you don't know it. You know, it's it's every day. You don't know what you don't know for sure. And what you don't know is a lot most things. And so I think, you know, you just looked at places around the area like what? And you know, your idea like, okay, when you're in that position, what's the cheapest for sure because you're starting out and you have to have, low overhead and all that stuff. And I was in I grew up a poor kid, so I always thought like, okay, my mind is always like, where can we make a deal? Work it. Yeah. Be frugal. And and so we actually had a place picked out that was pretty cheap because it was a terrible location. And someone else had just told me, hey, there's this place opening up next to McDonald's. And they said, but there was another martial arts school there, which coincidentally, I had talked to him when I knew I was leaving the first place in Sherwood. I thought, I need another job. Maybe I'll try to open one with this guy. Yeah. So I started the conversations with him, but something didn't feel right. You know, I was being guided away from that. And so I told the leasing guy, I. You can't let me go here. There's another martial arts school, and he gave me more of a wink, wink. Don't worry about that. Yeah. He might not be here. He might not be here. And so two months later, he defaulted on his loan or whatever, and, defaulted on his lease. So, yeah, I was I was there and it was right next to a preschool. So I think it was just trying to find a place where you have, proximity to potential market and then figuring out your budget. Yeah. And just seeing if you can make the numbers work. And did you take out, like, a business loan to buy mats and equipment and things like that, or had you saved up or how did you go about that? So when I was at the first place, things weren't really going well, you know, and I told you I had done all these things with, you know, I ended up, graduating college and doing that stuff. But while the meantime, I knew it wasn't working at that school that I was doing school and college. I talked to some of the students who said that they would come on as investors. We were all going to just open the school together. But then with me in college, I said, hey, you know what? Actually, I think I should finish school first. I'm going to wrap it up in six months to a year. Then we can revisit opening up a school. But then I hit an impasse with this other organization because, our morals didn't align. And so I was leaving there, and I went back to the original people, and I said, hey, are you still interested? I gotta move, like, I gotta get out of this place. It's it's over. And they said, sorry, we've, you know, put that money towards something else. But there was one person who said, no, I can do it and be what's called an investment angel. So they just loan you the money in no interest. And so that part started. And then, you know, I was paying them off to start the school and then eventually, eventually with that thing was kind of a weird situation. So my wife stepped in again because she's, an angel. And she put all of it on a credit card. Oh my gosh. She put the remaining balance of the money on the credit card. And we're just like you gotta sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do in a business situation where you just gotta trust the money will come and we'll pay this off. Yeah, yeah. Got to trust it. Yeah. Or just. Yeah. Like let go, let go wrong with it. Yeah. So that to answer that question it was probably a combination of initial investment person. And then my wife stepping in like hey let's make this our own. Yeah. Yeah. And then you don't have to worry. And then when did you transition into this space? The space we it was about two years at the other place. And the leasing officers or the lease mortgage landlords here were looking to get people into the new place and they had Safari Sam's here. It was a big kid's playground. And so they had actually came into my school and said, hey, we have some options open over there. And I met with the guy, but I saw his clipboard and over his shoulder, and it was like $7 more a square foot than what I was paying. And I was I sat down with them. I was like, I got to be honest with you, I'm about to teach classes, so I don't have that much time, so I'm just going to shoot straight. I can't afford that, right? There's no way I can move my location. Plus it's almost double the size. So I'd be, you know, way more 150% more money and times two times a space or whatnot. And so he said, don't worry, let me see what I can do. And he came in at a number that was $1 above what I was paying at that location. And so again, we just just jumped in. Yeah. Yeah, I think I think that's a big part of it too, is, taking the risks and just seeing, you know, really thinking about it. Like when you look at everybody who takes risks and the people who go for it, and just where do they end up? And you see the people who don't take it, and then where do they end up? And then what what makes it two people different? Like, what do I think? It's also being strategic with your risk. Like you can't risk everything and that's how people go out of business. But when you are risking something like, well, I'm getting a bigger space, which means more students, I'm not doubling what I'm paying. That's a strategic risk, right? Worst case scenario, you went back to a smaller spot. And and I mean, that's it. Yeah, I think that's it too. Like that's a big thing is I could always go back, but, I'm silly like a dreamer. And I know that about myself, so I'm sure I, I lean so hard into my wife because I could just say, like, it's great that you have a partner, that you can do that because some, business owners are single and they don't have that. So maybe it's like a family member or whatever. But having, like you said earlier, a support system and checks and balances. Yeah. It's just it's game changing for you and your business. I guess it's like, hey, we should move to a 10,000 square foot location. She like, wait, hold on. Is that going to work? Like one second? Like, let's do the number she got. Yeah. Way more analytical brain with the figuring out the logistics. And I'm more like, oh, we can do it. Why? Because I believe. Yeah. Yeah, I think we can. Because I'm the main character. Yeah. Did you see how these stories go in the movies? Remember Daniel Sutton now they're doing Cobra Kai, right? That's me. Yeah, I love that. Talk a little bit about what you get today. Atmos. I like the kind of classes that you offer and like the type of students you have here, because it's not just kiddos. I know we've talked about kids a lot, but you have adult students and things too. Yeah, we have adults. We have adults, you know, mostly because the show is a big family community. So we have family classes. A lot of times it's for the adults that can take class with their kids at the same time. And then on the other side of it, we teach Brazilian jiu jitsu, which is also a more adult drawing martial art. I would say, you know, and it's a little bit more practical in terms of self-defense applications, you know, especially because we have Patricio Riquelme, and he teaches Gracie style jiu jitsu, okay. Which is self-defense. It's self-defense, Gracie style jiu jitsu. So it's not as much competition is more like practical usage. Take it to the streets sort of stuff. And we have hapkido. I dare you to take my hand and dare I? Yeah, well, I, I always try to address that with humility, like, you know, but eventually the confidence that comes will be a big, dare you shield, you know, like, you'll have some protection just because you'll feel better when you walk into that. So that's the big draw for adults. We have an after school program, so we also pick kids up from the school, and it's, a care program. So they come in and then we have tutors that work with the kids. And so in their off time, they'll do lunches, and then they do their homework with the with the tutors. And then everybody gets to do class with me every day. So everybody who's a part of our afterschool program, we pick them up and then we have day camps for them when they have those days off of school, which is a lot of days off of school, there is a two days off of school. And again, I like that you partner with the community during spring break. Rylan, my daughter came to one of the day camps and you went ice skating. Yeah. And she never got ice skating before and she's a little clumsy like I am. And so I was just like, oh, I hope you don't break anything. She had the best time. She loved it. I think that could be like an analogy for everything or like a metaphor because you're scared to ice skate. But then when you go and get into it, you find out they have gliders. Oh for sure. And you can hold on to them. So everybody's gone through the hard stuff. So it's just fun for her to do something with her friends outside of Mysa. So it was just like a whole experience for her that she just thought was so cool. And like with that, to team up with Langer's and Langer's, we get to go to the fun center, which is the coolest thing. So ice skating is awesome. Then we get to go play laser tag and yeah, and the Langer team are just the most awesome people because they invite us over there. So every time we have a camp, you know, the last day of the camp, that's a big celebration, like. And now we're going to Langer's or. Yeah, we know we meet up with Hungry Hero and now we're going to have cookies. We have a special deal with Domino's and Pizza and everybody, mud puddles, toys and books like they, they give us, you know, they hosting a camp, a summer camp this year where they, they go through the, artwork with the kids, cool artwork. And they, they give us toys to play with. The kids that show a community is just prime for working together and networking. Like everybody's together well, and it's smart and makes it more fun for the kids because, like, even though they love martial arts of the summer camp, you can only do so much martial arts every day, especially if you're six. Yeah, like their attention spans, like short, you know. So it's nice that you you're like, you still tie in the martial arts, but then you're like, I get it, you're six. Let's do building blocks for a little, I think. I think another big change that came is, me realizing that too, because, you know, like, I could kick oh, I want to kick all day. Like, oh, what do you wanna do now? I'll do roundhouse kick. Okay. You've been doing that for an hour now. What do you wanna do? What about roundhouse kick? You know, but people, not everybody know that a lot of people don't do that stuff. And I'm not saying like, oh, I got a really good roundhouse kick. I'm just same. My brain works different. So. Totally. The thing was with, that was just realizing, what do people really come to the martial arts for? What are people signing their kids up for? And I got on with this new coaching, group a couple years ago, and his name is Jason Silverman, and we have a Powerful Words program. And then he did with his wife, Doctor Robin Silverman. And she's, got the book. Talk to your kids about anything. I don't know if you see. And she said, I haven't seen that, so check it out. Times bestseller. And she, built this program where we're developing character, and he has this program where he's my business coach. So he's helping me develop my business and run it like a real business. And it's seeing what the kids, what I've really just zeroed in on the past few months is there's not a shortage of taekwondo. That's not why people are signing up. They're like, oh, man, we really hope our kid does taekwondo someday. You know, there's gymnastics and cheer programs we need to get our kid to be in. Yeah, they want the stuff that goes along with it. So it's the character that they're developing. Respect. That's been a huge one at our house is, she has learned here to say like, yes, Master Lacey. Yes, mom. Yes, coach, because she plays sports too. And any time I'm like Rylan. And she's like, yeah, I go, what? And she's yes mom like so. But we didn't do that before. We are music family so it's nice. I remind her too, and I think, I think that's just the thing is and I wonder, like, how am I going to do it? Like, how would I teach the kids how to be more respectful? How would I do? And you try, that's how you do it. You have a program. We have a program and we go over it. You know, like right now we're working on manners. You know, next month we're going to work on optimism. There's just not programs teaching that anymore. People are so stressed. I just found out that maybe Newberg doesn't have a sports program and afterschool programs. No. So, like, my daughter plays softball and, like, Newberg doesn't have a softball league, so they play with the Sherwood League. And then same with, like, volleyball. Sherwood doesn't have a volleyball league. So Rylan plays in like Wilsonville West Linn. So it's kind of crazy like you would think. And sometimes now there would be sports everywhere, but there's not I think that's a big thing too is for us. Like maybe growing up, that's how I was lucky, because I found martial arts. And then that helps you explain your life. So you have like, okay, I'm failing at running a business, but it's just like, roundhouse kick. I feel that roundhouse kick. What do you do? You keep practicing. But to teach the character, they don't have that. And then not having it in the schools, the programs are dying. Well, really? What's going to happen? Yeah. Where are the kids going to go to learn this stuff and learn what it takes to, you know, face adversity and know that if you just got to pick yourself up, you got to do it. You got to try. Sometimes you just have to do it. You can't wait around for an answer. Yeah, well, I think a cool lesson too here is like, even if you have the skill, like, you know, for example, the joke that we just had, like, try and take my purse, obviously, you know how to like, handle a situation like that, but doesn't mean you're going to like you'll try other ways first. And that's a lesson you guys learn here. Like just because you could take someone down doesn't mean you're supposed to. So it also teaches you like how to make those decisions, how to know when to use your power and not to use your power or things like that. And, you know, avoid the thing where you're looking to prove it right. You have to prove it because you already know it. Yeah. So so it's okay. And then that just leads to a lot of avoided conflict. Yeah. Well, and some people might think too with martial arts it's like one on one because like you are learning hand-to-hand combat type stuff, but you do a lot of games here where they're working as a team. Like yesterday they were doing a version of Capture the Flag, and so the they were working as a team to get the other one, and then also to stop the other team. And I just think that's important too. It's not just a solo act that you have here. It's also teamwork. I think like this is like out there, but I'll just say too, like when you go like we want the world to be a better place for sure. And the kids, I mean, it's not a magic formula anymore. Like, what are the kids? They have to learn this stuff. They have to learn teamwork. They have to learn confidence, patience, perseverance. Yeah. Kind of see integrity. Other all the stuff that taekwondo is built on a martial arts and and like I said to they don't they don't have that programs in the schools anymore. So they're cutting that. So that's going to be lost. Because they're not going to be able to learn that if it wasn't for martial arts, you know, I when I moved back here, I would have just been depressed. I but I probably well, I definitely wouldn't be here. Yeah. You know, but who knows what that leads to. And I've had some, very serious conversations with parents who've had some unfortunate situations with their kids where they've had to come to me and say, hey, my kid said this is a safe place for them. And that's the biggest thing because yeah, that's got to feel great saving lives. Yeah. No think in a weird you know I like to have to believe that it's doing. Yeah I think also focus I, you give the kids or a characteristic that you work on with them and I don't know if you mean to, but as gratitude because you always have them, like, say thank you to, like, whoever's teaching the class, and you always have them say thank you to their parents. Thank you to the flags, all of those things. And Rylan now does that like at volleyball camp, she'll run up and thank the coach. And not everybody's doing that or a basketball camp. She'll run to me like thank you for your time today. And so I just I don't know if you realize that's even a small lesson that the kids at Miss are taking out with them. I think it's just it's the hope. Totally is the hope and and you doing it. And then you see like making a difference like this is great. And I understand now like it's a, you know for me like it was hard like oh if it, if it's, oh it's a master release. It's not a master Lacey thing. It's a whole team thing. Like, I have so many people behind this and. Yeah, you know, I wish we could all be up here doing the podcast. Everybody's and talking. Everybody's had a part, but it's it's like that cool story, where, you know, I taught a guy who was in his 60s and he got his black belt. I love that. And he ended up getting ordained as a minister and married my wife and I. Oh my gosh. Yeah, I love that. And he's still a mentor for me. I mean, there's this program's through and it's just like, you know, the dream my wife and I have and like, we're doing this just to see it come out. Let's be able to like, step back. And when you have systems in place. It starts to run itself and it, it breeds that character developed. Yeah. Well now you have teachers that were once students of yours that are now also like learning that and teaching Rylan love some of the female teachers that you have here. And they're like both in their 20s. What the 15. What which one's 50. Both of them are 15. No. Yeah. Oh my gosh I thought they were in their 20s. They that's prove my point exactly. Because I was just going to tell you that maybe my students and I understands better, connect better with my instructors than me. And that's a prime example of it, you know, because I, I can't be as the same sort of role model for your daughter as I can for. No, she thinks you're pretty cool. That's like the two girls teachers, too. Yeah. And to see them come and then, like the little hurdles that people overcome, like, you know, they're my my instructor Ashton, he was like anger management kid. And he would get so angry he would cry. And he would go off into the corner. We actually started a piece corner for him. Okay. So that's the calming corner was his corner because he could get so flustered and he had a hard time connecting with the other students with his anger. But now he's our number one instructor. I was going to say that's I obviously didn't know that, Ashton. I just know the one today. And he's just so, like, sweet and charming and bubbly. I can think of how he was. Nobody would ever, in a million years use sweet, charming and bubbly for like anybody if he's listening, which I doubt because he's too cool for us. But yeah, he's probably like, oh great, thanks for telling everyone. I'm a crybaby. Now I'm a bubbly. He was a bubbly boy, but it was like the dangerous crybaby was like the angry, I'm going to throw something crying. And so yeah. But he. Yeah. Bubbly. I think he'll be the first to admit it. So we have to talk. Talk to him. You mentioned it. Tell him. I told him about the the calming corner because that's one of his favorite. Yeah. Stories he doesn't like. They all tell him be like, do you need a common corner? We, I wanted it to sound better for this purposes, but it used to be called the Crying Corner. Yeah, but then there's a negative connotation with crying. So now it's the calming corner. What's next for myself? I think we're building. We're building our systems out to create, freedom. But in this way, like, we're reaching more kids. Yeah. So, I'm going to continue with the after school program. That's been huge. And then we're zeroing in more on that character development side of things, and we're really focusing on giving the kids the advantage. Yeah, you know, that they need and that they're, you know, like I said, not finding but just given opportunities to grow, give them something to enjoy. Give them something to be good at. We are going to, you know, try to get big. And then with me building this out more, with more organization and more structure, they say like with discipline comes freedom. And I think, you know, for me that's going to create a little more freedom for my wife and I sure hopefully so we're not you know always. Yeah. You deserve to have a life too. And and be able to reach more people like that because now I'm, I don't have to answer every phone call so I can come up with, you know, ideas for getting more students and more students to enjoy Musc. Yeah, I just want the world to be a better place, and I just want everybody to be happy. And it's really a silly, sappy thing. And that's that's the goal. Yeah. Well, for anyone listening or watching, if you want to check out Melissa, there's summer camps. There's just day camps. If you just want to give it a try. Don't you offer, like a trial period, a two week trial? Yep. That's right. Now is our summer specials. The biggest thing we offer all year? That's two months for 100 bucks. Yeah, and that's how we started the summer specials by easily. Hands down, the best offer way to get started. And then, we're running summer camps all summer. Let's go from 8 to 2. But you can extend to six, summer camps, afterschool program, and then taekwondo and jiu jitsu and hapkido. For all the kids, all ages. We run classes all day, every day. One class on Saturday, our afterschool program, we pick up on early releases, then our summer camps. They have pizza all day. I mean, those are all kind of these ideas. Just. Yeah. Lizard out of my mouth. Here you go. And you do like, parents night out. So, like, sometimes you're open on a Friday night or you do a movie night, movie night. The parents night owls the third Friday of every month so parents can drop their kids off and not worry about it. And every now and then you'll do a pop up, a female self-defense class. Yeah, that's geared towards the ladies. Yeah, we have that. We like to offer that for free for our community here to build that up. That's actually run by Patricio. Mr. Patricio. He's, the jiu jitsu black belt. So he's the one that really mans that and really gets that going, Well, I appreciate you so much. Thank you for having us in the dojo today. Cheers to you one more time. And thank you, everybody, for listening or watching. Have a great day. See you next time.