About Us
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About Our School
Welcome to the TM Martial Arts Academy website! We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your family! Hundreds of parents are raving about how much their children have gained from the martial arts classes at TM Martial Arts Academy. Our one-of-a-kind character-building programs help children become more confident, focused, and inspired to become a leader among their peers. There aren’t many programs that both parents and children can benefit from, not to mention to participate in together! Our specialized martial arts program can help every member of your family build confidence, develop a winning positive attitude, and learn real-life leadership skills! We are conveniently located at 3480 Caton Farm Road in Joliet, one block West of Essington Rd and about one mile East of Route 59. We welcome families and students from Plainfield, Minooka, Crest Hill, Braidwood, and surrounding areas. For more information about our programs, or to schedule a free introductory lesson, contact our Program Director Vanessa Scahill at (815) 527-3947.
Instructor/Owner Grandmaster Timothy S. Harrison
Grandmaster Timothy S. Harrison is a 8th-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 7th-degree black belt in Combat Hapkido, a 1st-degree black belt in Joe Lewis Fighting System, and a 1st degree black belt in Superfoot Fighting Systems. He is a certified instructor with the International Police Defensive Tactics Institute, the Military Combatives Association, and C.O.B.R.A self-defense.
Grandmaster Harrison is also an instructor certified by the International Combat Hapkido Federation in Ground Survival and Anatomical Targeting Strategies, and Tactical Jeet Kune Do Principles by Grandmaster Joe Lewis.
He has been awarded many honors over the years: being inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2007 and 2011, Budo International Magazine Outstanding Achievement Award, Combat Hapkido 2006 Hapkido Instructor of the Year by the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, Master of the year Combat Hapkido 2019, American Martial Arts Alliance Who's Who Legends Award 2020 & 2022, International Combat Hapkido Federation Founder's Hall of Honors Award 2022, induction into the International Spartan Hall of Warriors Society 2024.
Grandmaster Harrison started studying martial arts in 1972 at Tracy’s Kenpo Karate located in Downer Grove IL. He studied there until approximately 1976. In the mid to late 1980s, he started in Tae Kwon Do and traditional Hapkido. In 1997 he attended Karate College at Radford Virginia. While he was there, he was introduced to Grandmaster Joe Lewis, Grandmaster Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, and many other well-known martial artists. Grandmaster Harrison received his black belt from Grandmaster Joe Lewis in 2008.
On February 3rd, 2003 Grandmaster Harrison opened his school, TM Martial Arts Academy, teaching Tae Kwon Do, Grandmaster Pellegrini’s Combat Hapkido, as well as various kickboxing and self-defense programs and seminars. TM Martial Arts Academy focuses on teaching character development, self-defense skills, and developing strong leadership skills – even among the youngest students. Grandmaster Harrison has two sons. Timothy is a small business owner and Marc is a police officer and a United States Marine. They all reside in the Chicagoland area.
Why Choose TM Martial Arts?
Fantastic Leadership Development
We have a world-class curriculum with character-building built into every technique. Our students work on their character and leadership development in 3 distinct places: at our studio, at home, and even at school! We pride ourselves on watching and helping our students as they grow into fine, young ladies and gentlemen.
Student to Instructor Programs
All of our instructors came up through our programs here at TM Martial Arts and became wonderful, well-developed young adults. They in turn teach the students the same leadership and character development skills that they learned.