GALLATIN, TN, May 23, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Konrad O. Spillmann has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Spillmann has dedicated nearly six decades to the discipline of martial arts, establishing himself as a leading authority in self-defense and business instruction. As owner and grandmaster instructor at Global Martial Arts USA since 2011 and operating ATC from 1993 to 2011 until he moved to Tennessee, he has overseen organizational operations, supervised all licensed branch schools, and managed daily activities at the main location. His commitment extends to teaching self-defense and martial arts classes for children, adults, and individuals with special needs. Under his leadership, Global Martial Arts USA in Gallatin, Tennessee, has flourished as a family-run institution spanning three generations, offering not only traditional martial arts training but also innovative programs such as homeschooling, K-12, and after-school care. The school provides transportation for students from local schools and supports children enrolled in homeschooling five days a week.

Throughout his career, Mr. Spillmann has prioritized developing leadership skills in children and empowering adults to overcome personal obstacles. He has conducted numerous seminars internationally, focusing on business, marketing, and motivation for corporate clients, as well as specialized self-defense training for military and police forces in various countries. His expertise is further demonstrated through his work with Little Lions Kid Programs and the GMA Warrior Supplement Company, both of which support the holistic development of his students, young and old.

In addition to his instructional roles, Mr. Spillmann is an author, speaker, poet, lyricist, and has been seen in movies and on television. He wrote "The Taekwondo Business Manual" in 2007 and has delivered business, marketing, and motivational seminars worldwide. He also produced instructional self-defense videotapes in 1997 and an ATC DVD Curriculum Set in 2006. He contributed to the Little Lions World Book series and life skill books for young children, projects developed in collaboration with his wife, Master Joanne Spillmann, who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Child Development from CSF.

Mr. Spillmann's professional journey includes significant leadership positions within major martial arts organizations. He served as vice president of TaeKwondo International from 2007 to 2011, vice president of the World Hapkido Federation Korea (USA) from 2017 to 2018, and vice president of the World Martial Arts Master Mission Federation (Christian Outreach) from 2010 to 2014. His expertise is recognized by memberships in prominent organizations such as the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, USA Taekwondo, World Taekwondo Jidokwan Federation, International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, International Taekwon-Do Federation INO number 78, Phoenix Group Taekwondo International, Taekwon Do Collaborative, USA Boxing, The World Hapkido Federation Korea, Korea Hapkido Association, and Korea Hapkido Federation. (All awards, citations, commendations, competition medals, and trophies are displayed at the school).

His academic background includes attending Sacred Heart Catholic School, Saint Brendan's Catholic School, and Markham College in Peru. He completed studies at DBHS and DBCC in automotive technology and business, and later pursued business DAP coursework under Cornell University. He continues to expand his knowledge through business classes, religious studies, and doctoral work in philosophy.

Mr. Spillmann holds several prestigious martial arts certifications: ninth-degree taekwondo black belt from the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, ninth-degree taekwondo black belt from the World Taekwondo Jidokwan Federation, ninth-degree taekwondo black belt from Taekwondo International, master level black belt from Kukkiwon, master level black belt in hapkido, and third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation under Rocian Gracie Jr, out of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

His relentless pursuit of excellence—driven by a genuine passion for martial arts and teaching—has been instrumental to his success. Unlike his brothers, who pursued careers in architecture or engineering, Mr. Spillmann chose to follow his lifelong love of martial arts, beginning at a young age. This decision led him to work his way up to operating many schools under Grandmaster Y.K. Kim, for almost 14 years, who he still considers his Taekwondo father and mentor to this day. After leaving A.T.F he then went on to start his own school in California with little in his pocket in 1992 and sleeping in his school, eventually growing to eight locations and many licensed branches in the USA and overseas until he retired in 2012 to Gallatin, Tennessee, to be closer to family, and where he opened (GMA) Global Martial Arts USA. He has been operating his own schools for more than three decades, achieving recognition at a higher level and developing many black belt students and fighters. He has focused on learning and teaching martial arts for his entire life.

Mr. Spillmann's civic engagement includes serving as co-director of the Kingdom Day Parade in Los Angeles from 2002 to 2003 and organizing Toys for Tots collections at all branch schools alongside annual food drives. He served as a board member at Ameristate University during the 2000s and supported breakathon fundraising events for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and charity events for D.A.R.E (Drug Awareness Resistance Education), breaking hundreds of concrete blocks for charity, and also raised funds for Christian outreaches overseas.

His achievements have been recognized through numerous awards and citations from the World Taekwondo Jidokwan Federation (1980, 1982), a Letter of Appreciation from Y.K. Kims TaeKwonDo. Citation from the California State Senate (2001), various honorary teacher awards including Outstanding Instructor of the Year (1992) and Honorary Teacher Award Orange County (1993), Outstanding Team Coach A.T.F (1991), Outstanding Instrucor of the year A.T.F (1991), Outstanding Leadership Award World HapKi-Do Federation (1997), AMS Outstanding Business Award (1997), Co Director of TaeKwon-Do Games LA (1998), Taekwondo Training Certificate World Taekwondo Academy Kukkiwon (1999) Co-Director California Inter City (2001–2002), Letter of Commendation from Kukkiwon (2007 & 2010), Martial Arts Schools of Puerto Rico Seminar Award (2008) and a National Leadership Award (BAC-RP) and Top School in Sumner County Finalist (2024, 2025). His work has also been featured in many news articles over the years.

On a personal level, Mr. Spillmann is a humble person who enjoys working on classic cars and writing songs and poems. He is still committed in his 60s to continuing his mission of teaching both adults and children not only martial arts techniques but also essential life skills that address overcoming adversity and managing stress. Recognizing that many students face challenges such as abuse or developmental disorders—including children with autism and ADHD—he strives to use martial arts as a tool for healing and personal growth within an increasingly complex world.

With a legacy deeply rooted in martial arts—his father practiced it before him, and his children and grandchildren continue this tradition—Mr. Spillmann remains dedicated to passing down Global Martial Arts USA to future generations while fostering resilience, leadership, and success among all those he teaches.

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