Grand Master Soon Woo Lee began studying the martial arts at the age of five when his grandfather enrolled him in the Bo Duk Temple. There children learned courage and self-confidence by living away from home and being close to wild animals in a natural mountain environment. Basic self-defense was taught in the temple along with philosophy to develop knowledge and wisdom in the children. This type of living developed obedience, patience, respect and self-discipline that are vital to becoming a successful martial artist.

After two years of living at the Bo Duk Temple, Grand Master Lee began his public school education while continuing the temple training. At this time he also began studying several other Korean martial arts such as Judo, Tae Kwon Do, and Ho Shin Do. Later Grand Master Lee began his training in Hap Ki Do Kuk Sul in Pusan, Korea. After many years of training he became the youngest person to reach the level of Grand Master.

Grand Master Lee returns to visit training temple in 1991

During his many years of training, Grand Master Lee had an underlying dream of one day owning a school in which to teach his own unique style of martial arts. While training and teaching Grand Master Lee specialized in teaching young students because he wanted to help the youth of Korea, especially those with troubled backgrounds. During these years he also taught American military personnel as well as Korean police, government agencies and various foreigners working in Korea. In 1977 he entered the Marine Corps where he taught combat martial arts to the soldiers.

After finishing military service in 1980, Grand Master Lee came to the United States to teach in San Francisco at the Kuk Sul Headquarters. He taught there as Head Master for five years. Next he took a higher paying position for one year at which time he was able to save $5,000 to begin his own school. But when he arrived in Plano he discovered the person he had trusted to arrange the lease had taken his money. With $40 and personal courage instilled from a lifetime of discipline he founded the World Moon Moo Do Federation in 1986.

Grand Master Lee worked out arrangements with utility companies and other businesses to gradually finance his dream. He spent many nights on the cement floor using his martial arts uniform as a pillow. He showered when it rained and had little food - he remembers cutting a waffle to make two meals. Quickly Grand Master Lee learned the business aspects of running a school. He also taught himself English from a dictionary in order to communicate with his students.

What Grand Master Lee offers his students are lessons in life. He is selective about who joins because only those interested in strengthening their minds and bodies will be able to fully enjoy the fruits of martial arts.

“Fighting in martial arts means fighting with yourself. The mind controls the physical and the physical controls your activity. If you lose control of yourself you cannot control anybody. When you control yourself you can control another.”

“Martial arts is a very hard way of life. Many times I’m disappointed. Martial arts is a disciplined way of life. It continues from a beginning to an end and begins again.”