Meet Our Team

Phillip Henry began martial arts in Morehead City when he was 12 and achieved his black belt while attending Barton College in Wilson, NC.  During his attendance at the college, he founded the self-defense club, taught martial arts at a gym, and by the time he graduated, owned Wilson’s only full-time martial arts school.  He also became the Tae Kwon Do instructor for the Barton College PE program and earned many training certifications in the fitness industry.  Phillip later passed the school on to his assistant instructor and moved back to Morehead City to spread Grandmaster Dong’s system.  Mr. Henry has achieved Master level in Tae Kwon Do and Ta Kyuk Do as well as earned 8th DAN and the title Kwan Jang Nim in Hap Ki Do.  Phillip continues his training and advancement with Grandmaster Dong through weekly video lessons and Instructor Class monthly.  In 2019, Master Henry received an award from the World Martial Arts Grandmasters Federation for his “invaluable service to the martial arts” during a ceremony in Manassas, VA.

Phillip has spent most of his life working with children.  During his years at Barton College, he volunteered as a tutor and mentor at the Eastern NC School for the Deaf in Wilson.  Summers were spent as a camp counselor for Easter Seals where he assisted participants in their daily routines and adapted physical activities to their needs.  Phillip also served seven years as a Guardian ad Litem with Wilson County where he was a voice in court for neglected and abused children.

Mr. Henry found his martial arts school as a way to reach others and help them improve their lives.  While in Wilson, his program helped hundreds of children and adults improve physically, mentally and socially.  The school also supported St Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital at VCU. 

The philosophy of helping others continues in Morehead City where the school has supported the Domestic Violence Shelter, Carteret County Partnership for Children, Children’s Hospital and a scholarship to Carteret Community College.  Phillip can also be found volunteering at the NC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores as a scuba diving team leader with more than 12 years of service.

• Certified Personal Trainer - National Academy of Sports Medicine
• Optimal Performance Trainer for Youth
• Stretching & Flexibiltiy Coach (NASM)
• Specializations in:
  • Behavioral Change
  • Fitness Nutrition
  • Youth Exercise
• SQUABBLES Instructor (Social & Emotional Learning)
• CPR / First Aid / CPR Instructor
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work

Shannon Henry grew up near Richmond, VA and moved to North Carolina for college.  While studying Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Barton College in Wilson, NC, Shannon began taking martial arts.  During her time at Barton, she helped establish the Drama Club at the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf.
Shannon has worked with children in Day Cares and After School Programs since high school because of her passion for teaching younger students.  During college, she was also a tutor at the Eastern NC School for the Deaf.  Using her knowledge as an Early Childhood Development Specialist and ten years of martial arts experience, Shannon helped to create the TaeGrr Cubs™  program (ages 4-6) at the Morehead City, NC school.  In 2019, Shannon received an “Exemplary Role Model” award during a World Martial Arts Grandmasters Federation ceremony in Manassas, VA.
During her time off, Shannon enjoys painting, drawing, reading, scuba diving, mountain biking, and snowboarding. She also enjoys volunteer work and is an active member of the community.

• 5th Degree Black Belt (Master)- Tae Kwon Do
• 5th Degree Black Belt (Master) - Ta Kyuk Do
• Early Childhood Education Specialist
• CPR / First Aid / AED Certification
• Sign Language Interpreter
• BFA in Painting and Drawing
• Published Illustrator
• Board Secretary - Carteret Partnerhip for Children

Isaiah began martial arts at eight years old under the guidance of  Phillip and Shannon Henry.  He is currently attending Craven Community College working towards a degree in electrical engineering. He enjoys fishing and painting along with old Bob Ross episodes. He is a 4th Degree Black Belt and is  Certified in Adult, Child and Infant CPR & AED. 

Angelina has been training with us for 5 years and is a 2nd Degree Black Belt.  She is certified in Adult, Child and Infant CPR & AED.