The low hum of focused energy fills the Cheezic Tang Soo Do dojo.
Bare feet pat against the mat as students line up, eyes keen, bodies balanced between stillness and motion.
Among them, Morgan Johnson straightens her black belt. Her breathing stays even as she feels her moment to break through.
Johnson, a freshman, chemistry major, began her karate journey after receiving a flyer handed out at school.
“I got into karate in 2016, when I was 9 years old,” Johnson says. “I’m not sure what made me so passionate about starting, but I’m happy I did.”
What started as curiosity soon grew into a defining part of her life.
As she advanced in her training, Johnson found that what truly drew her to karate was not only the cool moves and history; it was the people.
“Cheezic Tang Soo Do is my family. It helped build [my] confidence,” Johnson says.
That sense of belonging pushed her forward through every challenge, from early frustrations to the long hours spent perfecting each stance.
Years of consistent practice led her to a milestone in December 2022, when she earned her first black belt. Yet, in her mind, it was truly “only the beginning,” she says.
“Being a second-degree black belt means I’ve gone beyond the basics to show real dedication and leadership,” she says. “I had to complete teaching, learn Korean terminology and history, and master forms.”
Each karate form, also known as Hyung, is a choreographed sequence of movements with blending blocks, strikes and stances.
Her greatest inspiration comes from the late Grandmaster Robert A. Cheezic, the man who introduced the style of karate she studies to the United States.
According to the website
cheezictsd.com, Cheezic’s influence reaches far beyond the walls of any single dojo. Born in 1939 in Pittston, Pa., he joined the U.S. Air Force after high school and, in 1959, was stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea.
There, he trained under Master Jae Chul Shin, a direct student of the founder of Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do, Hwang Kee.
When he returned home to Connecticut, he brought with him not just a martial art, but the philosophy of it.
He opened his first school in the early 1960s, making him one of the first Americans to teach Tang Soo Do in the U.S. His focus on discipline, respect, humility, and community led to the creation of the Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation, founded officially in 1958 and later expanded across New England and beyond.
His teaching motto: “Leave more than you take” became a cornerstone of the federation’s culture. It is a legacy that continues to guide students like Johnson.
“My biggest mentor [was and] has been Grandmaster Cheezic,” she says. “He founded Cheezic Tang Soo Do after training under Korean masters during the Korean War. His focus on discipline, respect, and community has really shaped how I approach both karate and life.”
Since she practices this Korean, military-based style, Johnson says it is unique because it combines strong, disciplined training with a focus on respect, self-control and personal growth.
Her weekly schedule reflects that structure with training every Wednesday night for her black belt classes, Saturday morning all-rank sessions and daily at-home practice to keep her forms sharp.
Yet, like every martial artist, Johnson has faced her share of obstacles.
“At first, I got really bored with karate, but I pushed through it and learned to appreciate the process,” she says. “I’ve also struggled with anxiety when performing in front of people.”
Another obstacle for Johnson has been being a woman in a male-dominated sport. She admits it’s difficult because of her smaller size and frame.
“I’ve been used as an example a lot in class as ‘well, she can be a black belt, but if a man comes up to her in the street, she’s not going to be able to do anything anyway,” she says.
Still, she takes pride in her place on the mat, seeing it as a chance to prove that women are just as capable and strong as their male counterparts.
Competition has become an outlet for her drive and enthusiasm. Johnson has competed in several Yankee Nationals tournaments in Massachusetts and New York.
“[I enjoy] seeing others perform and making connections with different martial artists is one of my favorite parts of competing,” she says.
To prepare for tournaments and tests, she makes sure both her body and mind are ready.
“I prepare by practicing my forms every day, reviewing techniques, and making sure I’m focused. I also listen to a lot of music to pump myself up and get in the right mindset,” Johnson says.
Her martial arts philosophy centers around giving more than she takes.
“I learned the ‘leave more than you take’ mentality from Grandmaster Cheezic,” Johnson says. “It’s about giving back more than you receive, and it’s taught me to be respectful, helpful, and grateful both in and outside the dojo.”
That philosophy echoes the roots of Tang Soo Do itself. The term translates to “Way of the Tang Hand,” a nod to the ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty and the cross-cultural martial arts exchange between China, Korea and Okinawa.
When Hwang Kee formalized the Moo Duk Kwan style in Korea after World War II, he infused it with these traditional influences. Decades later, Cheezic carried that same blend of artistry and discipline.
For Johnson, that lineage gives every movement meaning.
She says Cheezic Tang Sang Do is not just about fighting or defense. Johnson feels it is about being part of something that connects people across cultures and generations.
Confidence, for her, is balanced by humility. With humility being one of the tenets of Tang Soo Do, she learned that no matter what a person ranks is, there is always something new to learn.
“Confidence comes from skill, but humility keeps you growing,” she says.
As an instructor, Johnson passes those lessons to her students. Teaching young students, some as young as three years old, has deepened her understanding of patience and leadership. Watching them improve, she says, is one of the most rewarding parts of her journey.
Nicolas Roper, a longtime teammate and training partner of Johnson’s, agrees.
Roper, a freshman marketing major, has practiced martial arts since the age of 4, and has worked alongside Johnson for nearly seven years.
“Working with her is a great experience,” he says. “Being able to compete and critique each other, along with helping each other out and bringing in different perspectives, really helps not just us, but anyone we teach or instruct.”
He says that Johnson’s enthusiasm and energy toward martial arts is something that is not taught. Johnson’s confidence, toughness, drive and dedication stand out most.
“She’s faced a lot of criticism and challenges, but she always overcomes them. When she performs, you believe she’s truly defending herself, not just doing moves. Her drive for success and becoming a great student and teacher of martial arts is unmatched,” Roper says.
The discipline Johnson has built through karate extends far beyond the mat.
“Karate has really shaped my discipline and focus. I’ve learned to shut everything else out and stay completely present,” she says. “Sometimes standing in ‘joonbi,’ or ready stance, for minutes at a time teaches patience and mental control like nothing else.”
Outside the dojo, Johnson’s curiosity leads her toward science.
“I want to be a pharmacist, but what really drew me to chemistry is that I’ve always loved mixing things and seeing what happens. Ever since I was little, I was making potions with my mom’s hair products just for fun.”
She balances her coursework with her martial arts training by focusing on quality over quantity.
“I’ve stepped back from attending every karate class and instead spend time refining what I already know, being very critical of my technique and progress.”
To Johnson, the connection between karate and chemistry is that both demand precision, focus and attention to detail. She says whether it is perfecting the angle of a strike or measuring the exact amount of a chemical compound, she knows that even the smallest adjustments can drastically change the outcome.
Through every success and setback, she holds onto one word and key tenet of Cheezic Tang Soo Do: perseverance.
“I use failure and frustration as a learning opportunity. I used to be a ‘first try or nothing’ person, but karate has taught me that practice is what improves you and that perfection doesn’t really exist,” she says.
“Karate will always be a part of my life. I plan to keep training, teaching, and learning, and I hope to use the discipline, focus, and leadership skills I’ve gained to guide both my personal and professional life.”
