Lee’s celebrates two decades of making a difference

When Robert Morrison was 20 years old, he found himself sitting on the mat of Lee’s Martial Arts dojang, or training room, thinking to himself, “I would love to have some place like this. This is amazing.”

There was something about being at the school and surrounding himself with people who were disciplined in the art of taekwondo that inspired Morrison to dream bigger and go further in life.

“I came from a poor household, so we never really had much… I’ve been on my own since 16. I kind of raised myself,” he said.

While he excelled in high school sports, he recounts a time after graduation when he felt lost and directionless. It was around that time Joe Whitworth, a close friend who was also a blackbelt, started teaching him some moves. Whitworth’s lessons and friendship invited Morrison into the world of martial arts.

“I couldn’t start martial arts until I was old enough to pay for it myself. So when I finally got into martial arts and I could pay for it, I realized this is something I’m going to need for the rest of my life,” he said.

Morrison trained under Tae Lee, or Master Lee as he still refers to him, for a few years and soon started teaching at the center. A few years later, Lee offered to sell the school to Morrison and his wife Wonderful, and they’ve been proud owners of Lee’s Martial Arts since.

Lee took over in 1998, but this year, the school is celebrating its 20th anniversary of being established in Renton. It teaches taekwondo to almost 200 students — kids and adults — as well as other fitness classes including women’s and co-ed boot camp, kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

Morrison said that the most gratifying part of his job is to see his students grow and excel in their paths.

“It’s awesome to see how the martial arts and discipline they’ve learned helped them to be awesome in whatever they choose,” he said. “I have students who are state [troopers], pharmacists, consultants, and run their own businesses… they were students in high school or middle school when they started. It’s gratifying to see what they’ve become.”

Morrison says that he is drawn to growth, with his only other hobby besides martial arts is gardening.

“I love working on my yard. I like to nurture, you could say,” he said.

According to Morrison, martial arts is not a sport that promotes violence, rather a way of life that leads to self-discovery and personal growth.

“It has very little to do with fighting,” he said. “Martial arts teaches you to use your whole body with your mind together. You’re safer and you know how to carry yourself better. Your mental awareness is better. It helps [kids] get better grades. It helps them build better friendships. It helps them be confident in whatever they do.”

In addition to training at the dojang, Morrison also teaches taekwondo at various PE classes in elementary schools.

Each year as part of Renton River Days, Lee’s Martial Arts joins forces with other schools in the area for “Renton Breakathon,” a fundraiser where all proceeds benefit Communities in Schools of Renton. This year, the breakathon is on July 23.