GALLATIN, Tenn.
Grandmaster Konrad O. Spillmann, with nearly six decades of martial arts experience, was awarded the prestigious AAU TaeKwonDo 9th Dan Grandmaster level received in Taekwondo on April 22, 2026, and received his International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation 3rd Degree on October 31, 2025, under the Rocian Gracie Jr Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu method. He also holds high ranking levels in ITF, USATKD. Kukkiwon. JidoKwon TaeKwonDo and other martial arts styles. This milestone reflects his unmatched skill and a life built on resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to both personal and collective growth. His journey goes beyond the dojo, where TaeKwon-Do became a path to self-healing, teaching, and leadership that has, for over 45 years, impacted countless lives.
Who is Grandmaster Konrad O. Spillmann?
Grandmaster Konrad O. Spillmann, known as KwanJangNim Spillmann in martial arts circles, is not just a Grandmaster, but also a teacher, mentor, and community leader. His martial arts journey is intertwined with his dedication to shaping the lives of others, instilling resilience and leadership through his teachings. His role extends beyond martial arts as a vehicle for personal growth and community empowerment.
Grandmaster K.O Spillmann believes in giving back when he can and has personally won many competitions, awards, and citations of excellence. His schools over the last 40 years have received many top community awards, citations, and letters of commendation. He was also the co-director of the Los Angeles 2002-03 Martin Luther King – “Kingdom Day Parade” and has received many awards, including the California State Senate award. Grandmaster Spillmann has trained in Korea, Brazil, and many other countries to hone his martial arts skills, knowledge, and teaching methods. He has taught many seminars to law enforcement and military personnel in many countries, and taught motivational seminars and self-defense seminars to many large corporations.
Grandmaster K.O. Spillmann started at the young age of 4, and martial arts has been his passion and only career path. He had many challenges, health struggles, and was homeless at a young age. He stated, “The greatest person in his life was not just his teacher, Grandmaster Y.K.Kim’s who school was located in Orlando, Florida. Spillmann said Grandmaster Kim is his TaeKwon-Do father, the man who changed his life.
Spillmann says, “ I was street fighting and living in my car. Grandmaster Kim guided me and molded me as a person, besides pushing me to be the best fighter. He taught me perseverance, honor, humility, hard work, dedication, and the never-give-up mindset.” Grandmaster Kim gave me a job as an instructor, and I can never repay him for all he did for me. Without Supreme-Grandmaster Young Kun Kim, I would have been lost, homeless, or worse, dead.” Because of him, my life today would not be the same; everything I achieved is because of him, my family, students, and friends, and the best repayment is to continue to share his wisdom with others.
Grandmaster Spillmann also thanks all his other world-class teachers and fighters he trained with and learned from; they were and are still his family today, like Rocian Gracie Jr, Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim. Grandmaster Kwang Sik Myung, Grandmaster James Park. Professor Dewart, Ajarn Nelson Siyavong, and so many more famous masters and fighters; he was blessed to train with.” What makes Grandmaster K.O. Spillmann’s teaching methods the best is his years of training with high-level Grandmasters and Masters. He has learned from some of the top Grandmasters in the world to become one of the best teachers.
Grandmaster K.O. Spillmann, after owning 8 academies and many licensed member branches in the USA and overseas, decided to retire to Gallatin, TN to teach the true meaning of leadership, life skills, and methods of changing lives. So, with his family, they moved to Tennessee and opened a school in 2012. His instructors are not Black Belts; they are internationally certified master level instructors who teach Traditional and Sport TaeKwon-Do, Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, HapKiDo, Wing Chun, and Tai Chi. The Spillmann family has developed many champions over the decades, but their main focus is self-defense and developing successful leaders and life champions.
Global Martial Arts USA (GMA) also offers after-school care, pick-up from local schools in Gallatin, TN, and a K-12 Homeschooling Tutorial program 5 days per week.
Achievements and awards:
Grandmaster K.O. Spillmann earned high-level black belts in multiple martial arts, including Taekwondo 9th Degree Black Belt, Rocian Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & IBJJF 3rd Degree Black Belt, HapKiDo 7th Degree Black Belt, Karate 4th Degree, Judo Black Belt, and a ranking in Wing Chun. He also trained in Boxing, Muay Thai, and Mixed Martial Arts. He was also a sparring partner for many great fighters.
A Teacher, Mentor, and Life Educator
Grandmaster K.O Spillmann worked hard refining his mental and emotional fortitude and martial arts skills. This journey of mastery — both internal and external — laid the foundation for his positive teaching philosophy, one that continues to impact his students today in Gallatin, Tennessee. Spillmann, with over 45 years of teaching experience and over 57 years of training, has dedicated his life to guiding others and developing the champions of today and the leaders of tomorrow. His teaching philosophy centers on more than just martial arts and self-defense techniques; it’s about helping students become better versions of themselves. Whether working with special needs children or children battling self-esteem, focus, and confidence issues. Martial arts is not just for kids; it also assists adults overcoming addictions and past personal struggles, and it helps adults/seniors looking to regain flexibility, strength, stamina, confidence, and vitality. His focus for adults additionally is developing peace of mind, personal power, and growth.
Many people struggle with weight issues due to past trauma, and learning at his school will help adults face their fears and overcome the obstacles holding them back from inner peace, happiness, and success.
Grandmaster K. O Spillmann’s approach has touched thousands, fostering confidence, leadership, and resilience in his students and leading them to true success. His school, Global Martial Arts USA, offers a space for people of all ages to come together, learn, grow, and be part of a family that cares. “Martial arts is about life education. It’s about becoming better in all aspects of life,” he says, emphasizing that it’s about more than just physical strength; mental strength it takes commitment to change, are the key to success, peace of mind, and happiness.
Giving Back: Using Martial Arts to Empower Others
Spillmann’s journey also extends to social good. Throughout his career, he has been involved in charity work, including several fundraising events for D.A.R.E breaking over 200 end-cap concrete blocks, and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, where he broke over 411 concrete blocks to raise money for children battling cancer. This act was not only a demonstration of physical and mental strength but a reflection of his commitment to using his abilities to make a positive impact on society.
This has been a lifetime commitment, and in my opinion, he does not play martial arts; it is in his blood and the air he breathes.
Beyond fundraising events, Spillmann has traveled globally, mentoring underprivileged youth in countries like India, empowering children in impoverished areas, and teaching them to rise above their circumstances. His dedication to community service highlights his belief that martial arts can build more than physical strength, but also help people build a stronger character, honor, perseverance, commitment, goal-setting, confidence, and resilience.
Grandmaster K.O Spillmann also believes in spiritual growth and has assisted in Christian outreach in India and other countries. In his spare time, he works on his classic cars and has written books, including the TaekwonDo Martial Arts Business Manual. He is currently working on his next book (Strengthening Your Marriage). He has also written many poems and lyrics, including several Contemporary Christian and motivational songs based on his life philosophy. He also assisted his wife, Master Joanne Spillmann, in producing the Little Lions World book series that she wrote for young children. His wife, who has a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, is also working on books to help teens struggling with life skills and overcoming the struggles of divorce, bullying, and life changes. The focus is on leadership development and developing success and happiness in every child.
The Spillmann Family Legacy: 4 Generations of Excellence
The Spillmann family has built a lasting legacy in martial arts. Spillmann’s wife, Joanne, who holds a 5th Degree Black Belt and a Child Development Degree, and three children, Andrew, Kurt, and Anastasia, are all high-level black belts, continuing the family’s tradition and focus on martial arts and educational excellence by developing the future leaders of tomorrow. Together, they have all contributed significantly to the martial arts world, “military way” and life education, creating programs such as the After School Leadership Program, The GMA Educational Academy, and a line of nutritional products, at GMA Warrior Supplements and the GMA Academia of Rocian Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Gallatin Branch.
A Continuing Legacy of Growth and Service
For Grandmaster K.O. Spillmann, the AAU 9th Dan Grandmaster level rank is just another milestone in an ongoing journey of self-improvement. “I’m not perfect, and I might not be the best,” he says. “But I will always try my best.” His humility and dedication to continual growth and leadership have earned him respect not just in the martial arts world but as a martial artist and a figure who inspires others to achieve higher and become a leader in society. He has written several books, one being a TaeKwon-Do business book, to help other instructors learn how to operate a professional school, helping others, and his wife, Joanne, wrote a book series, “Little Lions World,” for children to develop life skills and overcome obstacles in life. Grandmaster Spillmann, in his spare time has also written poetry and many songs and produced several Contemporary Christian albums.
Join the Legacy of Growth and Leadership
Grandmaster K.O. Spillmann’s story is one of transformation. Whether you want to develop your martial arts and self-defense skills, build confidence, or become a stronger leader, his school offers a growth and leadership path for all ages. He stated, “Martial arts isn’t about just kicking, punching, or violence; it’s about learning practical self-defense, balance, respect, achieving peace of mind, and leadership. It is about knowing when to walk away, talk away, fight for what is right, and defend others from injustice. If you can not walk away, fight to win at all costs.”
”Join a community of like-minded individuals committed to growth, success, personal power, and leadership. His academy also offers after-school Pick-Up and Christian- based homeschooling tutorial programs five days per week, from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily. GMA-ASP does offer transcripts and tutoring to students. GMA-ASP children’s programs are designed to develop future leaders, and the Teachers focus on the whole-child method of learning. Global Martial Arts USA also offers seminars for groups, law enforcement, and military personnel. GMA offers programs for Adults, Seniors, Children, and Family Discounts.
If you want more than just a kick or punch and want to change your life, develop peace of mind, and strengthen your mind, body, and spirit. Then this school is a must-go and has the experience needed to be the best.
For more information, visit their family:
Global Martial Arts USA – Gallatin TN
GMA Warrior Supplements
GMA Educational Academy