Whiz Biz: OC Kicks

Whiz Biz: Orange County School of Martial Arts, better known as OC Kicks

Address: 29818 Santa Margarita Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita

Phone: 949-874-KICK

Website: www.ockicks.com

What’s Nearby: , ,

Employees: 2

What Makes It So Awesome: Larry Gilliland and Michael Torchia bring 25 years of martial arts experience to OC Kicks, a martial arts school that focuses on Tang Soo Do for students of all ages.

What’s The Scoop: When he was 17 years old, Larry Gilliland enrolled in martial arts while attending the University of Connecticut. There he met Mike Torchia and they have trained together ever since. They achieved black belt in 1991 and then Gilliland graduated with a mechanical engineering degree the following spring. Since then, he has found a way to integrate both passions into his everyday life.

Gilliland went on to achieve his Instructor Certification in 1993, his professional engineering license in 2000 and his Sa Dan (fourth degree black belt) and Sa Bom (Master Certification) in 2007. He is now a certified Master Instructor of Tang Soo Do and also a first-degree black belt in Shiho Karano Ju-Jitsu and has competed in and won many numerous competitions on a state, national and international level.

In 1997, Gilliland moved to Orange County from the East Coast to further his engineering career and became partner of a specialty construction firm. He and his wife had two children, and in March, 2007, he and Torchia opened OC Kicks in Rancho Santa Margarita. They began teaching classes at California Elite Sports Center (now called Cal Elite Kids) and eventually moved into his current location in the Plaza Empresa shopping center.

“I think that Rancho Santa Margarita is a great place to raise my kids and I’m very happy we moved here,” said Gilliland. “There seems to be an overall health conscious attitude in the community; fitness is a priority.” When visitors come into town, he enjoys taking them to his favorite local restaurants, , and .

Gilliland currently combines his technical background as an engineer with application of martial arts techniques in his teaching. “After an often hectic day spent working on engineering challenges, I switch gears to teaching my students the value of martial arts practice,” Gilliland said. “It’s the type of yin/yang balance that is found at the core of martial arts practice itself. Teaching and training martial arts can be an excellent way to find balance and reduce stress.”

Though Gilliland also enjoys basketball, surfing and snowboarding, he is happy to spend most of his time in the studio with his students and two fellow teachers. “The teachers and students in a martial arts school become leaders, heroes, role models and friends to you and your child,” said Gilliland. “While martial arts teachers, like every teacher, have their various strengths and weaknesses, their influence and friendship is worth every penny you will ever spend on tuition, times ten. We try to maintain an environment that lives up to this standard.”

What’s Unique: Larry Gilliland recognizes that there are many martial arts schools out there, many of them popping up in the wake of the big fitness industry boom and the rise in popularity of the UFC. However, he believes his school is a standout because “the instructors are real people who will be there, in their classes, day after day, patient, persistent and persuasive.” Gilliland added. “At its core, martial arts instruction is a very personal exchange between a teacher and a student. I think our school does an excellent job of maintaining that connection without relying on gimmicks, fads or 'quick sales' that are common in the industry.”

The school focuses on Tang Soo Do, a specialized form of martial arts that includes principles based on the design of the human body. During their training, students focus to achieve not just belt rankings, but Pyong Ahn, or “peaceful confidence” as well. This is just one of the many principles they can take with them into their everyday lives.

“Martial arts training methods are designed to develop muscle tone, weight control, cardiovascular endurance, coordination and flexibility,” said Gilliland. “We don’t simply teach 'kick and punch,' we teach confidence. Martial arts practice helps students gain confidence, self discipline, resilience and resourcefulness. Character development is the most important benefit of martial arts training.”

The school includes classes for every age, beginning with Team Turtle. These classes are geared toward 4 to 6 year olds and help develop basic listening and motor skills. The next level, Junior Kicks, is geared toward 6 to 12 year olds and focuses on improving self esteem and fostering leadership skills. Finally, there are teen and adult classes, as well as a Black Belt Advanced Training program. The school also offers unique birthday parties; they range in price and include a special karate lessons and an introductory pass for all guests.

Several of Gilliland’s students are adults who saw their kids having so much fun they thought they’d try it themselves. Gilliland believes one is never too old to start martial arts. When asked what advice he’d give to someone considering it, he said, “You’re always too old, it’s always too late, things always used to be better, it’s always a bad time. So do it anyway. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Gilliland teaches his own children in his studio and enjoys watching them grow; his son Adam recently earned his black belt. “I love seeing students break barriers and experiencing accomplishments they thought were beyond their capabilities,” said Gilliland. “I love sharing the lessons I’ve benefited from with others, and I love tying a newly earned belt around a student’s waist. Seeing the sense of accomplishment and joy in their eyes never gets old.”

What’s New: This March marks the fifth anniversary for OC Kicks, and Gilliland shared a few of the recent highlights at the studio. This past December, they promoted their first two fully “home grown” black belt students who have been with them since their white belt. The promotion ceremony was celebrated by all of the students and their families. Two summers ago, Gilliland and a few students visited and toured Korea, training in the same school that Chuck Norris started in. Last summer, OC Kicks hosted Song Ki Kim, the owner of that Korean school and an iconic teacher who instructed many of the top instructors who relocated to the United States from Korea following the Korean War. OC Kicks gave a warm welcome to Song Ki Kim during his Diamond Jubilee tour of the US celebrating his 60th year training in martial arts.

Gilliland considers Song Ki Kim a role model, and it is this same sort of mentorship he hopes to bring to his students at OC Kicks. With his experience, passion and dedication the world of martial arts, it seems he is well on his way to doing just that.