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Meet Maurice Orange

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Grandmaster Maurice Orange.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Grandmaster Orange.
Grandmaster Maurice Orange (affectionately known as GMO to the Sidekicks community) is not your typical Martial Arts Grandmaster. 

Humble? Yes.
Non-assuming? Yes.
Packs a punch? Oh boy! Yes.

You’ll find Grandmaster Orange at Sidekicks Martial Arts studio, every weekday from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm. He arrives 2 hours before the first student walks into the door. Taking time to clean the floor, scour the bathroom, practice his Taekwondo forms, and prepare for the students and their parents that he’ll be shaping the lives of. He’s been going through this daily ritual for years. Forty years to be exact.

Classes taught: 43,000 and counting.
Belt promotions awarded: 24,350.

Does Grandmaster Orange know a thing or two about kids? He sure does. 

Ask any parent that brings their kids to Sidekicks. They’ll tell you things like:

“Grandmaster Orange is a pillar of the community.” 

“He’s the elder that people look up to and ask for guidance.”

From vagrants in the parking lot, to locals at Ralph’s supermarket next door, Grandmaster Orange is consistently recognized, approached, asked for advice and giving guidance.

He’s a beloved custodian of the Paradise Hills community, and a willing steward of Alta View Ralph’s shopping center.

Sidekicks Founder Grandmaster Orange has Taekwondo students numbering in the thousands. He’s developed a loyal following, over three decades that he’s held Sidekicks Martial Arts Academy at 2939 Alta View Drive in San Diego, California.

Now, Grandmaster Orange has second-generation students training with him. And learning their life lessons from him.

Grandmaster Orange continually has former students checking back in with him.
They show up, at the door, peeking in to see a class, surprised that he’s still teaching martial arts. Some tell stories about having moved away, and having their own kids now, wishing their kids could have a teacher like GMO. Others tell stories of hardships they’ve encountered and that their Sidekicks training got them through it. Still others, come back and enroll their kids in classes at Sidekicks Martial Arts Academy. If that’s not a first-rate testimonial.

Grandmaster Orange delivers lessons about life.
Tough lessons.

In Sidekicks Martial Arts classes, GMO talks about current events happening in the world, on the local streets, and in Sidekicks families. It gets real. 

If a kid screws up in school, or at home.
GMO hears about it.
And he talks about it in class.
It becomes a teaching moment for everyone.

GMO knows a lot about families. 

Sidekicks parents are a part of the community. Parents are not allowed to have their phones on during classes. Unless it’s to take photos or video of their kids. Parents participate, watching their kids learn and practice Taekwondo.

At Sidekicks, Taekwondo is more than a physical practice. It’s a mental and spiritual practice too. 

GMO experienced and learned a lot growing up. 

In fact, odds were completely against Sidekicks Founder Maurice Orange ever making anything from his life.

Coming from utter poverty in a broken family of more than nine kids.
Having to get their shoes from a junkyard.
And sharing a bed with five brothers.
Maurice learned a lot about what doesn’t work.

And he’s not one to hold back about that.

Talk about commitment, this guy’s relentless.

From the day he started martial arts training at nine years old, back in 1964, Maurice Orange has been on the road to his destiny. 

One thing his mom did for little Maurice, to direct the course of his life, was enrolling him in karate classes.

He was not always a strong guy.
“Heck no. In elementary school, girls would walk up to me and punch me.”

He did not always want to go to martial arts class.
In fact, GMO often recite his famous “Get in the Car Story”.

Watch GMO’s Famous “Get in the Car” Story on Sidekicks YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ51A7fH2Rs

Now, he’s changing the lives of thousands of students.

Does it affect him? Nope! It’s part of his job.

Everyday Sidekicks Founder Grandmaster Orange puts on his martial arts uniform.

And heads out the door to get in the car.
Just like it’s the first day.

As he puts his key in the door to open the martial arts studio, and turns on the lights.
That’s when magic starts to happen.

Students recite the Sidekicks Student Oath. Parents and grandparents sit watching and videotaping, in the audience. Listen to Sidekicks Student Oath on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6MTXpex4BIXjBWYuSuZnWghMLpc3SYQl

Oh, and grandparents!
That’s a teaching moment too.

Sidekicks Founder Grandmaster Orange (GMO) often honors the grandparents in Sidekicks community. He brings them flowers and gives them public recognition during the classes. He demonstrates for all students, the importance of respecting their elders.

Moms confide with GMO about their struggles in upbringing their kids.
Locals shopping in Ralph’s ask GMO about his thoughts on social security.

Parents and former students approach GMO in the supermarket, giving accolades for his teachings. https://sandiegosidekicks.org/gmo-seen-in-the-milk-aisle/

Veteran students contact Grandmaster Orange on Facebook, pleasantly surprised that he is still teaching martial arts.

Speaking of veterans, Sidekicks Founder Grandmaster Orange (GMO) is a vet himself.
Five years in the U.S. Navy. 

Let’s get back to Taekwondo. Which is what Grandmaster Orange (GMO) teaches. When he’s not instilling life wisdom into the little tykes. Or letting his instructional team take the helm. He’s committed to turning whiney five-year-old white belts, gradually and progressively, into confident, considerate teenage black belts.

More and more second-generation students are going through belt rank testing at Sidekicks Martial Arts Studio year after year now. 

That tells you something. About integrity. Discipline. Respect. Courtesy. Indomitable spirit. And self-control. Add victory to that.

Kudos to you, Grandmaster Orange. Humble GMO.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a struggle at first, to balance my business time with my personal time. Eventually, I was able to overcome that. Speaking with my long-time mentor, helped me.

Sidekicks Martial Arts Academy – what should we know?
I teach Taekwondo for kids, ages 5 and up. At Sidekicks, we teach Taekwondo as a lifestyle. We incorporate the tenets of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit. The result is Victory. Parents are included in the teachings and are encouraged to participate as a Sidekicks Community. 

I also teach defensive tactics training for law enforcement and military personnel. 

What do you do best?
My contribution to the greater community is what I’m most proud of. San Diego Sidekicks remains deeply involved with the San Diego City Schools.

What sets you apart from the competition?
Modeling and attention to detail is what sets me apart from others.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
When my martial arts instructor repeatedly told me, that it wasn’t possible for me to open my own martial arts school. And I proved my instructor wrong. That was back in 1980. I will be celebrating 40 years of business in 2020. What if I had believed him?

Pricing:

  • New Students Special 5 WEEKS for $149 includes FREE Karate Uniform

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Headshots by Maurice Orange (Grandmaster Orange is also a professional photographer)

Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

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