Sherman Nelson Jr. Please Report To Holding

TKDI interviewed Sherman Nelson Jr., a former National Team Member turned world class coach, coaching top athletes, and has also been honored by the US Olympic Commitee as the 2007 Volunteer Coach of The Year.


Name: Sherman M. Nelson Jr.
Birthday: October 23, 1965

(Taekwondo Insider News): Tell us the story of how you first got into Taekwondo?

(Sherman Nelson Jr.): I was at Howard University one day and saw the TKD Club running down the street. I followed them back to the gym (which was being repaired) and watched them train outside. I inquired and found out that I could join the club and take the PE course too. Ah, the rest is history.

(TKDI): What was Taekwondo competition like for you?

(SN): Competition was my natural habitat. I wasn’t overly athletic growing up, but very competitive. I hated training, I just wanted to fight. I learned that the harder I trained, the better competition would go so, I gave it my all. I have no regrets. (except never being able to beat my brother Peter Bardatsos, just once)

(TKDI): Did you have any pre-competition warm-ups, routines, or superstitions?

(SN): I didn’t eat breakfast the morning of competition because of the pterodactyls that were in my stomach. Once the competition started, they went away and I was fine, but the morning before, I was oppressed internally.

(TKDI): What was the most memorable moment of your Taekwondo competition career?

(SN): Making the National team in 99. Team trials was difficult, I had three matches with Stewart Gill in a row, with no real rest. Back then we fought 3 minute rounds and it was at OTC. That day fulfilled a dream that was over 10 years in the making. Then being able to represent my country at the World Championships iced the cake.

(TKDI): What was it like working at the Emery Recreation Center?

(SN): Wow, working for the DC Government is a challenge because of the political nature of our city. I have a heart for people so working in an environment where I constantly get to interact with people was fun. I hated the administrative paperwork blah blah, but I loved the relationships I formed with the kids, the adults, and the seniors. Since I live 2 minutes away, I still get to interact with them quasi-regularly.

(TKDI): What can you tell us about Mission Possible?

(SN): Mission Possible is my consulting company that specializes in personal/group fitness, sports fundamentals, and personal development. I came up with it in 2006 and always wanted to make it my priority but it was hard to walk away from a job that easily paid all my bills. This year, I had enough of working without being fulfilled so I jumped out on faith and threw all my eggs in the Mission Possible basket.

(TKDI): Is it true you are writing a fiction book?

(SN): Ha ha, I am writing a fiction novel. I am an avid reader of all types of books. Not to mention I have a very vivid imagination. The tentative title is Welcome to America, and it asks the question “what would America look like if we had the chance to do it all over again?” My new work schedule is designed to afford me more time to get it done. It has to be done in 2010.

(TKDI): What is the day in the life of Coach Nelson like?

(SN): Oh boy, its interesting. I have a 6am client or boot camp each day of the week. A couple of days I have a 7am client as well. Then it back home to work on compiling data, organizing training plans, and scheduling classes and training sessions. Afternoon training sessions, and then Triple C practice in the evening. This new schedule allows for lots of creativity and freedom.

(TKDI): Tell us about CCC Taekwondo.

(SN): My team is one of the joys of my life. Triple C TKD came out of my desire to develop athletes in a certain way and see if the system would work. It has been moderately successful and I expect even more now that I have more time to focus on them. A lot of people think that the Triple C, which is the Roman numeral for 300, came solely from the movie 300. Actually the first concept of it came from a Biblical story of Gideon found in Judges 7:7. (Which is why I wear 777 on my team jacket)

(TKDI):What was your most memorable coaching moment?

(SN): Probably the most memorable moment was when I received the 2007 USOC Coach of the Year Award at the Olympic Media Event in Chicago last spring. I can’t even begin to express how grateful I was, plus my parents got to be there. I’ve had a lot of memorable in the ring coaching moments, too many to choose from.

(TKDI): Can you share a training tip, secret, exercise or drill with us?

(SN): Train for speed intentionally. You will not get faster by jogging 10 miles or by coasting through drills in training. Sprint, burst, explode!

(TKDI):If you could give one tip to up and coming athletes, what would it be?

(SN): If you love this sport, do it like you love it. Train without being told to, give without being asked to, and fight like you can’t lose.

(TKDI): What do you do for fun outside of Taekwondo?

(SN): Movies, tv, table tennis, basketball, read, go for long walks in the park (haha, that last one is not true). I am becoming quite proficient in Wii golf, so I might take that up professionally.

(TKDI): What was your favorite location you visited to train, coach, or compete at?

(SN): I loved Thailand (World University Games ’07) and who couldn’t love Brazil (Jr. Pan Am Championships ’03)

Shout outs and thank you’s:
(SN): I want to shout out everyone that has helped make me the man I am today. All my seniors, former teammates, coaches and instructors. I also want to shout out all the athletes that have entrusted their lives into my hands by letting me coach and train them. Finally USAT staff and National team coaching staff for giving me a platform to share my gift.

Any other information:
(SN): I’m glad there are so many young people who love Taekwondo. We have to make sure that we make it a sport that generations to come can love like we do.