Master Shawn Yennie

Master Shawn Yennie began his martial arts training at the age of 20 in 2002 in Spring Valley, Minnesota, under the instruction of Mr. Tom Yennie. He trained in Sim Moo Do (a hybrid style of Hapkido) and Chung Do Kwan (Taekwondo), earning his Cho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) in 2008.

Shortly after achieving black belt, Master Yennie was asked by his instructor to take over the Spring Valley Martial Arts location. At the time, the school had only four active students, not including himself or his daughters. Through dedication and leadership, he successfully grew the school and expanded operations by opening a second location in Chatfield, Minnesota in 2009. Following this expansion, he renamed his dojang Yennie Martial Arts.

In 2011, he tested for and earned his E Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt) through the Universal Tae Kwon Do Brotherhood. In 2012, with the blessing of Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin, Master Yennie transitioned his schools—then totaling approximately 60–80 students—to the World Tang Soo Do Association (WTSDA). After immersing himself in the WTSDA curriculum, he earned his Sam Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in 2014.

Master Yennie further expanded his martial arts training in 2015 by beginning Haidong Gumdo under the influence of Mr. Justin Koivisto and the direction of Master Robert Frankovich through the World Haidong Gumdo Federation. That same year, he also began training in Ki Gong, achieving Level 3 (Yellow Shirt) in 2019.

Continuing his progression as both a martial artist and leader, Master Yennie was promoted to Sah Dan (4th Degree Black Belt) Master Instructor, in May 2023. In September 2025, he was appointed Region 3 Assistant Regional Director.

Master Yennie has continued to grow his school by opening additional locations in Grand Meadow, MN (2017), St. Charles, MN (2018), and Lanesboro, MN (2021). As part of his commitment to developing future leaders, he has transitioned instructional responsibilities to trusted students and family members. His daughter, Ms. Kaija Yennie, assumed leadership of the Grand Meadow location in 2019, followed by Mr. Sean Hansen in 2021. Mr. Ethan Nichols took over instruction at the St. Charles location in 2021, and Ms. Tayla Yennie assumed leadership of the Lanesboro location in 2023.