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Ellen Simmons with Mr Cook after achieving her 4th Dan Black Belt
Student Spotlight · October 2026

Ellen Simmons

4th Dan Black Belt · 25 Years in Taekwondo · Perseverance · Train Taekwondo Schools

34
Age
25
Years Training
4th Dan
Black Belt
2001
Taekwondo Journey Began
TAGB
Proud Member
🥋 4th Dan Black Belt Achieved  ·  25 Years of Training  ·  An Outstanding Example of Perseverance
Meet Ellen

Meet Ellen Simmons, our October 2026 Student Spotlight. This month is particularly special: 25 years after beginning her Taekwondo journey in October 2001, Ellen has achieved her 4th Dan Black Belt.

Ellen has been part of the TAGB since the beginning of that journey. University and life took her to different parts of the country, where she continued to train and develop. When she moved to York and discovered that Mr Cook ran the local clubs, she knew exactly where she wanted to continue her Taekwondo journey.

Her new 4th Dan is the result of years of commitment, hard work and a determination to keep learning. From mastering new patterns as she progressed through the grades, to refining techniques she had already learned, Ellen has shown the kind of patience and persistence that inspires everyone around her.

“Stick with it! Remember it’s a journey, not a race. You started training for a reason, and you’ll regret it if you quit.”

— Ellen Simmons, October 2026
Training & Goals
Favourite techniques
Reverse hooking kick and a powerful 45-degree turning kick.
Favourite patterns
Hwa-Rang for colour belt and Choong-Jang for Black Belt.
Biggest challenge
Learning new patterns while progressing through the grades, and continuing to perfect those already learned.
Biggest accomplishment
Achieving her 4th Dan Black Belt.
Next Taekwondo goal
To work towards 5th Dan, continue to develop as an instructor and keep supporting the clubs.
Character & Growth
The Taekwondo tenet that means the most
Perseverance.
How Taekwondo has helped outside class
It has strengthened Ellen’s focus, patience and willingness to keep trying when things get tough.
What Ellen values most about her training mates
The supportive community that Taekwondo creates. Students of all ages and backgrounds learn from each other and help one another through the difficult moments.
A Few Ellen Facts
Favourite song
“Don’t You Want Me” — The Human League, for its karaoke factor.
Outside Taekwondo
Running, countryside walks, exploring and days out in York and other cities.
A proud running achievement
Completing the Great North Run.
Favourite food
Pizza, steak or a really good Indian.
A skill to master instantly
A 540 or 720 kick.
A thank you to
Gavin Cook, Annabel and Dale Pollard, Ben Temple, and everyone who has supported her journey.
Ellen’s Taekwondo Journey

Click a photo to view it full size.

A Note from Mr Cook

Ellen’s 4th Dan achievement is a tremendous result and a fitting way to mark 25 years in Taekwondo. A Dan grading asks a great deal of a student, but reaching 4th Dan takes something even more important: years of steady work, resilience and a genuine desire to improve.

Ellen brings experience, focus and a positive attitude to the clubs. She understands that progress is built over time, and she is always willing to support the people training around her. That is what makes her such a valued member of Train Taekwondo Schools.

Ellen, congratulations on achieving your 4th Dan Black Belt and on becoming our October 2026 Student Spotlight. We are all very proud of you and look forward to seeing what comes next on your journey.

Inspired by Ellen’s Story?

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