Moo Do Kwan Crestwood

Our Instructors

Moo Do Kwan Crestwood is proud to be a not-for-profit Taekwondo school. Our instructors (Black Belts) are all volunteers, and they love to share their passion for Taekwondo with the students and community. We strive to create an inclusive, family friendly environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can succeed in the sport of Taekwondo.

Master Grant Meenach has been practicing Taekwondo at Moo Do Kwan Crestwood for 36 years. He began at the age of 12 when he joined alongside his father and brother, igniting a lifelong love of martial arts and self-defense. Under the guidance of late Grandmaster Jerry Smith, who not only served as his mentor but also became a second father figure to him, Master Meenach trained and competed in many Taekwondo tournaments. He was promoted to 6th Dan Black Belt in the traditional techniques and forms used by Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea). Following in the footsteps of GM Smith, he became Lead Instructor at Moo Do Kwan Crestwood in 2021. For him Taekwondo embodies a way of life enriched by self-defense techniques and a deep-rooted connection to family and tradition.

“Grandmaster Smith was a father figure to many of us. A dedication to continuing the principles taught by him and Great Grandmaster Shin is one reason why we continue to teach Taekwondo at Moo Do Kwan Crestwood today.”

Mr. Tony Fiala has been studying Taekwondo for a total of 15 years, with some breaks along the way. He began practicing with Grandmaster Jerry Smith at the age of 10 when his parents signed them up for a family activity. Though initially he stepped away, he returned at the ages of 16, 29, and 46, feeling a sense of unfinished business. What keeps him engaged in Taekwondo today is the joy he finds in both teaching and learning. He feels that as a martial artist, the journey of growth never ends; even in the role of an instructor, there’s always something new to learn. His favorite aspect of Taekwondo is the sense of camaraderie and community within the school. Learning from others, whether they be instructors or students, enriches the experience and to him Moo Do Kwan Crestwood feels like family.

“My story is one of “You can always come back” and “Never quit”.

Mr. Ed Smith was given an honorary blackbelt by Great Grandmaster Shin when he was a baby. His father, Grandmaster Jerry Smith, had him formally involved in classes at the age of 4 and he started to help teach kids classes at the age of 12. He earned his 1st Dan Black Belt in 1996 and assisted teaching classes at Moo Do Kwan Crestwood until he went to college. He moved to the Kansas City area and started two schools of his own and earned his 2nd Dan in 2010. He took a break to attend Grad school and returned to the St. Louis area and Moo Do Kwan Crestwood after Master Smith’s passing in 2021. He has been practicing Taekwondo for 44 years.

Mr. Sean McCully began his Taekwondo journey in his early 20’s while he was a student at the University of Alabama. It was there that he took his first Taekwondo and Aikido classes. After graduating, he found himself totally immersed in the working world and made the decision to change things by enrolling in his local Taekwondo school. What he thought of as an opportunity to relieve stress by kicking and punching things after work evolved into years of dedication and accomplishment. He earned several first and second place trophies in National and Regional tournaments, as well as his 2nd Degree Black Belt from the International Taekwondo Alliance. Now, after being away from Taekwondo for several years he has returned and joined Moo Do Kwan Crestwood for the love of the sport.

“While I am proud of all my first and second place trophies at National and Regional tournaments, and attaining my second degree black belt from the International Taekwondo Alliance in 2001, I am most proud of the values and skills that shaped me for the rest of my life.”

Mrs. Robin Metheny has had an interest in martial arts since childhood but lacked the opportunity to pursue it formally. In her 20s, she briefly explored Mixed Martial Arts, but the class was discontinued after a year. In 2018, she and her husband enrolled their son in class at Moo Do Kwan Crestwood as an extracurricular activity. After observing a session and discussing with Grandmaster Jerry Smith, they decided to enroll the entire family. Over the years, she has become increasingly involved in the school, assisting with youth classes and helping at tournaments. On June 28, 2025, she earned her 2nd Dan Black Belt and continues to embrace the ongoing challenges and growth associated with training in taekwondo.  

Mr. Jacob Metheny joined Moo Do Kwan Crestwood in 2018 after observing his son’s class for a session with Grandmaster Jerry Smith. Preferring to participate with his family rather than just watch, he enrolled and soon found enjoyment in the physical activity and the sense of community within the Moo Do Kwan Crestwood Taekwondo family. Over the years, he worked diligently towards earning his 1st Dan Black Belt, and assuming more responsibilities within the organization with each advancement. He enjoys participating in tournaments and teaching youth classes. He earned his 2nd Dan on June 28, 2025 and remains motivated and eager to take on new challenges as he continues his personal journey towards the next level in taekwondo.  

Mr. Gabriel Metheny began training at Moo Do Kwan Crestwood at age 8 under Grandmaster Jerry Smith. Soon joined by his family, he found joy in Taekwondo as both a personal challenge and a shared family activity. Over the years, he has advanced steadily through the ranks, taking on leadership responsibilities and assisting with teaching youth classes. On June 28, 2025, he earned his 1st Dan Black Belt. He continues to embrace new challenges while supporting students, friends, and family at tournaments and class events.

Miss Alexandria Metheny began training at Moo Do Kwan Crestwood at age 8 after watching her brother’s first class with Grandmaster Jerry Smith. She quickly discovered a love for the challenges of Taekwondo, especially the competition and friendships it fostered in a family-friendly environment. Over the years, she has advanced through the color belts, taking on new responsibilities while balancing school and activities. She especially enjoys competing in Poomse at tournaments, where she continually pushes herself to improve. On June 28, 2025, she earned her 1st Dan Black Belt and remains committed to growing as a martial artist while encouraging others to join and share in the Moo Do Kwan experience.

Mr. Miles Sauer has been practicing Taekwondo since 2008, when he was 6 years old. He started as a child because he wanted to be able to protect himself and friends from being bullied at school. He originally wanted to join Karate, but his mom, not knowing the difference between the martial arts, signed him up at the closest class in the area. Moo Do Kwan Crestwood with Grandmaster Jerry Smith. He is now grateful that this is the martial art he ‘fell’ into. Taekwondo, and the tenants it adheres to, have been pivotal in his life, instilling discipline, confidence, and respect for others. He has always enjoyed and aspired to improve himself as an individual, and feels the techniques and lessons taught in Taekwondo are a great way to improve both physically and emotionally. His favorite part of Taekwondo is putting skills learned in class into practice at competitions.

“I have experience competing in many local tournaments, earning both first and second place in forms and sparring. However, I am most proud of the time spent coaching our students and helping them get the outcomes they want in competition.”