Ms Lesley Mcghie 4th Degree

Trained in Fitness & Leisure Manangement
Originally trained at the Scottish School of PE, and attaining a BA Degree, Lesley then went on to work in Leisure Centres in Glasgow, London and Devon. After gaining her Management Diploma at Exeter, she became Marketing Manager and Fitness Adviser in local leisure centres. She is trained in childrens fitness and qualified in various other Fitness related areas and sports coaching.
Rowing Champion
In her first main sport, Lesley became the first ever female member to join the Clydesdale Rowing club in Glasgow. She then went on to row internationally as well as representing Scotland, being National Champion for many years. She also officiated at the 13th Commonwealth Games for her sport.

A move to Taekwon-do & Kick Boxing
When she moved to Devon she started Taekwon-do, and in this time has become a Fully Qualified Instructor and opened up schools throughout the South Hams.

In 1998 she represented England in the World championships at Birmingham.

In 2000 she trained in a seminar taught by the Founder of Taekwon-do, Major General Choi, 9th Degree, and was even more privileged to be invited to an inaugeration dinner with the founders of PUMA and the Major General.

In 2003 she was part of the Gold winning Black Belt Ladies Team Patterns, British Black Belt Ladies Individual Patterns Champion, and also gained her 3rd Degree with a Credit and was awarded the overall Grading Award.

In 2005, she trained in Atlantic City, with the ITF President (Taekwon-do founders son), President Choi, Jung Hwa, 9th Degree, in celebration of 50 years of Taekwon-do.

In 2007 Lesley qualified as an international referee, and officiated at the ITF World Championships in Birmingham. She was proud to have 6 students selected to represent their country at this event too, and another 5 who took part in the World Open Championships, winning 13 medals in total. This year Lesley also gained her 3rd Degree Instructors certificate in Kick Boxing.

In 2009 Lesley gained her 4th Degree in TKD in the April, and by October has 6 more Black Belts bringing 7 medals back from the World Kickboxing Association Championships in Spain.

In 2010 3 of her Black Belt ladies are selected to represent Team UK at the International Taekwon-do Federations World Championships in Korea, July. Lesley attended the World Championships as Coach, and was pleased to step onto the winners podium with two students who gained Gold for Patterns and Bronze for Sparring. Bringing home 2 World Champions certainly was the highlight of 2010.

Instructors
Lesley presently trains with Master Trevor Nicholls, 8th Degree, Secretary General to the ITF, Kevin McCabe 5th Degree, of Dragon Martial Arts and more locally with Mr Chris Wood – 5th Degree of South Coast Martial Arts.  Lesley recognises the hard work, advice and input of her previous organisations and Instructors, with Master Gayle PUMA, 2000-2010 and Mr Peter O'Neil  TAGB 1994-2000.
Lesley also trains with the Grandmaster Choi, Jung Hwa - 9th Degree (the tkd founders son), when he visits the UK.

A Challenging  Life
With a young son of 10yrs, Lesley finds juggling her skills as mother, Taekwon-do student and chief instructor very challenging,……. but would not give it up for the world. “I never intended to take tkd seriously, I only started for a laugh, and I got hooked. 16 years later here I am”
 As if that was not enough, Lesley is also Vice Chair of Sports South Hams, Vice Chair of the Full Governors and Chair of one of the Committees at Dartington Primary School, as well as liasing with the school on the committee of Dartington Recreation Association.

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