Master Nelson began his martial arts experience with street karate in Miami before entering military service on April 4th,1977. In Basic Combat Training (BCT) daily hand to hand combat judo sessions were mandatory. Following basic military combat training Master Nelson was stationed overseas with the US Army in September 1977 where he began his official Martial Arts training. With the frequency of changing assignments came changes in training opportunities.

Early History includes:
KTA/WTF Taekwondo & Hapkido 1977 - Present,
Ishynryu Karate  1980 - 81,
ITF Taekwondo 1981 - 82,
Wushu Kungfu 1982 - 84,
Wingchun Kungfu 1989 - 90.
Master Nelson taught elements of First Infantry Division (FWD) 90 - 91 prior to the Gulf War. With the end of the Gulf War Master Nelson terminated military service and moved to Orlando Florida to pursue other education opportunities.

Mid History includes:
In Orlando Master Nelson met and joined GM Hong, Chong Soo student GM Jae Sun Do's Academy where he trained in Taekwondo, Hapkido, Kumdo, Sun Do, Dan Jun, and Sujok from August 1991 - Present;  GM Do is Master Nelson's permanent primary teacher and Grand Master since Aug 1991.
Master Nelson taught at Master Do's Academy, numerous West Orlando & Winter Garden area recreation centers, and Valencia College 1991 - 93; Master Nelson opened the first Central Florida Taekwondo & Hapkido Academy under the direction of GM J.S. Do in April 1993. 
From 1993 to 2008 Master Nelson continued to operate the Martial Arts Academy while pursuing a multitude of educational and training opportunities, i.e., Aikido, Judo, Jujitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and continued Haedong Gumdo, Taekwondo and Hapkido.
Vocationally - OTEC LPN & Valencia Community College RN schools.
 
During the mid 90's GM J.S. Do moved to Atlanta. During that time Master Nelson established several unique relationships with other prominent Taekwondo & Hapkido Grand Masters creating unforseen opportunities, i.e. training with GM Edward B. Sell, the highest ranking non Asian in the world and President/Founder of the United States Chung Do Kwan Association (USCDKA), training with GM Oh, Joo Yul, three time Korean light weight sparring champion & President of the Florida Taekwondo Association leading to the annual hosting of the Korean Tiger Team, and training with GM Ki Jeong Lee who led the way to a Korean American Master student exchange program with the Chunnam College where he later became the Director of Education until his death.
 
Master Nelson became a USCDKA member with the President & Grand Master E.B. Sell, the Highest Ranking Non Asian in the world and student of GM Park, Hae Man, VP of the Korean World Chungdo Kwan. Master Nelson was offered 4th Dan and awarded the USCDKA Head Instructor of the Year for 1994 by GM Edward B. Sell.
 
Master Nelson befriended GM Ki Jeong Lee, a Professor and Director of Education at Chunnam Techno College in Korea. Together they launched a Korean American Taekwondo student exchange program in which Master Nelson hosted Korean Masters at his home and Dojang annually throughout the 90's. To this day Master Nelson maintains contact with all of the Korean Masters from the exchange program. Then young 4th & 5th Dan students, now all Grand Masters and Professors of Education at prominent Korean Universities, one became owner of Korea Taekwondo Association, a successful system of Taekwondo schools in West Palm Beach Florida.
 
Master Nelson befriended Grand Master Oh Joo Yul, GM of Ohs Taekwondo, three time Korean light weight sparring champion and President of the Florida State Taekwondo Association. Together GM Oh and Master Nelson hosted the annual visit of GM Hak Sun An and the Korean National Tiger Demonstration Team to Central Florida throughout the 90's. GM Hak Sun An is currently President of the Korean Jidokwan Association.
 
Master Nelson graduated from the Orlando Florida OTEC LPN program in 1996 and the Valencia College ASN/RN degree program achieving state licensure as an ASN/RN in 1999.  As a Registered Nurse Master Nelson joined the Army Reserves in 2005 and began deploying in 2007 - 2015. With re entry into the military came Military Army Combatives Training which is basically Jujitsu. While deployed Master Nelson took the opportunity to learn the Marine Corp Martial Arts System, which is basically Hapkido.
 
Master Nelson was forced to close the Martial Arts Academy in 2008 during deployment.  While deployed to Tikrit Iraq 2008 - 09, Master Nelson taught US & British Special Forces among others at Combat Operation Base Speicher in Iraq. 
 
Master Nelson deployed again from 2010 - 2013. With an accumulation of injuries, Master Nelson was transferred to a Warrior Transition Battalion in September 2013 for medical treatment until medically retired in September 2015. While in medical care at Ft Benning in Columbus Georgia, Master Nelson was able to visit his teacher GM Jae Sun Do in Atlanta, Georgia.
 
Master Nelson opened Korean American Martial Arts Academy in January 2016, re established relationships with previous prominent Grand Masters, and continues to teach the deep traditions and characteristics of self discipline, self defense, fitness, social education, self improvement, and Warrior Ethos of Korean Martial Arts to all who are eager to learn.
 
Credentials:
USAT National Referee
-8th dan Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan
-8th dan Taekwondo Jido Kwan
-8th dan Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan
-6th dan Taekwondo Kukkiwon
-6th dan Korea Hapkido Federation
-6th dan Taekwondo & Hapkido Eastern U.S.A. International Martial Arts Assn.
-6th dan Taekwondo United States Martial Arts Assn.
-5th dan Hapkido United States Martial Arts Assn.
 
-2009 Award of Merit for teaching in Iraq Cdr. 345th Combat Support Hospital
-1997 World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
-1996 Letter of Appreciation - GM Sung Wan Lee & Dr Un Yong Kim
-1994 U.S. Chungdokwan - Head Instructor of the Year - GM Edward B. Sell
-1994 Master Instructor of the Year - Central Florida Taekwondo Academy
-1993 Instructor of the Year - Grand Master J.S. Do Taekwondo Academy
-1992 Student Instructor of the Year - Grand Master J.S. Do Taekwondo Academy
 
2012 BSN/RN Bachelor of Science in Registered Nursing - University of Phoenix
1999 ASN/RN Associate in Science of Registered Nursing - Valencia College
1996 LPN Licensed Practical Nursing Certification - Orlando VOTECH
1987 Law Enforcement Technology Certification - Central Texas College
1986 ASGS Associate Degree in General Studies - Central Texas College