Sal Convento, Chief Instructor
A third degree black belt and Tang Soo Do World Cup Champion with 21 years of experience in the Martial Arts, Sal Convento began training at the Shin Karate Institute. he received his first-degree black belt in 1990, and at the age of 15 instructed all belts young and old.
Sal’s achievements in the martial arts include: Grand Champion in forms (kata) in tournaments at Queens College, NY and in sparring in Charlotte, WV. He was awarded the title of “Athlete of the Week” on several occasions while attending the prestigious US Naval Academy, and he achieved the high rank of third-degree black belt while winning three 1st place awards at the Tang Soo Do Championship in 2002. In 2004 he returned and became the Tang Soo Do World Champion.
As a Surface Warfare Officer of the NAVY Sal had the opportunity to live in Rota, Spain and Crete, Greece. He took part in missions flying the EP3 Orion over Iraq and Afghanistan during “Operation Enduring Freedom” and was also stationed at the Omaha MEPS and in San Diego, California on three different amphibious ships. In December of 1999 Sal laterally transferred to Naval Aviation and became a Wing Naval Aviator in May of 2001. Now leading the Boot Camp San Diego classes, Sal brings with him the naval training he gained and guarantees that everyone will be impacted through his classes so that they are self actualized and can turn their own dreams into reality.
Thomas R. Yahner
Thomas R. Yahner is a 3rd degree Black Belt that has over 19 years of martial arts experience and has been a certified instructor in the World Tang Soo Do Association a total of eight years. He has attended many martial arts clinics and seminars including those taught by Grandmaster Shin, Dan Inosanto (most trusted and senior of Bruce Lee’s students), and Pat Miletich (five-time UFC champion and trainer of Matt Hughes). He also has a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Communications and Information Technology.
Mr. Yahner began his martial arts career in 1987 at the age of 6 at Appalachia Tang Soo Do in State College, PA and became the first member of the Penn State Martial Arts Group’s youth class to reach Black Belt, earning his Cho Dan rank in 1993 and E Dan in 1996.
At the age of 16, he left the World Tang Soo Do Association for a period of five years and studied many different martial arts including Ninjitsu, Shaolin Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Judo, and Aikido, gaining valuable knowledge that made him a more complete martial artist. Mr. Yahner returned to the World Tang Soo Do Association in 2003 with Arteca's Martial Arts to develop his martial arts skills to a higher level as he trained to achieve the rank of Sam Dan.
Michelle Hackney
Michelle didn’t start out a fitness diva—she had to work for it! As a full-time stay-at-home mom, activist, budding business owner and writer, there was never enough time in the day for peace of mind until she joined Boot Camp San Diego. After desperate attempts at Yoga and boring gym workouts, she found her outlet where she loves it most, in the great outdoors.
In high school, she fell in love with distance running, especially through the desert mountains and canyons of El Paso where she connected with nature and her hometown. It wasn’t just the scenery that was enticing though; it was the supportive camaraderie that she experienced while participating in half-marathons and mountain bike competitions.
During college, she took the group concept to another level and began teaching high impact aerobic classes and also helped severely obese women find a healthy and happy lifestyle through nutrition and low-impact exercise. She now cross-trains and practices Tang Soo Do Karate. While she’ll always love her family and writing, she has found peace of mind running at the water’s edge at the NTC in Pt. Loma with her new Boot Camp San Diego team by her side.
