Andrew Colson is the head instructor for Whole Armor Martial Arts® King County. 2022 marks the 31st year he has been a part of Whole Armor Martial Arts. He started training under the guidance of Mr. Ron Hagelganz when he was 14 years old and still in middle school, and earned his Black Belt in 1995 at the age of 18. After earning his 2nd degree Black Belt, Andrew began a new school location and instructed on his own WAMA school for almost 2 years before being called into military service. He began serving his country in July of 2001 as a US Marine, and for the next 5+ years, including three tours in the middle east. After completing his term of active duty service, Andrew continued his training under Mr. Hagelganz at Whole Armor Martial Arts, earning his 3rd degree Black Belt in 2007. He then co-instructed the school’s Thursday evening class, until moving to Issaquah WA in 2015 to start a new chapter in his life with his new bride, Sara. After living there for about a year, Andrew opened his new school under the guidance of Mr. Hagelganz in March of 2016. In April of that same year, he was awarded his 4th degree Black Belt.
Now, Andrew has been running his school in Bellevue, WA and the school is going strong. He continues to visit the Vancouver school once a month for his own continued training at their monthly Black Belt class.
During the day, Andrew is an IT Professional working at Expedia Group. He spends much of his off time with his wife & family, friends, pet cat Knuckles and Kitten yet-to-be-named, working on their new home, helping and volunteering at his church, playing hard, and always training in Karate.
“Even though I love to study the physical aspects of the martial arts and explore the infinite knowledge Whole Armor has to offer, I am regularly reminded that this school’s primary focus is to be a ministry where people can come to learn about Jesus, and experience the excellence that a relationship with Him can bring. I can’t wait to see what God will do with this school, and how I may be used to further His aim.”
— Mr. Andrew Colson