Millennium Magazine_5th Ed

263 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine M aggie Cole Messina’s fighting spirit originated from a young age during an upbringing within the foster care system. From that background, she channeled her emotions into finding her life’s purpose, and her sister-in-law introduced her to the world of martial arts. Ms. Messina has now been teaching martial arts for more than 20 years. Despite the challenges she has faced with throughout her career, Ms. Messina has prevailed and credits her success to her tenacity, drive and black belt status. Since 1997, Ms. Messina has been the owner and master instructor of TaeCole Tae Kwon Do NYC Kids, which trains children, teenagers and young adults in advanced self-defense skills to gain strength, agility and fitness. She is the founder of Female Fighters Matter2, a cause which aims to raise the standards that martial arts tournaments set for women competitors worldwide by creating equal opportunities for women and men competitors. Ms. Messina shared that she has faced significant criticism by being a woman instructor and competitor, and she has struggled with gaining respect from others in the past. Ms. Messina is also the founder of SWERV.CHANGE, an organization to empower “at risk” children to achieve their best. Ms. Messina is a competitor by nature, and she has taken home numerous victories, her proudest victory being her Gold Medal with the 2018 United States Martial Arts Team at the World Karate Commission in Dublin, Ireland. Ms. Messina is also a gold medalist for Team USA in traditional form and a New York State Champion in women’s black belt fighting. She is a world champion of women’s lightweight BB fighting, creative forms and women’s forms by the North American Sport Karate Association, among various other achievements. Additionally, her business has been named the Best Martial Arts School and Business on Long Island. Ms. Messina was featured in “Gold Medal in Empowering Female Martial Artists” by Taekwondo Women to Watch in 2018 and was a host for the Long Island Martial Arts Winter Open in 2012. She was awarded her sixth Dan Black Belt by the International Taekwondo Federation in 2011. MAGGIE COLE MESSINA OWNER, MASTER INSTRUCTOR TaeCole Tae Kwon Do Albertson, NY HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE