Head Instructor RWTB North Bend
North Bend, NE
Eliss Hall

Eliss, is our premier female Black Belt. Recently she won the Adult Female Black Belt Sparring division at the 2nd Annual Hall of Fame Classic, out pointing her opponent 10 to 1 and taking the gold medal, along with a championship belt.

"Eliss has everything going for her, she's smart, talented, experienced and tough as nails. We are thrilled to have her as one of our Head Instructors." Says RWTB Founder and President James Rosenbach when asked about Eliss.

I was born on January 13th, 1988 in Morse Bluff, NE. I started with RWTB in 1996 in North Bend. My first instructor was Adam Murphy until I was a High-Purple belt. At that time, Mr. Murphy decided to close the North Bend RWTB school, and after about three months of being terrified (to train in Fremont), I finally made the long walk up those stairs and started back up. In 2001, at the age of 13,I obtained my first black belt. In 2003, at age 15, I opened up my own branch of RWTB in North Bend.

In 2003, I began teaching women's self-defense in several cities including St. Louis and Chicago. I've been competing in the cornhusker state games since 2002; my fastest win was when I scored five points in 42 seconds. In 2005, I traveled to Jamaica to compete. I was also the alliance point champion that same year.

In 2005 I was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of fame as Female black belt of the year, and then was inducted again in 2007 as Black Belt of the year. I have also been honored as RWTB Female Black Belt of the year from 2002-2003 and RWTB Female Instructor of the Year from 2004-2006. I am currently Chieftain status Black Belt.

I teach classes every Tuesday and Wednesday in North Bend from 5:30-6:30pm. I also teach in Omaha Thursdays from 6:30-7:30pm.

Written by Mr. Rosenbach and Eliss Hall; submitted online 6-20-07

Name: Eliss Hall

Rank:Chieftain Status

How Long Have You Been With RWTB/RBWI?: "I started in June of 1996"

Why Did You Join?:" I was that really awkward kid that tripped over my feet. I wanted to be apart of something that would make me be sociable. Adam Murphy just happened to work for my dad, and his parents and my parents were friends, so my parents put me in Martial Arts classes. Everyone was giving me two months to quit, but something about it made me want to stick it out. "

Favorite RWTB/RBWI Moment?: " Over all, being in Jamaica with Sabum, Adam, and Lexi. It was just a blast in general. The part that really stands out to me, though, is when Sabum along with a couple of guys we met down there, entered in a cross-dressing competition at the resort. I got to see Sabum dance around in a hot little bikini… not many people can say that. "

What advice would you give to beginning students who hope to someday be black belts?: " Don't let emotions get in the way. I see it all the time when I'm sparring someone, they get frustrated and angry or scared and upset. Keep your cool at all times. Those emotions can cloud your thinking and even cause you to loose a fight. Work hard, keep your nose clean, and just be a good person in general. Don't do anything that you don't want your grandmother to know you did. "

Weapon of Choice?: "Long staff!"

What are 3 (non-martial arts) activities that you enjoy?: "There is sooo much. I'm kind of ADD when it comes to extra activities.

Music. I sing and play the bass guitar.

Art/Photography/Writing

Working out"

What person/people in RBWI or RWTB would you consider your role model(s)? (Who influenced you?): "If it wasn't for Adam Murphy, I most likely would have never even started Martial Arts. Sabum took the talent I had and made me be the Black Belt I am today. Jason Roach helped me be a better instructor, he showed me that you don't have to be a hard ass in order to be a good instructor. And all of the current black belts have just supported me through a lot. They make me want to be a good role model for the up and coming black belts and other students in RWTB."

3 Favorite Movies:

(Yeah, it was four, but I couldn't narrow it down)

This survey was submited on 6-29-07