Grandmaster Jeffrey W. Helaney, IX Dan, is a well known figure in the martial arts community, renowned for his exceptional achievements, profound dedication, and lifelong commitment to both practice and instruction. His journey in martial arts began in 1969 under the guidance of his late father, Wallace G. Helaney, and has since evolved into a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire practitioners worldwide.

Grandmaster Helaney’s formal training began at the Omaha Karate and Judo School in Benson, NE, where he studied under the mentorship of Grandmaster S.K. Shin. Throughout the 1970s, he honed his skills in Judo, TaeKwon-Do, and Sports Karate, benefiting from the expertise of distinguished mentors such as Master Fred VanAckeren and Master Steve Johnson.

In the early 1980s, Grandmaster Helaney expanded his martial arts repertoire, training at ACS Martial Arts Schools and Davis TaeKwon-Do, where he added Combatique, Hapkido, and TaeKwon-Do to his already impressive skill set. Around the same time, he began his law enforcement career in 1984, which would eventually complement his martial arts practice and philosophy. Over two decades of service, he rose through the ranks to become Assistant Chief of Police, holding key positions such as Training Officer, Investigator, Field Supervisor, Shift Commander, and Detective Bureau Commander before his retirement in 2005. Following his law enforcement career, he served for seven years as a Regional Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Director, addressing vital community issues.

A pivotal moment in Grandmaster Helaney’s career came in 1996 with the creation of the Kick Drugs Out of Alliance(KDOA) program, a groundbreaking initiative that combined martial arts with drug education. The program received widespread recognition, including commendations from the Ohio House of Representatives, the Ohio Department of Education, and acknowledgment from a former U.S. President. The success of KDOA earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Grandmaster of the Yearaward from Budo Magazine in 2003.

In the 21st century, Grandmaster Helaney continued to diversify his expertise by earning degrees and certifications in Oriental Medicine. Despite suffering a career-ending injury during his law enforcement service, his resilience and commitment to martial arts led him to establish Omaha Blue Waves Martial Arts in 2007. In 2012, he founded the United States Kido Federation, where he continues to serve as President and Founder, fostering growth, unity, and educational opportunities for martial artists across the nation.

Grandmaster Helaney’s influence extends to several esteemed organizations, where he serves as a Board Advisor, including the International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation, the International TaeKwon-Do Federation HQ – USA, and the World Tae Sool Association. His remarkable contributions to martial arts and the community have earned him a host of honors, including being named a Legend in Who’s Who in the Martial Arts and being inducted into the Official TaeKwon-Do Hall of Fame for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts.

In 2014, Grandmaster Helaney was bestowed with the highest honor in Traditional TaeKwon-Do, his 9th Dan, in a grand ceremony attended by martial arts luminaries and peers. He currently serves as co-owner and martial arts director at Omaha Blue Waves Martial Arts, continuing to mentor, inspire, and uplift the next generation of martial artists.

Grandmaster Jeffrey W. Helaney’s legacy is a testament to the transformative power of martial arts, community service, and personal growth. His unwavering dedication to both the art and the people it serves ensures that his influence will be felt for generations to come.

Current Martial Arts Ranks Held

• 9th Dan Traditional TaeKwon-Do – International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation
• 8th Dan Tae Sool Hapkido – World Tae Sool Association
• 5th Degree Black Belt Sports Karate – ACS Martial Arts
• 2nd Degree Black Belt Poekoelan – Green Dragon Pentjak-Silat

Current Licenses, Certifications, Honors, Professional Memberships

• American Alternative Medical Association – Board Certification #66402412
• International Sport Science Association, PFT #371114
• Institute of Korean Natural Health, Doctor of Science Oriental Medicine
• Training Center for the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Medboo, OM/Acupuncture Certificates A-G
• State of Nebraska Licensed Massage Therapist – License #3474
• North American Hombu Hakko-Ryu Jujitsu Federation – KoKoDo Shiatsu Basic Certification
• American Massage Therapy Association – Professional Member
• American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine – Professional Member
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Retired/Current Member
• International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation (#A-237) – Lifetime Member
• International TaeKwon-Do Federation (#USA3707) – Lifetime Member
• International TaeKwon-Do Federation HQ Korea (#US-101420) – Current Member
• World Black Belt Bureau – Lifetime Member

Martial Arts Positions Held:

• 2020 to Present – International TaeKwon-Do Federation – HQ (USA): Board Advisor
• 2019 to Present – World Tae Sool Association/Tae Sool Won: Board Advisor
• 2016 to Present – International Jun Tong TaeKwon-Do Federation: Board Advisor
• 2012 to Present – United States Kido Federation: President and Founder
• 2012 to Present – World Organization of Martial Arts Athletes: Regional Director
• 2011 to Present – Omaha Blue Waves Martial Arts: Co-Owner
• 2008 to 2011 – Midwest Martial Arts League, Public Relations and Tournaments Director/Executive Vice-President
• 2007 to 2012 – TaeKwonDo Times Magazine, Correspondent
• 2005 to Present – Private Consulting and Seminars
• 2004 to Present – Five Elements Massage, Martial Arts, and Oriental Health Center, LLC: Co-Owner
• 1998 to 2005 – Kick Drugs Out of Alliance Program: Program Director
• 1993 to 2005 – Alliance Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do Club: President
• 1999 to 2005 – International TaeKwon-Do Union: Ohio State Director
• 2003 to 2005 – World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio: Member
• 1994 to 1995 – Police Martial Arts Association, Canada: Ohio State Representative

Recognition and Awards:

• 2022 – Official TaeKwon-Do Hall of Fame Inductee (Outstanding Leadership)
• 2021 – World’s Greatest Martial Artists, (honoree) Volume 31
• 2020 – Appreciation Award from SGM Kim, Bok-Man and World Chun Kuhn TaeKwon-Do Federation
• 2020 – General Choi, Hong Hi Awards: Outstanding Grandmaster of the Year (ITF Australia)
• 2020 – Who is Really Who in the Martial Arts/AMAA: Golden Lifetime Achievement and “Who’s Who Legends” award recipient
• 2019 – Who is Really Who in the Martial Arts/AMAA: Hall of Honors “Who’s Who Legends” award recipient
• 2019 – Who is Really Who in the Martial Arts: Masters and Pioneers by Jessie Bowen (Grandmasters of the Martial Arts/pages 167-169)
• 2005 – Budo Magazine’s Hall of Fame: GrandMaster of the Year – TaeKwon-Do
• 2004 – Ohio Department of Education: Partnering in Progress Award
• 2004 – Professional Karate Commission’s Ohio Black Belt Hall of Fame: Inductee
• 2004 – Ne-De-U-Kan-Tae Federation: Outstanding Contributions to the Martial Arts
• 2003 – World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame: Master Instructor of the Year Award
• 2003 – World Martial Arts Hall of Fame: Induction Award, honorary title and degree Professor of Martial Arts (Ph.D./MA) awarded, and appointment to Hall of Fame Board.
• 2002 – North American Black Belt Hall of Fame: Most Distinguished Martial Artist of the Year
• 2002 – Action Martial Arts Magazine: Outstanding Contributions to the Martial Arts and 2002/2003 Trading Card
• 2002 – World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame: Outstanding Organization of the Year for Kick Drugs Out of Alliance Program
• 2001 – World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame: Master Instructor of the Year
• 2001 – Team Power Master’s Hall of Fame: Inspiration Award
• 2001 – North American Black Belt Hall of Fame: Outstanding Contributions to the Martial Arts
• 2001 – Alliance Board of Education: Commendation for Excellence in Education
• 2001 – National Exchange Club, Alliance Chapter: Police Officer of the Year, Service to Youth
• 2000 – USA Karate Federation and US Jujitsu Federation Hall of Fame: Sadaki Nakabayashi Award for Community Service
• 1998 – United Martial Artists Association Black Belt Hall of Fame: Outstanding Contributions to the Martial Arts 

Publications/Media:

• Totally TaeKwon-Do Magazine (2021) – “History Repeats Itself” Cover Story
• TaeKwon-Do Journeys (2020) – Author (instructor manual)
• Focus on Fit (2017-2018) – Local Television Show – Writer/Producer/Director
• Deliberate Indifference (2013) – Movie Writer/Producer 
• Just for Kicks: Martial Arts for Everyone (2011/2012) Local Television Show – Writer/Director
• “Domestic Violence” (2007) Film Project Technical Advisor
• “Calypso’s Promise” (2007)- Consultant
• Budo International (Internationally Released 2006) “Dim Mak” Video Starring Vincent Lyn with Jeff Helaney
• Budo Magazine (2006) “Dim Mak” – Author w/Vincent Lyn
• Budo Magazine (2005) “Martial Arts and Drug Education: A Perfect Combination” – Author
• “Soft Target” (2004) Technical Advisor for action film starring Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Gary Busey.
• Pro-Karate Sport Weekly (2003/2004) Broadcast and Internet Radio Show, “Alliance Drug Free Open Martial Arts Tournament”
• America’s Dumbest Criminals (2000)  Syndicated Television Program, “Alliance, Ohio”
• To Serve and Protect: The Real Story (2001) Syndicated Television Program, “Kick Drugs Out of Alliance”, (2002) “Alliance Drug Free Open Martial Arts Tournament”, (2003) “KDOA Revisited”
• TaeKwonDo Times Magazine
• (1999) “Pressure Points: Do they Work?” – author;
• (2000) “Police Officer Lauded for Martial Arts/Anti-Drug Program”
• (2001) “Seminar Fights Drugs”, “ITU Ohio State Director Named”, “Alliance Martial Arts Tourney Fights Drugs”, “Overdrive in Omaha”, “Alliance Challenge Kicks Out Drugs”; 
• (2002) “Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame Recognizes Top Martial Artists”, “Summer Fun Fitness Challenge – focus; 
• (2003) Alliance Drug Free Open Martial Arts Tournament – focus; “Increasing Technique Effectiveness” – author 
• (2004) “Alliance Drug Free Open Martial Arts Tournament”; (2012) “Omaha National Martial Arts Championship”;
• (2013) “USKF Black Belt Hall of Fame”, “Omaha National Martial Arts Championship”
• (2014) GM Helaney Promoted to 9
  ^th Dan in Traditional TaeKwon-Do
• GrandMaster Magazine (1998) ”Martial Arts, Drug Education, and Children: A Winning Combination” – author
• Ohio Police Magazine (1993) “Police Martial Arts Association Names New Ohio State Director”
• PMAA NEWS (1993) “Impact Weapons” and “Pressure Points in the Martial Arts” – author