Michele Helaney is a self-proclaimed fitness nut. She runs four miles a day, lifts weights, and still finds time to teach martial arts about 10 hours a week. A natural athlete Michele began training in gymnastics and dance at a very early age. She spent most of her formative years attending competitions throughout northeast Ohio.  As a young adult she danced professionally and taught pick up classes when she could. She continued her education in fitness earning a multitude of certifications in fitness, nutrition, and medicine.  Eventually she earned at a limited medical branch license in Ohio as a Masso-Therapist.  
 

It wasn’t until Michele met her husband, Master Jeff Helaney, that she became interested in the martial arts.  As a young couple Michele would attend the classes taught by her husband and watch intently, but never join in.  Late at night or early in the morning, she would sneak way to begin training on her own.  She already knew her first five forms before ever formally taking a martial arts class. She recalled the look on her husband’s face as being one of utter shock when she began demonstrating forms for him one day. 
 

Once Michele decided to start martial arts classes there was no stopping her.  She would often workout for 2 or 3 hours a day while training for her black belt.  A perfectionist, Michele would perform techniques over and over again in front of a mirror until they reached met her satisfaction. Having such a driven personality, it would be easy to lose focus on the true spirit of the martial arts … service.  Fortunately for many children she didn’t forget. 
 

Michele’s first chance to teach martial arts came through the award winning Kick Drugs Out of Alliance program in Ohio. This innovative program combined drug education and martial arts in a unique blend that helped at risk kids learn focus, discipline, and community.  Her work as a volunteer instructor and coordinator earned her the recognition from the Ne-De-U-Ka-Tae Federation and the World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame. 
 

In 2006, Michele moved to Omaha, Nebraska with her family after her husband retired from law enforcement due to injuries. It wasn’t long before the urge to teach overcame Michele again.  In 2007 Michele formally opened Omaha Blue Waves Martial Arts. Although her husband acts as the martial arts director in residence, Michele is the primary instructor and president of the business. In the short time the business has been open it has been recognized by Taekwondo Times Magazine as a School of the Month and the business has raised thousands of dollars for a local YMCA.   
 

Michele continues to push the health envelope by working with kids and adults to find healthy ways to live and grow. Recently, she became an ARF program coordinator through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. This state wide program promotes health and fitness for all ages.