Mr. Pavel Malm

Meet Mr. Pavel Malm MS LCMHC, 3rd Dan

Owner & Head Instructor, Kingdom Blue Wave Taekwondo Academy

Mr. Malm is a long-time member of the Newport, Vermont, community known for his dual commitment to the martial arts and mental wellness. As the owner of Kingdom Blue Wave Taekwondo and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Mr. Malm has spent decades helping individuals build resilience, confidence, and focus—both in the gym and in life. 

A Lifetime in Martial Arts

Mr. Malm's journey in the martial arts began in his teenage years with Judo, where he first learned the fundamentals of the martial arts and developed skills with leverage and balance. As a young adult, he expanded his repertoire into Karate-Jitsu, developing a sharper focus on striking and self-defense application.  Dunig this period, he gained competition experience, taking part in 20+ regional martial arts tournaments.

His path eventually led him to the Korean art of Taekwondo, where he trained under the tutelage of the late Grand Master Robert K. Decker, an 8th-degree Black Belt and a seminal figure in Vermont’s martial arts history. Mr. Malm then trained under Grand Master Dale Donaghy, 8th degree Black belt until his wife Jane Donaghy, 3rd-degree Black belt, successfully took over of the school. He is currently coached and instructed by Master Mathew Girard, 6th-degree Black Belt. Master Girard is the President of Blue Wave Taekwondo International; an association of sister schools locally.  Influenced by Grand Master Decker’s legacy of technical excellence and character development, Mr. Malm took the reins of Kingdom Blue Wave Taekwondo in 2026 to pass on these traditions to the Northeast Kingdom community.

Mental Health & Counseling

Off the mat, Mr. Malm is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in VT with over 25 years of experience. He holds a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling from UVM and operates a private practice in Newport since 2000. Describing himself as a "Humanistic Behavioralist," Mr. Malm specializes in helping children, adolescents, and adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma (PTSD), and life transitions.

He has particular expertise in supporting neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), helping them tap into their unique strengths to achieve their goals.

A Holistic Approach

Mr. Malm's unique background allows him to bring a holistic perspective to his teaching and counseling. Whether he is guiding a student through a difficult form in the dojang or helping a client navigate a personal challenge in therapy, his philosophy remains the same: to empower individuals to find bravery, build trust in themselves, and plan for a positive future.

Mr. Malm is a cleared AAU non-member / coach with clean NCSI background check available on request or HERE.