Meet Gottfried Roser of Roser Martial Arts Center in Plano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gottfried Roser.

Gottfried, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all began in 1976 at the age of 7 while living just outside San Antonio when I first saw this wonderful martial art. It happened when a friend of mine in school defended himself against the school bullies. I was instantly in the know of what I would be doing the rest of my life. I graduated from high school and went to college and was teaching martial arts but feeling like something was missing. I found a way to get to South Korea through the military. I was only to be assigned there for a 1 year but ended up staying for 10 years training under the top grandmaster in the world. I fought in Desert Shield/Desert Storm and several other conflicts around the world here and there for short spurts and always returning to train under the Grandmaster. I came back to the USA in 2000 and opened a school. My job as a government contractor took me overseas again but this time to Germany in 2012 and returned to Texas in 2014 opening the Roser Martial Arts Center in a North Dallas area called Plano. We are considered the #1 self defense school in the area and the only school in the USA to teach Hapkiyoosool. A proud moment for all of us who are now training together as one big family. I had the distinct pleasure of being inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame with honors in 2006 and again in 2015. That was a dream come true.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a rough journey with so many exciting experiences. I would do it all over again for sure. The first 12 years were a tough basic learning of the art. My Korean instructor Master Jung had a strong desire to help me meet my dream. He helped me and guided me through some pretty painful times in my life. Some he created to help me grow. He was always there for me in the end. The last 25 years have been a deeper study of mastery with 10 of those years at the headquarters in South Korea under Grandmaster Chang. I struggled financially of course and with so many other sacrifices from lack of sleep to not having time for a relationship. I chose training hard to reach the goals that I set out to achieve over fun. There were times I wanted to quit, give up, walk away but Grandmaster Chang wouldn’t allow it. Finish what you start is what I learned above all. No matter what we do in life, it is all the same. Set your goals and do whatever it takes morally to achieve them. Morally meaning never taking advantage of anyone or abusing anyone’s trust.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Roser Martial Arts Center story. Tell us more about the business.
I think we have probably the most unique martial arts school in the Dallas area. I haven’t been to a school in the whole area that teaches what we teach or how we teach it. I traveled around the area and met with many of the school owners and spoke with them. Even shared space with a couple of them for a while as we built up a student base. I can honestly say that I met no one who is teaching what we do. We are known not only as the #1 self defense school these days but for our very special way of training and the style that we practice and live by. Our school is more like a family where there is trust and unconditional acceptance. It’s a reality based school where we train for the real world with classes that focus on such special training that you would have to experience to believe. Not a gym where you get just a good work out but a school where you gain real tools which you can use and the scientific reasoning of how and why the martial art works mentally and physically. My wife and I also teach the Korean language and culture. The art goes deeply into anatomy, physiology, psychology of combat, physics and geometry that go along with it. I think what sets us apart is that for 42 years I have been practicing this art with 27 years training and teaching the military special operations personnel, government agents and bodyguards. The amazing thing about this art of Hapkiyoosool is that size and strength don’t matter.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The martial arts has changed over the years to meet the demands of the modern world. We have adapted as well while maintaining our traditions and values. Sadly so many of the martial schools have drifted into commercialism and away from their foundations. Our main goal is to keep those foundations and build upon them keeping strong moral values and instilling respect, responsibility in our student body. Martial arts have become more sport orientated and shifted into the cookie cutter schools with some offering online training and competing with each other instead of just being the very best they could be. We are not a sport focused school but a school of life and supporting each other through our struggles. We help each other in training and in life. I see a great future for what we are doing as the martial arts pendulum is swinging back to the traditional ways. I see people getting tired of all the ego and tough guy rudeness mentality. We want to instill in everyone that walks through our doors a true sense of self value and strong, healthy self-esteem. We strive for a stronger community with families training together and having a common bond to grow closer.

Pricing:

• Monthly unlimited training is only $139.00 which includes our exclusive Saturday Self Defense Classes.
• Monthly limited training is only $109.00 for 2 days a week which parents like for kids.
• Military/Law Enforcement tactics classes are $139.00 in the Talon Combat System.
• A combined Traditional Classes with Talon Combat System included is $239.00 for unlimited classes.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1915 N. Central Expressway #170
  Plano, Texas 75075
• Website: htttp://www.hapkiyoosool.com
• Phone: 214-766-8897
• Email: hapkiyoosool1@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosermartialartsplano/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosermartialartsplano/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hapkiyoosool
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/roser-martial-arts-center-plano-plano
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0heDWLpSVaWLnWlEuSbnBQ

Image Credit:
Roser Martial Arts Center Photo

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