Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Reed.
Hi Tyler, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story starts years ago in North Georgia where we first met. I was offered a promotion to manage one of our lower tier schools as the current manager was moving on to other things. I had spent some time here alone while they searched for the right person to help me take on the responsibilities, which ended up being the best decision they could have made because not a few short months later, Covid happened. So not only were we trying to figure out how to manage this school to help it grow, but we had to do it all through lockdown, zoom classes, and hours of phone calls and meetings to help decide how we would proceed. Through the trials and tribulations, Mrs. Reed & I found common ground on what we wanted in life, what we had been through in life, and the future that we wanted. Not but a few short years later, we were married & running one of the lowest level schools and one of the higher level schools as a couple who believed that God put us here to change lives through the teachings of Taekwondo.
After we announced our engagement, some previous acquaintances of Mrs. Reed offered us a job as a duo, here in Southlake, Texas. Her work ethic and what she brought to the table was sought after by multiple school owners across the nation but this gave the opportunity for me to move out of my little home town and for her to be closer to family.
After working for just about a year, the owners of the school had to step away for personal reasons and we were offered to buy the school. This was something we always wanted to do together, but it was part of a more grandiose 5 year plan. We weren’t ready now. But when God believes in you, you must believe in God. So with little to no business ownership knowledge, we decided to take the offer, buy the school, and save it from closing down completely.
Two long years later & we can say we work HARD and PROUD to provide something to the Southlake community that will help change the lives of everyone that we’re blessed to come in contact with in hopes to make the world a better place. One Black Belt at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anything worth having, is worth working for & generally speaking, never easy. My wife found her way to martial arts through the loss of her father. Pent up anger, resentment, & frustration that goes untamed is unhealthy & dangerous. Taekwondo gave her the opportunity to work through those emotions (and much more) in a positive and healthy way. In an environment where her growth was her own but those around her cheered loud.
For myself, I was lost with no direction. Didn’t know who I was, who I wanted to be, or where I was headed. Having the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself is something we as people all yearn for and it’s something that we want to offer to ALL those who feel like they don’t fit in. Where team sports are difficult. Or feeling like friendships are impossible to create. Taekwondo gave me all of these things and so much more.
We’ve been impressed with Southlake ATA Martial Arts, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We teach traditional Korean Taekwondo for the ATA (American Taekwondo Association) where we focus on teaching character development, life skill training, & leadership through the actions of martial arts. Most martial arts schools focus on the pure basics of just that.. martial arts. We pride ourselves on how we can use martial arts and a MEDIUM for teaching the things that truly matter. Being a good person. Making the world better. Knowing how to communicate effectively & appropriately. How to overcome adversity & never give up. This is where our brand comes into play. “Training Champions”.
This is our brand not simply because we want our students to be world class athletes and win World Titles but for them to be a champion of life. When they get complimented on how they act, behave, or treat others, we want to be a part of the reason people view them this way.
The world is a hard & difficult place. We want to make leaders in this world that will change that.
How do you define success?
Success for is the pursuit of being the best version of yourself every single day. Success doesn’t mean it has to be perfect. It doesn’t even mean it has to be RIGHT. But it does mean that we need to focus, DO our best, BE our best, never give up, & help those around us achieve things they never thought possible. Success is seeing the kids who don’t “fit in”, finding a place that makes them feel at home & comfortable. Success is allowing adults who never thought they could, achieve greatness in aspects they never dreamed of participating in.
Pricing:
- 1st class free
- 3 weeks of classes for $59
- Program
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southlakeata.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southlakeatamartialarts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthlakeATA
