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Meet Annette and Chris Poteet

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette and Chris Poteet.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Annette and Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2004 our youngest son Aaron showed interested in learning martial art at the age of 8. Chris (dad) had always wanted to do this as a child too, so he and Aaron began taking traditional Korean Taekwon-Do classes together. Our oldest, Mindy, was graduating high school shortly after and had always done a competitive dance in school. She started TKD as she was preparing for college and wanted to learn self-defense. Our middle son, Derek, was in high school with plans of going in the Marines after graduation and began to learn the fighting techniques from class. For myself, mom, Annette, I was very overweight but felt the desire to join in. We began training in classes together, going to competitions together, and even scheduling our vacations around tournaments and training. Our family became healthier and happier. In 2008, our family, which we had named “The Poteet Posse” for team competitions, was called the Family of The Year by the International Taekwon-Do Federation which is the governing body for over 60 countries around the world. Mindy and Derek both reached the level of 1st Degree black belt before moving on with other parts of their lives. Aaron reached the level of 4th Degree black belt and even won National Champion in Heavy Weight Men’s sparring at the age of 19 and competed on the ITF Team USA at the World Championships held in Jesolo Italy in 2015.

In October of 2009, Chris and I opened Poteet Martial Arts, aka Poteet Posse. We have been in 3 different locations in the metroplex over the past ten years, each time moving into a larger, more accommodating facility to meet the needs of our growing school. Last year, in 2019 we moved into our current location that has a 4,000 square foot training floor with four international competition regulation size rings. We currently offer classes for students ages four and up with kids classes (Deputy Dragons) ages 4-7, family all level classes for ages 8+, Black Belt Classes, Fitness Kickboxing classes, Sparring Classes and Special Needs Classes (Posse Outlaws). There are a total of 13 classes a week. In May, we are beginning to offer Zumba classes twice a week as well.

As a family who trained together, we wanted our school to be a family-friendly facility. That is exactly what it has evolved into. We have numerous family groups that take classes with us. Seven families have all had at least one or more of the family members reach the level of black belt, so far. We have a lounge with couch/recliners/refrigerator, etc. in the back where young people hang out between classes, do homework, and build friendships. We have a kid’s corner with coloring books, building blocks, books, etc. with small tables and chairs for them also. We have movie nights after classes, pool parties, Christmas parties, park picnics, run races together and so much more. We refer to our Posse as our extended TKD family.

More about us:

Mr. Chris Poteet, Owner & TKD Instructor, began his martial arts journey in 2004. He currently holds the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt and is certified by the International Taekwon-Do Federation. Mr. Poteet has won many awards during his martial arts career: Southwest Fall Invitation Senior Male Grand Champion (2008 & 2013), Houston Invitational Taekwon-Do Tournament Senior Male Grand Champion (2010), Cypress Invitational Senior Male Grand Champion (2013), and Austin State Tournament Senior Male Grand Champion (2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018). Mr. Poteet completed his Umpire’s Class B certification in 2011 and Class A in 2018. He served as one of the 2015 Team USA Coaches and Managers and in 2017, served as one of the Team USA Coaches and coached the Junior Men’s Team. Mr. Chris is the 2019 Team USA Coach, Senior Men’s Team Coach, and Manager.

Mrs. Annette Poteet, Owner, TKD and Fitness Kickboxing Instructor, began her martial arts path in 2006. She currently holds the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt and is certified by the International Taekwon-Do Federation. Mrs. Poteet was the Houston Invitational Taekwon-Do Tournament (HITT) Senior Female Grand Champion in 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2018. In 2014, Mrs. Poteet was the Women’s National Champion in Power Breaking and National Champion in Women’s Hyper Weight Sparring at the National Qualifiers. In 2015 she competed on Team USA and served as one of the Team USA Coaches and Managers. In 2017 she served as one of the Team USA Coaches and coached the Senior Women’s Team. Mrs. Poteet coached 7 of the 8 Team USA competitors who medaled at the 2017 World Championships. Mrs. Poteet works outside Taekwon-Do in Education as an ESL Teacher and martial arts supplies distribution. Mrs. Poteet holds an AS in Kinesiology from Navarro College and a BGS from TAMU-Commerce and has received her MBA from TAMU-Commerce. Since beginning her fitness journey, Mrs. Poteet has lost over 100 pounds. Mrs. Annette is currently the Deputy Dragons Class Instructor. Special Needs Kickboxing Instructor, Women’s Self-Defense Instructor, Currently 5th Degree Black Belt, 2019 Team USA Coach, Senior Women’s Team Coach, and Manager.

We started a nonprofit:

North Texas ITF Taekwon-Do is a Midlothian, TX-based 501c3 nonprofit organization that financially assists special needs students and students attending national and international Taekwon-Do competitions. In the past five years, North Texas students have performed very well in national and international competitions, bringing home 12 medals, including three worlds.

Champion Awards and 31 National Champions. The special needs Taekwon-Do program was started in 2015. These amazing students, the Posse Outlaws, work on patterns, sparring, breaking and self-defense. They also provide demonstrations in the community to promote awareness.

North Texas ITF Taekwon-Do is a family with students that work together and support each other. North Texas ITF Taekwon-Do works to provide training equipment, uniforms, and financial assistance related to international competition.

Has it been a smooth road?
There have been struggles. At present, COVID-19. We had to close our doors to living classes. We have begun teaching online Zoom classes to our students four nights a week and also filming tutorials that we post for everyone on our social media share sites as well as our YouTube Channel. We have also been having knowledge games for prizes and just began a participation BINGO game. There are always things that can cause challenges. The economy is often the biggest one. We do our best to work with everyone as we want everyone to be able to train if they can. We offer discounts to our military, first responders and teachers.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a Martial Arts School that teaches traditional Korean Taekwon-Do & Fitness Kickboxing. We are most proud of the family environment we have. Everyone is welcome! We are a family business that all of us have worked our way through the ranks together.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Our metroplex is a great place for a business like ours. It is diverse and large enough to accommodate more than one business of this type.

Pricing:

  • New students can take 1 month of classes for only $50 and get a FREE uniform!
  • Tuition is $145 a month after special with a $20 discount with bank draft

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Mrs. Laura Wright (our team mom photographer)

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