Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Toohey.
Hi Brandon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am from Austin, TX. I grew up in Northwest Austin, close to Cedar Park, and I am the oldest of my siblings. At a young age, I was active in various activities like Town and Country youth baseball, 4-H club, church and TaeKwonDo. When I aged out of the youth baseball league and was given the choice by my parents to pursue select league baseball or continue with TaeKwonDo.
My whole family was involved in martial arts and we were very active in competitions locally and nationally… All of us won various regional and national championships at some point. We were extremely committed to our training, sometimes training 8-10 hours a week and we all took on leadership roles at our martial arts school.
When I was 16, a local martial arts instructor reached out and offered me a teaching position at his school. I accepted and the rest is history.
I have had the opportunity to teach at several schools in the Austin area over the last 20 years and my wife and I have owned our own school since 2011.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had obstacles to overcome over the years, both physically and professionally. Training injuries will happen if you do martial arts for a while, even with good training partners and coaches. It’s one of the risks you need to accept when you choose to train in combat sports. Professionally there are struggles too. One major struggle has been operating a martial arts school during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love martial arts and have ever since I took my first class. I love it so much that it’s my career and my main hobby. I teach children, teens and adults. I’m proud of the work my students put in and the discoveries they make as they dive deeper into training. Martial arts is great for personal development, goal setting, fitness, self-defense and the list could go on and on.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m active in the elementary schools in Round Rock as a guest PE coach and a speaker. I’m also an off campus PE coach for RRISD and LISD. I occasionally host self-defense clinics and seminars of various sorts. I love sharing my love of martial arts and the many benefits it provides.
Contact Info:
- Email: Taekwondoplus@att.net
- Website: roundrocktkd.com
Image Credits:
Chris McInnis Instagram: @c_a_j_u_n
