Dallas, TX
Martial arts instruction for everyone.
My Martial Arts, founded in 2016 by Tony Rios, teaches students with special needs and mainstream children and adults in the same studio.
The adaptive programs were built for people who live with physical and developmental challenges, so they can learn in a setting that is comfortable and still challenging, earn rank, and see their own progression. Mainstream martial arts and fitness classes sit alongside that work. Classes are meant to help physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The focus is being able to train everyone, regardless of their needs.
Mainstream and adaptive instructor
Tony Rios
Founder / CEO · 4th degree black belt
With an unwavering commitment to the martial arts and a profound passion for creating a positive impact within the Special Needs Community, Tony Rios is a distinguished martial artist, community leader, and an acclaimed advocate. He has dedicated over three and a half decades to Taekwondo, and he is now also pursuing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has competed at the local, national, and international levels. In 2017 he received the Ryan Albers Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, the Hack Hero Award from the Hackleberry Foundation. In 2019, the Making the Difference Award from SEPAC. That same year he established SNAPMAT, a set of tournaments for athletes with special needs. My Martial Arts opened in 2016. He describes it as the first facility in North Texas with an adaptive fitness and martial arts program for children and adults living with special needs.
Mainstream and adaptive instructor
Julie Daniel
Taekwondo black belt
Julie is a parent and advocate. Her son was diagnosed with autism in 2003, and she has spent more than two decades in the adaptive and special needs community. She started MMA in 2017 and Taekwondo in 2018, past the age of 40, and earned her 1st-degree black belt in 2022. She says Taekwondo is for everyone, regardless of age or gender.
Mainstream and adaptive instructor
Roni Bowersock
Taekwondo black belt
Roni started Taekwondo at 66, after a foreign exchange student who had become like family got her into it. She trained six years for her black belt, with grandchildren training beside her. She talks about balance, flexibility, stamina, coordination, and the nerve to keep going, and she still works nunchucks. Her line: age is no barrier; we adapt and thrive.
Mainstream and adaptive instructor
Jarren Searcy
Karate black belt
Jarren started karate at 5. He earned his black belt on December 11, 2021, after four and a half years, with his mom and his instructor, Ms. Reeve, in his corner. He teaches so other students get the same kind of attention.