Since 2001, martial arts beginners to advanced practitioners have been training under the guidance of Greg Fisher, owner and head instructor at Impact Martial Arts.
The Northwest Austin martial arts studio teaches the sport to students ages 3 and up, with an emphasis on building self-esteem, confidence and self-defense skills.
Respect for craftsmanship
Mr. Fischer has been training in martial arts for over 30 years and teaching for over 20. He currently holds a 7th degree black belt and is a member of the U.S. Taekwondo Team.
“I started [martial arts] “When I was 12, I had some friends at school who asked me to stay, so I stayed. I didn't realize it at the time, but it helped me build my confidence. I was a really quiet kid, so I just clung to my friends,” Fisher says.
His time studying and honing the sport eventually led to the opening of Impact Martial Arts.
“I started teaching because I wanted to share it so other people could have the same experience,” Fisher said.
What they offer
Impact Martial Arts students range in age and skill level and are primarily children and their families. Fisher said the student body is diverse, including some on the autism spectrum, some with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and others who simply need to be more active.
The Little Dragons class is for children ages 3 to 5, and while martial arts is primarily an individual sport, there are opportunities to compete at all levels, Fisher said.
Fisher said a typical practice would start with students bowing and warming up with basic strength training, then work on basic techniques like kicks, punches, blocks and patterns, as well as basic self-defense — all of which he said helps students get more active, get away from screens and overcome bullying and mental health issues.
“I love teaching students over the long term,” Fisher added. “Some of my students started coming to us when they were 4 or 5 years old and are now in their 20s. Being able to be a part of their lives and be a part of their growth and change over such a long period of time is huge.”
The studio also offers corporate self-defense classes for local businesses.
Impact
Fisher said his studio, and martial arts in general, builds self-esteem and confidence through repeated success, and that he believes it's important for people to thrive through hardship in a culture where “most things are easy to get.”
“You do something, and at first you don't do it right, and you try again, and you practice, and you try again, and eventually you get better,” Fisher said. “And when you get good at something, your confidence grows. … We're trying to help them grow through the challenges.”
