Welcome to our website and thank you for showing interest in our program.

Here is a little history about myself and how our academies came to be. I hope you and your family will be training in our program for many years to come.

History

I began my training in June of 1993 in Tuscaloosa, AL from 7th Degree Senior Master James Bailey. I started Taekwondo for something to do while recovering from a strained rotator cuff from weight lifting. As my skills grew so did my love of Taekwondo and as they say, “the rest is history.”

I grew up in Clearwater, FL. After graduating from Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, FL. I moved to Tuscaloosa, AL to pursue a Bachelor of Education in Sports Fitness Management from the University of Alabama.

In September of 1999 my instructor and I felt it was time for me to follow my dream and open my own Taekwondo Academy. I pulled out an atlas, studied demographics and settled on Tallahassee, FL.

Since September of 1999 I have been blessed to teach hundreds and hundreds of students with quite of few of them earning their Black Belt. Currently, our main location on Mahan Dr. instructs over 300 students, 33% of them holding a Black Belt. I personally oversee the operations at this location.

2nd Location is Born

In June of 2005 I opened a second location in Crawfordville, FL. The population in this area was looking for something special for themselves and their children but could not make a 20 mile drive into Tallahassee during the week. A lot of parents in this area wanted something that would target children’s specific talents. The solution; Crawfordville Taekwondo Academy was born in June of 2005 and is operated by 4th Degree Ms. Tara Burleson. In only two short years we are servicing over 180 students in the Crawfordville area.

3rd Location is Born

As of June of 2007 I opened my third location in the Killearn Lakes area. I realized the need for a third location after many Tallahassee residents wanted to take advantage of the benefits of our Taekwondo program but weren’t able to fit in a long drive to our Mahan location in their busy schedules. The Killearn Lakes location is run by 3rd Degree Mr. Ray Marky and 3rd Degree Mr. David Maddox.

My Mission

My goal is to share the benefits of our Taekwondo program and Ho-Am style of Taekwondo to children 4 years of age through all Adult ages.

Thank you again for reading and showing interest in our academies.

Sincerely,

Brad Fantle
5th Degree Black Belt
Martial Art Educator and Success Coach

Mr. Fantle’s Credentials

Mr. Fantle holds teaching certifications in Hwa-Rang Korean Sword, Ground Escape, Tactical Short Stick, Compliance Direction Takedown (CDT) non-lethal self-defense, Training for Life Personal Protection, Child Safety Know & Go certification, teaching students with ADHD, and Ho-Am Taekwondo. Mr. Fantle continues his education by renewing these certifications annually along with training with other leaders of the International Taekwondo Alliance (ITA).

Who is Teaching the Students?

There are 5 instructor levels from the beginner Tiger Team instructor to the Master level instructor. To reach level 4, certified instructor status, you must assist with at least 250 hours of student teaching/assisting, one must certify in CPR/First Aid(special requirement for all instructor levels), and take a written and physical test internationally in front of a board of at least five 5th degree certified instructors.

All instructors are required to go through a back ground check annually supervised by the ITA. Certified instructors must re-certify annually and lower levels must re-evaluate every 6 months. This ensures the quality, honor and integrity of all instructors teaching the students. Mr. Fantle personally works with and trains the instructor team to continue their education and consistently improve the quality of the students training.

Competitive Career

He has also been very active in the competition circuit earning International Top Ten Awards every year since earning his Black Belt in June of 1995. His titles include 1997 2nd Degree sparring champion, 2001 3rd Degree Forms Champion, 2001 3rd Runner-up sparring champion, 2002 4th Degree sparring champion, 2003 4th Degree Runner-Up Sparring Champion, and 2003 4th Degree Runner-up Free Style Form Champion.

Local Involvement

Locally, Mr. Fantle is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Temple Israel, and supporter of Capital City Youth Services (CCYS), Partner of Excellence with several Leon County Schools, Florida Highway Patrol and supporter of Adopt-a-Road program. Mr. Fantle does many demonstrations with local retirement homes and schools on a regular basis. He has also donated thousands of dollars to various organizations like Hospice, CCYS, local elementary, middle and high schools, Florida Highway Patrol and several others.

Family Support

He is supported by his wife, Lauren Fantle, a former Leon County school teacher with a Masters in English Education from Florida State University and his two sons.