Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Haney.
Hi Barbara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Team Ascension Combat Sports & Gymnastics began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a virtual school, with Brent, Tosher, Lizzie, Saxon, Barbara, and Kendall Haney. All of them have trained with world-class instructors from Guatemala City, Guatemala. These instructors include Nelson Sunu, Luis Alberto Morales, Mike Olson, Justin White, and more. Further on, all of them have competed at the world-level via the WKC (World Karate and Kickboxing Championships) in Ireland, the United States, Guatemala, Mexico, and more.
Currently, they are world-class instructors based in Brainerd, MN, who teach high-quality, results-oriented programs in Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Karate, Gymnastics, and more. Moreover, each Haney family member has their own unique perspective on Martial Arts and how it enhances an individual’s life—enhancements such as mental health, accessible exercise, physical health, community, and more.
As of 3 years ago, Team Ascension discovered that Martial Arts by itself is not a functional sport. Rather, it is an activity that is expensive for families. Therefore, they had opened a non-profit called Black Belts Don’t Quit to actively raise funds to provide scholarships for people who have a dream.
Additionally, Team Ascension realized that Martial Arts does not bridge the gap for parents who have complicated schedules. The solution? Team Ascension created a state-certified after-school program that picks kids up from school, teaches lessons for a lifetime, and drops kids off at their own homes.
The result? It not only improved the business side of Team Ascension Combat Sports & Gymnastics. But it made Combat Sports and Gymnastics accessible for everyone. Team Ascension created a program that supports a sport, not to make it based on the dollar, but around the strength of an individual’s character.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Team Ascension Combat Sports & Gymnastics has been through rough times since the beginning of the pandemic. But through having a Karate family, consistency, and a mindset of adjusting to the hardship. We have found ourselves to be much stronger people. However, we are not miracle workers; we are simply the messengers to do good works for all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We are an organization that specializes in Martial Arts, Gymnastics, and more! However, we have expanded our offerings through the after-school program, pre-school playground, and more. We are most proud of the amazing service that the community allows us to provide.
Moreover, with these programs we have made Martial Arts and Gymnastics an accessible sport for everyone in Brainerd, MN.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to our organization is our values in respect, family, manners, and pragmatic use of language. Our instructors do a lot of 1:1 peer mentoring daily with each individual student. Furthermore, we believe that a high-quality martial arts program enhances a person’s life in order to live a purpose-driven life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.teamascensionmn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamascension_livyourpotential
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamAscensionKarateMN
