About Us
Mr. Stricklands school is a long time member of the Flower Mound community. He started his training in Taekwondo in 1979 with Master Rick Hoadley at the Family Fitness Training Center in Mobile, Alabama. A member of the American Taekwondo Association (ATA). In 1984 he became a Full instructor and soon began teaching at a club of his own in Tillman’s Corner, AL.
In 1988 he moved to Charlotte, NC and opened his first full time Taekwondo Plus training center with the United States Taekwondo Alliance (USTA).
In 1993 Mr. Strickland broke away from the USTA and he co-founded Taekwondo America (TA).
While in Charlotte he trained 5 students to the rank of master instructor, each now with schools of their own in Kentucky and North Carolina.
Mr. Strickland served as the North Carolina sport chair for the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), hosting the 1997 qualifying tournament for the Jr. Olympics Games held in Charlotte that year with many of his students winning gold.
In 1998 he moved to Dallas, Texas where In he opened his new school in Highland Village in 2001.
In 2011 he co-founded Taekwondo United (TU) now Innovative Martial Arts Systems (IMAS), another national organization for independent schools and moved his school to its current location in Flower Mound.
Mr Strickland still trains in martial arts under the tutelage of Tuhon Harley Elmore and Warriors Way International in the arts of Jun Fan Gung Fu, Muay Thai, Silat, and Eskrima/Kali. Mr. Strickland blends these arts to his program making it a true martial program putting martial before art.
Over the years Mr. Strickland has hosted both Regional and National tournaments, conducted seminars, clinics, and camps. He has performed demonstrations in hundreds of cities and has been instrumental in the opening of new Martial Arts schools across the country.
Mr. Strickland has been awarded the “Citation of Merit” from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and is an avid supporter of many more community charities.
Mr. Strickland continues to work hard at promoting the martial arts and success of both his own center as well as IMAS as one of the premier martial arts organizations in the country.
What Parents Are Saying
“Master Strickland is a top notch instructor, so if you are looking for a martial arts academy that teaches self-defense look no further.”
— Tim C.
“I'm proud to call this my taekwondo school. It has taught me how to grow confidence and be a leader as a college student athlete. I appreciate everything Mr. Strickland has done. Hands down, this is probably the best learning experience I've had!”
— Erica H.