The opportunity to develop and practice hobbies and passions is a vital part of a strong community. With the pursuit of hobbies and passions comes a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and confidence, which strengthens both the individual and the community. Such benefits would not be as obtainable without the operations of businesses that provide the medium and resources for community members to practice their hobbies. One such business that provides this opportunity for the community is Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts.
Freshly relocated to downtown Mt. Pleasant at 206 W. Michigan, the services provided by
Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts include traditional Taekwondo through the American Taekwondo Association, as well as Mixed Martial Arts, self-defense, and Krav Maga training. Participation in these services has enhanced the personal lives of community members of all ages.
“The routine and structure of the class helps to instill discipline and self-control,” says Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts owner, Brandon McQueen. “With the older kids, the feedback I hear most often is that Taekwondo helps with confidence and anxiety issues.”
“It’s very rewarding to see the leadership skills they learn in Taekwondo translate to their school and professional life,” he shares. This is especially meaningful to McQueen, as he had a similar pathway when he was school-aged.
McQueen’s passion for martial arts extends back a few decades.
“It originally started in the 90s with Jean-Claude Van Damme and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but what really hooked me was the competition,” McQueen shares.
Now, his love of competition extends beyond his personal pursuits and is directed towards empowering younger generations through martial arts competition.
“I believe we are the only school within an hour drive that regularly competes at regional, state, national, and world championships,” he says. “This year we have ten to 15 students that I think are top contenders for district champion.”
Even beyond competition, McQueen says Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts is for “anyone who is in need of a way to keep their body and mind healthy.”
While competition can be a valuable outlet for some, there are others who may simply want to learn a new skill or develop their athleticism.
For this, McQueen says, “Our ATA Tigers program does an awesome job of helping the very young ones to develop control of their body with kinesthetics. There is also our Mixed Martial Arts class, which is geared toward self-defense. It’s generally about 80% women, but includes teenagers and college students, as well as adults up to 50s and 60s and everyone in between.”
There is truly something for everyone in the services provided by Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts—a fact which McQueen is optimistic the move to a downtown location will help emphasize.
“There were economic advantages at our prior location, but at the cost of having any sort of curbside appeal,” McQueen says. “Our ability to build a presence in the community was limited. Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts has been a part of the community for close to 40 years, but I still hear from time-to-time that people don’t know that we exist. We hope this move downtown and our grand re-opening in early January will help us to increase our presence in the community.”
On what downtown can expect from the culture within Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts, he adds, “We currently have an awesome community within our program, as many individuals and families look out for and support each other when attending tournaments and school events. We look forward to becoming a part of the downtown neighborhood.”
As the relocation enhances Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts’ visibility and prominence within the community, there are plans in place to expand opportunities for community members as well.
“With the new space and the awesome downtown location, we plan to explore the feasibility of an after-school program and a summer-long summer camp,” says McQueen.
These programs will provide opportunities for children to find an outlet in self-actualization and personal growth. The operations of Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts also foster a shared sense of purpose and serve to catalyze bonds created between members of the community, both young and old.
Conscious of these benefits, McQueen says, “I was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant. I have always thought it was important to be a part of the community, and I have always had a particular interest in empowering at-risk kids. I would not be where I am today in life if I hadn’t met just the right teacher in high school. I hope our program can be a place for the youth of our community to find a spot where they feel like they have community.”
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