Our Story

 
 

How it all started

Martial arts has been a part of my life for all of my life. Growing up in Louisiana, the son of a single mother who worked three jobs, I found myself enthralled with martial arts. I was running around the house pretending to be a ninja, like most six year old boys. My mother was also a martial arts fan. She and I used to watch all the old, cheesy Kung Fu movies. She encouraged me, telling me that I could be strong like the heroes on the screen if only I worked hard and pushed through difficulty.

In 1988, my mother found a Karate school nearby. The school was a 45-minute drive from where we lived and she or my aunt would drive me to class three times a week - an act of love from them for which I am forever grateful. The school taught Shotokan Karate by Pablo Mejia.

Mr. Mejia became my hero, treating me with kindness and respect, while always pushing me to be stronger and never accepting anything less than my best.

In my third year of training, I was awarded the title of “Runner Up Competitor of the Year” from the South Louisiana Association of Martial Artists (S.L.A.M) and had received a green belt in Shotokan Karate. Soon after, my mother decided to move to Texas to pursue a better life. Having little money and only the hope of a new job, she moved us to Houston. If that’s not courage, I don’t know what is.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Six months later, I see a sign for a karate school opening soon. My mom pulled into the parking lot to find a man sitting at a desk doing paperwork. The door is locked but we knock anyway. He jumps up excitedly and lets us in. Little did I know that this man would forever be the greatest influence on my life.

His name was Mike Tucker. He was a third degree black belt about to open his own school. Mr. Tucker was a well known competitor in Texas and an incredible martial artist. He sat with my mother and I and talked for what seemed like hours. He learned of our story and suggested that instead of walking home after school, I should walk to Karate.

So I did. Every day, rain or shine. I got off the bus about a mile away and walked to karate, where he would help me with my homework and then put me into training. Over time, he became a father to me. He allowed me to be there, even when my mother couldn’t afford to pay and imparted his wisdom on my young heart every day.

I had found my passion, something that gave meaning to my life and would shape the person I became.

After I earned my black belt, he offered me a job teaching. I worked everyday after school, teaching classes and then mopping the mats and vacuuming the carpets before heading home.

TEACHING & COACHING

I continued my training while working to help develop and mature the school’s curriculum. I created the martial arts weapons program, compiling and organizing all of the knowledge we acquired throughout the years into a coherent, integrated system.

Through the combination of my training, and my labors toward the weapons curriculum, I earned my 5th Degree Black Belt.

In 2012, I opened the Pearland karate school for Mr. Tucker. Pearland is a tight knit community where I felt a strong connection with the people and students. The After School Martial Arts Program was a natural extension of what Mr. Tucker had given me and so many others, as children. The school grew and boomed.

INNER FIRE

Michael Stewart Tucker passed away from illness, and in his wake, he left a legacy. He left me with a fire inside. A fire I saw in him everyday. A passion for bettering myself and contributing to the betterment of others. Always pushing, always growing. To look fear in the eye and act in spite of it.

In 2019, I decided that it was time to move on, time to grow and challenge myself. Time to move to the next stage in my life. Thus was born Inner Fire Martial Arts.

This school is a shrine, dedicated to the fire that burns inside each of us. The fire that calls us to action, that calls us to be our best in each moment. It is a place where we remind each other of what we can be if we refuse to accept less. If we push ourselves further than we thought we could. If we stand up straight everyday and pursue our highest vision, even in the face of resistance. If we support each other instead of tearing each other down. If we accept our faults and work toward mastering them. If we see our strengths and capitalize on them. If we choose love over fear.

This is a place for strengthening the individual, society, and the world. A place to push our boundaries, to see what we are truly capable of and to shatter what we thought were our limitations and replace them with possibility.

To bring our mind and body into harmony and be force for good in the world. To leave the place a little better than we found it.


Keep your mind sharp.

Your heart open.

And your feet on the mat.

With Love,

Sean Gary, Director, 5th Degree Black Belt

 
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“Inner Fire Martial Arts is a shrine, dedicated to the fire that burns inside each of us. The fire that calls us to action, that calls us to be our best in each moment. It is a place where we remind each other of what we can be if we refuse to accept less. ”
— Sean Gary, 5th Degree Black Belt

CLASSES OFFERED:

  • Martial Arts

  • After School Program

  • Little Warriors

  • Summer Camp

Martial arts STYLES

  • Karate

  • Judo

  • Jiu Jitsu

  • Kickboxing

  • Boxing

 
 
 
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Testimonials

"We are so thankful for the confidence that Mr. Gary helped bring out in our daughter. Through Mr. Gary's karate instruction, our daughter has gained not only the discipline in working toward something that has not been easy for her, but also the belief in herself that she can accomplish anything and the desire to keep going. Mr. Gary demonstrates a passion for the kids' successes and shows them mutual respect, making them want to work harder and be their best self. We could not have asked for a better instructor or role model for our daughter."

- Suzanne Andrews

Our son has been a student of Sean Gary’s for almost five years. Mr. Gary has not only been a wonderful teacher but a great influence on him. He connects with his students on many levels, which creates an environment where students want to give their all in karate and become better individuals outside of his school. You will be AMAZED by everything that he is able to teach your child in just a few hours a week.


- Hargrave Family

Mr. Sean Gary has been instrumental in our girl’s growth as a martial artist. He has a strong work ethic and is an excellent Instructor. In the dojo, he demonstrates and teaches the fundamentals of martial arts with great knowledge and compassion based on various skill sets. Equally significant, he also instills the importance of responsibility, self-confidence and respect, which are all life skills that kids need to understand outside of just learning how to “kick” and “punch.”

- Chris Rolater

“We have entrusted our son's care to Mr. Gary for almost 7 years. During this time we have never had a complaint with the way he and his staff treat him. He has a passion for teaching martial arts and makes it fun for the students. Parents and students love and respect him. He's always willing to go the extra step to make sure goals are met. We highly recommend him to parents who are looking for an after school program and a fantastic martial arts instructor.”

— Eddie Perez

“We have known Mr. Gary for more than 7 years. He has been a fabulous instructor for both of our kids and is a lead figure during class and with other instructors. He knows how to work with all ages which is the reason why we could trust him on all class levels with our kids. He is a person that has given time and patience through the years to all the kids we have seen come to his classes. There is no doubt that Mr. Gary has left a positive mark on our kids, and as parents, we give our deepest respect to a person that takes pride in the way he works with kids the way he does.”

— Barrachina Family

“We initially enrolled our boys in karate to teach them self-defense. In the world we live in today we felt it necessary. Karate and Mr. Sean Gary have been two of the biggest influences in both of our boys’ lives. Mr. Gary has taught them both for many years, helping them to achieve their goal of black belt. I'm proud to say that they have both met not only their goal but have learned much more from Mr. Gary who is an outstanding instructor that truly cares for those he teaches. He inspires and motivates while teaching self-discipline, respect and perseverance. Enrolling our children in karate was one of the best decisions we ever made.”

- Reed Family

“My kids have been attending karate lessons with Mr. Gary for the last few years. I am so pleased with what he has instilled in each of them. He is patient and has an ability to adhere to the personalities of each of my two boys. The drive and discipline that he has cultivated in them has flourished at both home and school. I am forever grateful for the for the positive impact he and his organization has given my family.”

- Spratt Family