The vision for House of Dragons wasn’t born in a boardroom or marketing meeting—it was shaped by long nights in front of a Super Nintendo, afternoons spent practicing kicks in the garage, and years of watching, studying, and becoming obsessed with martial arts in every form it came in: games, movies, anime, and real life.
The first character I ever picked in a video game was Ryu from Street Fighter II. I still remember that opening screen—the headband, the stance, the calm intensity. That was it. Ryu became the blueprint. Not just because he could throw a Hadoken, but because of his quiet discipline, his dedication to the craft, and the way he carried himself like a real warrior. That’s what drew me in. I wasn’t just playing; I was studying.
Not long after that, I stepped onto the mat for the first time at age five. That was my starter Pokémon moment. I had a gi too big for my body, a belt tied sloppily around my waist, and a dream that felt bigger than I could explain. But every day I trained, I felt myself evolving—just like in the games. More discipline, more patience, better technique. Slowly leveling up.
Over the years, those early influences never left. They weren’t just entertainment—they were lessons in grit, honor, and perseverance. Whether it was Daniel LaRusso learning the deeper meaning behind each kata in The Karate Kid, or Ash Ketchum pushing forward with nothing but heart and his first Pokémon, these stories reinforced what martial arts was really about: transformation.
House of Dragons was built with that exact spirit in mind.
It’s a dojo rooted in tradition, but shaped by the passion and imagination that defined our generation. We grew up in the era of Mortal Kombat, Tekken, Dragon Ball Z, and Ninja Turtles. Every character had a style, a story, a purpose—and so do our students. We treat every journey like a campaign. You don’t have to be the fastest or the strongest when you walk in. You just have to be willing to press start.
The goal has never been just to create fighters. It’s to create full-evolved versions of the kids who walk through our doors. Whether they’re shy, unsure, wild with energy, or laser-focused—we help shape them into martial artists who move with confidence and lead with character.
This isn’t a dojo where you get lost in the crowd. Here, you matter. Your story matters. And you’re not just earning stripes or belts—you’re gaining stats, unlocking new skills, and growing with each battle life throws your way.
What started with Ryu and a controller turned into a real-world mission: to pass on everything I’ve learned through this journey to the next generation. Not through lectures—but through movement, through repetition, and through imagination.
Because in the end, every fighter has a backstory. This dojo is where new ones begin.