We were lucky to catch up with Breanna Bethell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Breanna, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

As a young, female, martial artist, I know I do not look like your average martial arts instructor. However, I aim to inspire everyone regardless of ethnicity or gender that you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to. It doesn’t matter what hobbies you enjoy, there is a space for you. Often times women in general are told we cannot do certain things because it’s too hard or not many women have done it before. Martial arts is no difference. Although martial arts has become more popular for women, in some spaces it is still rare to see women and then women of color in the martial arts industry and it is even more rare to see us as martial arts school owners. However I never let those things stop me. I am am extremely confident in what I teach and enjoy what I do. I encourage everyone to go out and crush their goals regardless of what the industry standards are.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

My name is Breanna Bethell and my husband Don and I own Proletics Martial Arts in Valrico Fl. Our school is family owned and operated. Don runs our after school and summer camp program with myself and does our advertising, my mom Deborah who runs the entire office and does our bookkeeping and my dad Earl helps with curriculum and helps out with advanced students. I started Tae Kwon Do under the instruction of my dad Grandmaster Earl Harris in 1994 at the age of 4 years old. My dad made it very clear that I could do dance and other activities however I needed to learn how to protect myself as well. Shortly after I started training he signed me up for my first competition. I loved everything about competition; the adrenaline, working hard and leaving it all on the mat, teammates cheering each other on ect. There is something so rewarding about teaching someone a new technique and then watch them master it. I also enjoy watching my students progress through the ranks and become leaders in their communities. My husband and I opened Proletics MAF in the summer of 2015. We started our after school program with one student. We have worked very hard over the years and today we have over 50 students in our after school and summer camp programs. We also offer evening boxing classes for kids and even have a Ninja Trix Program! Seeing how far we have come over the years is really what makes me proud. Today I still enjoy teaching and sharing my martial arts on social media via Instagram. @1breluhv. I recently had my first film appearence in a short film called The Paper Line directed by Tampa’s own Ryan Watson. I am playing a character by the name of Rayna. I’m excited for Rayna and her journey in Paper Line. In the future I look forward to starring in an action/super-hero movies and working in commercials.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Honestly, it would have to be starting Proletics. Like I mentioned previously we opened our doors with 1 student in our after school program. It was so scary and I remember telling Don….maybe this wasn’t a good idea. We now had business expenses that had to be paid monthly and there were times that I wanted to throw in the towel. However I am so blessed to have such a strong support system; my husband Don, my mom Deborah and my dad Earl are my biggest supporters. They keep me grounded and focused and anytime I feel anxious about something whether it be starting a new program at the school or general business things they are always there to help me see a different side and it always works. I dont know where I would be without them. Teaching is what I love to do, however when you own a business you must wear multiple hats and I am so lucky to have a great team that will wear some of those hats with me. Through hard work, resilience and most of all teamwork the school grew and grew again. In 2017 we moved into a bigger facility to accommodate our growth. In martial arts we are taught to have perseverance however it is your mindset or resilience that gets you through tough times. Also having amazing people around you that want to see you grow helps as well.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I remember the first time a video of mine went viral on Instagram. I was messing around on the mat one night after class and jokingly did a kicking combination. I wasn’t being serious at all and I definitely didn’t think it would have blown up from there. I then started posting more serious videos of me doing forms, kicks and punches. People started liking and following me, sending me messages and commenting encouraging things under my video. To me karate was just something I did. It was what I grew up doing it is pretty much all I know. However me doing martial arts wasn’t something other people were used to seeing, comments like; “Wow! I didn’t expect that from you.” And “Nice, you make the moves look effortless” encouraged me to keep posting. With that being said, I encourage anyone who is thinking about posting their talent online to do it. Put it out there. Remember, there is a space for you. Even if you are the one that has to create it. It is very true you never know who you might inspire just by being you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.proleticsbrandon.com
• Instagram: 1breluhv
• Facebook: Breanna Bethell