We were lucky to catch up with Robert Visitacion recently and have shared our conversation below.

Robert, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

Well, 2020 brought unprecedented challenges, particularly due to COVID-19. The pandemic had a significant impact on many businesses, including mine. We lost quite a few members during this time, which was understandable given the uncertainty and constant flow of information. In response, we transitioned most of our classes to a virtual format. Initially, we were unsure about how this change would be received, but fortunately, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

During virtual classes, one instructor demonstrated techniques in front of the camera, while I provided real-time critiques to each student via a large screen TV. It was a unique experience for all of us, but ultimately, everyone benefited, and we managed to navigate the challenges together.

Robert, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Robert Visitacion, 8th degree Taekwondo Black belt, former kickboxing champion and owner at V-FIT HOUSE of CHAMPIONS in Arlington Texas.

I was raised by my grandmother, who worked tirelessly to provide for me by holding down two jobs. Unfortunately, her shifts—3-11 PM and 11-7 AM—meant that I was often unsupervised while living in government-assisted apartments. When I was home, she was at work; when I was at school, she was home. As a typical 13-year-old, I enjoyed playing baseball and skateboarding but also faced bullying at school. Inspired by Bruce Lee movies, I wanted to take martial arts to defend myself, but we couldn’t afford the lessons.

Back in the 70s, soda bottles could be traded for a nickel each, so I would collect enough bottles to pay for a month of martial arts lessons. After trading them in, I headed to the kung fu studio. I saved up to buy a heavy bag and hung it from the second-floor banister of the apartment above ours, much to the apartment manager’s dismay. I’d learn as much as I could during my month of lessons, then spend a few months training on the heavy bag until I could gather enough bottles for another month of lessons. This cycle continued, and I eventually trained in Kung Fu, then Isshinryu Karate, before finding my true calling in TaeKwonDo.

I met my instructor, fight manager and friend Carroll Baker, and we hit it off immediately. I worked my way up to 1st Red belt, just before black belt. To my surprise, I attended a tournament where kickboxing matches were held during the finals, and I was fascinated. My first kickboxing fight was on December 13, 1980, during my senior year of high school, and I won with a 20-second knockout. After winning five more amateur fights, I decided to go pro. I won several titles and retired in 1989 with a record of 47-7, including 36 knockouts, with 12 of those fights televised on ESPN. During my pro career in 1982 I did finally test and receive my Black belt under GM Carroll Baker.

Martial arts has given me so much. I even met my father because of it. (long story but here is the abridged version) He was running a fish cannery in Alaska. One of his employees was watching the fights on ESPN saw me fighting. He asked my dad if he had a nephew named Robert Visitacion that fought kickboxing? My father said no, but mentioned he had a son named Robert. He turned on the TV and saw me, announced I was from Shreveport, LA. He then hired an investigator to find me, and a few weeks after the broadcast, I got a call from him. We’ve been in touch ever since. I also met my wife of over 30 years through martial arts, traveled to places I never imagined, and now own a business because of my martial arts experience. Looking back, many of my friends from those apartments either passed away or ended up in jail. If it weren’t for martial arts and Bruce Lee’s quote, “treat your body like a temple,” I might have followed the same path.

Fast forward to today, I have been inducted into 2 Martail Arts Hall of Fames that I am proud of. I am incredibly grateful for the choices I made and my grandmother’s support. I am privileged to have had the experiences I’ve had and to run a business that allows me to pay it forward. Everyone here at the studio has a story, and I am proud to be a small part of their accomplishments. We see introverted kids transform into confident individuals within months, and adults lose significant weight, and start to live a much healthier lifestyle including one man who lost 100 pounds through our program. Witnessing these positive changes in our studio is a true blessing. Despite the highs and lows of everyday business, I am proud to be the owner of this business.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Referrals

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.v-fitma.com
• Instagram: v.fit.martial.arts
• Facebook: Robert Visitacion, V-FIT House of Champions Martial Arts, HOUSE of CHAMPIONS Muay Thai,House of Champions BJJ

Image Credits

HMS Elite Photohraphy