Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Bartlett.
Victoria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began training in Tae Kwon Do in 2012 at the age of seven in Laredo, Texas, at Kugar Taekwondo under the direction of Master Jesse Kuhns. As I progressed through the belt ranks, I also became involved in competitive running at both the elementary and middle school levels.
I believe the two disciplines complemented each other extremely well. Tae Kwon Do helped develop my mental toughness and competitiveness, while running significantly improved my endurance and recovery during matches. That combination gave me an advantage in competition, particularly in later rounds where stamina became a major factor.
Throughout my competitive career, I traveled across the United States competing in tournaments. I won the Texas State Championship and earned third place at the U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang, one of the largest and most prestigious black belt tournaments in the world. I officially earned my black belt in December 2016, although I had already been competing in black belt divisions at tournaments prior to that.
In 2017, my family relocated to Eagle Pass, Texas, after my father was transferred for work. While I continued training in Tae Kwon Do, I began focusing more heavily on distance running. That dedication eventually earned me a scholarship to Our Lady of the Lake University as a cross-country and distance runner. During high school, I also completed an associate degree through a dual-credit program.
After graduating from high school, I attended Our Lady of the Lake University full time and earned my Bachelor of Business Administration in December 2025. Shortly after graduating, I learned that my former instructor’s new school in San Antonio was looking for a new instructor and owner. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to apply both my martial arts background and my business education, and I officially took over operation of the school in January 2026.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges during my athletic career was moving from Laredo to Eagle Pass. Leaving behind the team and environment I had grown up with was difficult, especially after spending so many years training and competing together. However, that experience also taught me how to adapt quickly and build new relationships. After the move, I found a new sense of community through running and became part of a strong team there as well.
Another major challenge came during my junior year of high school when I tore my hamstring. At the time, I was performing at the highest level of my running career, so the injury was both physically and mentally difficult. Recovering from a serious injury requires patience, discipline, and resilience, especially when you are used to constantly competing and improving.
Fortunately, I was able to recover and return to competition by staying focused and pushing through the rehabilitation process. I believe my background in Tae Kwon Do played a major role in helping me overcome that setback. Perseverance is one of the core values we are taught, and that mindset helped me stay determined even during one of the most difficult periods of my athletic career.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our Tae Kwon Do school and after-school program is dedicated to developing not only strong athletes, but strong individuals. Everything we do is centered around the core values of Tae Kwon Do: courtesy, integrity, self-control, indomitable spirit, and perseverance. We work with students ranging in age from 4 to 74, creating an environment where families, children, and adults can all grow together through martial arts training.
One thing that truly sets our school apart is our leadership. We are one of the few Tae Kwon Do schools led entirely by women. I serve as the primary instructor alongside my sister, Chloe, who is also a black belt and a two-time national champion competitor. Together, we strive to create a positive, disciplined, and welcoming atmosphere where every student feels supported and challenged to improve.
Our program specializes in Olympic-style Tae Kwon Do, and our travel team competes at tournaments across the United States. At the same time, we believe martial arts is about much more than competition. We focus heavily on confidence, discipline, respect, and personal growth. One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is seeing the transformation in students after only a few months of training. The improvement in their confidence, focus, fitness, and attitude is often remarkable.
We are also proud of our after-school program, which is designed to support both students and parents. We provide transportation pickup from local schools, ensure students complete their homework, and give them a structured, active environment after school where they can learn valuable life skills while staying physically active.
Our teaching philosophy and training methods were developed by Master Jesse Kuhns, and that foundation continues to guide our program today. Above all, we want people to know that our students are more than members, they become part of a family-oriented community that genuinely cares about their success both inside and outside the classroom.
We always encourage families to come visit the school, meet our team, and try a free lesson to experience the environment for themselves.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned through both Tae Kwon Do and life is that being behind does not mean you are defeated. In competition, a match can change completely with one well-timed kick in the final seconds. I’ve seen athletes come back from large deficits simply because they stayed focused, adjusted their strategy, and refused to quit.
That mindset has carried over into every area of my life. When you face setbacks or struggle, the most important thing you can do is step back, analyze the situation, make the necessary adjustments, and keep moving forward. Success is rarely about never facing adversity. It is about how you respond when things are not going your way.
Tae Kwon Do has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of perseverance under pressure. Sometimes the outcome can change in an instant, but only if you are still willing to fight for it.
Pricing:
- We have different pricing levels depending on your needs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kugartkd.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kugartkdsa?igsh=OWYzYXN4Nm5waWVj
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14hpn7fo24R/?mibextid=wwXIfr
