Today we’d like to introduce you to Ally Poole
Hi Ally, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
A Hidden Gem? Not for Long… Extreme Texas is Building Champions and Changing Lives at their Brand New World-Class Training Center
Bursting onto the scene in New Braunfels and Seguin, Extreme Texas has grown exponentially from humble beginnings on a basketball court to a world-class gymnastics training facility. Their journey has been fueled by faith, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the families they serve.
A Small Start with a Big Dream
Their story began in 2014 at one of the oldest buildings in New Braunfels—the Landa Park Recreation Center at Wurstfest. With just a stack of puzzle mats and a mission to help people get fit, find purpose, and gain valuable life skills, Extreme Martial Arts was born. Centered on elite-lineage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing led by Chief Garrett Poole, they quickly became a staple among locals, and expanded from one small space into their now top-tier martial arts training facility. One of their passion projects, Rock Steady Boxing Haus, is helping to slow the progressions of Parkinson’s disease and improve quality of life for the hundreds of individuals who have engaged in this specialized boxing training.
With a strong foundation in martial arts, Garrett and Ally Poole recognized an immense opportunity to marry their two passions: martial arts and gymnastics. Partnering with family friends Tomas and Sarah Berdoza, Extreme Texas Gymnastics came on the scene in 2016. Operating a mobile program out of the dojo space with just two bars, three beams, and a pile of mats, they set up and tore down equipment daily for six months before opening a gymnastics facility next door.
More Than a Gym: A Mission to Change Lives
From the beginning, they brought the martial arts mindset into the gymnastics program, focusing on respect, discipline, self-control, and leadership. This approach was key to making a difference in their gymnasts’ lives and is the focal point of their renowned recreational program to this day. As their reputation for developing young athletes grew, so did their need for space. The team expanded the gymnastics facility multiple times, yet still faced long waitlists as families lined up for a spot in their gymnastics program.
A Leap of Faith: The Ultimate Training Center
For years, the Pooles and Berdozas and their incredible team of staff dreamed of building a world-class facility that could encompass their ambitious goals. In 2024, after nearly committing to constructing a purpose-built gym, they felt led to an even better opportunity: Tiger Sports Complex, a massive 30-acre campus between New Braunfels and Seguin. The team quickly pivoted and transformed this complex into a serious athlete’s paradise. In addition to maintaining the current fitness operation in the small building on the plot, and beach volleyball in the incredible 38,000 square foot pavilion, they quickly converted the nearly 30,000 square foot indoor volleyball arena into a fully custom world-class gymnastics training center. The transformation included ring towers, uneven bars, spring floors, Olympic and infinity trampolines, tumble tracks, foam and resi pits, and everything that allows gymnasts to train at the highest level with the utmost care for safety.
Now, with a team of highly specialized instructors, Extreme Texas is building a competitive program with the goal of achieving the elite level and placing gymnasts in collegiate programs. The Training Center is where serious athletes come to train, grow, and achieve their ultimate dreams.
Two Facilities, One Mission
To continue serving every level of athlete, they continue to operate the original facility at Kayden Park in New Braunfels, located across I-35 from Buc-ee’s. Each facility now serves a unique purpose:
I-35 Location at Kayden Park: Home to Extreme Martial Arts’ elite jiu jitsu and kickboxing programs, Rock Steady Boxing Haus, summer and school break camps, Extreme Texas Gymnastics’ preschool gymnastics, recreational gymnastics, ninja, tumbling, and in-house competitive gymnastics leagues.
The Training Center: Focuses on high-level gymnastics, including men’s and women’s competitive teams through level 10 and elite development. This includes a specialized onsite school program, allowing young athletes to train extensively in conjunction with rigorous academics, ensuring they excel academically while preparing for college gymnastics opportunities. The Training Center also offers pre-school gymnastics, recreational gymnastics, tumbling, ninja, in-house competitive gymnastics leagues, dance, and studio art. Oh, and we can’t forget adult gymnastics! Because you’re never too old to flip into a foam pit…
A Word from the Extreme Texas Team
“At Extreme Texas, it is our honor to serve our community with professionalism and excellence. Our mission is shaping future generations, both as athletes and as leaders. Our team of coaches and staff are the heart of our success—dedicated, passionate, and driven to bring out the best in every student. We feel blessed every day to do what we love and provide others with the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”
One thing is certain: this is a community you’ll want to be a part of. Visit Extreme Texas in New Braunfels or at the Training Center and experience the difference they can make in your lives!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our Extreme journey certainly hasn’t been easy…anything worth doing never is. Like many small businesses, we have encountered many challenges and growing pains, but far more blessings in persevering through them.
From jumpstarting Extreme Martial Arts on a sub-leased basketball court to converting our dojo into a makeshift gymnastics gym, our growth blueprint has been clear: start VERY small with what we have, and grow only as it supports itself. This blueprint has been followed with every expansion and program addition…that is, until the Training Center. This would be our first massive leap of faith, our first time to break the blueprint. This was a daunting but necessary jump. Our existing facility presented insurmountable obstacles to high-level gymnastics training: foam pits were out of the question and our ceilings were too low – the boys’ feet were touching the ceiling on the rings!
The journey to the Training Center began in 2019, when we invested in a 5-acre raw parcel of land. Our aim was to purpose-build to house all of our operations in one unique facility. Unfortunately, the pandemic threw us a curveball. We had to hold on developing the land, and by the time we felt confident in moving forward, the economy had changed drastically. Building costs had skyrocketed and materials were in extremely short supply. Suddenly our dream felt impossible.
We continued to explore other options, all the while drawing plans for our seemingly out-of-reach purpose-built facility. With much faith and support from each other and our amazing staff, we pushed forward, looking for our miracle somewhere along the way. The design process came with challenges too numerous to list. Unshaken, we pressed on until we were ready to go to permit on our build in early 2024.
The week of permitting, we thought we’d give the market one last look before committing to our building, as it was still going to be a stretch. And God led us straight to Tiger Sports Complex. I think we knew the moment we saw the listing that this was the fulfillment of the dream in our hearts.
This doesn’t even speak to the epic struggle of heading up renovations and customizing the facility on top of our existing roles and responsibilities. We know that this is just the beginning of the struggles we’ll face. On the contrary, the bigger you dream, the greater the challenges. But with a strong support team beside us, all in for our common goal, we know we’ll be up for it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Extreme Texas (Extreme Martial Arts / Extreme Texas Gymnastics)?
At Extreme Texas, we’ve answered the call to serve by building a community unlike any other. We’re more than just a business—we’re a family of deeply caring staff and members, united by a passion for fostering personal growth, athletic excellence, and meaningful connections. What sets us apart? Our commitment to walking alongside every individual, offering tailored support, accountability, and encouragement on their unique journey.
What We Do and Specialize In
Extreme Texas is a hub of diverse, high-quality programs designed to empower people of all ages and abilities. Here’s a snapshot of what we offer:
Extreme Martial Arts:
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Kickboxing
• Homeschool Program and Community
• Rock Steady Boxing Haus (a specialized program for those with Parkinson’s Disease)
Extreme Texas Gymnastics:
• Men’s Competitive Team (through Level 10 and college-prep)
• Women’s Competitive Team (Xcel and Development Program through Level 10 and elite development)
• In-House Competitive Gymnastics Teams (Xcel) for recreational gymnasts
• Ninja
• Tumbling
• Preschool Gymnastics
• Elevate Homeschool (a thriving homeschool community blending gymnastics, service, and fun)
• Extreme Texas Academy (on-site school for pre-K through middle school)
• Adult Gymnastics
• Dance
• Studio Art
• Leadership Program (life skills, character development, and coach training for teens)
Additional Offerings:
• Summer Camps: Unmatched full-time care and adventure all summer long
• School Break Camps: Fun, active, and engaging camps during school holidays to keep kids moving and learning
• After-School Pickup Program: Convenient, enriching after-school care with transportation, activities, and community connection.
What We’re Known For
Because of our dedication to excellence, our classes are second-to-none. We pour our energy into ensuring that every class is the best class and every athlete realizes their full potential. Our highly trained staff pursue continual growth and education in their craft. You can expect expert, technical training, from age 1 to 91!
We’re well known for our exceptional programs, but it’s our heart that truly defines us. Our staff doesn’t just teach—they invest in every person’s growth, creating a supportive environment where people thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether it’s helping a child master a tumbling pass, supporting an adult rediscovering gymnastics, or empowering someone with Parkinson’s to fight back through Rock Steady Boxing, we’re known for making a difference.
What Sets Us Apart
Our holistic approach—blending high level athletic training with community, education, and personal development—makes Extreme Texas unique. From our on-site academy to our vibrant homeschool collectives, we’re a place where families can grow together. We don’t just train athletes; we build leaders, foster resilience, and celebrate every milestone along the way.
What We’re Most Proud Of, Brand-Wise
We’re proudest of the culture we’ve cultivated—a place where excellence meets compassion. Our brand stands for excellence, empowerment, and unwavering support, and we see it come to life every day in the stories of our members and staff.
What We Want Readers to Know
Extreme Texas isn’t just a gym or a school—it’s a community with a purpose. Whether you’re looking for top-tier athletic training, a nurturing environment for your kids, or a place to rediscover your own potential, we’re here for you. Our offerings are as diverse as the people we serve, and we’d love for you to join us in this journey of growth, connection, and excellence. Come see what makes Extreme Texas extraordinary—we can’t wait to welcome you!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Two years of begging had finally paid off – my parents agreed to let me try gymnastics. I’ll never forget my first day. My best friend and I raced up the long wooden ramp into a big warehouse building. The doors opened to the smell of chalk and sweat. What caught my eye immediately across the dim, expansive space was a girl only a few years older than me holding a handstand on a balance beam. I remember my exact thought: there MUST be ropes holding her feet up! But no – to my amazement, she flipped and cartwheeled up and down the beam. And that was it. Gymnastics had my heart.
And how fulfilling it is to realize that, decades later, I’m creating that kind of core memory for kids every single day. Just last week, a precious 8-year-old girl came in for her first lesson. Her dad told me how much his daughter meant to him, how much she’s wanted this, and how hard she’s been working on her cartwheels at home. After her lesson, when her dad signed her up for weekly classes, tears of joy poured from her eyes and she clung to him, thanking him over and over. My eyes welled up as I was brought back to exactly why we work so hard: we get to make kids’ dreams come true every day.
When I was twelve, my coach asked me to teach my first gymnastics class. Four tiny preschoolers ran circles around me, rolling and climbing and having the time of their lives. And once again, I was captivated. I knew instantly that coaching was my calling. In fact, I knew in that moment that I wanted to open a gym someday. While my teammates dreamt of competing in the Olympics, I knew I wasn’t training for my own success; I wanted to be the best I could be so I could coach others to do the same. And so Extreme Texas is, in many ways, my Olympics. This was my dream all along. I can’t begin to convey what a blessing it is to fulfill my childhood dreams alongside my husband, children, best friends, and our incredible staff who are like family.
To provide a similar opportunity, we now hold a free leadership program for teens. They dive deep into leadership topics, personal character growth, charisma, interview and job skills, and gymnastics coaching and judging skills. After some training, they are able to begin assisting in classes. This is ground zero, working with kids at this depth during one of the most formative times of their lives. My early coaching experience is such a huge part of who I am today, and there’s nothing better than passing that on to the next generation!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://extremetexasgymnastics.com/ | https://braunfelsmartialarts.com/
- Instagram: @extremetexasgymnatics_nb | @newbraunfelsema
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ExtremeTexasGymnastics | https://facebook.com/newbraunfelsema
