Tristan, Brad, Eric, Lisa
Owners
In October 2023, Tristan, Brad, Eric, and Lisa proudly took over ownership of the Tao of Peace. Each of them has been a dedicated part of the Tao community for several years, deeply embracing the philosophies and life skills that the Tao embodies.
Together, they are excited to continue the tradition of sharing the Tao of Peace teachings with another generation of students, children, adults, and families, fostering growth, connection, and empowerment within the community!
Our Team
Instructor/Owner Tristan
Instructor Tristan has been apart of the Tao since he was 8 years old and has been teaching at the Tao since 2006. He has his 3rd degree black belt and pursued many different forms of fitness from Strength Training, Olympic weight lifting, Nutrition, and CrossFit. His passion is teaching people the joy and love of Martial arts, Fitness, and Nutrition. He is pretty cool and amazing!
Instructor/Owner Eric
Eric has been a part of the Tao family since 2003, and has since, earned his Engineering diploma in 2015. Eric’s love of martial arts is currently focused on kicking, diving, and acrobatics. During his off-time, Eric is usually in the mountains on a bike or on skis. In 2023 he became a new owner of the Tao along with Brad, Lisa and Tristan.
Instructor/Owner Brad
Brad has been training in Martial Arts since he was in Grade 7, primarily in Tae-Kwon-Do. He has been teaching with the Tao since 2015 and is an avid member of the grappling team. His passion lies in sparring and grappling aspects of the art, and although he claims to be slow and old, he acts like he’s in his 20's. His sense of humour and big heart really shine through in his teaching and how he relates with others.
By trade, Brad is a craftsman, making cabinets and beautiful wooden boxes. His love for the Martial Arts is rivaled only by that for his wife and 2 daughters. In the summer you can find him camped out in Radium, swinging the days away on a golf course.
Instructor/Owner Lisa
Lisa’s son insisted she start taking classes at the Tao, this is when her addiction to martial arts began. Lisa is originally from Edinburgh, Scotland. She has a dance degree from the university of Surrey, U.K., has two teenagers and is also a birth and postpartum doula. Her spare time is spent reading, bouldering or taking hot yoga classes.
Instructor Caleb
Caleb has been training at the Tao since 2010 when he joined the Junior class. He has since completed a Bachelors of Environmental Science Degree at Mount Royal University. He earned his First Degree Black Belt in 2024 at the Tao and loves to specialize in roles, dives and throws. In his life away from the Tao he loves to read and collect anything Star Wars to both play with and display.
Instructor Katie
Katie has been training at the Tao since 2008 when she started in Little Ninjas. In 2019 she earned her Black Belt and started teaching. Katie is currently studying for a degree in History and World Religions at U of C. She also trains in BJJ and kickboxing, loves the outdoors, and crafting.
Instructor Josh
Josh started training at the Tao in 2014. With a background in Parkour he gravitated to the acrobatic skills which he developed and expanded while on the Demo team. He earned his Black Belt in 2023. Josh is currently studying towards a degree in Kinesiology. Outside the Tao you can find him bouldering or in the mountains.
Sensei Gary
I have been involved in Martial Arts basically my entire life and have met some amazing people. I have trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Hapkido, Kali, Karate, Kempo, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do and Wing Chun.
Why the obsession with Martial Arts? Before going any further, I must point out that I am not a fighter, never was and never will be. I have never been involved in any fisticuff, not even a shoving match. I have never felt the need nor the urge to compete, although there was a time when I did enjoy sparring with friends. I did not take up Martial Arts for self defense. Martial Arts, for me, is simply just a way of life. All I want to do is be better today than I was yesterday and hopefully, will be better tomorrow than I am today, both martial artist and as a person.
I am a martial artist by choice and an accountant by necessity and I am a product of these two seemingly different paths. Outside of my working environment, people are always surprised when I tell them I am an accountant because I do not fit the mold or perception. Every now and then, I would meet someone who would ask me some pretty weird and personal questions. The first time it happened, I was somewhat taken aback. When she learnt that I am a weekend warrior, she explained that she felt a different aura about me, hence the questions. (I never knew weekend warriors have a different aura about them).
Home is where the heart is and the Tao was always, and still is, my home away from home. In 2006/2007 however, I had reached a crossroad. I was losing my focus and drive. I started searching high and low for alternatives, taking up yoga, spin classes, circuit training etc. I started training in BJJ in the fall of 2007 and it rekindled the fire within me. It's not because BJJ is better. Rather, it is because it is outside of my comfort zone, something that I do not understand nor comes naturally to me, and it is brutally honest.
Happy Training. Embrace who you are. Embrace your limitation. But never give up. When apocalypse comes, it will be you and the cockroaches.
Chris and Kathy
Original Owners/Retired
Chris opened the doors to the Tao in 1992. Kathy joined Chris in 2004 and they have been working together ever since to provide this service to the community. They share a love of life and hope the Tao will continue to serve those for many years to come.
Chris and Kathy are now enjoying their well-deserved retirement, spending winters skiing in the mountains and summers traveling to visit their kids and grandchildren. They also make time to embrace their love for the outdoors, mountain biking, hiking, and staying active whenever they can.
From the bottom of our hearts, everyone at the Tao of Peace extends a huge thank you for all you’ve done. Enjoy every moment of your retirement, you’ve earned it!