Tony Potter

Tony Potter grew up in a very small town in the Midwest. Back in the 70's, fighting was something you had to do. In his case, he had no choice.  His dad would make him go back outside just to finish a fight, rather than run away. Running away from a fight or a problem was not accepted. He was always encouraged to face them head-on, be it win or lose. Freshman year of high school, the Potter family moved to the eastern part of the state.  In high school, the fights grew more violent. Mr. Potter played one year of college football at McPherson College. Mid-season, he received a football-ending injury to his lower back. A year later, Mr. Potter moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fresh out of college with a lot of built-up frustration, Mr. Potter, once again, found himself choosing the wrong people to associate with in an even worse environment. Fighting was something that happened weekly. One night after a big brawl at his work, his manager suggested he come by his dojo for karate lessons to sharpen his fighting skills. Mr. Potter‘s first class, which consisted of standing in what is referred to as a "training horse" position, did not work well initially.  It took Mr. Potter a few years to humble himself and finally embrace this new endeavor, which would ultimately shape his life forever.

Mr. Potter achieved his first-degree Black Belt under his instructor Larry Hamilton in 2002. During that time, he met his future wife, Erika Potter.  Unbeknownst to each other, they had been training at the same studio for years.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter were living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and just like Bugs Bunny, they took a wrong turn in Albuquerque. That wrong turn would change their lives forever.  This is where they began their relationship with Grand Master Jeff Speakman, and what an amazing journey it has been! Mr. Potter now holds the rank of 7th degree Black Belt in Kenpo 5.0 and is one of the fourth highest-ranking Black Belts in the Jeff Speakman's, Kenpo 5.0 organization. Mr. Potter and his wife have travelled the world teaching alongside Grand Master Jeff Speakman.

Mr. Potter, his wife, two older sons and young daughter, now run a very successful martial arts school in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Additionally, Mr. Potter has been the tactical instructor for  the Santa Fe County Detention Center Extraction Team. He continues to teach self defense classes to the young and old, as he enjoys sharing his skillset learned throughout his years of trial to ultimate triumph.

In 2015, Mr. Potter was asked to teach a group of special needs adults at one of the local high schools. Mr. Potter was very hesitant to say yes. "What could I possibly teach these kids?" he thought.  Even so, he was compelled to meet these young adults.  And after teaching his first class, Mr. Potter was moved to tears.

He very much realized that the biggest fight in life is not going to be with your fist, but rather, with your heart. Kenpo has taught Mr. Potter how to be a better husband, father, son, friend, community member, and ultimately, a better human being.

Mr. Potter often talks about three very important things in his life:  God our Lord Jesus Christ, his family and his martial arts family.  By helping individuals to be stronger - physically, mentally and spiritually - he is helping them to understand that “it all matters."