Today we’d like to introduce you to AUSTEN REID.
Hi AUSTEN, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Baytown, Texas, and I’ve always been fascinated by martial arts. Growing up, I looked up to Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris. Learning that Chuck Norris used martial arts to mentor young people through his Kickstart Kids program inspired me even more—not only to train in Taekwondo, but to one day become an instructor myself and make a positive impact on others.
At 19 years old, I finally had the opportunity to begin training under the mentorship of Master Austin McElroy who had his own local training center in Baytown and was affiliated with ITA (International Taekwondo Association). What started as a personal passion quickly became a lifelong commitment. As I progressed, I earned my Kukkiwon-certified Black Belt, eventually achieving the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt thru our organization and 2nd Dan Black Belt thru Kukkiown, and became a certified AAU Olympic Taekwondo Coach.
Today, as the Head Instructor at Crosby Taekwondo Warriors, I’m grateful to do what inspired me years ago: help students build confidence, discipline, respect, and perseverance through martial arts. Seeing students grow on and off the mat is the most rewarding part of my journey, and it’s what motivates me every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey in Taekwondo itself was actually a pretty smooth one because I loved it so much. Training never felt like a burden—it was something I genuinely enjoyed every day. The biggest challenges came when I decided to open my own school.
Starting Crosby Taekwondo Warriors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. In the beginning, I worked three different jobs just to keep the school open while building the business from the ground up. I also had to build a brand-new community and earn the trust of families who were looking for the right place to train.
Then the pandemic hit, which made things even more difficult. Like many small businesses, we faced a lot of uncertainty, but we adapted, stayed connected with our students, and kept moving forward. It wasn’t easy, but those challenges strengthened our school and reinforced why I started this journey in the first place.
Looking back, every obstacle taught me something about perseverance, leadership, and never giving up. Those experiences have made me not only a better business owner, but also a better instructor for my students.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As the Head Instructor at Crosby Taekwondo Warriors, my focus is helping students of all ages grow through Taekwondo—whether their goal is confidence, discipline, fitness, self-defense, or competition.
I’m most proud that we’ve built a community where students can achieve at every level. We’ve had athletes compete at the national level, including a former student who became an AAU National Champion multiple times, but I’m equally proud of seeing students gain confidence and overcome challenges.
What sets me apart is that I truly care about each student’s journey. I believe martial arts is about more than physical skills—it’s about building character, leadership, and the confidence to succeed both on and off the mat.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Crosby is the sense of community. It’s a small town where people support each other and take pride in where they live.
When I opened Crosby Taekwondo Warriors, one of the challenges was introducing a sport that was new to the area. Crosby has always had a strong football culture, so Taekwondo wasn’t as familiar or popular at first. Seeing the community embrace martial arts and watching our school grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crosbytkd.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosbytkd/
