After 35 years of community impact and mentoring students young and old, Terry Gruel is retiring as the owner of Indiana Martial Arts and Fitness. In February of this year, he passed proprietorship to Pierce and Amber Overton, who will run the studio as Indiana Underdogs. For Gruel this is not an end, but rather a time of transition, and he looks back with gratitude at the studio’s success. He is confident that the values and principles on which the studio was founded will continue to inspire future students.
Gruel, along with a partner, opened his first school in 1990. In 1993 he ventured out on his own with Terry Gruel Karate Studio in Tipton. Several years later he opened Indiana Martial Arts and Fitness in Kokomo.
Most people don’t realize that during the years Gruel owned the studio, he also worked a full-time job during the day. For the past 30 years he has been a quality manager for various companies. After work each day, he traveled to the studio and taught various martial arts classes until 9:00 at night. He confides that it was his passion for the sport that kept him going at such a pace.
Over the years the studio grew from humble beginnings to an establishment that produced over 50 state and national karate champions and 17 United States Karate Association divisional world champions. Gruel introduced diverse classes such as traditional karate, Hawaiian Kempo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Krav Maga, Force Necessary and Sayoc Kali. Programs were developed for all ages and included instruction for beginner, intermediate and advanced students.
“I couldn’t have done it without the assistance of my wife, Carrie,” he says. “I was away a lot and she sacrificed for years. In her own right, she was the best competitor the studio ever turned out. Her career has included nine state, eight national and four world championships. We were also the first husband and wife to win a national title in the same year, and both of us earned the Glenn Keeney Excellence Award.”
“Growing up, I was a small kid,’ he continues. “I got my passion for karate from watching Bruce Lee in The Green Hornet. It was the kicks that did it. My personal martial achievements would not have been attainable without my instructors: Mark Cambell, goju-ryu; Luigi Mondelli, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Hock Hochheim, Force Necessary. Eddie Bethea is another mentor who helped me during my competitive years. My good friend, Donnie Michael, spent countless hours sparring with me.”
Gruel shares that despite the overall success of the studio, there were many obstacles that had to be overcome. The martial arts industry did not stay static; trends changed over the years and demand for certain classes ebbed and flowed. Economic downturns were weathered and COVID brought its own challenges. Through it all, Gruel feels the studio endured because of the support from students, instructors and the community.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of owning the studio has been the opportunity to mentor and guide countless students,” he says. “I’ve had the pleasure of teaching people from all walks of life, ranging from preschool children to professional adults. Watching them grow, develop confidence and achieve their goals has been a source of immense pride. The practice of martial arts teaches students to set small goals. The small steps accomplish a large step. It teaches you not to focus on events going on outside, and helps you forget the day’s stress.”
During his time as an instructor for more than three decades, Gruel witnessed some amazing transformations. After three years of classes, a middle-aged student with Parkinson’s disease was able to get up and down from the floor without assistance. Another man who walked with a cane due to a broken back from a car accident challenged himself to take a mixed martial arts class. Despite being terrified of being re-injured, he persevered. After two years he was able to walk without a cane. Five years later he earned a black belt.
“While I look forward to exploring new interests and spending more time with loved ones, I will miss the daily interactions with students and the vibrant atmosphere of the studio,” Gruel says. “Martial arts have been an integral part of my life, and the studio has been my second home. I met lots of good people and I got to see kids grow up. I’m proud I made a positive impact. It’s wonderful when students I had 15 or 20 years ago come up to me and tell me it made a difference in their lives.”
Besides touching the lives of individuals, the studio was involved in the community and gave back in multiple ways. It sponsored kick-a-thons in the late 1990s to raise money for a K9 to be purchased for the Tipton Sheriff’s Department. For 10 years it hosted a blood drive. The studio also held annual toy drives for Urban Outreach and raised funds for the all-inclusive playground at Western Primary School. Free self-defense classes were held for children after the Delphi tragedy, as well as free Realtors Association of Central Indiana self-defense classes.
“Last March I realized it was time to step down,” Gruel says. “I collect cars and have two grand-babies. While I no longer own the studio, I will continue to teach Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the combative program three days a week when scheduled. It will be much easier. I will go home when I’m done teaching – not stay until nine at night.”
“After I sold the studio, I didn’t feel the need to have a big celebration or something similar,” he adds. “Some people have a hard time with transitions, but I’m happy, at peace and have no regrets. I’ve been blessed. I’ve had the opportunity to meet the highest-level people in the martial arts industry. The studio was more than just a place to learn martial arts; it evolved into a community where lifelong friendships were forged and individuals were empowered.”
Comments 1
Enjoy your retirement. Thank you for all the good things you have done, all the people you have helped.