Who Is Travis Tooke?
For over 20 years Travis Tooke has dedicated himself to mastering and teaching the art of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He is a passionate martial artist who is committed to serving his students and his community. He is the author of Jiu jitsu and Life: Lessons Learned On and Off the Mat. As the head instructor and CEO of Team Tooke Mixed Martial Arts, Professor Travis has created a program that molds student into athletic martial artists and confident leaders.
The Full Story
STARTED BUSINESS EARLY
Professor Travis started Team Tooke in 2005 in his father’s garage with 0 students. With no college degree or business skills, he took a leap of faith and followed his dream of teaching martial arts. Over time, Travis continued to invest into his training, education and the right mentors. Today, Team Tooke is home to over 300 active students all training under the roof of a 9,000+ sq ft facility. The well-respected academy has created Jiu-jitsu champions and UFC fighters. But most importantly, Travis has helped to build a community of highly skilled and disciplined leaders who work together to keep growing as a team.
His Dream Career
When Travis watched the first UFC as a 14-year-old kid. He was fascinated and amazed by how effective Jiu-jitsu was when he watched Royce Gracie dismantle his opponents, all of whom were bigger than he was. He began training at age 16 and by age 17 (still a white belt), began to help teach classes. By age 20 Travis earned his brown belt and has the opportunity of a lifetime…to live and train in the motherland of Jiu-jitsu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Near the end of his 1-year stay, Travis earned his Black Belt from the legendary Carlos Gracie Jr. Upon his return in April 2005 he officially opened for business in the 20x20ft air conditioning free garage. Over the next 15 years, through trial and error, failure and rebound, Team Tooke has grown into one of the most successful Jiu-jitsu Academies in Texas.
Team Tooke Martial Arts
Team Tooke Mixed Martial Arts Academy located in the Willowbrook part of North Houston will change your life. Our program specializes in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts. We have an 8,000 sq ft facility fully equipped with the best training equipment on the market. Our character enrichment youth program will arm your child with the confidence to succeed in an ever changing world. They will increase their discipline and respect while learning proven systems to combat bullying. Our adult programs specialize in helping students live up to their full potential both as skilled martial artists and confident individuals. We work together as a team and push one another to greater heights. Our instructors are masters in their craft and are dedicated to helping our students change their lives forever. We look forward to working with you and your family as you all train toward black belt.
Personal Life
Author Travis Tooke
Travis is married to Ingrid Bay Tooke and they live together in Cypress, TX. He met his wife while living in Brazil and he is fluent in Portuguese. In addition to training and teaching Jiu-jitsu, he loves to travel the world and experience new cultures. Recently he helped establish the first Jiu-jitsu Academy in the country of Zambia with world renowned minister Voddie Baucham. He also enjoys fishing, playing guitar and learning new skills.
Book Author Travis Tooke
As serial-entrepreneur and author of multiple books Travis offers his books online at Amazon Kindle Direct
Travis Tooke
JIU-JITSU FOR LIFE
Lessons Learned On And Off The Mat
More than just a book about martial arts, this is a sometimes humorous, sometimes gut-wrenching look at what it tales to succeed – both in martial arts and in business – when you start with only grit, tenacity, and heart.
Find Out The Secret Behind Team Tooke
Please listen in on some of our podcasts below.
Tooke Talks
Podcast 17
Interview with Robby Rabadi
WHY YOUR DAILY ROUTINE IS SO IMPORTANT
Unlocking the motivation in your life
TRAINING IN THE JIU JITSU GOLDILOCKS ZONE
Finding the optimum zone to thrive in
LISTEN TO WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Travis Tooke – Author and Coach
Travis takes you through his hard-fought journey in BJJ and tells a story of hardships, success and some painfully personal truths. As a practitioner you'll gain wisdom to help your BJJ growth. Those inspired to begin a business will learn valuable lessons often only discovered the hard way. Those who have shared a portion of their BJJ journey with Travis will be reminded of memories and why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is more than a workout or self defense class.
I loved seeing Travis's journey and growth from a teen amazed by the Gracies' Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to training in their organization, and then learning to navigate the world of business using the same guts and gumption that got him to black belt. Funny, endearing, and a joy to read. More than just a martial arts story, it's a story about what it takes to achieve any goals in business and in life.
I sat down to read this book and was not able to put it down until I had finished it twice. Great stories from Professor Tooke as well as amazing life lessons. He shares highs and lows, wins and losses and does so in a way that shows great humility and the outstanding leader that he is. The thing I took away from this book is that it paints a real picture of what challenges really are like, and not only the discipline it took for him to push through but also how he has surrounded himself with the right people to continue to believe in and push him. This book is more than worth your time and will be something you keep going back to for lessons, motivation or even just a good smile.
