MEET THE FOUNDERS
CHRIS GANTNER
Grand Master Chris Gantner began his Taekwon-Do journey at the age of eleven under the guidance of his father, Jay Gantner. What started as a father-son bonding activity grew into a lifelong vocation. Together, they opened their own school where they inspired and trained hundreds of students, instilling in them not only discipline and technical excellence, but also the deeper values of the martial art.
Over the course of five decades, GM Gantner has traveled extensively, representing his art and country in competitions across the globe. His deep commitment to the traditional teachings of Taekwon-Do culminated in his promotion to Grand Master, 9th Degree Black Belt—the highest attainable rank within the Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF).
A highly respected figure in the global Taekwon-Do community, GM Gantner serves as both Secretary General and Technical Chairman of the GTF. He is internationally recognized for his precision, depth of knowledge, and dedication to upholding the technical standards of the discipline. His expertise has led him to teach seminars around the world, where students and instructors alike seek his guidance.
In August 2024, GM Gantner was formally inducted into the International Taekwon-Do Hall of Fame, where he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, a testament to his enduring contributions to the art and his unwavering commitment to its integrity and evolution.
Today, GM Gantner is proud to continue his family’s legacy through The Lotus Academy, founded alongside his daughter, Katie. Together, they blend martial arts and wellness to create a space where tradition meets transformation and where students of all ages can connect with the healing spirit of Taekwon-Do.
A LETTER FROM KATIE
KATIE GANTNER
Taekwon-Do has always held a special place in my heart. I grew up in my parents’ academy and began training when I was just five years old. Some of my best memories come from those early years, traveling for competitions and seminars, attending summer camps, and celebrating birthdays and milestones with our school community.
But it wasn’t until adulthood that I fully understood how deeply Taekwon-Do shaped me. While my childhood was filled with joy, I was also quietly struggling with symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a debilitating and often misunderstood mental health condition.
Looking back, I credit a large part of my healing to my training. Taekwon-Do constantly pushed me outside of my comfort zone. It taught me to face fear head-on, to do hard things even when they felt impossible. It helped me realize that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s learning how to move through it.
The Lotus Academy is the result of that journey. With the support of my family, I created this space to share the empowering and healing potential of martial arts, the same gift I was fortunate enough to receive.
Alongside Taekwon-Do, I offer other practices that have profoundly shaped my own life, like Reiki. These practices have given me tools for navigating life with greater strength, awareness, and compassion, and it is a privilege to now share them with others.
My hope is that your time at The Lotus Academy becomes part of your own journey—a place where you feel stronger in your body, steadier in your mind, more connected to yourself and others, and empowered to meet life with more courage, curiosity, and joy.
With gratitude,
Katie
there are a lot of gyms out there…
Our head instructor, Grand Master Gantner, has been practicing traditional Taekwon-Do for over 50 years. As a widely respected instructor, he travels the world to teach technical seminars and in 2024 he was inducted into the International Taekwon-Do Hall of Fame for his lifetime dedication to preserving this traditional martial art.
Lineage
For three generations, the Gantner family has upheld the tradition of Taekwon-Do, passing down its teachings with care and integrity. Co-founded and led by father-daughter team Chris and Katie, The Lotus Academy was created from a shared love of Taekwon-Do and a belief in teaching with compassion, integrity, and heart.
Family Run
We value safety, empowerment, expansion, and community. We believe ANYONE who wants to learn should feel comfortable to try something new. We take pride in our ability to make training approachable and accessible to every person that wants to train, regardless of age or ability. Whether you are four or sixty-four, there is a place for you on our mats.
Our Values
Our values attract and foster a friendly training environment and a supportive community of kind-hearted families and individuals. Ego and intimidation are checked at the door. Cool people train here!
Community
…this is what sets us apart
our philosophy
The lotus flower is an enduring symbol of awakening, strength, and perseverance. It roots in the muddiest, muckiest swamps and its buds slowly push upward until they reach the surface, burst open, and finally bloom in the sunlight.
The beauty of the lotus is only possible because of the mud.
Life can be similar in that way. The difficult, painful, and confusing experiences we face aren't always things we would choose, but they can become part of the path that shapes us. We don't have to be grateful for our struggles or pretend that everything happens for a reason. But by learning to face our experiences honestly, we can begin to understand them and, ultimately, move through them.
The mud is not something to escape. It is part of the journey.
Martial arts gives us a place to practice this every time we step onto the mat. We intentionally put ourselves in situations that challenge us, physically, mentally, and emotionally. With every challenge we face, we build resilience. Not just in our bodies, but in our minds and our hearts. We struggle. We make mistakes. We get uncomfortable. And then we show up to do it over and over again.
Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is decide to keep showing up. Because resilience isn't built in the moments when everything is easy. It's built in the quiet decision to keep going, to meet ourselves where we are and take the next step anyway.