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Our Team
Tristan, Brad, Eric, Lisa
Owners
In October 2023, Tristan, Brad, Eric, and Lisa proudly took over ownership of the Tao of Peace. Each of them has been a dedicated part of the Tao community for several years, deeply embracing the philosophies and life skills that the Tao embodies.
Together, they are excited to continue the tradition of sharing the Tao of Peace teachings with another generation of students, children, adults, and families, fostering growth, connection, and empowerment within the community!
Instructor/Owner Tristan
Instructor Tristan has been apart of the Tao since he was 8 years old and has been teaching at the Tao since 2006. He has his 2nd degree black belt and pursued many different forms of fitness from Strength Training, Olympic weight lifting, Nutrition, and CrossFit. His passion is teaching people the joy and love of Martial arts, Fitness, and Nutrition. He is pretty cool and amazing!
Instructor Alberto
Instructor Alberto fell in love with the Tao of Peace and the way it combined martial arts, life skills, philosophy and community. The mat became a place where, no matter what was going on in his life, he could lose himself in and develop himself through, the training. Alberto is a home-grown Tao Black Belt who for four years ran the Renert School Martial Arts program. Alberto is a student of philosophy, psychology, and positive communication strategies. Alberto has a passion for helping students grow holistically through martial arts and feels honoured to be able to express this through teaching at the Tao.
Instructor Bob
Bob has been training at the Tao since 1995 and has been teaching part-time since 2006. He began training in Martial Arts as a teenager in Chito-Ryu Karate and since then has trained in Shotokan Karate, Tai Chi, Aikido, RCI Combatives, and Jin Jun Kwan Hapkido.
Bob is also an avid student of eastern and martial philosophy weaving these into his teaching. Outside of the Tao, Bob works as a Strategist for a Big 4 consulting firm.
Instructor/Owner Brad
Brad has been training in Martial Arts since he was in Grade 7, primarily in Tae-Kwon-Do. He has been teaching with the Tao since 2015 and is an avid member of the grappling team. His passion lies in sparring and grappling aspects of the art, and although he claims to be slow and old, he acts like he’s in his 20's. His sense of humour and big heart really shine through in his teaching and how he relates with others.
By trade, Brad is a craftsman, making cabinets and beautiful wooden boxes. His love for the Martial Arts is rivaled only by that for his wife and 2 daughters. In the summer you can find him camped out in Radium, swinging the days away on a golf course.
Instructor Curtis
Instructor Curtis has studied martial arts since 2004 and has been a part of the Tao of Peace team of instructors since 2005. Curtis has a passion for all aspects of the martial arts especially the Hapkido and Aikido principles of joint manipulation and anti-grappling.
As well as teaching part-time for Tao of peace, Curtis is a full-time electrical instructor at SAIT and is currently pursuing a Professional Instructional Development diploma in adult education through Vancouver Community College.
Inspired by Carl Rogers and his Humanistic Learning Theory, Curtis believes that to train the mind you also must also engage the body and the spirit of the learner. Curtis considers his goal and role as a teacher is to be a mentor, a role model and a source of wisdom for his students
Instructor/Owner Eric
Eric has trained with the Tao of Peace since 2003 and has been teaching part time under Instructor Chris since 2008. When offered a role on the full-time team in Spring of 2018, Eric leapt at the chance and has since become Program Coordinator for the Demo Team. His passion in martial arts mainly lies in kicking, diving, and acrobatics. Any time spent inverted is always a bonus. When not at the Tao, Eric spends his time in the mountains either biking or skiing, depending on the season.
Instructor/Owner Lisa
Lisa’s son insisted she start taking classes at the Tao, this is when her addiction to martial arts began. Lisa is originally from Edinburgh, Scotland. She has a dance degree from the university of Surrey, U.K., has two teenagers and is also a birth and postpartum doula. Her spare time is spent reading, bouldering or taking hot yoga classes.
Instructor Lucas
Lucas is a home-grown instructor who has been with us for over 20 years. Lucas loves training, especially striking drills, weapons and patterns. His training in Martial Arts includes; Hap-Ki-Do, Budo Rhyu Kempo, Aikido Sword, Kick Boxing and Boxing. He has served as a paramedic for five years and holds a 4th degree in Tao of Peace Martial Arts. Lucas is a loving father with four children and let’s not forget his cat, which like many of us, has special needs. Lucas feels that students need someone to believe in them and he loves to support and mentor individuals who are striving for personal wellness.
Sensei Gary
I have been involved in Martial Arts basically my entire life and have met some amazing people. I have trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Hapkido, Kali, Karate, Kempo, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do and Wing Chun.
Why the obsession with Martial Arts? Before going any further, I must point out that I am not a fighter, never was and never will be. I have never been involved in any fisticuff, not even a shoving match. I have never felt the need nor the urge to compete, although there was a time when I did enjoy sparring with friends. I did not take up Martial Arts for self defense. Martial Arts, for me, is simply just a way of life. All I want to do is be better today than I was yesterday and hopefully, will be better tomorrow than I am today, both martial artist and as a person.
I am a martial artist by choice and an accountant by necessity and I am a product of these two seemingly different paths. Outside of my working environment, people are always surprised when I tell them I am an accountant because I do not fit the mold or perception. Every now and then, I would meet someone who would ask me some pretty weird and personal questions. The first time it happened, I was somewhat taken aback. When she learnt that I am a weekend warrior, she explained that she felt a different aura about me, hence the questions. (I never knew weekend warriors have a different aura about them).
Home is where the heart is and the Tao was always, and still is, my home away from home. In 2006/2007 however, I had reached a crossroad. I was losing my focus and drive. I started searching high and low for alternatives, taking up yoga, spin classes, circuit training etc. I started training in BJJ in the fall of 2007 and it rekindled the fire within me. It's not because BJJ is better. Rather, it is because it is outside of my comfort zone, something that I do not understand nor comes naturally to me, and it is brutally honest.
Happy Training. Embrace who you are. Embrace your limitation. But never give up. When apocalypse comes, it will be you and the cockroaches.
Chris and Kathy
Original Owners/Retired
Chris opened the doors to the Tao in 1992. Kathy joined Chris in 2004 and they have been working together ever since to provide this service to the community. They share a love of life and hope the Tao will continue to serve those for many years to come.
Chris and Kathy are now enjoying their well-deserved retirement, spending winters skiing in the mountains and summers traveling to visit their kids and grandchildren. They also make time to embrace their love for the outdoors, mountain biking, hiking, and staying active whenever they can.
From the bottom of our hearts, everyone at the Tao of Peace extends a huge thank you for all you’ve done. Enjoy every moment of your retirement, you’ve earned it!