Olivia Roney Mitchell founded Crouching Tigers in 2007 at just 20 years old, driven by her passion for martial arts and her upbringing in a large family with a single mother. From a young age, Olivia was captivated by martial arts and inspired to get involved after offering to clean her local martial arts school in exchange for training. Despite financial struggles, she persevered and later created a class to make martial arts accessible to all children, aiming to teach not just the basics of martial arts but also vital life and safety skills.
Growing up, Olivia and her siblings were taught crucial life lessons and skills by their mother, but the approach often instilled more fear and anxiety than confidence. Influenced by this experience, Olivia recognized the need for a more positive and empowering method. Now, through martial arts, she teaches these essential lessons in a way that builds confidence rather than fear. Olivia is committed to using martial arts as a tool to equip children, ages 2-7 years old, with the skills they need to navigate the world confidently, believing that these formative years are critical for fostering a resilient and self-assured mindset.
As a mother of four, Olivia’s personal experience deeply enriches her approach, allowing her to connect with children and teach them effectively. For nearly 20 years, Crouching Tigers has been committed to instilling essential LifeLessons and SafetySkills through martial arts. The program integrates engaging stories and Tiger characters, inspired by Olivia’s own family, to make safety lessons accessible and memorable for preschool to first grade aged children. Crouching Tigers’ program includes promotion ceremonies, inclusive of board breaking, and focuses on intuition, personal development, and the crucial life lessons that set a foundation for a confident and resilient future.