To equip individuals with life-long skills that encourage self-empowerment, protection and fitness through the use of martial arts, safety and wellness training.

PEF is more than simply a martial arts school. In addition to self-defence, PEF teaches the importance of fitness while developing the characteristics of confidence, discipline, patience, respect and kindness. The PEF curriculum also focuses on anger management, rape prevention, goal setting, self-awareness, and self-esteem. You won’t find a more complete mind, body, and soul curriculum than the one offered at Pathway to Empowerment and Fitness™!

Our History

Antarius Aldridge founded Pathway to Empowerment and Fitness™ (PEF) in July 2014 after having trained for over 15 years in a variety of martial arts including Shoalin Kung Fu, Yan Style Tai Chi Quan and Wuji Quan under Grand Master, Dr. J.E. Harkins, as well as Wing Chun and Kali under Sifu Rister.

During this time Antarius experienced the privilege of training and empowering two rape victims. Today, they are no longer victims and they lead empowered lives.

It was this experience which would later inspire Antarius to found Pathway to Empowerment and Fitness™ so that he could help even more people rebuild their self-esteem and learn how to prevent further abuse.

The personal philosophy of Antarius is that you must choose your own path in life – your trajectory depends on you! Training and developing in the martial arts helped him to focus his energy on his goals but in was his faith and his walk with God that drove and inspired him to use his talents to help others.

Our Martial Arts Styles

Many martial arts schools today focus heavily on the “sport” aspect of the training rather than real self defense. Others claim to offer self-defence, yet promote techniques which are not practical in a real life situation. When choosing martial art instruction for the purposes of self-defense, it is important that you find an organization which teaches PROVEN techniques.

During his martial arts career, Antarius has trained self-defence to Tactical Forces personnel, SWAT, Fort Worth Police Department officers as well as private security and body guards.

Styles we teach are:

• Wing Chun – ideal for women or for a smaller person who must defend against a larger one.
• Kali – a Filipino based art which blends well with Wing Chun.
• Shaolin Kung Fu – Animal style
• Tai Chi Quan – An art that heals from the inside out.
• Wuji Quan – Internal and external.