Meet the Staff
Clayton Watkins-Owner/Master Instructor 6th Degree Blackbelt
Clayton Watkins began his martial arts training at the age of 9 at Northeast Tae Kwon Do in Paris, Texas under the expert instruction of Ms. Brandy Roberts, National Champion and World Team Qualifier. He began for the same reason that many student begin their training: a lack of confidence in himself. He lacked the natural raw talent that many in his classes had, but he had the determination to outwork and outlast. He achieved the rank of 1st Degree Blackbelt in 1998 at the age of 13 and 2nd Degree Blackbelt in 2000 at the age of 15.
Shortly there after, his instructor closed her school and so he continued his training under one of her top students, Ms. Reagan Barham. When she left the martial arts to pursue her studies at Law School in 2001, Mr. Watkins was left without an instructor, but still had the fire in him that the martial arts had placed there. So in 2002 at the age of 17, Mr. Watkins took a dive into what would forever change his life; becoming a Professional Martial Arts instructor. He began in the gym at his church, but knew this would not be a longterm solution to the plans he had. So with the total amount of $1,000 that he had saved by working on his Dad’s farm, he purchased a meager amount of equipment and rented a space east of Paris, Tx that had no air conditioning or heat, but he made it work.
Not knowing anything about operating a business or how to promote, he just did what he knew best, taught Tae Kwon Do. But he knew that he had to get more training and he still wanted to progress in the ranks as well for his own personal development, so he joined the then National Tae Kwon Do Federation of America as an affiliate School owner. He signed the charter in Fayetteville, Arkansas after attending a tournament there in February 2003. He graduated High School in May of that year and began attending Paris Jr College and eventually Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas where he would graduate with his Bachelor of Science in 2013. His school began to grow as he relocated to a shopping center, then again to another space as he was running out of room for his classes. He relocated two more times and his final location in Paris was 5,200 sq. feet with 2 workout areas, 1 introductory area, pro shop, and offices. Mr. Watkins also promoted several tournaments in conjunction with the Europa Fitness Supershow held at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
Over the course of 15 years in business, he personally trained 84 national champions and 3 Top Ten World finishers, and was ranked 7th in the world in 2011, and coached on the World Level for 8 years. He also was a founding member of the Elite Martial Arts Alliance in 2006. In 2013, Mr. Watkins was inducted into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame as the Multi-Disciplined Instructor of the year. Two months later, he achieved his 5th Degree Blackbelt in Houston Texas at the National Sport Karate Museum annual Blackbelt Test.
In 2015, the school was sold as Mr. Watkins and his family left Paris to attend Seminary at Arlington Baptist University where he received his Master’s of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies and then moved to Escazu’, Costa Rica where they did some short term ministry there. Life has happened, and Mr. Watkins has returned to the States. He has 2 wonderful children; Conner and Eva . He is loving being a part of Gilmer and so excited about how well all of his students are doing in class and in tournaments as well!
Joe Johnson- 3rd Degree Blackbelt
Assistant Instructor/Co-Owner Longview Location
Mr. Joe Johnson started his Martial Arts training in Tang Soo Do when he was 10 years old. He received his 2nd Degree in 1998 and then shortly there after joined the Military. While in the Army his main duty station was Fort Hood, TX. While assigned to Fort Hood he served two tours to Iraq that lasted one year each in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Joe also met his wife, Michelle Johnson while assigned to the same unit in Fort Hood. Michelle was also a soldier and deployed to Iraq on the same tours with Mr. Joe. The two were married shortly after their first tour to Iraq. After 8 years of service Mr. Joe was medically retired from the military due to injuries to his back while serving. After being retired from the military Mr. Joe received back surgery and continues to train regardless of the 2 titanium rods and six screws in his lower back. Mr. Joe also believes that regardless of our injuries we can continue to train and improve our body’s condition even if some of our exercises need to be modified to prevent further injury. Mr. Joe continues to server our nation and its veterans as a full time employee of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Joe’s highest awards include the following: Meritorious Service Medal 2 Army Commendation Medals 2 Army Achievement Medals After moving back to Mrs. Michelle’s hometown of Gilmer, Mr. Joe and Master Watkins met and he began training again at ProComp Sport Martial Arts. Mr. Joe’s expertise is with competition sparing, self-defense, traditional training, and he also teaches our ladies fitness and self-defense classes. Recently Mr. Joe has received his 3rd Degree after testing with Master Joey Perry from Jonesboro Arkansas. Mr. Joe is also now a Certified Official under the Professional Martial Arts Conference (PROMAC).
Cody Wilson- 3rd Degree Blackbelt
Assistant Instructor