For Eagan Native, New Martial Arts Studio a Chance to Improve the Community

For Paul Sisk, martial arts isn't about breaking boards or perfecting that roundhouse kick. Instead, it's about self-confidence, discipline and positive change.

"I always tell my students: 'Enjoy the journey, there are going to be ups and there are going to be downs, just like anything in life,'" Sisk said.

Sisk plans to apply that philosophy when he opens a new martial arts studio in Eagan in April. The 1,600-square-foot studio, Kick Start Martial Arts, will be located in the Thomas Lake Center at 1565 Cliff Road.

Sisk began practicing taekwondo when he was nine years old. After managing a studio in Eagan for several years, Sisk departed in 1997 for California, where he opened and managed a studio for 15 years.

Now, Sisk is returning to his roots. An Eagan native, Sisk—accompanied by his wife Kellie and two young children—moved back home several months ago. His new studio will be located just blocks from Thomas Lake Elementary, where he attended class as a child.

"It’s an eerie, good feeling," Sisk said of the move. "We’ve done a lot of bouncing around, but I feel like this meant to be."

Sisk plans to develop a family-friendly atmosphere at Kick Start by hosting a series of family classes catering to parents who want to practice with their children. But the studio will also provide a bevy of traditional classes, plus combat fitness and self-defense courses.

Once the studio is up and running, Sisk said he wants to reach out to the community, partnering with local schools to work with troubled youth and organizing fitness courses for grieving adults. The grief class would double as a social support group for its members, Sisk said.

"It’s not just kicking and punching, we’re going to take it further than that," Sisk said. "How can we make the community a better place, along with doing our business?”

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