HI-YA! Martial Arts Training Center joins Greater Lexington Chamber
We met Ann M McSweeney, owner, instructor and 4th degree black belt, and Patrick McSweeney, Head Instructor and 7th degree black belt at their new location
of MATC, LLC— the Martial Arts Training Center you could tell they are a couple doing what they love. Ann and Patrick are a Christian husband
and wife who solely own and operate this school in Lexington County. They are proud to serve the families of Lexington as they are encouraged that
everyone has been great and incredibly supportive.
MATC has been open since May 2016 teaching mixed and traditional martial arts for ages 3 and up. The martial arts they
teach are Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Boxing, Brazilian Jiujitsu, and much more. They have programs for 3-4 year olds (Pre Ninjas), 5-6 year olds (Little
Ninjas), 7-12 year olds (kids), and 13+ (teen and adult). MATC strives to teach quality, realistic martial arts, that help people achieve their goals
and makes the community a better place. They look forward to starting an After School program in August for the 2019-2020 schoolyear, accepting 20
children who will attend Gilbert and other local Lexington One schools. The After School care will include pick up from school, snacks, games, and
Martial Arts classes.
The school is open year-round during the daytime and evening, offering classes throughout the year, and summer camps during the summer. They are also very
excited to now offer Brazilian Jujitsu (BJJ) only classes under Professor Carlos Machado, for adults and children.
MATC values the small victories, when a technique finally “clicks” for someone, whether it is turning their foot the correct way or when they can participate
in class without being overcome with fear. They say they even have one student who joined because he was constantly getting suspended from school and
has been suspended zero times since he started a little over a year ago. They don’t just teach martial arts, they help change peoples’ lives. Ann and
Patrick really do have a great time with their students. They especially enjoy laughing with the 5-6 year olds as they come up with the most random
and funniest things to say.
Kids need martial arts now more than ever before. With kids bodies’ changing so rapidly martial arts has been great for developing coordination and in
today’s world kids muscles have become weak due to lack of activity. As well as kids need a little competition to challenge them and help them to grow
stronger now when things have become too easy with too much instant gratification. The owners say, “Martial arts makes you work hard for your goal,
and if they don’t get it the first, second, or third times, that’s okay, because they learned from it. And, they’re so proud of themselves once they
have figured it out.”
The Martial Arts Training Center recently celebrated their chamber membership with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 24th in their new location
at 760 Wire Road in Gilbert, SC. For more information visit www.thematc.com.
Want to schedule a ribbon cutting for your business? Contact Sondra Gettys at [email protected] or (803) 359-6113 ext. 104.
Not a member? Join the Chamber to receive this benefit and our 800+ community of
businesses.