What is your name and occupation?
I am Sensei Stacy Fouse, and I teach martial arts at The OHANA Self-Defense Institute. I teach the Kinder Warriors program—which are the three to six year olds—as well as karate.
The dojo teaches traditional martial arts and takes pride in being family oriented.
What were you doing before teaching martial arts?
I’ve been doing martial arts for thirty-two years, so it’s always been a part of my life. A few years ago, Hanshi Jason reached out to ask if I would be willing to help instruct classes. He had some girls and young women at his dojo who he felt would benefit from having a female leader. So, he convinced me to come out of retirement to teach.
Fast forward eight years later, and we are growing his business together, and we share a daughter who is about to be 5 years old. We are both very proud of what we have accomplished as a team.
What do you love about teaching martial arts?
My favorite thing is that my kids and I can do it together. My daughter will be 5 at the end of June, and my son will be 15 in July. Yet, it’s something we can all do together even though there’s a large age gap between all three of us.
Can you tell me something about martial arts that might surprise people?
Many people believe they can’t learn martial arts because they have a physical ailment or maybe they feel they’re getting too old. However, all types of martial arts can be adapted to anybody’s physical situation. I’ve even made adjustments for myself as I’ve gotten older. I’m recovering from a nasty concussion from a couple of years ago which means I’ve been getting back injections and even have an MRI scheduled next week for my back. I’m discovering I’m not healing the way I did when I was a kid, so I have changed how I do things, but it hasn’t stopped me.
Also, people are intimidated by martial arts because they see all sorts of kicks and crazy things which makes them feel nervous about the contact involved. However, martial arts are very accessible.
You own a cleaning business as well as working as a sensei. Can you tell me about that?
I started a house cleaning business back in 2008 in Pennsylvania. I took some time off when I moved back to West Virginia to raise my son and be more present in his life. A couple of years ago, I was working at a local college, and a friend reached out because he needed someone to clean his business. He said he would match my salary if I quit my job and go back to cleaning full-time again, so I decided to accept his offer. I’ve been able to regrow my cleaning business and do anywhere from 8 to 10 jobs a week. I can set my own schedule which allows me to pick up my kids from school and get to the Dojo afterward.
You were a single mom working three jobs for a while. Do you have any advice for single parents trying to make it all happen?
It always gets easier. No matter how hard things are right now, you can get through whatever situation you’re in.
I was in a very physically and mentally abusive marriage. Eventually, I left that relationship for the good of my son because I didn’t want him to grow up thinking abuse was normal. It was the hardest thing I ever did. I was working three jobs to make ends meet after I left, and while it was very difficult, I made it work.
I want anyone in that situation to know it does get easier, and you can get through it.
Do you have advice for others who are in a domestic violence situation or just a toxic relationship in general?
It’s OK to leave. There are resources available to you as well as people in your life who want to help you whether it’s a family member, friend, or coworker.
Hope, Inc. helped me file my divorce paperwork. They were fantastic and really helped me get through the worst part of it
I know your dojo supports domestic violence survivors. Can you tell me about that?
Once a month we do a women’s self-defense class that caters to women who have been in domestic violence situations. Hanshi Jason is very knowledgeable on the legality of what you can and can’t do in a domestic violence situation. He’s a fantastic resource for everybody at the dojo.
We’ve had women reach out to say they’re stuck in a bad situation and don’t have any money. The dojo usually charges $20-$25 per person, but we have no problem waiving that fee for someone in a bad situation who needs help.
Also, we have partnered with Valkyries Ladies Club which is a motorcycle riding club out of Charleston, WV and together we run seminars to help domestic violence survivors. We also do seminars for people in sober living houses which is really rewarding.
Is there anything you’re planning right now that excites you?
I just restarted a karate program which I’m working on growing right now. I’ve had some injuries, so there have been setbacks, but now I have extra help teaching classes. If I show up at the Dojo and my back is yelling at me that day, I now have the option to sit down to instruct without being on the mat thanks to that extra help.
So, right now, I want to get the word out about the classes.
How can people learn more about classes at the dojo? Is the information online?
There is more information on Facebook which can be found under Ohana Self-Defense of West Virginia, and there’s also a sub-page for Ohana Self-Defense Institute Karate—or ODI Karate for short. You can find information on any of the classes there. The dojo offers kempo, jujitsu, karate, Filipino martial arts, judo, and taekwondo. There’s something at the dojo for everybody. We are also very family-friendly. We have a separate class for three to six-year-old kids which is a fantastic way to give them a start. Once they turn 7, they can choose whichever one of the other programs they want.
Anyone who is interested can contact me by phone at 304-709-9936 or owner Hanshi Jason at 304-844-2240.
Interview conducted, transcribed, and written by Marlynda Arnett, Program Innovation Leader for West Virginia Women Work.