Travis Tarpein’s martial arts odyssey commenced early, mentored by his father, Nick Tarpein, in the intricacies of karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai Kickboxing. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment, Travis achieved a brown belt by the age of 17. Subsequently, he assumed a pivotal role as a full-time instructor at Nick Tarpein’s School of Karate, a testament to his hard work and determination. A milestone came just before his 21st birthday when Travis earned his black belt in the Shorei-Ryu system of Okinawan karate, a feat that propelled him to the position of Manager at the Moline Nick Tarpein’s, where the school flourished under his leadership.
Simultaneously, Travis embarked on an academic journey at Scott Community College, aspiring to advance to Palmer College of Chiropractic. However, a pivotal opportunity emerged: the chance for Travis to purchase and assume ownership of the Moline Nick Tarpein’s. Faced with a challenging decision between his passion for martial arts and his chiropractic education, Travis chose the former. Today, his students at Tarpein’s Dojo benefit from his expertise as he diligently imparts the wisdom passed down by his father and continues his own martial arts education through extensive travel and learning experiences at other dojos.
