About Bares Taekwondo Fitness

Race Bares

Owner and Head Instructor

Race grew up around martial arts and began training Taekwondo at three years old. After returning to regular training around age six or seven, he continued through childhood and earned his black belt before his teenage years. Martial arts has been a constant part of his life ever since, and he has continued his own training through 4th degree black belt.

Race studied kinesiology at Tyler Junior College before earning his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from The University of Texas at Tyler in 2021. While at UT Tyler, much of his education and practical experience focused on athletic training and sports medicine. He later earned the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential, adding a deeper understanding of strength, conditioning, athletic development, and how the body responds to training.

Since graduating, Race has focused primarily on growing Bares Taekwondo Fitness and developing its curriculum and instructor team. His approach keeps traditional Taekwondo at the center while continuing to improve how students are taught, trained, and prepared as they progress through the ranks.

Matt Bares

Instructor

Matt followed his wife Michele onto the mat in 1991 and never left. By 1993 he was a chief instructor in Lumberton, Texas, and he has taught at Bares Taekwondo Fitness since the school opened in 2007.

Noah Du Toit

Instructor

Noah has trained at Bares Taekwondo Fitness for about five years, alongside several of his siblings. Over that time, he has developed a strong technical understanding of the curriculum and a reputation for remembering the small details that are easy to miss.

Noah is especially good working with younger students. He is patient, sharp, and has a natural ability to remember techniques, requirements, and corrections, which makes him a valuable part of the instructional team. Outside the school, Noah works with his dad at East Texas Bath and is an avid gamer.

Dustin Wilson

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Dustin grew up in Houston and began training Taekwondo while studying music at Abilene Christian University. After graduating from ACU, he attended law school at Texas Tech University, where he began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. When Dustin and his wife, Katie, moved to Tyler in 2013, he continued his BJJ training and eventually earned his purple belt.

Dustin continues his Jiu Jitsu education through structured curriculum study and ongoing training, with plans to test at a Gracie University Certified Training Center as he progresses. Martial arts has since become a family activity. Dustin and his children train Taekwondo at Bares, while Katie is a familiar face around the school supporting the family and spending time with other parents. Dustin and Katie are also active foster parents.