Owners Larry & Emily Chauvin

Larry Chauvin, founder of Austin Youth Fitness, is starting his 15th year of teaching at Casis, and his eighth year as physical education teacher. In 2005, Larry started running to lose weight and get in shape. He lost 30 pounds and gained a great love for running. Larry started entering many 5Ks and 10Ks in Austin. This new love for running led him to complete his first marathon at Disney World in 2008. Now Larry has 10 marathons under his belt, and he's training for more! "I want to bring my knowledge of fitness and teaching to young runners while also having fun," Larry says. 

Emily Chauvin has her Masters in Exercise Physiology from UT and loves passing along her passion for fitness with adults and children. Emily rode in the M.S. 150 on two different occasions, and ran her 1st marathon in 2008. She is now a tax accountant at Maxwell, Locke, and Ritter and continues to spread her love of fitness to her co-workers, clients, and anyone who will listen. Emily and Larry first met in April 2011 to discuss having Emily come on board as a biking camp coach. This job turned into a friendship, which turned into an engagement and finally a marriage. They are now happy residents of Deep Eddy raising their beautiful daughter Tacy and fun loving son Jack as well as rescue dog Penny.

Owner Allison Phillips

Allison is the co-owner and Programs Director for Austin Youth Fitness. She holds a Masters in Education from the University of Texas at Austin, with a degree in Exercise Physiology. Her career in health and fitness spans three decades, and includes serving as an Adjunct Faculty Member and Teaching Specialist in UT’s Department of Kinesiology & Health, and leading women’s fitness classes and personal training with “Backyard Fitness,” a business she founded in 2005 while also working as a full-time “stay at home mom.” For the last 15 years, Allison has turned her attention to children’s health, and she partnered with “Coach Chauvin,” founder of Austin Youth Fitness, in 2009. Two years ago, she, along with Larry, started a non-profit - the David Phillips Foundation, in memory of her husband - with a mission to support and uplift children and their families through sports and recreation programs that allow them to heal, grow, and play. She currently serves as the President of DPF, and works closely with other founding board members, along with her AYF team of coaches, to bring “play” to kids all over Austin, with particular attention to low-income communities and Title-1 schools. She refers to her work with AYF and DPF as “the critical work of play,” and says “Giving children the gift of play, helping them learn the importance of an active lifestyle, and teaching them that ‘Fitness is fun!’ is not just my job, but my calling.”

Chief Instructor and Founder Wayne Key

Master Wayne is a dedicated martial artist with over 37 years of experience, starting in the

Chayon-Ryu system, founded by Grand Master Kim Pyung Soo. This comprehensive

martial art integrates pre-sport Tae Kwon Do, Shorin Ryu Karate, Okinawa-te, Northern

Shaolin Chun’fa (Kung-fu), Hapkido, and Judo. In 1991, Master Wayne's primary teacher,

Master John Blankenship, expanded the curriculum to include the Chinese arts of Hung

Gar, Pekua, and Guang Ping Tai Chi, further deepening Wayne’s training.

With nearly four decades of training and teaching, Wayne has taught both adults and

children in a wide range of disciplines, including forms and kata, competitive sparring,

fitness, practical self-defense, Chi Gung (Qigong), and meditation. As Master Blankenship’s

fourth most senior student by 2008, Master Wayne’s expertise spans the mental, physical,

and philosophical aspects of martial arts.

Master Wayne holds multiple black belt awards, numerous competitive trophies, and four

teaching certificates from Tai Chi master practitioner Dr. Paul Lam.

Master Wayne's extensive background also includes training with elite professionals, such

as police officers, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, SWAT team members, and fitness trainers.

He also holds degrees in psychology and philosophy, which inform his holistic approach to

teaching and personal development.

As Chief Instructor at Austin Kula Karate, Master Wayne designs curriculum and trains

instructors. Master Wayne also teaches children’s and advanced karate classes, Tai Chi,

and the Essentials of Self-Defense workshops, empowering hundreds with critical mental

and physical skills for personal and family safety.

A sought-after speaker, Master Wayne frequently shares his insights at local events,

inspiring others to embrace the transformative power of martial arts.

Wayne continues to train, learn, and teach full-time, in the the lifelong pursuit of mastery

and balance in the martial arts.

Lead Instructor and Assistant Director of Programs Harris Kirby

Harris is a Black Belt instructor from Garland, TX. He grew up training under his parents, Tim and Marian Kirby, and recieved his Black Belt in 2010 at the age of 11. Harris often jokes that he could tie his white belt before he could tie his shoes! His Martial Arts lineage can be traced back to practitioners such as Jhoon Rhee, Demetrius "The Greek" Havanas, Allen Steen, and many more. He competed extensively while training under his parents and especially excelled in and enjoyed forms/kata.  Though from a "Blood n Guts" background, Coach Harris aims to take the best of Kula Karate and his parents "Tex Kwon Do" to teach and demonstrate respect, discipline, and self-control to all his students. He has been Coaching with Kula Karate since fall 2022 and took on an administrative role with our team in 2024. He currently teaches groups at Zilker, Casis, Mathews, St. Francis School, and WAYA as well as Advanced/Intermediate groups and private students.

In 2022 Harris graduated with a degree in Music Performance from the University of Denver. He is still an active performer and you can catch him playing oboe with Cover to Cover Quintet around the Austin area.

Lead Coach Marly Shawky

Where are you from?: Fort Worth

When did you start coaching with Kula? I began coaching with Kula during my first semester of college, almost three years ago in the fall of 2022.

What is your Martial Arts Experience (style, rank)?: I hold a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do. My mother had a dojo, Dale and Kristi’s American Karate Academy, where I spent most of my time up until about third grade. While we mostly learned Tae Kwon Do, my mom liked to sprinkle in techniques from Aikido, Kempo, and kickboxing.

What is your favorite part of Martial Arts?: My favorite part of martial arts was always learning the Katas (forms). Something about memorizing the moves and trying to emulate what the instructor was doing was enjoyable for me. Another thing I liked to do was create my own forms, and if I could include a cool jump kick, all the better!

What's your favorite thing about Kula Karate?: My favorite thing about Kula is getting to see the moment when something really clicks for one of the students. It takes some practice and some failures before anybody is able to get a technique down. Being able to watch the process these kids go through of learning the move, trying to get it right, and eventually accomplishing their goals is something really special.

What Kula groups do you coach?: Bryker Woods, Redeemer, Highland Park, and Eanes Elementaries.

Aside from Kula, what do you do?: I am a third-year student at the University of Texas majoring in Urban Studies. After I graduate, I would love the opportunity to work on important local issues surrounding public transportation, housing accessibility, combatting climate change, and anything in between. Additionally, I am one of the Co-Presidents of an organization on campus that aims to foster community and friendship while also making a lasting impact on the city of Austin through philanthropy, service, and collaboration with other organizations.

Lead Coach Matt Wise

Where are you from?: native Austinite, born and raised!

When did you start coaching with Kula?: started coaching with Kula in 2024 (AYF in 2015).

What is your Martial Arts Experience (style, rank)?: started Kajukenbo (mixed martial arts system founded in Hawaiian internment camps for people of Japanese ancestry) in 1993, when I was eleven years old. I advanced to the 5th rank of blue belt in the mid-2000s, although I wear the "lighter" purple belt to teach Kula Karate since the ranking order is different.

What is your favorite part of Martial Arts: my favorite parts of Martial Arts are the focus and confidence it fosters -- confident people don't start fights!

What's your favorite thing about Kula Karate?: I love Kula's friendliness and community focus

What Kula groups do you coach?: I coach groups at Zilker Elementary, Casis Elementary, Texas Preparatory School, St. Francis School, Lee Elementary, WAYA (the West Austin Youth Association), and occasionally help with camps and advanced classes at Austin Recreation Center 

Aside from Kula, what do you do?: Aside from Kula, I play and teach cello and violin, play a lot of soccer, and raise a squad of my own children!

Coach Lathan Douglas

Where are you from?: Fort Worth, Texas

When did you start coaching with Kula?:Started in Fall or September of 2024

What is your Martial Arts Experience (style, rank)?: I have a background in Taekwondo to which I started training when I was in 3rd grade up until I was 8th grade (total of 5 years). I received my first degree black belt in LA under GrandMaster Ho Jae Yong focusing on sparring and demo team.

What is your favorite part of Martial Arts: My personal favorite aspect of martial arts is the discipline and dedication it instills. Like any other sport, it requires a high level of commitment—not just to the training itself but to personal growth, both mentally and physically. Martial arts taught me the importance of perseverance, self-control, and the ability to push past limitations, reinforcing the idea that true progress comes from consistency and self-discipline. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through martial arts is the distinction between strength and force. Strength is controlled, intentional, and rooted in discipline, while force is often reckless and unfocused. Many people, especially those without a martial arts background, initially perceive it as just a means of self-defense or combat. However, as time passes and experience grows, it becomes evident that martial arts is about so much more—it’s about respect, patience, and responsibility. The longer you train, the more you understand that martial arts is not something to be taken lightly; it’s a lifelong journey of self-improvement that shapes character just as much as it builds physical skill.

What's your favorite thing about Kula Karate?:Favorite part of Kula is being able to see the kids you teach want to seek more and get better overtime. A lot of kids come for enjoyment, but being able to coach the kids that are invested into martial arts really makes me want to do better.

What Kula groups do you coach?: I coach at Redeemer and Matthews Elementary

Coach Alyssa DeNoia

Where are you from?: I'm from New York

When did you start coaching with Kula?: I started coaching with Kula this January

What is your Martial Arts Experience (style, rank)?: I am a junior black belt in kenpo and a 3rd degree brown belt in Brazilian jujitsu.

What is your favorite part of Martial Arts: My favorite part of martial arts is staying fit and learning how to protect myself.

What's your favorite thing about Kula Karate?: My favorite thing about Kula karate is being able to teach others how to protect themselves and watch them grow stronger everyday.

What Kula groups do you coach?: I teach at Doss, Bryker woods, St. Francis, and Matthew's elementary

Aside from Kula, what do you do?: Aside from Kula I like to go to the gym, go to boxing classes and go line dancing!

Junior Coaches

Junior coaches like Sylvia, Corbin, and Lloyd have participated in Kula for many years and have earned the position of coach! They assist our lead coaches by being an example, making connections with the kids, and adding to the overall energy of our groups!