★ 5

Empower Karate has had such a positive impact on my 4yo son's life! They are teaching him important life skills such as discipline and respect while also having fun! He looks forward to going to class with Coach Meredith and Coach Hayden!

Source: Google

★ 5

I totally recommend this karate for everyone very fun and cool

Source: Google

★ 5

This place is really fun for the kiddos. Miss. Meredith and Mr. Haden are fantastic. We have a 4yo boy and its so cute seeing them all doing exercises together. The instructors really go out of their way to teach each child with their own discipline needs. Oh! Very affordable 😀

Source: Google

★ 5

Came to watch my two grandson’s classes. So impressed with both instructor’s skills in teaching. I would highly recommend !

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith and Coach Hayden each have a true gift for meeting each student where they are. From the shy first timer to encouraging a more experienced student into a leadership role.

Source: Google

★ 5

I have loved watching my son grow and be excited for karate. The coaches are amazing and make each kid feel seen and heard!

Source: Google

★ 5

The level of dedication from these coaches and the confidence my son has gained since being enrolled has a world of difference. We love Empower Karate!

Source: Google

★ 5

Our three-year-old absolutely loves going to Empower Karate! Both coaches are phenomenal with this age level. They are so creative - the lessons look different each week! They are also so great with communication. We highly recommend them!

Source: Google

★ 5

Empower Karate has been a wonderful experience.
Coach Meredith and Hayden are both so dedicated and caring. They make every child feel included and supported. I really appreciate how patient and encouraging they are, always helping the children work on confidence and self-control in such a positive environment.

I’m so thankful for the time and effort they put into every class. Empower Karate truly focuses on helping kids grow both on and off the mat!

Source: Google

★ 5

The way they teach and the way they are with kids is absolutely phenomenal!

Source: Google

★ 5

Really nice people

Source: Google

★ 5

Nice and kid friendly

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Hayden and Coach Meredith are awesome! So personable and make the kids feel welcome, confident and disciplined. My son is learning so much about karate and life.

Source: Google

★ 5

The staff is fantastic. My son is really enjoying the classes as they are more engaging than gym at school. It’s a good time watching the classes.

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith and Coach Hayden are the best. We love Empower Karate so

Source: Google

★ 5

Empower Karate has been great for My Grandson. He’s already ahead of his class and earning stripes consistently.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

🥋💥 My son has only been at Empower Karate in Gainesville for 2 weeks and he is OBSESSED!! He can’t wait to go to class, and seeing his smile when he’s learning new moves is the BEST.

Coaches Meredith and Hayden are amazing — so encouraging, so fun, and they bring out the best in the kids, even my super shy one! In just a short time, we’ve already seen Hilton’s confidence grow, and it makes my mom heart so happy. 🥹❤️

Highly recommend Empower if you’re looking for something positive and exciting for your kiddos!! PS they also offer afterschool pickup! 👏🔥✨

Source: Google

★ 5

I can’t say enough amazing things about this karate school! The instructors are not only incredibly skilled but also patient, encouraging, and genuinely care about every student’s growth, both on and off the mat. The atmosphere feels like one big family, where confidence, discipline, and respect are taught right alongside self-defense.
My best friend has built such a positive, welcoming environment that makes everyone, from beginners to advanced students, feel right at home. If you’re looking for a place that builds strength, character, and community, this is it. I highly recommend it to anyone considering starting their martial arts journey! ♥️🥋✨

Source: Google

★ 5

We have enjoyed learning karate from you so much! All of my kids have learned so much from you and the discipline and instruction you have given them has been phenomenal. Thank you for personalizing their karate classes to maximize their learning !

Source: Google

★ 5

My daughter has the best time at empower karate. The teachers are amazing and really care for the students. I have genuinely seen really great things come from my daughter starting karate with empower.

I 100% send everyone I know to them. You will not be disappointed

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith and Coach Hayden are fantastic with children. My son has ADHD and has focus and behavioral issues. He has been doing great under their guidance so far, and he’s finally found a sport that he enjoys. I wouldn’t want him to go anywhere else. The energy and enthusiasm they give off is perfect for children with focus issues. I would recommend this studio to anyone with children who need help with focus, discipline or character building. Thanks guys!

Source: Google

★ 5

My son started karate a month ago and he is thriving at Empower! The coaches are FANTASTIC! They take the time to get to know each student and meet them where they are. They even sent my son a personalized welcome video and a video to encourage him one day after class. Could not be happier with our experience. If you’re wondering whether or not you should put your child in karate here, DO IT!

Source: Google

★ 5

Meredith is AMAZING! I truly cannot say enough about her. She coached my son from second grade to fifth. She was kind, attentive, fun, but held him accountable and saw the best in him. He excelled during those years because of her coaching skills, but also because of her ability to develop a relationship in which both I and my son knew she has his best interests at heart.

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith has a true passion for coaching her students. She is dedicated to each students growth both on and off the mat.

She has been coaching my son for a few years, and he has learned so much from her. She gave him the extra motivation to keep going, when he was struggling. Now, he is more excited than ever about karate.

I highly recommend Coach Meredith and Coach Hayden if you are looking to join karate. It's so much more than karate, it's discipline, focus, confidence, and respect. These coaches have an amazing skill at teaching every aspect of karate and still make it fun!

Source: Google

★ 5

We love Meredith and the part she had in our daughter Jillian's Karate journey. Always pushed to strive for the best and to give it everything you have to earn your blackbelt. She was part of Jillian's black belt test and there was a part where Meredith had to give Jilly that extra extra boost towards the end to finish strong. And Jilly did, and earned the black belt that she worked so hard for. Wishing Meredith the very best, she is an awesome Coach that will do great things in the karate world.

Source: Google

★ 5

Meredith is a fantastic human. She has coached my two children for a little more than a year, and in that time, I have seen their fitness, determination, skill, and focus improve significantly. They have also bonded with her in a way that I haven't seen before, which has helped them in their sport and life.

We have also worked with Hayden, and he is just as strong. He is a skilled leader who advocates for all his students to be their best.

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Merideth is truly exceptional — patient yet firm, inspiring yet approachable. She has a wonderful way of making each student feel seen and valued while pushing them to do their best. The lessons go beyond martial arts skills — they teach life skills, perseverance, and respect. We’re grateful for the dedication and passion Coach Merideth puts into every class. Highly recommend to any parent looking for a place where their child can grow both physically and mentally

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith is truly something special. She’s young, driven, and so passionate about what she does—and it shows in every single class she teaches. From the moment my son met her during a school demo, he was hooked. He begged me to sign him up for karate, and he’s been excited to go ever since.
Coach Meredith has a gift for connecting with kids. Her energy is so positive and uplifting, and she makes every class fun, engaging, and meaningful. But it’s not just about the punches and kicks—she’s teaching so much more. Confidence, focus, discipline, respect, hard work… these are just some of the values she builds in her students, and I see it reflected in my son every day.

One of the things I admire most is how she encourages her students and truly celebrates their progress—no matter how big or small. She makes every child feel proud of what they’re capable of.

It’s no surprise that both kids and parents absolutely adore her. And now, with her opening her own karate studio—Empower Karate in Gainesville, GA—she’s about to make an even bigger impact. If your child gets the chance to train with Coach Meredith, take it. They will be incredibly lucky to have her in their corner.

While we’re sad to see her go, we couldn’t be more excited and proud of this next chapter in her journey. Coach Meredith, thank you for everything. Keep empowering and shining—this world needs more mentors like you. We love you and will miss you so much! 🖤

Source: Google

★ 5

Cannot express enough how wonderful and professional Meredith and her staff is. The dedication and commitment they have to their students is unmatched. They immediately felt like family!

Source: Google

★ 5

My two children trained with Coach Meredith for several years, and I can say without hesitation that she is one of the most outstanding instructors we’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. From the very beginning, she earned their trust with her warm, supportive approach and incredible ability to connect with kids on their level.

What truly sets her apart is how she empowers her students—not just to excel in karate, but to grow in confidence, discipline, and resilience. Under her guidance, both of my kids have developed not only strong martial arts skills but also life skills that have carried over into school, friendships, and everyday challenges.

She strikes the perfect balance between being encouraging and holding high standards, and her belief in her students pushes them to believe in themselves. The growth we’ve seen in our children—physically, mentally, and emotionally—is remarkable.

We are so grateful for Coach Meredith and couldn’t recommend her more highly. She’s truly one of a kind!

Source: Google

★ 5

I can confidently say that if you are struggling to choose where to take your child, this is the right choice. I’ve been to plenty of dojos and karate schools in different states and the way that Coach Meredith pours into kids is nothing you’ll see anywhere else. It’s not just a karate school, it’s a family. The connections and bonds that she creates with students and families far exceeds just martial arts and sports

In my time not just working with her, and watching her work but more I have been able to see the care she has along with the development she produces is nothing like anything else.

With being doing different styles of martial arts for basically my whole life, competing on a world level, and even growing a verified social media account of my journey to 20k - this is the place you want to be

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith is absolutely amazing! There is not words to describe how amazing of a coach she is. Coach Meredith not only helps kids learn how to do karate, focus, and protect themselves but she also is there for every kid. She’s ready to hear every story, there for every hug and ready to make everyone feel included and loved. She truly turns karate into a family like feel. Coach Meredith helped me earn my Black belt and taught me how to become a better coach. There isn’t enough words to describe how thoughtful and encouraging she is. Empower karate will shape your kids into respectful, supportive, and disciplined people.

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith is amazing!!! She is such a great coach and truly gives everything to her kids. I’ve seen her turn her students into absolute rockstars and turn a dojo into a family. She makes an impact on everyone she meets and truly makes every student feel seen. She is the kindest person I know and is the best coach and mentor!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith is the best! She engages the kids and explains the techniques in a way that helps them break it down so they can replicate the moves. And you can absolutely tell that she loves kids and cares about them. My kiddos absolutely adore her and made significant improvement under her guidance.

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith and coach Hayden at Empower Karate are truly golden!! Coach Meredith has been my instructor for many many years, she has pushed me to become a better person and martial artist on and off the mat. She was with me for much of my 8 year black belt journey and has always inspired me and motivated me to be my best self. Not only is she a wonderful coach but an incredible mentor and I’m so lucky to have been trained by her.

Source: Google

★ 5

I’ve known Meredith and Hayden for about 3/4 years. The patience and drive these two have is amazing. They are kind and have an amazing way of teaching children the aspects of karate along with amazing character and confidence building. I can assure you that if you choose them to teach your children you will not be disappointed. They are amazing people and my kids adore them!

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith and Coach Hayden are great at teaching karate, my grandson learned a lot from them, he is 9 and is in black belt prep, without their help he would not have gotten so far.

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith is a top notch coach. We have known her for a few yrs now. She will teach your kids discipline and respect. Karate is great for everyone to know. It’s always good to be able to protect your self regardless of age. Meredith is kind and compassionate. Your children will learn many valuable skills. Highly recommend.

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Meredith is an awesome coach and mentor. She not only teaches kids the fundamentals of karate, but she also helps to grow the students in confidence and respect. She is an amazing and passionate coach for all belt levels. My daughter absolutely loved and respected her as a coach.

Source: Google