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On a cold night in January, children and young adults of all ages make their way into the Maricle Martial Arts building in downtown Albert Lea for family class.

They take off their jackets and boots, revealing white uniforms, called doboks, and belts in many different colors. Each colored belt signifies the hard work the students have put in to get to the skill level they are at.

The students are called together by teacher and Maricle Martial Arts owner, CJ Maricle, and the class begins.

When Maricle began his martial arts career nine years ago, he attended class at the Alliance of Independent Taekwondo Schools, in Northwood, the city he lived in at the time. He trained under the teacher, Lee Bird.

Maricle began taking over some of the martial arts classes in 2021 when Bird passed away from cancer. Maricle started teaching in Lake Mills the following year.

Eventually, he decided he wanted to open his own martial arts studio.

“I really wanted to expand my horizons,” Maricle said. “I had a lot of ideas in my head … I wanted to see how far I could take them.”

He added one of the biggest reasons he left his old school was because the school had about seven locations and he taught at three of them. However, he was teaching about 90 percent of the student body.

Maricle said his wife, Klarissa, is his biggest supporter, and when he told her he wanted to open his own martial arts studio, she said, “Well, I don’t know how we’re going to do it, but I trust you.”

Maricle officially opened his own studio in October 2023.

There was a period of time between when Maricle opened his martial arts studio and when he acquired a physical location to hold classes.

Before getting its own studio space, Maricle Martial Arts held practice at the Albert Lea Family YMCA. Maricle was eventually able to rent the former Frames-R-Us building in downtown Albert Lea. After a few months spent getting the facility ready, the new studio was open for classes.

Having his own building has been a huge asset to the business, Maricle said. In addition to being more visible, he does not need to spend as much time setting up for classes as mats are permanently on the floor and equipment is stored on site. He also does not have to work around other schedules to get space available for practice.

Maricle is still actively training in martial arts. His teacher is now Randy Milhan from Kick USA Karate in Clear Lake.

Being a student himself, Maricle said, is helpful for him as a teacher because he can experience the mindset of his students when they are learning something new and challenging.

He said one of his favorite parts of the job is seeing something the students thought was impossible become possible.

“I love seeing these students come in and thinking that they can’t do something, and then, in three months, they can do it without even thinking about it,” he said.

He also enjoys the relationships he makes with students’ parents and other martial arts teachers throughout the area.

In addition to Maricle, the studio has a few assistants who help out. Maricle’s daughter helps with classes as well.

Since opening the new building, Maricle Martial Arts has increased by 15 students, bringing the population to 70 students altogether. Maricle said he hopes to get to 100 students in the coming year. Currently, the studio in Albert Lea has the most availability.

Even though Maricle teaches students martial arts, another main focus he teaches is leadership and community involvement. This is a mindset he instills from day one.

About two years into training, he said, when students get to a red belt level, they should be able to lead a class without another teacher having to intervene.

Students also participate in other community events like park cleanup and fundraisers for organizations like the Freeborn County Humane Society or the city’s new inclusive playground.

“One of my biggest pushes was to remain actively involved in the community,” Maricle said.

In January, Maricle encouraged students to join him for the Plunge for the Park at Albert Lea’s Big Freeze event Feb. 8.

In April, Maricle Martial Arts will host its first inner school tournament. Here, students will get to compete against each other.

In 2026, Maricle said he plans to host an open tournament in which other schools will come to Albert Lea and compete.

The best way to learn more about Maricle Martial Arts is by visiting the business’ Facebook page. Maricle also said a website will be up and available soon. People can come and visit the studio in person at 228 S. Broadway as well. Maricle said it is typically open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Maricle Martial Arts will hold an open house this spring with a specific date and time to be determined.