From comic books to combat
The rise of Coach Therron Coleman
By Joya Ogier
Therron Coleman has been a coach for 10 years, but his journey into martial arts didn’t begin in a gym. It began on the pages of comic books and in the captivation of anime fights.
As a young boy, Coleman spent his time watching old Bruce Lee movies and flipping through the pages of anime stories. As the movie played, he'd mimic the fight scenes.
Today, those moves are done in demonstrations and lesson in a gym where Coleman commands attention.
The rhythm of fists cracking into pads, legs snapping against heavy bags, each hit echoing through the space and vibrating over the bass of the speakers.
The escape that once lived in comic books and TV screens is now a reality.
“At some level I was escaping from my life. Childhood was a rough time for me”
Coleman, local martial artist and trainer, has been training in boxing for 13 years, Muay Thai for 10 years,and jiu-jitsu for five years. A “nerd” for martial arts, Therron said he has a passion for learning in and out of the ring.
Sage-Mode Fitness sits in Crowley, a rural community, just south of Fort Worth. The gym rests on the edge of an old strip mall squeezed between an antique shop, an auto mechanic’s garage and a taco truck. From the outside it seems unassuming, but inside it feels alive.
The heat of the room clings to people. Sweat glistens on the mats. Water bottles and bags line the floor leading to the makeshift rings.
Students crowd the floor, their breath sharp and fast as they attempt to wipe sweat from their brows, refocusing their stance.
This is the space Coleman has created, a place where martial arts become a pathway to confidence, resilience, and personal transformation, for his fighters, his community and his children.
Growing up he was fascinated by animated cartoons where heroes stood up to villains and protected the weak, “I loved the stories of heroes being strong and standing up to evil doers.” But the real turning point came when martial arts shifted from hobby to healing.
“It was more than a hobby when I realized I wasn't depressed when training.”
The gym became the one place where his mind finally felt still.
The name, Sage-Mode Fitness, comes from an anime, Naruto. In the show, Sage Mode is a state achieved by discipline and control, being one with nature. Coleman has adopted that philosophy as a real-life practice.
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His students notice this.
Chase DeShazo, kickboxing student, trusts Coach Theron's teachings because he lives the lifestyle of a martial artist, being calm, open minded and respectful.
“At the same time he pushes you to do better, but it's a different feeling,” DeShazo said.
Coleman said that mindset is essential: “I think carrying a calm mind and spirit into everyday life is what people mean by the martial artist lifestyle."
“I’ve learned to use my breath in a similar way — not to enhance myself, but to think clearly in tough situations.”
His coaching career actually began by accident, he found a part-time job on Indeed, walked in, and “knew how to throw a punch.” What started as opportunity grew into purpose.
“It never feels like a burden to teach”
Before Coleman was a full-time coach he fought in two sanctioned fights and six non-sanctioned, with his last fight in October 2023. The experience shaped him deeply.
The influence of martial arts has given Coleman a level of discipline and confidence, “I’ve battled myself on so many levels, doubts, fears, pressure. I’ve faced them head on in one on one combat so in the other scenarios those emotions don’t seem so intense”
Outside the gym, Coleman is a father of three daughters, ages two, 10 and 21. He said he hopes to coach them, “to make decisions from a calm mind and spirit.”
In his free time, he coaches the 10-year-old’s soccer team. He also enjoys reading, being in nature and meditation, said Coleman.
For students like Yander Muñoz, Therron isn't just a coach, he is like a big brother. With Therron's mentorship, Muñoz credited Therron's foundational teachings in combat sports and the correct mindset that led him to win the prestigious Golden Gloves in 2023.
Nathan Ellisor, a TCU alumni, met “Coach T” through a mutual friend.
“Therron has built my entire foundation when it comes to combat sports,”Ellisor said.
Ellisor currently has a record of 3-0 and has a fight coming up in January 2026.
Due to his experience, his influence carries weight, Ellisor said: “He has been through the fire meaning he has been in the cage or ring and seen a lot of things.”
Over time, Coleman has been more than just a trainer to his students. Students frequently seek his advice on relationships, job stress and life beyond the gym. He meets each conversation with steady patience.
“Mentally he has also made me much stronger. Helping me unlock certain things I didn’t know was there with hard training as well as keeping me disciplined and sharp.”
Now, Coleman is looking toward the next chapter of his journey. With Sage-Mode thriving, he is now focused on growth, not just as a coach but as a business owner.
“In the next few years I hope to expand to a new building, a bigger building with a ring," Coleman said.
What started as a passion for teaching has evolved into a commitment to building something lasting, something that shapes people far beyond the gym walls.
From pages of comic books where heroes leap off the page, Coleman has turned his passion into a real-life story of discipline, growth, and leadership through Sage-Mode Fitness.
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