Megan Murphy is a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) with a passion for helping all kids build confidence and self-esteem, as well as physical, cognitive and self-regulation skills. One of her favorite ways to accomplish this is through movement and sports. By combining two of her passions, Megan created Champion Kids Karate.

Megan’s journey in martial arts began when taking her child to karate classes. When her son’s instructor invited her to try sparring in a ring during a challenging season of her life, she jumped at the opportunity and was hooked. She studied Goshen Jitsu for 2 years then moved to San Antonio, where she began studying American Karate. She earned her black belt through Hill Country Karate (HCK) in 2010 and is currently a third degree black belt with over 20 years experience in martial arts. She is a certified instructor with Hill Country Karate, Texas Association of Sport Karate and Superfoot Systems. She has taught adults and children through HCK, sometimes with up to 65 students in a class. She also enjoyed teaching karate classes through Kinetic Kids for two years. Megan placed first at numerous local and national tournaments throughout South Texas. You will see her cheering on her Champion Kids Karate students, as well as competing in sparring events, at local HCK tournaments.

Megan received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Long Beach. She has worked as a professional musician, sales director and professional organizer. After returning to school in 2011, while raising three kids and working part time, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Philips College in 2014. She then began working in pediatric occupational therapy, which captured her heart. Megan has worked in both home health and clinic settings. She loves using her knowledge, skill, intuition and experience to help kids with diverse abilities, as well as educate families to support them in the wide variety of areas addressed by occupational therapy. She hopes they learn as much from her as she learns from them.  

Having raised a child with sensory processing challenges, who also dealt with anxiety, Megan personally saw the positive effects karate had on her child’s well-being. She noticed improved self-esteem and attention, neutralized sensory responses, and increased self-discipline. The structure of the classes helped her child with overall self-regulation skills.

In Megan’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her grown kids, family and friends. She is active in her church and enjoys rowing, mountain biking, music and reading. She believes that caring for our mind, body and spirit promotes a healthy existence in us and around us as we affect our world.