Dr. Aaron T. Barkley a.k.a. “Doc” is a native of Akron, OH. Doc graduated from Copley High School in 1987. From there he went on to attend Kent State University, where he received his B.A. degree in Chemistry in 1992. Doc received a full academic scholarship to attend the Ohio State University School of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in 1996.  Doc married the love of his life Tammy, in 1996, and is the proud father of a daughter and son, both of whom are black belts in their own right. 

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Doc’s first exposure to the martial arts was Judo as a young boy with his older brother. When his brother branched off into Kung Fu, he was given the opportunity to observe and participate in learning the Chinese arts.  Doc’s next martial arts endeavor came when he entered college, where he joined a karate club that taught the Japanese art of Isshin-ryu karate. From Isshin-ryu, on into life and living, Doc’s path would eventually lead him to the Korean arts. He enrolled his children in the World Martial Arts Academy Tae Kwon Do family in 2008, and he later joined in 2009.  Doc would earn his 1st degree Black Belt in 2010, his 2nd degree in 2012 (the same year his children earned their 1st degree Black Belts), and his 3rd degree in 2015. During his tenure with the World Martial Arts Academy, Doc made some great friends, formed some life-long alliances, and with that made a decision in 2017, to partner with some of his martial arts family to help start Apex Martial Arts Traditional Tae Kwon Do. “I love growth…good positive growth. And I see being a part of Apex as an opportunity to grow physically, mentally, spiritually, and as a family.”