A woman with blonde hair smiling and holding a wooden sign that reads 'Igniting Strength' against a plain white background.

Meet our founder

Tracy Dickey

Tracy Dickey is the founder of Empty Hand Open Heart, a 5th degree black belt and Renshi in traditional Isshinryu karate, and the owner of East Plano Martial Arts. For more than two decades, she has blended her love of martial arts with her calling to walk alongside women healing from domestic violence and sex trafficking. Through weekly volunteer work in shelters, faith-filled service in her church and community, and the creation of Empty Hand Open Heart, Tracy has helped hundreds of women rebuild both inner courage and practical self-defense skills. Rooted in Christ and devoted to her family, she leads with quiet strength, deep compassion, and unwavering dedication to helping women move from fear to freedom.

Get to know Tracy
  • Three people in martial arts uniforms standing together inside a pavilion with trees outside. The man on the left and the woman on the right wear black belts, and the young woman in the middle has a black belt with colorful patches. They are smiling.
  • A young girl and an older woman smiling and holding a wooden plaque at a martial arts event, both wearing karate uniforms.
  • Group of martial artists in white uniforms, some holding gifts and medals, posing indoors on a green mat.
  • An older woman with short blonde hair and three young children in martial arts uniforms, holding certificates, smiling inside a martial arts studio.
  • Group of eight martial artists in gi uniforms posing together inside a dojang, with trees and flags in the background.

Meet the Board

Our board is made up of incredible individuals whose lives have been personally touched by our mission and shaped by the discipline of karate. Most are longtime black belt instructors at our East Plano Martial Arts dojo, each with years of training poured into teaching others to stand strong, not shrink back.

They serve on this board as volunteers, offering their time, gifts, and experience to help guide the nonprofit and expand our reach into the community. Each member is here because this work is deeply personal to them—and because they believe that combining self-defense, compassion, and faith can transform fear into strength for those we’re called to serve.

“I encountered many types of abuse in my life, and lived in so much fear. I felt broken, but that is not where my story ends…”

“I believe God has given us all a purpose in life with special gifts for us to help impact others. These gifts are molded by our experiences, and the things we’ve seen in this world.

My personal journey has been riddled with hardships. I encountered many types of abuse in my life, and lived in so much fear. I felt broken, but that is not where my story ends - I was saved, and I live a life now that fills me with so much joy.

My healing started with my martial arts training, and I’m compelled to share that knowledge. With each person I teach, I know I am able to make a difference in this world to make it a better place, and I continue to heal.

I want other victims to know that there are people in this world with compassion, love, and kindness, and that there is a way out for them to live their lives. It is my adamant goal to help them find their strength and courage once again, and help them transform into the amazing individuals they can be.”

~Tracy Dickey, Founder