Altius and The Team

Altius

adverb

  1. comparative degree of altē

    Citius, Altius, Fortius : Faster, Higher, Stronger (motto of the Olympic Games)

We are a fencing academy dedicated to the long-term development of our athletes as both people and competitiors. Our environment is built on the belief that the strip is a training ground for life, where resilience, discipline, and adaptability are discovered through pursuing excellence with a team of people all sharing the same passion.

  • At Altius, we play the long game. We prioritize long-term development over short-term results because we know that true mastery takes time. We embrace the "process"—which includes the setbacks and the losses—as essential steps toward growth. In any difficult situation, we recognize that while we can't always control the score, we can always control our effort and our attitude as we work through it.

  • We win, lose, and grow as a collective. Fencing may be an individual sport on the strip, but at Altius, no one stands alone. We take care of our teammates, understanding that our own growth is fueled by the success and safety of those we train with. We share our victories and our challenges as a club, knowing we are always stronger together.

  • Our name is our mission. Altius is Latin for "Higher." We hold ourselves to a higher standard and refuse to settle for "good enough" in our training or our character. This pursuit of excellence goes beyond the blade; we don't just fence, we strive to reach higher versions of ourselves both on and off the strip.

Ben Parkins

Founder and Head Coach

With over 30 years in the sport, Ben’s journey spans from NCAA Champion at Ohio State to the elite international circuit. Following an attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympic team, Ben transitioned to coaching, spending nearly a decade at the Austin Fencers Club before founding Altius Fencing Academy.

As a Team USA coach at the World Cup level, Ben brings high-level technical expertise to his students in Austin. He has guided fencers to success on regional, national, and international podiums, with many of his athletes continuing their careers at the collegiate level. His approach is rooted in the high-intensity reality of modern competition, focusing on the technical excellence and analytical grit required to win. At Altius, Ben leads through the mission: Process Driven, Team Always, Excellence Pursued.