A&M–San Antonio alum Michelle Titzman and her family will appear on ABC’s Shark Tank tonight to pitch their company, Warrior Kid Medic. Viewers will soon find out whether they struck out with the Sharks or landed an investment that could turn their startup dream into an international success.
Michelle and her husband, Dustin, a former San Antonio firefighter, paramedic, Army Reservist, and Blackhawk pilot, officially launched Warrior Kid Medic in 2023 after years of development.
A 2012 graduate of A&M–San Antonio with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in business, Michelle had originally planned to open a summer camp in Texas. But after a series of connections led her to Florida, she founded Camp SkyWay at Santa Rosa Beach, offering games, crafts, and outdoor adventures.
As the camp grew, she asked Dustin to help. He developed an outdoor living skills program that included first aid training.
“We realized how capable these kids were and what they could accomplish if they felt empowered,” said Michelle.
That program evolved into the first version of Warrior Kid Medic, designed to teach children real-life emergency response skills—tourniquet use, wound care, CPR, and more.
“When Dustin worked as a firefighter, there were so many times he’d show up to a scene and think, ‘If someone had just acted, a life could have been saved,’” Michelle said. “We wanted to train kids to be a calm presence with common sense in an emergency.”
The idea quickly caught on with campers and parents. Dustin began creating training videos and multitool medical kits with clear, simple instructions. Soon, he was offering Warrior Kid Medic sessions at schools, nonprofits, and community organizations—training more than 500 kids and adults to date.
The Titzmans’ own children, Penelope (10), Everly (8), Adeline (6), and Stokes (4), also took part.
“It’s been incredible watching our kids use what they’ve learned,” Michelle said. “If they’re riding their bikes or climbing a tree and someone happens to fall or scrape their knee, they have the skills to take care of themselves and their friends. It’s just such a cool empowerment tool.”
In August 2024, Dustin made the leap to retire from the San Antonio Fire Department to focus on the company full-time. Michelle said their strong spiritual faith gave them the confidence to take the risk.
Their next big step came when they showcased Warrior Kid Medic at the American Camp Association National Conference, where the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“People kept telling us, ‘You need to go on Shark Tank,’” Michelle recalled. “Honestly, our finances weren’t great—Dustin had just retired—but we decided to go for it.”
What followed was a whirlwind trip to Philadelphia for open auditions, joined by thousands of hopeful entrepreneurs. The Titzman kids were also all in, studying the show, practicing the pitch, and preparing for their big moment.
“We were in this huge hotel ballroom surrounded by all these go-getters,” Michelle said. “The kids were excited but also a little intimidated.”
Michelle credits A&M–San Antonio with helping her prepare for the opportunity.
“When we wrote our Shark Tank script, I used so many of the skills and concepts I learned at A&M–San Antonio in classes like media law, scriptwriting, and journalism,” she said. “That education really shaped me, and I’m incredibly grateful.”
The first audition was anticlimactic as the family presented to a single person seated behind an eight-foot table. “They just said, ‘Thanks, we’ll call if you make it,’” Michelle laughed. “Then we walked away.”
But a few weeks later, they got the call, and in June, the family headed to Los Angeles to tape their episode. Michelle can’t share the outcome just yet but described the experience as unforgettable.
“Watching our kids work together—studying, practicing, and supporting one another—was amazing,” she said. “They really created a bond. And through it all, I got to hold my husband’s hand. It was such a joyful, emotional experience.”
When the episode airs tonight, Michelle will be watching with family, friends, and community members in her hometown of Jourdanton, just outside San Antonio.
“No matter what happens, we’re so proud of what we’ve built together as a family,” she said. “It’s been an incredible journey, and this is only the beginning.”
The Shark Tank episode featuring the Titzmans will air Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 9 p.m. CST on ABC. The episode will stream on Hulu the next day.