Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 25 | Issue 1

MartialArtsWorldNews.com VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1

The #1 Business Resource for the Martial Arts Industry

GRANDMASTER

CLINTON ROBINSON

The Legacy of an Educator and Entrepreneur

Empowering Lives Through The Martial Arts

Martial Arts Entertainment

to Flourish in 2025!

The 2024 AMAA Who’s Who in the Martial Arts

Hall of Honors Awards Banquet

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CONTENTS

FEATURES

26 Exciting New Launch:

ATLAS Member Direct Student

Communication Mobile App

30 How Do You Expect the New

Administration to Affect Your

Martial Arts School Business?

34 The 2024 AMAA Who’s Who in

the Martial Arts Hall of Honors

Awards Banquet

38 Grandmaster Clinton Robinson:

The Legacy of an Educator and

Entrepreneur Empowering Lives

Through The Martial Arts

105 FREE Tool of the Month

DEPARTMENTS

14 Industry Insights

15 Birthdays

18 Industry Innovations

22 Social 411

58 School Profiles

71 Classified Ads

114 Advertiser Index

YOUR INPUT

65 Feature Your School,

Organization, Accomplishment,

or Event

75 Tell Us Your Story

COLUMNS

6 Editorial

What Gets Measured, Gets Managed

Master Toby Milroy

8 Martial Arts World News Faculty

12 Teamwork

How to Ask for Referrals

Hanshi Dave Kovar

62 The Millionaire Smarts Coach

Mastering Mindset for Profitable Success (Part 2)

Ms. Lee Milteer

64 Innovation

Virtual Reality in Martial Arts: The Future is Now (Part 1)

Master Dan Segarra

66 After School Excellence

Make Dollars or Make a Difference? An after school

program can change your life.

Grandmaster Mike Bugg

68 Growth Hacks

10 Things You Need to Focus on in 2025 (Part 1)

Mr. Sean Lee

70 Ninja Business Tactics

The Beauty of Dissatisfaction

An-Shu Stephen Hayes

72 Extraordinary Marketing

Direct Response Marketing

Grandmaster Stephen Oliver

74 Pillars of Success

3 Steps to Build Corporate Leadership (Part 3b)

Grandmaster Y. K. Kim

78 Staff Development

The 3 Stages of BUSHI BAN Martial Arts Learning &

Development

Master Zulfi Ahmed

80 The Way of the Samurai

Zanshin – Eight Directions of Awareness (Part 4)

Shihan Dana Abbott

82 Mastering Modern BJJ

The Art of Pacing for Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

For Life (Part 1)

Master Carlos Machado

4 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1

STAFF

86 Next Level Strategy

Remember the old saying Hard Work Pays Off?

Shihan Allie Alberigo

88 Mind Mastery

Using Social Media and Magazine Marketing to

Boost Your Martial Arts School (Part 2)

Grandmaster Jessie Bowen

90 Instructional Excellence

Teaching Adolescents

Grandmaster Tim McCarthy

94 Budo Philosophy

The Inner Outer Key

Shidoshi Alfredo Tucci

96 Complete Martial Arts Concepts

Kata Routine - A Path to Personal Expression

and Inner Peace (Part 2)

Professor Willie “the Bam” Johnson

98 Master the Basics

Take a Lesson From Bank Robbers

Master Tina Bane

100 Business Buzz

Mastering the Art: 15 Tips for Teaching Martial Arts

to Adults (Part 1)

Grandmaster Lawrence Arthur

102 Martial Arts Philosophy

Early Texas Dojo

Sensei Gary Lee

104 Management Excellence

What Is the Future of the Martial Arts?

Grandmaster Kirk Pelt

106 The Warrior Way

The Power of Attitude

Grandmaster Bill Clark

108 Tactical Self-Defense

Executive Defense Training

Grandmaster Tom Patire

110 Tools & Tactics

Start Strong: 3 Winning Promotions to Ignite Your

Martial Arts School in the New Year

Ms. Chris Lee

VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1

PUBLISHER

Master Toby Milroy

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mr. Sean Lee

MANAGING EDITOR

Mr. Jeff Reulbach

ART DIRECTOR

Mr. Frank Meyer

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Mr. Amen Blue

WEB DEVELOPER

Ms. Erin Pham

COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTORS

Shihan Dana Abbott

Grandmaster Zulfi Ahmed



Master Tina Bane





Professor Willie “The Bam” Johnson


Hanshi Dave Kovar

Ms. Chris Lee

Sensei Gary Lee

Mr. Sean Lee



Ms. Lee Milteer

Master Dan Segarra





The mission of Martial Arts World

News Magazine is to be the definitive

source for information, news, education,

ethical business practices,

product reviews and innovative

developments in the world of martial

arts business.

Martial Arts World

News does not accept

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we expressly disclaim

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MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1 5

EDITORIAL

What Gets Measured,

Gets Managed

by Master Toby Milroy

As we kick off the new year, I reflect on some of the things that have made the

biggest impact on my own business(s) and life.

One of the concepts that’s been a driving force in almost every

innovation or positive revolution in my systems has been this concept

of making good decisions based on good ‘data’.

I’m reminded of a ‘goals’ from one of my favorite ‘mentors

at a distance’ Brian Tracy, who draws an analogy for someone

who has no goal in mind, to a hunter standing at the edge of the

forest wearing a blindfold. He shoots an arrow, blindly, into the

woods, and thinks to himself “Boy, I hope something good runs

into that arrow!”.

So many schools that I work with seem to fall into this same

mindset. They identify that their school is not producing the revenue

they’d like, or the students aren’t accomplishing the results

they’d want, but tend to go off ‘willy nilly’ changing things to fix

the problem. It’s GREAT to be an action taker, but ‘random’ action

seldom makes a positive impact on the problem at hand.

As an example, I was working with a school operator

several months ago who was ‘stuck’ at 140 students

and had been stuck at this level for nearly 15 years.

As we discussed what he ‘thought’ the issues were,

he was convinced that his community simply wouldn’t

‘support’ more than 140 students for some mysterious,

ethereal reason he couldn’t understand. He called it a

‘fishbowl’ problem, where the school would

only be able to grow ‘just so big’ in this current

location in that particular community.

Well, if you’ve been following along

with me for any period of time over my

career in the Martial Arts, you’ll likely be

able to guess what my next few questions

were.

I asked, “Ok, so let’s set that aside

for a moment, what is your current student retention rate?”

“I don’t know…..but I have some students that have been here

for 15 years, so I’d say it’s really good!”

“Ok, how many leads are you generating each month?”

“I’m not sure. We have a few walk-ins a week, so maybe 15 or so

each month?”

“I see, so how many intros are you doing each month, and on

average, how many enroll each month?”

“I’m not really sure….but I enroll virtually everyone who’s qualified

and wants to train. That’s maybe 5 or 6 a month”

My general analysis at this point is that this school operator,

who is a WONDERFUL human being by the way, could not be a

nicer more genuine, DEDICATED Martial Artist, really had no idea

what’s happening in his school, so he’s now become ‘comfortable’

blaming this mysterious ‘fishbowl’ effect, because he just doesn’t

know where to ‘fix’ things.

After we’d worked together for a few weeks, and installed some

good tracking systems in his processes, what we found was shocking

to him. It turns out that his student drop out rate was horrendous,

and his intro to enrollment conversion rate was horrible.

We went to work re-building his introductory process, and

focusing on student retention systems. Over just a few months,

He added more than 80 new students to the school, getting his

active count to just over 200, and reduced the dropout rate by

50%. While there is STILL a LOT of work to do with this school, just

these improvements have made a life changing impact on him, his

school, and his family.

All this growth started with a simple principle; You’ve got to

know your numbers to grow your numbers.

If you need any help getting these types of systems installed in

your school give my team a call at 1-800-275-1600. We can help!

MASTER TOBY MILROY is a 6th degree black belt. Known as “The Master Systemizer,” Master Toby Milroy

has positively influenced more martial arts schools than anyone in our industry. He has built a successful multi-school

organization, lead the national trade association for the martial arts industry, and coached some of the most successful

martial arts school operators in the world.


OUR EXPERT FACULTY

6

Master Toby Milroy

is a 6th degree Black Belt, the CEO and

Publisher of Martial Arts World News

Magazine, and the Executive Vice

President for AMS. In addition to building

a successful multi-school organization,

Master Milroy has positively influenced

more martial arts schools than virtually

anyone in our industry.

12

Hanshi Dave Kovar

is an 8th degree black belt and recognized

as the “Trainer of Trainers.” Hanshi

Kovar is an internationally acclaimed

instructor with black belt degrees in ten

different martial arts styles. His systems

have been implemented in hundreds of

schools around the US.

66


is a 9th degree black belt and the owner

of a 1.5 million-per-year location, with one

of the largest after school and summer

camp programs in the country.

68

Mr. Sean Lee

is the Executive Director of Sales and

Marketing for hundreds of martial arts

schools and specializes in online and social

media marketing using his extensive

professional experience in sports and

martial arts marketing, contract negotiation,

and investment.

62

Ms. Lee Milteer

is an Intuitive Business Coach, awardwinning

professional speaker, and TV

personality who has counseled and

trained over a million people throughout

her career. Lee is Stephen Oliver’s

Martial Arts Wealth Mastery’s Millionaire

Smarts Coach and is also a best-selling

author of educational resources.

64

Master Dan Segarra

is a 9th Degree Black Belt who is a world

renown and respected authority and

one of the highest rank Americans in the

Korean Martial Arts. He has a very innovative

mind when it comes to curriculum

and school presentation.He has authored

several books and has been featured in

various Martial Arts Magazines.

70


has authored more than 20 books,

worked as a bodyguard for the Dalai

Lama, supervised over 30 school locations

worldwide, and was named, "One of

the 10 Most Influential Living Martial Artists

in the World" by Black Belt Magazine.

72


is a 9th degree black belt and is the

founder and CEO of Mile High Karate

schools, and founder of the Martial Arts

Wealth Mastery Program.


OUR EXPERT FACULTY

74


is the most successful martial arts business

leader in the US, having written

over 30 books on martial arts, business,

leadership, and success. He has won

numerous public service awards and is

the founder of the leading martial arts

marketing and management company in

the US.

78


has amassed acclaim as a world-class

competitor, martial arts educator, and is

most notably founder and designer of

the internationally renowned style, Bushi

Ban. With over 45 years of martial arts

experience and over 300 martial arts

awards, his schools include ten locations

across Texas.

80

Shihan Dana Abbott

is a 7th degree black belt in Kenjutsu,

starting his 14-year education in Tokyo.

He has published five books and designed

a US Patent. Abbott has also

conducted seminars in over 30 countries

and obtained his black belt at the Hombu

dojo in Yokohama. He currently offers

online classes on LearntheSword.com

82


is one of the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu

Jitsu in the US. Currently a Coral Belt, and

promoted to Black Belt by Carlos Gracie

Junior, Carlos Machado came to the US in

the early 1990’s with his brothers where

they formed the RCJ Machado Jiu Jitsu

Association, one of the strongest & growing

BJJ organizations in the world today.

86


is a 7th degree black belt, the founder

of the L.I. Ninjutsu Centers, one of the

largest Ninjutsu schools on the planet,

the author of 4 books, and an entrepreneur

with one of the first online coaching

companies (TakingItToTheNextLevel.com).

88


is President of Karate International of

Durham, Inc., a member of the American

Martial Arts Association Sport Karate

League and Hall of Fame, and has been

a member of the Duke University PE Staff

for over 25 years. He is the author of Zen

Mind-Body Mindfulness Meditation and

Zen Mind-Body Mindfulness Meditation for

Martial Arts.

90


is a 9th degree black belt and is a martial

arts educator with a master’s degree in

education. He has been instrumental

in developing two industry-changing

programs, and has directed and been

featured in hundreds of martial arts videos

and webinars.

94


is the CEO and General Manager of the

Budo International Publishing Company,

a leading publisher in the martial arts

with over 35 years in the industry. He

is also author of several books: The

Immaterial Dimension, The Way of the

Warrior, and The Spirit. He currently lives

in Valencia, Spain.


OUR EXPERT FACULTY

96

Professor Willie “The BAM” Johnson

is a 7th degree black belt and seven-time

sport karate and Kung-Fu world champion.

He has appeared in four movies,

16 plays, and 11 television shows. He is

also the national spokesperson for the

Stronger than Drugs Foundation and the

Champions Against Drugs.

104


is a 9th degree black belt and is the

President of a multimillion-dollar, multischool

organization, has a 30-year track

record of success, and is currently on the

leading edge of martial arts curriculum

and business innovation.

98

Master Tina Bane

is a 7th degree master instructor and

owner of a Top Ten martial arts school

with successful after school and summer

camp programs.

100


is a martial artist specializing in Karate,

Kung Fu, Kenpo, Shoto-kan, and Gojurue,

with 40 Super Kick Karate locations,

and founder of AFKA. World champion

Lawrence also runs the Black Belt Success

Systems consulting firm, training

martial arts instructors on proper business

practices in schools all over the country.

102

Sensei Gary Lee

the American Samurai, is a 9th Dan black

belt, a USA Karate Federation gold medalist,

winner of five Super Grand National

Titles, a featured actor in the movie Sidekicks,

and is the founder of the National

Sport Karate Museum.

106


is a 9th degree black belt and a former

PKA Fighter of the year. He is widely

considered one of the top experts in martial

arts business with over 40 years of

leadership and innovation, having been

inducted into almost every Hall of Fame

in the industry. He is one of the largest

multi-school owners in the world.

108


is known as “America’s Leading Personal

Safety Expert” and has appeared on

Good Morning America, The CBS Morning

Show, The Colbert Report, Montel,

plus in mainstream publications such as

Family Circle, Redbook, Fortune Magazine,

and The Wall Street Journal.

110

Ms. Chris Lee

is a martial arts business development

consultant with a background in online

and social media marketing.


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TEAMWORK

How to Ask for Referrals

by Hanshi Dave Kovar

In my travels and communications with school owners,

I frequently get asked what’s the latest and greatest marketing

strategy that we’re using in our schools to generate new members.

I love hearing that because I believe strongly that it is important to

pay attention to what’s going on outside of the dojo. It’s exciting

because there are new methods of promoting your school - primarily

the Internet - that were unavailable just a few years ago.

With that said, many of my students (and probably yours as

well) come from the referrals by existing members. We all know

how much easier it is to enroll someone when their friend is

already in the program. This month, I want to focus on how to

maximize your referrals.

To begin with, we need to remember that to get a referral two

things have to happen. First off, the student must believe in our

program. They need to be a raving fan. No

one will refer a friend to a program that

they view as mediocre. Next, you have

to be willing to ask your students for

referrals. I am amazed by the fact that,

however simple this may seem, many

instructors just simply forget to do

this or don’t feel comfortable doing it.

Now let’s review a few guidelines

that will help you in your quest for

referrals. I like to keep the following

acronym in mind – ABTR.

This stands for “Always

Be Thinking Referrals.”

When you have this

mindset you’ll be surprised

at how many

referral opportunities

will present themselves

to you.

Next, make sure

to constantly work on

developing relationships

with parents and

students. First, you should do this because it is the right thing to

do. Secondly, it makes asking for referrals much easier when you

already have a relationship in place. Whenever possible, ask leading

questions regarding their experience, “How has your training

benefited you / your family / your child, etc.?”

If you get a lukewarm answer, don’t ask for a referral. Instead,

find out what the challenge is and then do your best to turn them

back into a raving fan. On the other hand, if you get an enthusiastic

response then the referral conversation will be much easier.

Here are a couple of referral guidelines to work with:

Ask permission: “Would you mind talking about the possibility

of you referring a friend?” Or “Do you have a friend or family

member who would benefit from the program?” If yes, then ask,

“Great, who would that be? Can I give you a guest pass to share

with them?” Finally, make sure to follow up the next time you see

them by saying, “By the way, did you ever get a chance to give

_______ a guest pass?”

Another important thing to remember is that whenever you

find yourself conversing in the stands with parents, make sure to

ask them if they have ever been interested in training themselves

someday. Make sure not to bug them if they’re not interested in

personally training. Instead, thank them for their family’s participation

in the program. On the other hand, if they say they’re interested

but they are not ready to enroll at that moment, just politely

ask them for permission to bug them in the future. If they say yes,

remind them every now and then that you have a uniform that will

fit them perfectly.

If you’ve never had a referral system in place, this concept

can seem quite overwhelming. It might seem hard to figure out

where to start. An easy way to begin is to simply ask one student

or parent a day for a referral. Within a few months you will talk to

everyone and then you simply start the process over again.

Finally, remember that although we want to always be thinking

about referrals, we never want to be too pushy. Soft selling is

always a better long-term approach. And we’re all in this for the

long haul.

HANSHI DAVE KOVAR is an 8th degree black belt and recognized as the “Trainer of Trainers.” Hanshi

Dave Kovar is an internationally acclaimed instructor with black belt degrees in ten different martial arts styles. His

systems have been implemented in hundreds of schools around the US.


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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

The 2025 Year of

Legends Movie

Releases (Part 1)

A Legend takes audiences on a thrilling journey where

dreams and reality collide. Archeologist Professor Chen, played by

Jackie Chan, stumbles upon artifacts in a glacier that eerily resemble

a jade pendant from his dreams. Believing the pendant holds a mystical

connection to the past, Chen leads his students on an expedition

deep into the enigmatic Glacier Temple. What begins as a quest

for truth unravels into a perilous adventure filled with breathtaking

discoveries, ancient secrets, and life-threatening challenges.

As a sequel to the 2005 epic The Myth, the film continues its

blend of fantasy, archaeology, and timeless romance, moving from

icy landscapes to ancient battlefields in an awe-inspiring tale that

spans centuries. With dazzling action sequences and a mystery

rooted in both history and imagination, A Legend promises to captivate

viewers in a stunning exploration of destiny and the power

of dreams with a release date in United States on January 21, 2025

on DVD, and streaming at a later date. Since the movie will be on

DVD and streaming later it would be great for an in-school bring

a friend movie night promotion to boost retention and gain new

prospects.


INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Martial Arts Celebrity Birthdays

January

January 1. ..................... Yuen Woo-ping

January 6 ..................... Richard Norton

January 7. ........................Jhoon Rhee*

January 14. ...........Willie “The Bam” Johnson

January 16. ..................... Dennis Brown

January 25. ..................... Ron Van Clief

January 30. .................. Lawrence Arthur

February

February 1. ...................... Allie Alberigo

February 5 .......................... Tony Jaa

February 12. ......... Grand Master Soon Ho Lee

February 12. ....................Ernie Reyes Sr.

February 21. ....................... Joe Corley

February 22 ............Michael DePasquale Jr.*

February 24 .................. Robert Goldman

*Deceased


INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

The 2025 Year of

Legends Movie

Releases (Part 2)

Karate Kid: Legends promises to be an

electrifying blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling. Set

in the interconnected “Miyagi-verse,” the film bridges

the legacy of the original Karate Kid trilogy and the 2010

remake while carving a bold new path. The story follows

Li, a talented young martial artist uprooted from Beijing

to Brooklyn, where he confronts personal tragedy and

cultural change. Under the guidance of Mr. Han (Jackie

Chan) and with the unexpected arrival of Daniel LaRusso

(Ralph Macchio), Li embarks on a transformative journey

that tests his spirit, challenges old teachings, and

reshapes his destiny. With epic mentorship battles and

deep emotional stakes,

Karate Kid: Legends is set to deliver a cinematic experience

that will thrill fans old and new. Karate Kid: Legends is

scheduled to be released on May 30, 2025. With the movie

being in theaters, it could be used in partnership with a local

theater for a movie night promotional event at a theater

to increase retention and gain new leads and enrollments.


Discover the World of Budo the Karate Mouse at

BudoTheMouse.com

For Martial Arts Instructors and Children

Budo the Karate Mouse is an animated character that will help to Unlock Your Potential! Perfect

for martial arts instructors looking to inspire young minds, improve instruction, and elevate

retention. For children,Budo is a companion to grow with on a journey of self-discovery and

personal improvement along the path to their black belts.

Budo Books

Buy Paperback Book Dive into Budo’s first adventure and discover how he started his

martial arts journey. A perfect read to motivate and teach valuable life lessons.

Buy Digital Version Get your digital copy of Budo: The Mouse and the Quest for

Courage. Enjoy the tale of bravery and perseverance anytime, anywhere.

Buy Activity Book Keep the fun going with our Activity Book! Filled with

coloring pages, puzzles, crafts, games, and even meditation exercises.

Budo’s Store

• T-shirts • Long Sleeve Shirt • Hoodies • Mugs

Show your love for Budo with our exclusive merchandise.

Stylish and perfect for everyday wear or gifting!

Coming Soon

The Warrior’s Workbook: An augmented reality adventure that can change your life.

Stay tuned for this exciting new release!

Budo the Karate Mouse Social Platforms

YouTube Videos: Watch The Quest for Courage Part 1 and Part 2

on YouTube and join Budo on his exciting adventures.

Facebook and Instagram Posts: Stay updated with the latest news and wisdom from Budo.

Follow us for regular updates and insights!

Video Games (Playable on All Devices)

• Budo’s Word Find

• Budo’s Memory Game

• Budo’s Crossword

Engage with Budo in a fun and educational way through

our range of video games, playable on all devices.

INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS

Unlock the Secret to Powerful Marketing

for Your Martial Arts School

In the competitive world of martial arts, standing out isn’t just about mastering

techniques—it’s about reaching the right audience with a message that resonates.

Enter the ATLAS Marketing Studio: the ultimate tool for martial arts school owners who

want to supercharge their marketing efforts and attract more students effortlessly.

Imagine having a professional marketing designer at your

fingertips—without the hefty price tag or time drain. That’s exactly

what ATLAS Marketing Studio delivers. Whether you’re creating

eye-catching social media posts, compelling flyers, or dynamic

posters, this platform has everything you need to build your

school’s brand and grow your student base.

What Makes ATLAS Marketing Studio a Game-

Changer?

1. Custom Designs in Minutes

Say goodbye to hours spent struggling with design tools. Start

with expertly crafted templates and customize them with just a few

clicks to match your school’s unique personality and message.

2. Budget-Friendly Excellence

Professional design doesn’t have to break the bank. With AT-

LAS, you gain access to high-quality, ready-to-go marketing materials

that fit your budget, letting

you focus your resources on

enhancing your school.

3. Time-Saving Simplicity

Running a martial arts

school is demanding. ATLAS

lets you create stunning, professional

campaigns in minutes,

so you can get back to doing

what you do best—training students

and growing your school.

Ready to Level Up Your Marketing?

Transform your school’s visibility with intuitive tools that turn

your ideas into impactful campaigns. Whether you’re promoting a

special event, a seasonal discount, or a new class offering, ATLAS

Marketing Studio makes it easy to create designs that grab attention

and drive enrollment.

The journey to a more prosperous, thriving martial arts school

starts with smart marketing. And with ATLAS Marketing Studio by

your side, the possibilities are endless. Dive in, explore, and start

building your next winning campaign today.

Make your marketing as powerful as

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A Tool Designed for

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We teach Character through Karate

Kickstart Kids is an award winning in-school

character development program that uses

karate to teach life-changing values to middle

school and high school students. The non-profit

organization was founded in 1990 by martial

artist, actor, and philanthropist Chuck Norris.

For employment opportunities or to find out

how you can help support this great cause, visit

kickstartkids.org

KickStartKids.org

INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS

Bluesky: The Decentralized Platform

Revolutionizing Social Media for Martial

Arts School Owners?

In 2019, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey envisioned a social

media platform that would break free from controversy-driven

algorithms and centralized control. This vision materialized in

Bluesky, a decentralized platform designed to return control to

users. Today, Bluesky is growing rapidly, with over 24 million users

and a mission to empower individuals to own their digital identities

across platforms. For martial arts school owners, Bluesky offers

an opportunity to redefine their online engagement strategies and

build stronger connections with their communities.

A Platform Beyond Social Media

Bluesky’s ambitions extend beyond being a Twitter alternative.

Its unique AT Protocol enables users to move their identities seamlessly

across various platforms, including social media, forums, and

even dating apps. According to Bluesky COO Rose Wang, “You

own your identity on Bluesky versus having the platforms own

your identity.”

This shift aligns with the growing demand for distributed control

in online spaces. Users are increasingly seeking platforms that

prioritize their autonomy over data ownership and content moderation.

Shannon McGregor, a media scholar, highlights this trend

as part of a broader migration away from platforms controlled by

single entities or billionaires.

For martial arts school owners, this decentralized model represents

a chance to create authentic, community-driven interactions

without being tethered to algorithmic constraints or platform

limitations.

Benefits for Martial Arts School Owners

Bluesky’s decentralized structure offers unique advantages

that align with the needs of martial arts businesses:

• Own Your Identity: Build a consistent brand presence across

platforms while maintaining control over your data and

interactions. This can be particularly valuable for schools that

prioritize transparency and trust in their relationships with

students and parents.

• Engage Niche Communities: Reach martial arts enthusiasts,

parents, and local communities more effectively by tapping

into targeted, user-driven content channels.

• Foster Positive Spaces: Create a moderated environment

where the values of discipline, respect, and growth are upheld—perfect

for martial arts schools looking to extend their

culture online.

• Flexibility Across Platforms: Use Bluesky as a hub for marketing

campaigns that seamlessly integrate with other platforms

like Reddit, Goodreads, or even niche apps.

How to Leverage Bluesky for Your School

1. Showcase Your Brand: Share videos, class highlights, and

student achievements in a way that feels organic and personalized.

Bluesky’s user-first approach ensures your content reaches

the audience that matters most.

2. Build Community Loyalty: Engage parents, students, and

prospects through interactive discussions, event updates, and

inspiring stories that reflect the values of martial arts.

3. Collaborate with Peers: Form partnerships with other

martial arts schools or instructors to co-host online events or share

resources, benefiting from Bluesky’s seamless, decentralized

structure.

4. Adapt to a Changing Digital Landscape: With the tech

sector facing scrutiny over anticompetitive practices, platforms like

Bluesky are positioned to thrive as viable alternatives to Big Tech

monopolies. Martial arts school owners can take advantage of this

trend by being early adopters of decentralized platforms.

A Shift in Social Media’s Future

Bluesky stands out among alternative platforms by offering real

potential for growth and innovation. Unlike platforms like Parler,

Gab, or Mastodon, which cater to specific political or ideological

groups, Bluesky aims to serve diverse communities with varying

goals and values.

As the digital landscape continues to shift under regulatory pressures

and user demand for decentralized control, Bluesky is poised

to be a trailblazer in shaping the future of social media. For martial

arts school owners, this means an opportunity to reclaim control

over their digital presence, build stronger communities, and grow

their schools in alignment with the core principles of martial arts.

In a fragmented social media world, does Bluesky offers

martial arts school owners the tools to attrract and retain more

students? Time will tell, but we’ll stay on top of this emerging

technology for you!


Illustration by wassam siddique

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SOCIAL 411

3 Ways You Can Enhance Social Media

Marketing with Analytics (Part 2)

Continued from the last issue

2. Increase Engagement and Build Loyalty

When your social media content aligns with what your audience

cares about, you’ll naturally see higher engagement. But it doesn’t

stop there—engagement builds trust and loyalty.

For instance, imagine you post a video showcasing a student

earning their black belt. It resonates with parents who value

dedication and perseverance. Through social media analytics, you

notice that this post received a higher number of likes, comments,

and shares than others. This tells you that stories of student success

are a key interest for your audience.

By identifying what types of content connect with your followers,

you can post more of it, encouraging deeper interaction and

fostering a sense of community around your school. The more

engaged your audience is, the more likely they are to share your

posts, recommend your school, and stay loyal to your brand.

3. Optimize Your Marketing and Maximize ROI

Social media analytics allow you to track important metrics like

click-through rates (how many people clicked your link), conversion

rates (how many people signed up), and follower growth. These

insights help you understand which marketing efforts are driving

the most new student enrollments.

For example, if you notice that Instagram posts with student

testimonials lead to a higher number of trial class sign-ups, you can

focus on creating more of that content. Maybe your ads promoting

free self-defense workshops generate a lot of clicks but not as

many sign-ups—analytics will show you this so you can tweak your

messaging or targeting to improve conversions.

As a martial arts school owner, knowing your ROI for each

campaign allows you to allocate your marketing budget more effectively.

You can invest more in strategies that work and cut back

on those that don’t, making every dollar count.

Social media analytics are an essential tool for martial arts

school owners who want to grow their business strategically.

Whether you’re looking to boost engagement, increase student

enrollments, or simply understand what content resonates with

your audience, these tools can help you make data-driven decisions

that lead to better results.

With the right insights, you can stop guessing and start crafting

a social media strategy that works. So, are you ready to kick your

social media game into high gear? Start exploring social media

analytics tools today and watch your martial arts school thrive!


Photograph (top) by WANAN YOSSINGKUM

Our Goal is to Help Young Minds

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SOCIAL 411

Mastering Martial Arts Marketing

Through Trends In 2025 (Part 1)

As we kickstart 2025, the social media landscape is evolving faster than ever,

bringing new opportunities for martial arts school owners to grow your brand and

connect with your audience. Whether you’re looking to attract new students or

retain existing ones, these trends—highlighted by Forbes—offer actionable insights

for boosting your marketing strategy.

1. Augmented Reality (AR): Interactive Experiences That

Pack a Punch

AR technology is transforming marketing by allowing users to

visualize experiences or products in their own space. For martial

arts schools, this could mean virtual school walk-throughs or even

interactive “train like a black belt” challenges to give potential

students a taste of what your programs offer.

Tip: Start simple. Develop AR filters for Instagram or Snapchat

that show off martial arts moves or showcase your school’s branding.

2. Short-Form Videos: Quick Hits That Leave a Lasting

Impact

With attention spans shrinking, short-form videos on platforms

like TikTok and Instagram Reels are your ticket to engaging potential

students. These videos can spotlight student success stories,

quick tutorials, or a sneak peek into your classes.

Application: Post regularly, keep it authentic, and focus on storytelling—like

showing a beginner progressing to their first belt.

3. Ephemeral Content: The Power of FOMO (Fear of

Missing Out)

Instagram Stories and similar formats create urgency and

excitement. Use these 24-hour posts for exclusive behind-thescenes

footage, limited-time promotions, or live class previews.

Application: Build momentum with countdown stickers for special

events like tournaments, belt tests, or free trial weeks.

4. Sustainable and Ethical Branding: Make Your

Values Known

Parents increasingly look for brands that align with their values.

Highlighting sustainable practices—such as eco-friendly uniforms

or partnerships with local charities—can help build trust and loyalty.

Application: Share your school’s community impact through

posts and videos, from volunteer efforts to recycling initiatives.

5. Livestream Shopping: Showcase Your School in

Real-Time

Livestreaming isn’t just for selling products—it’s a powerful way to

connect with your audience. Host a live Q&A session, demo classes,

or even virtual tours of your facility to engage prospective students.

Application: Use these sessions to answer common questions

and promote your unique offerings, like family classes or afterschool

programs.

Continued next issue


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Exciting New Launch:

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Communication Mobile App

ATLAS Martial Arts Software is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the

“ATLAS MEMBER DIRECT” mobile app! This innovative tool is set to revolutionize

student engagement and retention for martial arts schools.

Boost Engagement and Retention

The ATLAS Member Direct Mobile App offers a seamless way

to communicate with your students and staff, fostering stronger

long-term relationships. With this soon-to-be-released mobile application,

keeping everyone well-informed and engaged has never

been easier.

Effortless Connectivity with Your Community

Say goodbye to communication hassles! The ATLAS Member

Direct Mobile App provides unprecedented access to your student

body and staff. No more struggling to reach your martial arts community—this

app delivers a direct and efficient mode of communication,

right when you need it.

Inspire, Inform, and Engage

Whether you aim to inspire your students, promote upcoming

events, share crucial updates, or foster open dialogue, the ATLAS

Member Direct App simplifies it all. This tool ensures seamless

connectivity for everyone involved, making it more than just an

app—it’s your ultimate resource for skyrocketing retention and

enrollment at your martial arts school.

A Preview of Excellence

The Martial Arts World News Team had the privilege of previewing

the application, and they were thoroughly impressed!

The user interface is beautiful, clean, and easy to navigate. The

chat communication features are intuitive and require virtually no

learning curve. It feels just like using your text messaging app or

Facebook Messenger, but with the confidence and convenience of

being in direct contact with your students.

Value for School Operators and Instructors

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POLITICS

Martial Arts World News Magazine Asks:

How Do You Expect the New

Administration to Affect Your

Martial Arts School Business?

The above question was a question asked on the Martial Arts World News Facebook

Group page shortly following the confirmed re-election of President Donald Trump.

Below is a fair sample of how many martial arts school owners replied.

Martial Arts Schools


POLITICS

Tariffs Impact

The Economy


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EVENTS

The 2024 AMAA Who’s Who in

the Martial Arts Hall of Honors

Awards Banquet

The American Martial Arts Alliance Foundation Hosts the Who’s Who in the Martial

Arts Hall of Honors Awards Banquet and Releases the 2024 10th Anniversary Martial

Arts Legacy Biography Book

On August 9th-10th, 2024, the American Martial Arts Alliance

Foundation hosted The Who’s Who in the Martial Arts Hall of

Honors Awards Banquet and released the 2024 10th Anniversary

Martial Arts Legacy Biography Book. This event took place at the

Airport Hilton Hotel and welcomed over 150 inductees. What sets

the AMAA Who’s Who Hall of Honors apart is its dedication to

promoting martial artists, not just presenting them with awards.

The marketing team provides constant support to the inductees,

helping them make an impact on the growth and development of

their schools and communities.

The event on Friday, August 9th, 2024, began with the opening

ceremony and a book signing for the Martial Arts Legacy Biography

Book. The guest speakers were Grandmaster Jeff Smith and

Jessie Bowen. Special guests at the book signing included Grandmasters

Cynthia Rothrock, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, Joe Corley,

and Karen Eden Herdman.

Martial Arts Royalty Gather to Honor the AMAA Hall of Honors Inductees: Grandmaster Jeff Smith, Master Karen Eden Herdman, Grandmaster Bill “Superfoot” Wallace,

Grandmaster Cynthia Rothrock, Grandmaster Joe Corley, and Hanshi Jessie Bowen


EVENTS

Following the opening ceremony and book signing, a VIP

reception was held where the inductees received their Hall of Honors

10th Anniversary Ring and their AMAA Alumni Blazers. This

was a spectacular event for both the attendees and their guests.

Saturday, September 10th, 2024, events started with the AMAA

Nationals Martial Arts Championship, coordinated by Master Kyle

Forrest and his amazing team of black belts and volunteers. All

judges received a $500 Hotel Savings Card or VIP dinner for the

event.

This was followed by seminars from Grandmasters Cynthia

Rothrock, teaching flexibility and form; Bill “Superfoot” Wallace,

dynamics of kicking; Jessie Bowen, becoming a published author;

and Karen Eden Herdman, The Lost Photo Archives of John

Cochran. Activities throughout the day provided many options for

alumni and their guests.

On the evening of Saturday, August 10th, 2024, Grandmaster

Cook performed live music. Dr. Gwendolyn Bowen sang the

national anthem, and Reverend Freddie McNeil gave a prayer, followed

by dinner. The guest speaker for the event was Grandmaster

Joe Corley, CEO of PKA Worldwide. The evening also included

the awards presentation, which featured the Presidential Volunteer

Service Award, the AMAA Future Leaders Awards, and the Take

Center Stage Authors Awards. Over 100 martial artists were honored

with the Who’s Who Legacy Award.

This event also marked the special launch of the Elite Publications

Worldwide TV Network’s live broadcast. To access the online

video presentation, visit the Roku Channel and search for e Elite

Publications Worldwide TV or visit the Elite Publications Worldwide

TV Roku website at www.elitepublicationworldwidetv.com. The

American Martial Arts Alliance Foundation, in partnership with

Elite Publications, offers a combination of live and virtual event

presentations. The AMAA Foundation is one of the first martial arts

organizations to conduct both events to recognize and support

their attendees.

In order to ensure that all inductees, whether attending or not,

could share the prestige of being inducted into the “Who’s Who in

the Martial Arts Legacy” Hall of Honors, a virtual event was held

on Saturday, September 29th, 2024. This allowed inductees to

meet and express gratitude to their teachers and students for their

martial arts experience. The event began on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

Eastern Standard Time, featuring special guest seminar instructors

and world champions such as Professor Kim Blake, Grandmaster

Joe Corley, Sensei Jeff Doss, Grandmaster Kevin Wilson, Sensei

Ana Conde, and Grandmaster Jessie Bowen. The awards presentation

began at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, with the national anthem

followed by the event speaker, Grandmaster Joe Corley.

We are excited about the 2025 edition of the Martial Arts

Legacy Biography Book. The location announcement and special

tribute will be made at a later date. Order your copy of this new

10th Anniversary Martial Arts Legacy Biography Book today;

visit https://www.whoswhointhemartialarts.com


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GRANDMASTER

CLINTON ROBINSON

The Legacy of an Educator and

Entrepreneur: Empowering

Lives Through The Martial Arts

Grandmaster Clinton Robinson is a legendary figure in the martial

arts community, known for his extraordinary contributions

and unwavering dedication over the past 50 years. His life is one

of tremendous service seen in serving his country in the Air Force

to running successful martial arts schools to being a leader in the

Kukkiwon organization. As a 10th-degree black belt and founder of

several successful martial arts schools, Grandmaster Robinson has

not only achieved mastery in multiple martial arts disciplines but also

starred in a martial arts movie in the 1970’s and has dedicated his life

to teaching and empowering thousands of students worldwide. He has

mentored championship-winning athletes, and inspired young students

to develop confidence, discipline, and respect, his influence extends

far beyond the dojo. As a celebrated instructor, mentor, and pioneer,

Grandmaster Robinson’s passion for martial arts continues to leave an

indelible mark on the lives he touches.

COVER STORY

MAWNews: Some of our readers might

not be familiar with your background and

your history. Can you began by telling us a

little bit about those things as it relates to

the martial arts?

CR: I began my martial arts training during

the fascinating times of the 1960s, specifically

in 1966. At the time, I was attending

college and working as a dishwasher at a

restaurant to help pay for my tuition. Interestingly,

the owner of the restaurant was a

second-degree black belt in Taekwondo.

I had never heard of Taekwondo—or any

martial art, for that matter—before meeting

him. One day, he said, “Why don’t you

come down to my Taekwondo school?”

Actually, it was Tang So Do, that’s how it all

started for me.

I told him, “I don’t even know what that

is. Why would I be interested in it?” He

responded, “I think you’d be good at it.”

So, he took me to his school. It was a small

place, and when I got there, I saw people

walking around barefoot, wearing strangelooking

outfits, and yelling. My first thought

was, “I don’t want to do this. This looks like

a bunch of crazy people. No, thank you.”

But he was persistent, and eventually, he

convinced me to try a class.

Once I tried that class, I never stopped.

It’s been an amazing experience and

journey ever since. That experience has

taught me something valuable that I now

share with my students: be persistent when

encouraging others to try something new. I

often tell them my story about how I didn’t

want to do it at first. But here I am, still training

continuously since the 1960s. If I would

have let my first inclination guide me, I

would have missed a great journey.

MAWNews:Yeah, the first day on the

floor is weird for everyone because you

Black belt class at one of GM Robinson’s dojangs.

don’t know what to expect. So then you

went into the Air Force and you continue

training throughout that part of your career,

correct?

CR: It turned out to be one of the best

things that could have happened to me. In

the 1960s, there were significant transitions

taking place, especially with the formation

of the International Taekwondo Federation.

At that time, Taekwondo was still evolving,

and many of those developments hadn’t

yet reached the United States. Most practitioners

were still doing Tang So Do and

following patterns unique to their particular

kwan (schools).

When I joined the military, it became

an educational experience in itself. At

first, it was difficult to find a Taekwondo

school since I was stationed in Taiwan. So,

I started training in Kung Fu. The Chinese

didn’t call Taekwondo by its Korean

name—they had their own term for it, which

I wasn’t familiar with at the time. Eventually,

I met someone who told me, “I know where

you can find a Taekwondo school.” He took

me to a place where, quite honestly, the

practitioners were spectacular technicians.

They were doing things far beyond what

I had learned in my initial training. In my

early days, we practiced four basic kicks,

and we would do them jumping and just repeat

those kicks in different combinations.

But here, I saw people doing lead-leg kicks,

spinning kicks, hooking kicks—techniques

I hadn’t seen before. It was eye-opening,

and I knew I had to learn more.

Now, here’s the interesting part: when

I joined the military, I was already a black

belt. However, back then, there wasn’t a

centralized system for black belt certification.

I had a certificate from my instructor,

but the instructor at this new school said,

“We don’t recognize that.”

He gave me a choice:

either leave, or take off my

black belt and stand with

the white belts.

I had been training

for about four years at

that point, and I felt I had

earned my black belt. It

was a tough decision, but

after some thought, I took

off the black belt and put

on the white belt. It was

the best decision I ever made. I got back

there with the beginners, learned with

humility, and six months later, the instructor

said, “You’re not a white belt. In fact, you’ve

learned so much, we’re going to promote

you to second-degree black belt.”

And I thought, “Wow, what if I hadn’t

taken that belt off?” I’m glad I was able to

take my ego and put it aside.

MAWNews: This was in Taiwan, so then

how did you end up in Korea?

CR: I had the chance to go to Korea,

though I was never stationed there. In May

of 1973, I was sent as a military representative

to the first World Taekwondo Championships,

held in Seoul. Honestly, I had no

idea what I was getting into. I took a military

hop that first landed me in the Philippines,

and from there, I ended up in a place called

Taegu, Korea. I’d never been to Korea before,

so I was completely lost, wondering,

“How in the world am I supposed to get to

Seoul for this tournament?”

I found out I had to take a train to get

there, which was quite an experience in

itself. When I finally arrived in Seoul, I still

didn’t know exactly what was going on. I

made it to the tournament only to be told,

“We’re not going to let you into the tournament.”

But something fortunate happened—I

ended up sitting on the bench

with the team from Taiwan because one of

the instructors there recognized me.

While I didn’t get to compete, I witnessed

some incredible matches and

competitors. There were athletes you

may have heard of, like Joe Hayes, Mike

Warren, Albert Cheeks, and many others.

Jim Beutin from Oklahoma was also there,

and it was a wonderful competition. It was

inspiring to watch.

What many people don’t know is that the

U.S. actually sent three teams to that championship.

Only 19 countries participated, but

the U.S. had three full teams. One team did

exceptionally well, but the other two teams

thought, “Hey, we’re representing the U.S.

too, so we want some of those medals.” I

thought that was pretty interesting.

MAWNews: Interesting. So, then did

you end up back in the United States in

Sacramento and decide to open martial art

schools?

CR: At first, I was in Kansas City, where I

opened my first school. I called it the Hick-


COVER STORY

man Mills Taekwondo Academy. It was an interesting experience,

though I faced some challenges along the way. Hopefully, I’m not

stepping too far out of line by sharing this, but I had a hard time

finding a building to rent for the school.

One day, I saw a “For Rent” sign and went to talk to the owner,

Mr. Newberg. I asked him about renting the building, and he responded,

“Why do you want to rent my building?” I said, “Well, Sir,

you’ve got a ‘For Lease’ sign up, so I assumed you wanted someone

to lease it.” Then he asked, “Have you looked anywhere else?”

I said, “Yes.” He continued, “Why did you pick this place?” I replied,

“Honestly, I didn’t qualify anywhere else, but I’m hoping to qualify

here.” He asked, “Qualify? Do you know why you haven’t been

able to rent a building?” I told him, “Yes, I don’t have the qualifications.”

He shook his head and said, “No, it’s because you’re Black.”

That statement put me in shock. But then Mr. Newberg said

something unexpected. He said, “You know what? I’m going to

let you rent my building. I’m a Jewish man, and I understand what

you’re going through. I’ll help you out.”

And that’s how I got my first school.

My wife, however, didn’t care much for the cold Kansas City

weather, so we decided to move to Sacramento. That was in late

1974, and by 1975, we had opened a new school in Sacramento.

We’ve been continuously running schools ever since.

Around that same time, something else happened that may be

of interest. At that point, no one had really heard of the Kukkiwon. I

had earned my third degree black belt from the Kukkiwon in 1974,

and when I visited several Korean schools for additional training,

they had no idea what it was. They would say, “What is this? Who

are you? You must have bought this in Korea!”

After facing rejection from multiple places, I started applying

to different organizations. The American Taekwondo Association

(ATA) got in touch and said, “If you go through our evaluation

process, we’ll take it from there.” They sent someone out to evaluate

me, and before I knew it, I was in charge of things on the West

Coast for the ATA.

It was a journey I thought I’d be on forever. I met a lot of good

people and learned a lot of valuable lessons. Most of my business

training came from a man named Dick Reed, he’s the one who

brought H.U. Lee to this country.

MAWNews: He essentially founded the ATA, correct?

CR: That’s right. He was a very good friend of mine and incredibly

helpful in the early days of doing business. In fact, he helped

a lot of people. I think he was a truly innovative and creative individual.

For me, he was also very easy to get along with. I loved the

man—he was fantastic.

MAWNews: Yes, a huge innovator. He really founded so

many elements in this industry. So if we fast forward a bit now

you’ve got multiple locations. Can you tell us what the current

organization is like?

CR: You know, the current organization we have isn’t very large.

It’s more of a regional thing, although we do have people from other

parts of the country who participate. I’ve been leaning toward

this idea of slow growth, which might be good or not, I’m not sure.

But I do believe that certain pieces of the puzzle are necessary to

make things work.

GM Robinson’s first trip to Paraguay with instructors

Cesar Ozuna, Gregoria Diaz, and Sergio Vonschmeling

I’ve been part of organizations before, and I’ve grown schools

by accepting anyone who showed up, but in hindsight, that hasn’t

been the most successful approach in my mind. Now, I’m more

focused on finding people who want to contribute, rather than

those with a “What can you do for me?” mentality. It’s like that JFK

idea—what can you do for your country? In this case, it’s more

about what you can do for yourself and for everyone else. That’s

important.

If everyone contributes, we can grow the pie bigger, and then

everyone gets a slice. Everyone benefits. Even in this organization

I’m leading now, my idea is that everyone should receive some financial

compensation. This isn’t about elevating just my status; it’s

about elevating our collective status. It’s about creating a legacy—

something that continues after we’re gone.

The best example of that might be what’s happened with the

ATA. I was part of that organization for many years and saw so

many people come and go. But even with all the changes, they just

kept growing. I mean, the last tournament I attended must have

had over 6,000 competitors—amazing.

I sent my son to watch one of their recent events, and he came

back saying, “Dad, they had 50 rings going at once. It was nonstop.”

People leave, but others come in. And the people who’ve

been there a long time are very knowledgeable. They’ve been

willing to adapt and change, which is something a lot of people

struggle with.

MAWNews: Well, there’s definitely a principle at work there,

and you’re describing it perfectly. It’s something we’ve also

implemented in our organization, and ATA was probably one of the

pioneers in that approach. It might be referred to as a “multi-level”

structure.

The idea is that you create revenue streams that everyone

has the opportunity to participate in. For example, if you host a

tournament, there might be some sort of royalty or fee that goes

back to the parent organization. But at the same time, there’s a

revenue stream for the regional master or whomever is involved

at different levels.

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continued from page 41

It’s a system that incentivizes everyone to help the organization

grow. It’s not just about the top benefiting—it’s designed so that

multiple people along the chain can see financial benefits from

contributing to the success of the whole. So, in that way, it creates

a structure where growth benefits everyone involved, and that’s

important for sustaining long-term success.

CR: Interesting point, and well stated, Sir. You’re absolutely

right. People often have a negative perception of the multi-level

marketing concept, but it can be a very positive thing when implemented

correctly. If we observe people in general, it’s clear that

they appreciate acknowledgment, especially when it comes with financial

recognition. This is true across all industries, whether we’re

talking about professional sports or martial arts like Taekwondo.

Some may wonder why one person earns more than another,

but it usually comes down to the opportunities they’ve seized and

the contributions they’ve made. What we’re trying to build is a

system where everyone has a chance to benefit—but it’s based on

their contributions. This isn’t about handing out rewards for nothing;

it’s about participation, about giving back, and then reaping

the benefits of that effort.

It’s like planting seeds. If you want to harvest, you’ve got to

plant something first, otherwise, there’s no return. And that’s a

crucial lesson, especially when dealing with people who might be

focused solely on the tough-guy image. This isn’t just about being

tough—it’s about developing better people. You don’t need to be

the toughest person in the room to succeed, and frankly, there’s no

retirement plan or long-term reward for being the baddest guy on

the planet.

MAWNews: Right. Whether operating a single location or looking

to expand into multiple schools, there are certain principles at

play. This egalitarian idea—that everyone should be incentivized

toward the same goals—is key, right? If the objective is growth,

then we should incentivize growth. And people should be rewarded

for their contributions to that growth. That’s the goal, isn’t it?

Let’s start small and work our way back to the bigger picture.

GM Robinson with wife Kay, son Clint and daughter Angela

You’ve built a multi-school organization with successful locations

in California and some affiliates across the country. If I’m a school

operator who’s struggling a bit, or maybe just new to the industry,

what would you say are the key components that lead to a successful

school? What would you categorize as the “big rocks” that

someone needs to focus on?

CR: OK, number one—this is foundational—you’ve got to walk

the walk, not just talk the talk. For me, that means continuing to

train and improve your own skills. Even at my age, and I’m now

well into my late 70s, I still train every day. No, I can’t kick as high

as I did in my 20s or 30s, but I understand the principles of how

to teach and achieve that level of skill. I’m still able to produce

outstanding students because I lead by example. When someone

comes to me, I’m not just telling them what to do; I’m showing

them.

There’s a lot of talk about access to quality instruction, but not

enough people actually seek it out. Some feel like they’re being

used by instructors or organizations, and in some cases, that’s

true. But in our system, we set clear standards. We have midterm

exams and defined guidelines for promotion. We maintain those

standards while also making allowances for students with physical

challenges. It’s about balance.

Second, we have a structured system for teaching. It’s not

just about martial arts techniques; we’re teaching responsibility,

discipline, and character. We’ve broken down the curriculum in a

way that guides both students and instructors on how to teach and

lead. That’s a big part of why we’ve been successful.

And let’s not forget experience. I’ve been operating schools

for nearly 50 years. This isn’t theory for me—it’s reality. I’m sharing

hard-earned lessons, not just ideas about what might work. There

are going to be challenges, no doubt about that, but I’ve faced

them all, and I’m still standing. I’ve walked the same path you’re

walking, and that gives me an understanding that a lot of newer

instructors might not have.

I think it’s important to have mentors who can guide you

through the tough times. Take someone like Dick Reed. He wasn’t

afraid to share his own struggles, like when he told me he’d gone

bankrupt a few times. But he just kept going. That’s what resilience

looks like. You’re going to face setbacks—they’re not failures, just

feedback. The question is, how do you adjust and keep moving

forward?

MAWNews: Right. People often think success is a straight

line, but that’s rarely the case. Many experience—and see if this

resonates with you—the harder you swing, the harder the misses

can be sometimes.

CR: Oh, absolutely. Let me share something I’ve learned that

might not be popular but is, in my opinion, very true. When things

start drying up, that’s when you’ve got to prime the pump. If there’s

no money coming in, it’s time to spend some money. That’s just

the way it is. I believe in that wholeheartedly. You can’t sit back and

just hope for things to turn around on their own. You can’t multiply

by zero. You’ve got to invest to get things moving again. I’ve been

in situations where I realized I wasn’t spending enough to keep the

momentum going. Once you recognize that, you take action and

then things start happening.


COVER STORY

MAWNews: Exactly, motion beats

meditation. Sometimes you just need to do

something. It’s interesting that you emphasized

the importance of how to teach as a

key component of success in an organization.

We often get distracted by the latest

shiny curriculum or trend, and while that’s

great, the real skill lies in being an effective

teacher, right?

CR: That’s correct! Being an effective

teacher is crucial, and it’s not always

an innate skill—it’s something you have

to learn. Think about school teachers or

college professors; they need teaching

credentials to be prepared for the job. It’s

no different here. We offer training in that

because, let’s face it, we’ve all had those

moments when we wonder, “Where did all

these horrible students come from?” I’ve certainly felt cursed at

times. Instead of seeing it as a problem, I’ve learned to view it as a

communication challenge.

Sure, some students come in without coordination, but that’s no

big deal. It’s all about how we communicate with and guide them.

Sometimes the solution comes through experience, not planning.

You adapt and figure out how to work with different types of behavior.

And it’s not always about having the most talented students

either. Even the ones with great natural ability can be challenging—they

might not be the easiest to work with, but that’s part of

the job, too. It’s about turning all students, whether they’re talented

or not, into better people.

Our job is to raise the average as high as possible. The high

performers, they’re almost always going to be high performers,

no matter who’s coaching them. Some people just have it. They’re

going to perform well no matter what.

MAWNews: Right. So let’s go back to the marketing side of

things. If we look at your organization over the last few years, what

do you think have been the key pieces to attracting new students?

What’s worked best for you?

CR: Well, there are a few things we’ve relied on, and some may

not be what others expect. Of course, we use technology—Facebook

advertising has been solid for us. We’re always adjusting

and testing different approaches. You know, we’ve tried different

offers like 30-day free trials, 3 lessons for a set price, two-week

programs—you name it. They all have potential, but you need to

invest some money. You’ve got to have an advertising budget,

bottom line.

Lead boxes still work too, believe it or not. Not as common nowadays,

but they still bring results. School talks are another effective

method. The key there is making sure your message connects with

the audience. Nobody cares if you were a world champion—that’s

an accomplishment for you, not for them. It’s like, sure, great you

did it, but that won’t help them. It’s about what you can do for them.

I had a prospect come in and said, “I’d like to study Taekwondo

with you.” I thought that’s fantastic and I did my presentation. I

had this little presentation booklet that outlines all benefits and

Testing panel at black belt testing held at Silver Legacy Resort in Reno, NV

things of that nature. I said, “Ok, you need to attend at least two

days a week.” The guy looked me square in the eye and he said,

“That’s too many times.” My response was, “You can’t learn Taekwondo

one day a week!” Looking back, that was a foolish statement

of belief on my behalf. I’ve now reconsidered. If I’m going to

meet your needs and you want to come one day a week, I’ll write a

program that allows you to develop from what you’re looking for.

One day a week requires participating longer and that’s ok. It’s

no different than a person going to college. Some people complete

their bachelor’s degree in three years while other people

take seven to eight years. It’s the same degree and does not

matter. In fact, the cost is the same. So what’s the problem? I now

adopt that outlook, but it’s amazing how many people I run into

that feel like they are the gatekeepers of martial arts. Thinking You

can only do it this way. That’s the most insane thing I’ve ever seen

in my life.

MAWNews: Maybe an example of an outcome to focus on—at

least in terms of setting standards might be, “You need to be able

to do 100 push-ups in order to earn a black belt.” There might be a

logic behind that. But if a student starts as a white belt and can already

do 99 push-ups, and by the time they are promoted to black

belt they can do 100, that feels like a failure. It doesn’t represent

real growth or achievement. The journey and development along

the way are what truly matter—not just hitting a specific number.

CR: There needs to be a clear path to the destination. I wouldn’t

object to a 100 push-up requirement, but most people can’t start at

that level. Let’s begin with five, then maybe add two or three more

as we go. It’s meant to be encouraging, much like learning anything

new. Think of it like school—when we first learned to write,

we used lined paper to guide us in making capital and lowercase

letters. That’s not how we write in life, but it’s the foundation. That’s

the white belt stage. You move on from there.

I believe we can learn a lot from the education system in

this respect. At the same time, we need to provide real lessons.

Nowadays, there’s a lot of talk about “life skills” and “life lessons,”

but quite honestly, much of it is superficial. I’m not saying these

concepts aren’t teachable, but they often fail to instill true respon-


COVER STORY

2018 Global Leaders Forum

sibility in people. Developing individuals who take ownership of

their actions is crucial. Having a sense of earning something is

important, and this may need to be adjusted to each person since

everyone has different levels of understanding, physical ability,

and mental capacity.

As an instructor, it’s my job to build rapport and find what works

best for each student’s learning style. The goal is to enjoy the journey

together while giving them a sense of accomplishment. When

they earn something, it creates pride, and pride doesn’t have to be

a negative thing—it can be incredibly positive. Encouraging that

sense of achievement is key.

It also ties into a principle from NLP: people always do things

they believe are beneficial, even if those actions are actually

destructive. They see some sort of value in what they’re doing; otherwise,

they wouldn’t engage in that behavior. From my perspective,

every person who comes into the school, no matter how poor

their performance may seem, thinks they’re doing well. My role is

to guide them on their journey, to help them see things differently

over time—closer to how I see them. This process takes time and

investment, but it’s essential to their growth.

MAWNews: You’re spot on there. Actually, if you look at

your schools’ websites, there’s not a ton of focus on you or your

achievements, right? It’s all about the students and the customer.

The story is about them, not about you.

CR: Exactly, and that’s how it should be. My accomplishments?

Sure, I’ve got plenty, but I’m not here to brag. I’ve had an extensive

career, far more than most might realize. But it’s not about me. It’s

about what I can offer. And I’ve learned just as much from my defeats

as I have from my successes. Both are crucial to my growth.

I remember back in ‘78 or ‘79, during the early days of the

Professional Karate Association (PKA). They held a big tournament

in Baltimore, MD. You had to qualify from different regions to even

compete, and it was all about finding out who the top fighters really

were. People from all over the world came to that event. I did pretty

well, made it to the final four. I was up against this other guy who I’d

been watching closely. I thought it was going to come down to him

and me for first and second place. And I think he thought the same.

Well, we got called out for our fight, and it was an intense battle.

But in the end, he beat me. At first, I was angry—frustrated. But

then it hit me. He didn’t just outfight me; he outsmarted me. He

set me up, and I fell for it. His day. His win. That’s just how it goes

sometimes. Afterward, we went out, had a beer, and laughed

about it.

It was a great experience, though, and it gave me the chance to

see and compete against some of the best. I’ve made some great

friends over the years in competition.

MAWNews: Well, you really highlight that concept of taking

responsibility—having that internal locus of control. Jeff Smith tells

a story about taking ownership, even in a situation where most

people would have pointed fingers. That kind of mentality translates

directly to running a school. You’ve got to take responsibility

for the outcomes, whether it’s about your students’ progress or the

financial health of your business. It’s not always your fault, but it’s

always your responsibility, right?

CR: Absolutely. And you know, being adaptable is key. You

have to be observant, see what’s working and what isn’t, and be

willing to make changes. One guy who exemplifies this is my good

friend Bill Clark, down in Jacksonville, Florida. He’s always innovating,

always finding ways to recreate himself and his school. A true

leader in the industry. We’ve been friends for years—we’ve trained

together, tested together, and we still keep in touch. I often bounce

ideas off him, and he’s always open and helpful. That kind of support,

it’s invaluable.

MAWNews: Yeah, Bill’s done some amazing things, especially

with his Warrior brand in recent years. He’s always been the kind of

guy who helps other schools, really takes them under his wing. It’s

been incredible to watch.

So, speaking of operations, running multiple schools presents

its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to recruiting,

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GM Robinson at 75th Anniversary of the Moo Duk Kwan in Reno NV.

training, and retaining staff. That’s something single-school operators

struggle with, but it’s magnified when you’re managing several

locations. What do you think has been key for you in finding and

keeping great staff?

CR: I’ll tell you one thing that doesn’t work—trying to set the

standard too narrowly for who you think will succeed. I’ve made

that mistake many times, thinking, “This person’s a great technician,

they’ll make a great instructor.” But that’s not always the case.

What I’ve found works better is focusing on people who want the

job. They may not have the highest kicks or the sharpest techniques,

but if they have the right attitude, you can train them.

It’s about providing proper training and having regular staff

meetings to cover the fundamentals that don’t change, like teaching

intros. Some people don’t teach intros anymore, but I think

they’re crucial. That’s where you build value in the eyes of the customer.

You treat that student like they’re special from the very start.

You can’t just throw someone into a class and hope they catch

on. Not when rents are sky-high and your pricing needs to reflect

the premium service you’re providing. Especially here in California—landlords

are asking $5 per square foot. So, if I’m paying that

kind of rent, I need to have a premium facility, and I need to charge

a premium price. And to justify that price, my service has to be

top-tier.

MAWNews: Yeah, that’s a reality. For context, what would you

say is the rent for, say, a 2500 square foot location in a prime area?

CR: In a premium area here, you’re looking at around $10,000

a month or more. It’s definitely not cheap. But honestly, those

numbers don’t scare me. Back in the ‘80s, I was paying $18,000

a month for a 9000 square foot building. That was in 1981, so if

you convert that to today’s dollars, it’s like paying a mortgage on

a huge house! But it was all part of the learning experience, and I

wouldn’t trade that for anything.

MAWNews: So, we know that setting too high a technical standard

isn’t always the best way to attract new staff members. What

would you say has worked more effectively for you in building a

strong team?

CR: Number one is offering instructor training programs.

You know, you tell people, “Hey, we’ve got an instructor training

program you can participate in,” and I think it’s really important to

charge for it. Some folks offer it for free, but I see it as a serious

opportunity for someone to develop a career. It’s like attending a

trade school. You’re providing someone with the skills to earn a

living, so it should be treated with the same

level of seriousness.

In fact, I’m not against accelerated training

programs. I think you need to charge

for those too. One of the big challenges

we face in the martial arts world is how

long it takes to train someone to become

an instructor. You can go to barber college

and get a license in about 10 months for

$8,000 to $12,000, and then you’ve got a

career. But in Taekwondo? We’re often talking

about four to six years of training before

someone’s ready. That’s a long time, and

honestly, it can be a bit ridiculous when you compare it to other

professions.

I remember teaching at a college for 30 years, and they once

asked me to help find a replacement for myself. I asked what the

requirements were, and they said the person needed a master’s

degree in kinesiology, a teaching credential from the state, and

a black belt instructor certification. I told them, “Well, I don’t even

have a master’s degree, so good luck with that!” I had come in at

a time when the requirements were different, so I didn’t need all

of those qualifications. But they were looking for this super-rare

combination of skills and credentials. I ended up retiring from that

job because it was just too hard to find someone who met all those

requirements.

Now, there are universities, especially in Korea, that offer

degrees in physical education with a focus on Taekwondo. Many

of the young Korean instructors coming to the U.S. now are

graduates of those programs. They’ve got the education and the

Taekwondo skills, and I find many of them to be really well-trained.

Addressing participants at the Kukkiwon Hanmadang held in Los Angeles.

MAWNews: We’ve seen some attempts at developing similar

programs here in the U.S., but the success has been a bit hit or

miss. A place like Korea has been somewhat more successful with

their infrastructure. It would be amazing if we could really establish

something like that here, wouldn’t it?

CR: Absolutely, it would be fantastic. It would legitimize the

industry even further. Not that I’m a fan of too much regulation—I

think the less government involvement, the better—but some

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COVER STORY

strict or overbearing, but having some minimum requirements for

instructors would be nice.

And you know, we’ve got enough experienced people here

in the U.S. now who could create an American sanctioning body

for martial arts. There’s a lot of highly qualified instructors who’ve

been training for decades. From my perspective, we could definitely

create something like that right here.

MAWNews: Yeah, and I think what you’re doing with WTA also

taps into the concept of creating high-level instruction that’s styleagnostic,

focusing on the skill of teaching rather than any specific

martial art. There’s definitely a demand for that. Can you tell us

more about how you’re structuring the UWTA program and what

makes it stand out?

CR: Well, what we’re doing with the WTA is bringing people

in and breaking instruction down into different levels. Of course,

everyone does that to some extent, but I think where we stand

out is that we actually provide a clear map to success. It’s not just

about having levels for the sake of it. There’s a structured path—

an actual roadmap—to guide someone from start to mastery. We

do evaluations at specific milestones, and that’s critical.

We’ve broken it down into distinct programs: you’ve got your

tiny tigers or little dragons for the young kids, then the regular kids

programs, adult programs, and specialized self-defense programs.

A lot of people are getting into Krav Maga these days—Bill Clark

has done a great job with that. I have a bit of a different take on it,

one that might be a little controversial.

When I look at self-defense, I think, “Who has the strongest military

in the world?” From my perspective, that’s the United States.

Do they have a self-defense program? Absolutely. Is it effective?

Well, it has to be. You’ve got soldiers going to war after just eight

weeks of training, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. So, when

I’m thinking about self-defense, I tend to lean on the tactics used

by the U.S. military. It’s not about style—it’s about what works,

Competing in California Karate League Championship

Competing in the 1979 PKA Nationals held in Baltimore

because your life could be on the line.

I taught a self-defense class just the other day, and one of the

things I focus on that a lot of people overlook these days is targeting

vital areas of the body. It’s not just about being able to choke

someone out or put them in an armbar. There are weak points on

the human body that everyone has, no matter how strong or tough

they are. For example, if I hit you in the solar plexus and knock

the wind out of you, you’re not going to be thinking about fighting

back. You’re going to be thinking about breathing, because that

just became your number one priority.

That’s the essence of self-defense—knowing where to strike,

not just how to perform some complex move. It’s something that

goes beyond sport. When we talk about point sparring or Olympic

Taekwondo sparring, there are rules, and those rules exist to

protect the competitors. Even in MMA, there are rules to keep

fighters safe. But in real self-defense, the focus is on survival, not

entertainment.

Speaking of entertainment, if you really think about it, martial

arts is part of the entertainment industry—whether we realize

it or not. Tournaments, for example, are structured more for the

competitors than the spectators. Parents spend all day watching,

and it’s an important part of the martial arts experience. From a

financial perspective, we’d be more successful if we made the

events shorter, maybe two or three hours, paid the fighters, and focused

on making it spectator-friendly. Spectators should be able to

subsidize these events, which could create a whole new financial

model for tournaments.

This brings me to something I’ve been working on: combat Taekwondo.

We held an event here in Sacramento, and I have to say, I

was really impressed by the fighters’ performances. These weren’t

professional fighters—they were amateurs—but the audience

loved it. There was real energy in the room, and I thought, “There’s

something here.” So I’m looking to invest more time into that. We’re

organizing workshops and getting more people involved here in

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COVER STORY

ing, and I’m hopeful it’ll take off. If it does, it’ll be a great learning

experience for everyone involved.

MAWNews: So the WTA are basically any kind of variant of

Taekwondo, right?

CR: That’s exactly right. You know, if you’re using those strategies,

you’re on the right track. We’ve got a really diverse and highly

skilled group of instructors, and I’m really proud of what we’re

building. We’re always working on improving, and we’ve got a

good mix of male and female instructors. Right now, we’re expanding,

opening new schools across the U.S., and I’ve got plans here

in Sacramento to open another five or six schools in 2025.

The recovery from COVID was tough—what a nightmare that

was. We lost a few locations, but we’re working to replace them.

We kept a good number of schools open, and now we’re rebuilding.

One of the big projects I’m working on is a new facility, 11,000

square feet, that’ll be our headquarters. We’ll use it to train new

instructors as well as continuing education for our existing team.

I’m aiming to have it completed by the end of this year.

I’ve always got a lot going on, doing wild and crazy things. My

wife thinks I’m a little nuts, but we’ve been married over 50 years,

so I guess she’s used to it by now.

MAWNews: That’s incredible. You touched on something

important with the WTA. There are core principles to running a

successful martial arts school, and they don’t change much across

styles. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Taekwondo school, a Kung Fu

school, or even a Jiu-jitsu school—the fundamentals of business

are the same. The second point is that sometimes breakthroughs

happen when you bring in ideas from a plurality of voices, even

from other industries or styles.

GM Robinson with previous Kukkiwon President Won Sik Kang

For example, I think a lot of the systems we use in martial arts

schools today were borrowed from the dance industry back in the

70s. That kind of cross-pollination can lead to huge innovations,

don’t you think so?

CR: Absolutely. Let me tell you a story about that. I had one of

those “aha” moments years ago when I visited an Arthur Murray

dance studio. It was the 90s, and someone had mentioned them,

so I decided to check it out. They gave me a tour, and I noticed

they had this “Wall of Fame” with plaques showing the names of

people who had spent $10,000 or more on dance lessons.

GM Robinson at US Hanmadang in Colorado with GM Sang Lee and GM Sam Kim

I was floored. What really shocked me was when I saw the

name of one of my own Taekwondo students on that list! I thought,

“Wow, if this guy can afford to spend 10 grand on dance lessons, I

can definitely charge more for martial arts.” At the time, I was only

charging $169 for Taekwondo classes, and that moment really

made me rethink my pricing.

But it wasn’t just about the money. Arthur Murray studios were

providing something beyond dance lessons—they were creating

a social experience. People love being part of social activities, and

it’s the same in martial arts. That’s why events like Parents’ Night

Out, school picnics, and open houses are so important. These

events allow students and families to invite their friends, and it’s

our job to make sure they have a great time.

We’re in the business of not just teaching martial arts but also

creating an engaging, fun experience. That social element is critical

for retention and growth. It’s something I’ve tried to incorporate

into everything we do.

MAWNews: Yes, it’s like that “third place” philosophy that

Starbucks runs on—you have home, you have work or school, and

then there’s this other place where you can connect with people.

Like a modern version of the old corner pub or even “Cheers”

where everybody knows your name. Those social engagements

you’ve crafted around martial arts, whether it’s Parents’ Night Out

or school picnics, are essential for building that community.

Let’s pivot to something else fascinating about your career—

you decided at some point, “Why not be in the movies?” It seems

like that’s had a resurgence recently. How did you first get into

films, and what was that experience like?

CR: Yeah, that was an interesting chapter. When I was living in

Taiwan back in the 70s, I had a lot of attention on me after winning

their national championship in 1971. I ended up getting a lot of publicity—though

I couldn’t read much of it, since it was all in Chinese!

But one day, some people knocked on my door. They were looking

for me because they wanted me to be in a movie. It was one of

those classic Kung Fu films that were huge at the time.

I was a fan of Kung Fu movies, like most people were back

then, so I thought, “Why not?” They even asked me if I could get a

few more American guys for the film, so I grabbed a few of my students

to join in. So we started filming, and it was a wild experience.

The script was in Chinese, and they had a funny concept of how I

should talk—it was like something out of a stereotype! I remember


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COVER STORY

Testing for 5th Dan in Little Rock, AR

thinking, “That’s not how I sound at all,” but you just roll with it.

It took about two months to finish the movie, and it was hard

work. There was a guy who choreographed everything, and

watching the way they filmed and spliced the fight scenes together

was an incredible learning experience for me.

I didn’t think much would come of it after that, but the movie

was screened in Taiwan in 1973. I was all set to go watch it, but

right when we were at the screening, my wife’s water broke—she

was pregnant! So off to the hospital we went, and my son was born

the next morning. I didn’t even get to see the film that night.

Fast forward a few years, when I moved to Sacramento, and

I was surprised to find that the movie was playing in all the local

Kung Fu theaters. That gave my business a huge boost—it was

great publicity. After that, though, I pretty much forgot about the

movie. Life went on.

Then, out of nowhere, earlier this year, I got a call from someone

working on a project called “The Clones of Bruce Lee.” They

wanted to include my film in a collection, and they asked if I’d cooperate.

They even offered to pay me for autographs, posters, and

some other promotional stuff. I thought, “Why not?” So I signed a

bunch of material, and they paid me for it. It was fun.

Who knows where it’s going from here? I’m just a Taekwondo

guy, but I’ll see where this takes me. It’s been a fun experience,

and the students seem to enjoy the idea that their instructor was

in an old Kung Fu movie. But let’s be honest, it wasn’t an A-list film!

Some of those old Kung Fu movies from the 70s are a bit corny

when you watch them now. Back then, they were amazing, but

watching them today, you can really see how much things have

changed. It was a special time, though, and I’m glad I got to be a

part of it.

MAWNews: Great. Well, it seems there are maybe three components

to this. First off, it’s really interesting, the impact that film

has on pop culture, social norms, and all of that. When you look

at what Chuck Norris did in the ’70s, how that benefited him and

his businesses—it’s amazing. I don’t know if we’ll ever see another

figure quite like him again, but the influence was massive.

If you look at other martial arts figures, they all tried to make

it into the movies. Jhoon Rhee did films, Y.K. Kim did as well—so

many people followed that path. Interestingly, a bunch of these

films have developed a cult following. It’s fascinating to see how

putting something on film gives it longevity and eternal impact,

even if it doesn’t hold up by today’s standards, right?

CR: Yeah, it’s funny how some of those old films have taken

on a life of their own. The movie I did has apparently become a

cult classic in parts of Europe and some Arab countries. I’ve even

seen the title changed in several different translations. Who would

have thought?


COVER STORY

I’m just happy people still enjoy it after all these years. It’s also

something fun for my kids and grandkids to talk about. Honestly,

I never expected it to have such a long-lasting effect, but it’s

been great.

MAWNews: Super cool. It’s interesting how things like that

come back around, almost like a time capsule of sorts. Next, let’s

shift gears a bit. There are a lot of tactics in running a martial arts

school—acquiring students, improving operations, maximizing

revenue—but there appears to be one key component that underpins

all of that, and it’s your own personal development.

You’ve done a lot of work in the NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

space, helping to train staff and other martial artists.

How important is personal development, in your view, and what

advice would you give to people who want to build a successful

business, particularly on that front?

CR: You know, I think one of the most important things is realizing

your own value. People often look at others and think, “That

person’s got all the luck, the perfect location, the right connections.”

But you can make any location work—it’s really about how

you define yourself and the mindset you adopt.

Something that’s always puzzled me is that growing up, the

word we hear the most is “no.” It creates this fear of rejection in

people. Parents say it to protect their kids, but as adults, we carry

that same mindset. If you shift your thinking, though, and see

failure as feedback—as we teach in NLP—it changes everything.

You try something, and if it doesn’t work, you adjust and try again.

That’s the mindset you need.

It’s also essential to have people around you who support you,

who can listen without judgment. Someone who can say, “OK,

what went wrong? What can we do differently next time?” It’s

about visualizing success and knowing the different ways you can

communicate and get there.

In NLP, we talk about sensory modalities—visual, auditory, kinesthetic,

and even olfactory. What does success look like to you?

What does it feel like when you achieve it? Can you simulate that

feeling now? What will you hear when you succeed? Will people

be applauding? Yeah, even though it sounds strange, what does

success smell like? It’s all about engaging the senses to make that

visualization more powerful.

This kind of mental rehearsal is something you have to practice,

even if some people think it’s a bit unusual. It’s like when

people read Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich or Norman

Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking. These are classic

ideas that, when applied, can be incredibly powerful.

I got into personal development when I was just 12 years

old. I found a book by Norman Vincent Peale, and it completely

changed how I saw things. Another author I really like is Stuart

Wilde—he’s no longer with us, but one of my favorite books by

him is The Trick to Money Is Having Some. He had some very

unique insights. He was a bit different, but his work is worth looking

into.

I think anyone who wants to build a successful business needs

to start with building themselves. Once you get your mindset right

and recognize your own value, everything else starts to fall into

place.

MAWNews: Yeah, NLP is such a powerful tool. Tony Robbins’

Awaken the Giant Within is exceptional and has changed many

lives. That book pointed me towards NLP and the research by

Bandler and Grinder. The core ideas were so impactful. The concept

of the subconscious mind and the power of words is huge.

The words we allow into our brains make a tremendous difference.

It’s excellent advice for anyone, would you agree.

CR: Oh, absolutely. Awaken the Giant Within is what initially

put me on the path to NLP as well. I remember reading it and

thinking, “Wow, this is really something.” That’s when I started

researching where all of these ideas originated. Once I identified

that, I dove right in—I started with some introductory NLP

courses, bought a few more, and eventually went on to become

a certified NLP practitioner. Then I took the master practitioner

course, followed by the NLP trainer’s certification. It completely

transformed the way I approach things, both in business and in

life.

A lot of people are skeptical, but once they experience the

results, they realize just how effective it is. What’s great about

NLP is that it applies at so many levels—whether you’re running

a single martial arts school or managing multiple locations, these

principles are relevant. It’s about communicating more effectively,

understanding people better, and making real progress.

MAWNews: Yeah, these ideas can take an individual or an

organization to a much higher level. So, thank you for sharing your

journey with us and for giving our readers such valuable insights.

CR: You’re welcome. It was my pleasure!


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SCHOOL PROFILE

Empowering Lives through

Bluegrass Martial Arts:

A Journey with Samuel Conver

Bluegrass Martial Arts of Louisville thrives under the expert guidance of Samuel

Conver. Since its inception in 2014, this martial arts academy provides skillful training

and holistic growth, appealing to individuals of all ages and backgrounds with its

steadfast commitment to discipline, knowledge, and community engagement.

A Legacy of Excellence

At the core of Bluegrass Martial Arts stands Samuel Conver, a

martial arts maven who embodies dedication and pursuit of mastery.

Holding an impressive 7th-degree black belt in Ed Parker’s

American Kenpo Karate, along with several other prestigious black

belts, Samuel’s lifelong journey began at the tender age of 8, highlighting

his enduring devotion to the art and faith in Christ.

Nurturing Growth and Unity

Bluegrass Martial Arts extends beyond physical training, offering

a haven for personal development. Boasting a well-equipped

dojo featuring top-tier Zebra Mats, alongside essential amenities

like restrooms and a parent-friendly lounge, the environment fosters

comfort and camaraderie.

A Communal Contribution

With a current enrollment of 45 students, Bluegrass Martial Arts

weaves its influence within the community through unique contributions.

By partnering with a local church, Samuel has been able

to utilize their facilities for classes, donating a significant portion of

the profits back to the church. Notably, he also serves as a full-time

public-school teacher, embodying his commitment to education

and community service.

Strategic Growth and Success

Embracing contemporary marketing techniques, Bluegrass

Martial Arts harnesses the power of its website and social media

ads. With a mere $300 investment, the academy generated 30

new leads in August, demonstrating the potency of these strategies

in attracting potential students.

Championing Worthwhile Programs

Bluegrass Martial Arts extends its impact beyond training by offering

a shelter of physical activity and growth for children in need.

By providing martial arts training to youngsters who lack access to

Samuel Conver – Founder of Innovative Martial Arts

after-school activities, the academy plays a vital role in enhancing

their lives.

Harnessing Technology for Efficiency

To streamline operations, Bluegrass Martial Arts utilizes the

ATLAS Martial Arts Management Software. This tool enables efficient

management, empowering Samuel to focus on imparting his

expertise to his students.

Words of Wisdom for Success

Samuel Conver offers valuable insights for fellow martial arts

school owners seeking success in business. His advice centers on

nurturing a strong online presence through effective websites and

social media. Embracing community partnerships and focusing on

programs that make a difference can also amplify the impact of a

martial arts academy.

Bluegrass Martial Arts and Samuel Conver’s journey symbolize

the harmony between martial arts excellence, community enrichment,

and business acumen. With a firm commitment to growth,

education, and inclusivity, this academy shines as a testament to

the transformative power of martial arts in all aspects of life.


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SCHOOL PROFILE

Coppock’s Kenpo Karate

Academy: 40 Years of Passion

and Excellence

Since 1983, Coppock’s Kenpo Karate Academy in Colorado Springs has been a

cornerstone for martial arts enthusiasts of all ages. For over 40 years, founder David

Coppock has shared his passion for martial arts, helping students grow stronger, more

confident, and more disciplined.

David Coppock welcomes a fresh group of new white belts into his school.

A Life Dedicated to Martial Arts

David Coppock started his martial arts journey in 1981 with

American Kenpo and earned his 1st-degree black belt just a few

years later. Today, he’s a 7th-degree black belt in Kenpo and

also holds a 1st-degree black belt in Krav Maga. Beyond the

dojo, Coppock has a background in Executive Protection and

Tactical Security, working with Vance International Worldwide

Protective Services. He’s also a decorated competitor, with 15

world titles in sparring and forms, and his achievements have

earned him spots in prestigious halls of fame, including the Masters

Hall of Fame.

More Than a Dojo

Coppock’s Kenpo Karate

Academy isn’t just a place to learn

self-defense—it’s a community. The

academy offers a supportive environment

where everyone gets the

personal attention they need to succeed.

The 3,500-square-foot facility

features two training floors covered

in Fuji mats, creating the perfect

space for mastering skills in Kenpo

Karate, Krav Maga, and Kickboxing.

Growing Together

The academy is always evolving

to better serve its students.

Programs like the Leadership

Program and the Black Belt Club

give students the chance to grow not

just as martial artists but as leaders

in life. Adding Krav Maga to the

curriculum has opened doors for

students to learn practical, real-world

self-defense.

Looking to the Future

David Coppock isn’t just focused on teaching today’s students;

he’s preparing for the next generation. Plans to expand the Krav

Maga program and train assistant instructors show his commitment

to the academy’s future. Still, the heart of Coppock’s remains

the same: a close-knit community built on respect, discipline, and a

love of martial arts.

Coppock’s Kenpo Karate Academy is more than a school—it’s a

legacy. Every class is treated as an opportunity to learn, grow, and

become stronger, both on and off the mat.


THE MILLIONAIRE SMARTS COACH

Mastering Mindset for

Profitable Success (Part 2)

By Lee Milteer

Mastering Your Mind for Optimal Performance

Such pitfalls are easy to stumble into, particularly when

you’re surrounded by negative influences or allowing low-quality

information to infiltrate your mind. Always bear in mind that

you possess the inherent capability to seek out the positives

in your business and personal life, rather than fixating on the

negatives. The wellspring of power resides within you, not in the

external world. My book, Success is an Inside Job, serves as an

in-depth exploration of the intrinsic role that internal dynamics

play in achieving success.

Curating Your Mental Diet

The quality of your Mindset is intrinsically linked to the

caliber of information that you consistently expose your mind

to. Therefore, adopting a morning ritual that involves perusing

newspapers or consuming negative news can be

profoundly detrimental. Subjecting yourself to

pessimistic and agitating media first thing in the

morning is akin to starting your day with a dose

of poison.

Selective Engagement for Enhanced

Well-Being

I’m not advocating for ignorance of current

events. Instead, I urge you to selectively

engage with information that

directly pertains to your business

and personal well-being.

Let the rest of the world

take care of itself; it always

has and always will. Your

foremost responsibility is to

safeguard your mind from

the contagion of negativity

that pervades the world.

Nurturing Your Mindset Garden

Subsequently, you can channel your energies into nurturing

your business, tending to your family, satisfying your customers

and clients, and serving your patients. Your role isn’t to fix the

world’s problems or become entangled in the chaos of daily news.

Your Mindset must be meticulously cultivated on a daily basis with

invigorating and uplifting information that fuels your spirit with

inspiration and hope.

Guarding Against Depleting Influences

Engaging with controversial news, mingling with individuals

who lack a growth-oriented mindset, and surrounding yourself with

negativity ultimately deplete your vitality and exact a toll on your

financial prospects, time, and inner tranquility.

Empowering Your Vision through Mindset

Associating with negative influences erodes your enthusiasm,

weakens your Mindset, and impairs your ability to discern potential

opportunities, financial prospects, and transformative shifts in your

environment. Your Mindset is the clandestine ingredient that empowers

you to perceive forthcoming trends and capitalize on them.

MS. LEE MILTEER is an Intuitive Business Coach, award-winning professional speaker, and TV

personality who has counseled and trained over a million people throughout her career. Lee is Stephen Oliver’s

Martial Arts Wealth Mastery’s Millionaire Smarts Coach and is also a best-selling author of educational resources.

Visit www.milteer.com


Photograph (right) by Yauhen Akulich

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INNOVATION

Virtual Reality in Martial Arts:

The Future is Now (Part 1)

By Dan Segarra

Since the early 90s, when Virtual Reality (VR) first became publicly accessible, I have

been captivated by its potential.

I still have the original headsets, which look like something

straight out of “Back to the Future.” As a martial arts instructor,

I’ve always explored ways to integrate VR into martial arts (MA)

training. Now, with the rise of the Meta (Oculus) Quest, anyone

can tap into this technology to enhance their training

and showcase their school as a cutting-edge, modern

martial arts academy.

The Benefits of VR for Martial Arts Training

VR offers a unique, immersive experience that

can significantly benefit martial arts training. Here

are some ways VR can enhance your martial arts

training and business:

1. Diverse Exercise Experiences

VR provides a plethora of exercise experiences

that add variety and excitement to your

training routine. Here are a few notable

examples:

• Boxing: Engage in

virtual sparring

sessions with

opponents from

around the

world. Games

like “Thrill

of the Fight”

allow you to

box against both

virtual and real

opponents, enhancing

your skills and stamina.

• Focus Mitt Training: Practice precision and speed with virtual

focus mitts, improving your striking accuracy and reaction time.

• Heavy Bag and Speed Bag Training: Simulate realistic training

scenarios with virtual heavy bags and speed bags, perfecting

your techniques without the need for physical equipment.

• Kung Fu Adventures: Immerse yourself in a virtual Kung Fu

movie experience, training in temples like Shaolin and fighting multiple

opponents, monks, and ninjas in the Meta game Dragon Fist.

Or “Crazy Kung Fu” even offers a Wing Chun dummy with spinning

arms to practice ducking, blocking, and striking.

• Tai Chi with Guided Tai Chi: Which teaches basic Tai Chi

movements and form

• Meditation: Tripp has some amazing meditations to destress

and find your inner Zen.

2. Building Virtual Dojos/Dojangs

One of the most exciting applications of VR is the ability to

create virtual versions of your dojo/dojang. I built the first martial

arts dojang in the Metaverse using Meta’s Horizon Worlds. This

virtual space is an exact full-scale replica of my studio, complete

with interactive heavy bags, focus mitts, and a meditation area. My

students can hang out, train together, and hold mitts for each other

in this immersive environment.

3. Enhancing Student Engagement

VR can significantly enhance student engagement by offering

interactive and fun training experiences. Students can practice

techniques, spar, and even meditate in a virtual environment,

making their training more enjoyable and effective. This level

of engagement can help retain students and attract new ones,

showcasing your school in Virtual Reality is a forward-thinking

institution.

MASTER DAN SEGARRA is a 9th Degree Black Belt who is a world renown and respected authority and one of

the highest rank Americans in the Korean Martial Arts. He has a very innovative mind when it comes to curriculum and school

presentation. He has authored several books and has been featured in various Martial Arts Magazines.


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SEEKING STORIES!

Martial Arts World News Magazine is the definitive source

for information, news, education, ethical business

practices, product reviews and innovative developments in

the world of martial arts business.

We are always on the look out for notable, engaging and

valuable stories for our readers!

If you, your school, organization, event, product, or service

has a story that might be of value to our readers, we’d love to

hear about it!

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Contact us at: 407-895-1996

or Email Editor@MartialArtsWorldNews.com

AFTER SCHOOL EXCELLENCE

Make Dollars or Make a

Difference? An after school

program can change your life.

by Grandmaster Mike Bugg

There are many contradictions in our lives, opposites that

compete for our time and resources. The martial arts offer a good

metaphor for this: The yin and yang.

You can think of the need for your business to make money as

the yin. You have to increase your profits to improve your school

and the livelihood of yourself and your staff. In a capitalist economy

you need capital for your business to succeed. In a tenuous world

economy steady, growing streams of income are more important

now than ever.

Now, let’s take a look at the yang side: Emotional compensation.

Nobody works for a paycheck alone. As an entrepreneur you

want the satisfaction of making a positive impact in your community.

In many ways this seems like the opposite of

making a profit. Do you really believe you have to

take a vow of poverty to make the world around

you a better place?

AMSkids is the solution to this contradiction

because it will help you quadruple your

income over traditional martial arts classes,

while giving you the tools to make a difference

in your students’ lives.

Is AMSkids some kind of magic

potion? How does it work?

With outstanding features designed by

education professionals and martial arts

just like you, AMSkids maximizes your

potential with minimal effort.

Quadruple your income.

After school and summer

students generate four times

the revenue of traditional

programs.

No training necessary.

AMSkids provides

objective-based, minuteby-minute

curriculum any

instructor can teach.

It’s easy to run.

AMSkids’ games and

promotions are so easy to

run they build retention as

you use them!

Reach new markets.

The industry-leading AMSkids teen program easily attracts the

teen market.

But the beauty of AMSkids is not just the ease with which it

completely transforms your school, but also the benefits it offers to

your students. Our youth are in crisis, facing the highest childhood

obesity rates ever seen while depression and bullying dominate

the news. The AMSkids program revolves around a life-skills philosophy

based on the principles of traditional martial arts.

Your students will:

• Build self-confidence

• Develop outstanding discipline

• Learn safety tips through bully-proofing and stranger danger

• Grow healthy lifestyle and clean habits that last a lifetime

The AMSkids program is like hiring a team of education professionals

that provide you with a path to profits while benefiting your

community.

With AMSkids, you’ll never have to wonder how to solve the

contradictions of making money or making a difference ever again.

Call (1-800) 275-1600 today to find out how you can increase

profits with AMSkids!

GRANDMASTER MIKE BUGG is an 9th degree black belt and the owner of a $1.52 million-peryear

location, with one of the largest after school and summer camp programs in the country.


Photograph (right) by dusanpetkovic

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GROWTH HACKS

10 Things You Need to

Focus on in 2025 (Part 1)

by Mr. Sean Lee

1. Personalized Student Engagement

Leverage CRM Tools: Use martial arts-specific

CRM software to manage leads, track student

progress, and automate follow-ups.

Custom Communication: Personalize emails,

SMS, and app notifications based on student milestones,

birthdays, or achievements.

2. Community Building

Foster Relationships: Build a strong sense of

belonging by hosting events like student challenges,

parents’ nights, or community seminars.

Social Media Engagement: Showcase student

successes, testimonials, and school values

consistently on Instagram, Facebook,

and TikTok.

Local Outreach: Partner with

schools, community centers,

and local businesses to increase

visibility and community

goodwill.

3. Adopting New Marketing Trends

Short-Form Video Content: Platforms

like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and

YouTube Shorts are critical for

engaging younger audiences.

Search Ads for Enrollment

Cycles: Optimize Google Ads

to capture seasonal enrollment

interest.

AI Tools for Efficiency:

Use AI for ad creation,

copywriting, and lead

analysis to refine

marketing efforts.

4. Flexible Membership Models

Hybrid Options: Offer both in-person and online classes to

meet diverse needs.

Family Packages: Create membership deals for families to

increase retention and enrollment.

Subscription Tiers: Include options like unlimited classes or

exclusive seminars.

5. Retention Over Acquisition

Celebrate Milestones: Hold ceremonies or rewards for belt

promotions, attendance streaks, or long-term memberships.

Instructor Development: Train staff to enhance teaching quality,

ensuring consistency and student satisfaction.

Feedback Loops: Regularly collect feedback from students and

parents to address concerns proactively.

SEAN LEE is the Executive Director of Sales and Marketing for hundreds of martial arts schools and

specializes in online and social media marketing using his extensive professional experience in sports and

martial arts marketing, contract negotiation, and investment.


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The Beauty of Dissatisfaction

by An-Shu Stephen Hayes

In my non-stop travels, I was teaching a

private lesson to a To-Shin Do green belt

student. We were talking about the pace of

progress towards brown and then black belt.

My friend commented, “It’s frustrating to look

at my progress and think how much faster I

would be advancing if I could study with you

every day instead of only a few times each

year.”

I could empathize. Except for my early days

of karate training in the 1960s, I have always

spent more time training on my own than

under the watchful eye of my teacher. Even

when living in Japan, I spent more

nights practicing and drilling

and exploring with my

fellow students than I

did taking lessons from

the head teacher. I reminded

my green belt friend of that reality.

To grow as a martial artist, we need to

explore and digest and come to an understanding.

Then we need to come to internalize

any technique as our own. To do all

that we need space and time away from the

pressure of more new material. One friend

calls that “putting in the dirt time”. It might feel

like running across a plateau more often

than climbing towards a peak.

We need time on those

plateaus to build our

bank of experiences

in order to be truly

ready for the next

cliff-climb of new

concepts and

movements

to take us

higher in our

skill. I know that’s the truth, but my green belt friend still felt such

sentiments were easier accepted by one like me who had already

earned all the belts.

I replied that each of us must make the best of whatever our situation

is in a life of training. “Keep pushing your boundaries and do

your best every day of training,” I offered. “You have all the DVDs

for your rank, plus some. You are re-reading all the books. You are

a committed subscriber to our online ninja training courses. You do

regular Skype lessons with the teachers in my personal dojo. Every

time I am in your town you book a private lesson with me. You are

way ahead of where I was back in the 1970s, though I can sense

you do not believe it. You are doing your absolute best to advance,

and should be proud of your determination to succeed.” Yes but… I

knew my friend was still feeling itchy.

Secretly, I love it when people doing a great job are restlessly

dissatisfied with their progress. That is so much better than

one who tiptoes in and nibbles at the training but expects to be

honored with belts and praises of his or her expertise. “I could be

doing more!” sounds so much more noble than, “You should be

giving me more.” Don’t you think so too?

AN-SHU STEPHEN HAYES has authored more than 20 books, worked as a body guard for the Dali

Lama, supervised over 30 school locations worldwide, and was named “A legend; one of the 10 most influential

living martial artists in the world” by Black Belt Magazine


Photograph (right) by Thx4Stock

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EXTRAORDINARY MARKETING


by Grandmaster Stephen Oliver

Thinking properly about Direct Response Marketing

I attended a fairly small meeting hosted by Dan Kennedy and

his associate, owner of Forbes

Books, Adam Witty with Ken Fisher, obviously of Fisher

Investments. Fisher was explaining to us how, when he was still

a relatively small growing company, the direct response marketing

he was doing was working really well. He said it was working

so well that he was terrified that the big guys were going to

notice and then knock him off. This was when he was doing about

$15,000,000 a year in revenue. It’s now over $1.3 Billion a year.

So, what he did is he started looking for an investor, a partner who

would inject capital in the company, so he would

have enough capital to ramp it up and roll it

out quickly. This meant that the big guys

wouldn’t be able to blow him out of the

water once they figured out what was

working.


Doesn’t Work

In the process of trying to do that,

he talked with many people in existing

big companies and they all said the

same thing: “Oh, we’ve tried advertising

and it doesn’t work. We’ve tried

direct response marketing

and that doesn’t

work. We’ve tried it

all and it doesn’t

work.” It was

a wake-up call

that, strangely,

he didn’t have

to worry about

being “knocked

off” or need

to look outside

investment to

scale before being

copied.

Oh, But Direct Response DOES Work

Well, you can trust me when I say, direct response marketing

works great. The fact is, companies who “tried and failed”

weren’t working it properly, likely weren’t tracking it well, and in

all likelihood failed to create effective offers. It was a case of a

whole bunch of people who didn’t know what they were doing.

Ogilvy, who was really the first real advertising agency on Madison

Avenue who understood direct response, would say the direct mail

guys are the only ones who really know what’s going on because

they track their numbers.

I can tell you, if you don’t already know. When working with

advisors with any of the many HUGE companies, they’re all having

to “hunt what they eat.” Most typically, even the largest companies

have training programs that really are no better than that depicted

in the movie starring Ben Affleck and Vin Diesel “The Boiler Room”

(which was the first movie based upon Stratton Oakmont.).

Be Your Competitor’s Prospect

A sad article that I read about Merrill Lynch talked about them

banning cold calling and shifting to cold contacts made on LinkedIn.

Well, more on this later but there certainly are better ways to

generate qualified prospects that 100 or 1,000 cold contacts with

manual labor. A great tip to find out what works well and what

other people are doing is to ‘play prospect’. What this means, is

essentially pretend you are a prospect looking into certain businesses.

Sign up for their offers, let them have your emails, let them

send you stuff in the mail like free books and free information

packets.

Not only will you get some free goodies from this, but you will

also get free insight into how they run their marketing. An otherwise

fairly successful advisors recently tried to tell me that no one

uses direct mail advertising anymore. That is a load of rubbish.

One, I can tell you as being in their target audience that I get a lot

of mail from Wealth Management Companies and often get the

same or similar solicitations from the same company over and over.

I have a box full of mail that I’ve received including some very good

pieces from Fisher.

Don’t believe me? Let me point out there’s a company called

“who’s mailing what” that will let you search by industry to see

what’s being mailed now.

GRANDMASTER STEPHEN OLIVER, is a 9th degree black belt and is the founder and CEO of

Mile High Karate schools, and founder of the Martial Arts Wealth Mastery Program.


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PILLARS OF SUCCESS

3 Steps to Build

Corporate Leadership (Part 3b)

by Grandmaster Y. K. Kim

Create a Winning Team Continued

Rule number three for building a quality team:

Create excellent relationships. To boost team performance

and to achieve team goals, a corporate leader needs to

develop quality team relationships. With good relationships,

it is easy to increase team morale and boost performance to

achieve team goals. With broken relationships, it is easy to

destroy teamwork and inhibit team performance, thereby ruining

team morale and making it difficult to achieve team goals.

In the worst case you might lose quality members and

weaken the organization.

A CEO’s top responsibility is to build winwin

relationships:

Set clear team goals: It will give the team unity.

Make a clear job description for each

member: They will take personal responsibility.

Develop clear rules and regulations: Which will

prevent confusion and fighting.

Create an excellent communications system:

Communication is the key to team unity and boosting

performance.

Rule number four for building a

quality team:

Create rewards and punishment.

You must have fair leadership,

balancing strictness with flexibility,

which means you must have a cold

mind and a warm heart to lead

your team.

Team members who do good

get rewards, and who do bad get

punished.

Strictness means you inform

and educate team members that they must follow the rules. Without

strictness, your team will be chaotic.

Flexibility means you understand that no one is perfect. Help

them learn from their mistakes, and give them a chance to improve.

However, habits count.

If a team member does not follow the rules, does not learn

from his mistakes, and continues to do wrong, you must separate

him from the other members because A-class players like to play

with A-class players. By the same token, you should recognize

and reward players who do a good job. Quality team members

will stay with you and other team members will learn from them.

Follow the example of pro sports teams: They recognize individual

skills by paying their stars much higher than they pay the

average player.

Set a team reward that will help team unity and maximize team

potential.

Set personal rewards that will help you get rid of team members

who are lazy, and reward people who have excellent performance

and results.

As a corporate leader, you must set team and personal rewards,

and you must build fair leadership to boost team performance

and to achieve team goals.

GRANDMASTER Y. K. KIM is the most successful martial arts business leader in the US, having written

over 30 books on martial arts, business, leadership, and success. He has won numerous public service

awards and is the founder of the leading martial arts marketing and management company in the US.


Illustration (right) by Patcharin Saenlakon

BE RECOGNIZED in future editions of

Martial Arts World News Magazine.

Our goal at Martial Arts World News Magazine is to

support our industry and help you grow your martial

arts school. It’s incredibly useful for our readers to hear

about YOUR specific experiences and results.

You are part of a wonderful industry and community

with Martial Arts World News Magazine, and now, you’ll

be able to share and contribute to that community in a

richer and more meaningful way than ever before!

Share Stories About:

• Achieving a New Rank

• Opening a New Location

• Winning an Award

• Discovering a Successful Marketing Strategy

• Building a Retention System that Works Well

• Tournament Results

• Anything else that our readers might find valuable!


Or send your story ideas to Editor@MartialArtsWorldNews.com

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STAFF DEVELOPMENT

The 3 Stages of

BUSHI BAN Martial Arts

Learning & Development

by Grandmaster Zufi Ahmed

In BUSHI BAN Martial Arts, growth is a journey of self-discovery and mastery. Each

stage builds upon the last, creating a foundation for lifelong learning. Here are the

three core stages of martial arts development:

Skill Stage

This is where the journey begins. Students focus

on mastering physical techniques, building strength,

coordination, and discipline. It’s about learning the

movements and developing the muscle memory necessary

for martial arts proficiency.

Knowledge Stage

As skills grow, so does

understanding. Students

delve deeper into the

philosophy, principles, and

strategies behind martial

arts. This stage bridges

the gap between physical

practice and intellectual comprehension,

fostering a deeper connection

to the art.

Wisdom Stage

The highest stage of learning.

Wisdom comes through

experience and the application

of skills and knowledge

in daily life. It’s about embodying the values of martial arts—humility,

resilience, and leadership—while inspiring and guiding others

on their journey.

Each stage is a step toward becoming not just a martial artist,

but a well-rounded individual. At BUSHI BAN, we’re honored to

guide our students through this transformative path.

Which stage are you in? Let us know in the comments below

and share your journey!

GRANDMASTER ZULFI AHMED has amassed acclaim as a world-class competitor, martial

arts educator, and is most notably founder and designer of the internationally renowned style, Bushi Ban.

With over 45 years of martial arts experience and over 300 martial arts awards, his schools include ten

locations across Texas.


Photograph (right) by guruXOOX

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THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI

Zanshin - Eight Directions

of Awareness (Part 4)

by Shihan Dana Abbott

Tens of thousands of cuts later I could spin like a top while executing vertical, diagonal

and horizontal cuts at full speed.

The smoother my movements became the less energy I

expelled thus conserving my strength. I was slowly beginning to

understand how the eight different directions came into play. I also

began to understand the simplicity of the angles, which led me to

not over think the techniques involved. This simplicity allowed me

to practice at a higher level of awareness than I had experienced

previously. Now, honed and practiced, my cutting patterns are executed

at blinding speed with spot on accuracy. Through practice

and repetition my thoughts and intentions were not telegraphing

to my opponents anymore. The more practiced and disciplined I

became the more I could consistently strike like a machine.

After a few more months of intense practice had passed Abe

Sensei came to me after a training session, hands me an old tattered

book and says, “Read this and you will better understand the

meaning of Zanshin. This book “ 五輪書 ” was written by a famous

Japanese Warrior named, Miyamoto Musashi. If you can understand

his words literally you will become more like him. When you

have read it twice, we will speak again about Zanshin”. I took

the book and begin to read and decipher the Japanese

kanji. The first pages were the most difficult, but the

further I read the less complicated it

became. The more I understood the

book’s mindset the more it became

mine. The more I gained experience in

sparring the less I needed to be defensive

and began to be offensive. Moreover,

I read each and every page multiple

times, and each time I become more as

one with his techniques.

One morning towards the end of a

regular training session I was sparring

against a senior student. He and I were going at it in earnest. So

much so that anyone nearby could detect the scent of burning

bamboo shinai emitting from our fight. In the heat of our battle,

my shinai hit its mark and I set up for the next strike and then the

next and the next. Upon completion we bowed to each other and

stepped out of the ring. Abe Sensei approached me and immediately

put his arm around me and said, “Handsome Boy!”

Abe Sensei then said, “It is time for you to understand the

feeling of Zanshin in relation to an opponent”. He motioned to a

student to come and face off with me. Crossing swords in a center

stance I locked eyes with my new opponent. Then Abe Sensei

instructed me to turn my head away, either to my left or right, and

tilted slightly downward. At this position I could not readily see my

opponent’s face but in my peripheral vision I realized that I could

recognize and feel even his slightest movements and transitions. I

began sparring this way day after day and week after week until I

could feel my opponent’s presence without directly looking at him.

When I became proficient sparring in this manner, Abe Sensei

then pitted me against two opponents for my next level of mindset

and physical awareness. My two opponents were positioned one

to my left flank and the other to my right at 10 and 2 o’clock. Without

making eye contact I sparred both opponents simultaneously

using my peripheral vision. Employing simple striking patterns

against two opponents, I executed the techniques that will give

me an advantage. At first, I kept thinking of plans of attack but

then immediately realized that simple direct techniques worked

best. If I were to spar two opponents at once, I had to greatly

increase my speed, stamina and shorten my cutting patterns. I

practiced at this stage for quite some time further developing my

prowess, increased timing and rhythm to enable me to become

quick and intimidating.

SHIHAN DANA ABBOTT Is a 7th degree black belt in Kenjutsu, starting his 14-year education in Tokyo. He has

published five books and designed a US Patent. Abbott has also conducted seminars in over 30 countries and obtained

his black belt at the Hombu dojo in Yokohama. He currently offers online classes on LearntheSword.com, his unique

swordsmanship academy.

80 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1 Photograph (right) by leolintang

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MASTERING MODERN BJJ

The Art of Pacing for Training in

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu For Life (Part 1)

by Master Carlos Machado

How do you train BJJ for life? How do you avoid injuries, burnouts, or plateaus? How

do you deal with different sizes, ages, and levels of opponents? How do you keep

your motivation and passion high?

One of the most important skills that you need to develop is the

art of pacing. Pacing is the ability to control and adjust your speed,

intensity, and strategy according to the situation. Pacing is what allows

you to train smarter, not harder. Pacing is what makes you last

longer, learn faster, and perform better.

Pacing for Learning

One of the greatest equalizers in BJJ, when it comes to the

battle of the ages between the younger and the older student,

when all learning is happening at the same time, lies on how

you strategize the pacing.

It is not something unknown that when you learn how

to pace, you can maximize your possibilities and increase

your opponents’ liabilities. Slow and steady has

always proved to be the best pace, not only because it

allows continuing effort but also prevents interruptions

due to injuries or burnouts.

But how do you pace yourself for learning? How

do you make sure that you are absorbing and

applying the information that you receive

from your instructor or your training

partners?

One of the best methods that I use

and teach is reverse engineering.

This is a method that consists of

teaching or learning the end first,

and then going backwards to the

beginning.

For example, if I want to teach

or learn an arm bar from

the mount, I don’t start

by showing or practicing

the setup or the transition.

I start by showing

or practicing the finish,

the grip breaking part

before extending the

joint into submission. I

let myself or my student feel how it is to complete the move, how

to apply pressure, leverage, and angle. I let them experience the

satisfaction of locking the arm and tapping their partner.

Then, I go back to the previous step, the transition from the

mount to the arm bar. I show or practice how to isolate the arm,

how to swing the leg over the head, how to control the posture

and position. I let myself or my student practice this step until they

can do it smoothly and confidently.

Finally, I go back to the first step, the setup from the mount. I

show or practice how to create an opening, how to bait their partner,

how to secure their grips and hooks. I let myself or my student

drill this step until they can do it instinctively and effectively.

By learning or teaching in this reverse order, I help myself or my

student connect the dots more easily and quickly. They already

know where they are going and what they are doing. They just

need to fill in the gaps and polish their execution.

This method works for any technique or sequence in BJJ, from

the simplest to the most complex. It gives me or my student a clear

vision of the goal and the outcome. It also helps me or my student

feel the technique, not just see it or understand it.

MASTER CARLOS MACHADO is one of the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the United States of America.

Currently a Coral Belt, and promoted to Black Belt by Carlos Gracie Junior, Carlos Machado came to the USA in the early

1990’s with his brothers where they formed the RCJ Machado Jiu Jitsu Association, one of the strongest & growing BJJ

organizations in the world today.

82 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1 Photograph (right) by PeopleImages

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As professional martial arts school

owners and instructors, it’s important

that we stay up to date with the

latest tools, tactics, and strategies

for operating a successful martial

arts school or organization.

We here at Martial Arts World News

Magazine are on an unstoppable

mission to help our industry grow,

and one of the best ways to do that

is by sharing “what’s working” and

what’s not.

So, we want to feature schools,

school owners, instructors,

organizations, students, and industry

contributors that might have a story

our readers would find valuable!

No story is too small or too big for

consideration so long as there is

value to our readers.


Send your Story Idea to us.

Email Editor@MartialArtsWorldNews.com

Or Contact us at: 407-895-1996

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NEXT LEVEL STRATEGY

Remember the old saying Hard

Work Pays Off?

by Shihan Allie Alberigo

Maybe Hard work doesn’t matter for ANYMORE FOR SOME

Just recently I read a post on Facebook from a teacher. He was

voicing his opinion about how he was angry that there are many martial

art instructors who falsify their rank. His post said “It is sad when

a so called martial art instructor would stoop so low as to create a

fake title and rank, to make themselves feel superior over others.

When in fact they have started a trend for a new breed of clowns.”

I saw how so many people chimed in and commented on this

phenomenon, including myself, so I know it hit a nerve. Now I know

that hearing this might be a surprise to many of my students or

potential students and families in my school. This type of thing puts

a big stain on the martial arts. You may be asking why am I even

speaking about it? Shouldn’t I just let it stay hidden in the shadows

and not mention it unless someone asks? Here is my reason.

I have been in the martial arts for over 54 plus years and counting

for the last 31 years I have run a full time martial art school and

have logged about approximately 30,000 hours of teaching, training

and spending time within the martial arts if my math is correct.

In that period of time I have seen this happen over and over again.

In fact, I have seen students that trained under me starting off

with no rank, pass me by in rank and have developed a

false history in their martial art legacy too many times.

So when responding to the Facebook post I wrote

“This is not a new phenomenon. This has been happening

forever. So much so that there was a belt company

that sells black belts in different forms of wear

and distress. Meaning the belts come pre-warn out

to give the appearance of time, hard work and

training, similar to that of distressed jeans.

Because when looking at a real martial

artists belt, the tattered belt means they

put in their time and experience in

that belt and training on the mat.

Now it doesn’t stop there, there

are many people who make up

fictional resumes and add things to it as if it actually happened to

make themselves look better. Sadly many times these fakes and

frauds are not real martial artists or are just beginning their journey.

My suggestion to any upcoming or existing martial artist is to train

and developing skills that are untouchable and the rank will follow

and remember that rank in the form of titles really doesn’t matter

without skill and ability.”

So now your mind may be blow about people falsifying their

ranks, their resume and even wearing a pre-manufactured belt

that helps them look better. For those that are looking for a quality

martial art school, here are five questions you can ask to determine

whether the school is legitimate.

1) Where have you trained and are you still associated with those

teachers.

2) Where did you receive ranking in all of these various styles?

Who gave them to you? How long did it take you?

3) When looking at a school you must feel comfortable with the

environment. That is easily determined by a few factors. The staff and

instructors and the families and students. Gauge your impression on

how you are treated and how you feel when you are there. Not only

about the way you are treated but the way the school is maintained

and cleaned and the general feeling of the establishment too.

4) Depending on what type of school you are looking for, you

can determine if it meets your goals by simply asking questions.

“my child needs to learn how to focus, do you have experience

helping children with this?” If they say yes, ask “how?” Hopefully

the martial arts will be a long term life skill, so you have to be

comfortable with what they say, and how you feel when speaking

to them.

5) Make sure to ask enough questions, to gain trust in that

instructor and their team. Because if you don’t trust them and want

to fully dive in, to their lessons. Then you will not reap the rewards of

the school, the teachers and also their ability to shape, and enhance

your families or your life.

SHIHAN ALLIE ALBERIGO is a 7th degree black belt, the founder of the L.I. Ninjutsu Centers, one of

the largest Ninjutsu schools on the planet, the author of 4 books, and an entrepreneur with one of the first online

coaching companies.


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MIND MASTERY

Using Social Media and

Magazine Marketing to Boost

Your Martial Arts School (Part 2)

by Grandmaster Jessie Bowen

Two effective methods that can significantly contribute to the growth and success

of a martial arts school are social media marketing and magazine marketing. Social

media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives, with billions of people

actively using platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

By leveraging the power of social media, martial arts schools

can reach a wider audience and engage with potential students

in a more interactive and personalized manner. Through regular

posts, updates, and engaging content, schools can

showcase their unique offerings, such as different

martial arts styles, experienced instructors, stateof-the-art

facilities, and success stories of their

students.

By consistently sharing valuable and informative

content, schools can establish themselves

as industry leaders and build trust with

their target audience. Magazine marketing,

on the other hand, provides a

more traditional approach

to reaching potential

students. Magazines

are still widely read and

appreciated by many

individuals, offering a

tangible and credible

source of information.

By strategically

placing advertisements

or publishing

articles in martial arts-related magazines, schools can effectively

target their desired audience. These magazines often have a

dedicated readership of martial arts enthusiasts who are actively

seeking information about training, techniques, and schools.

Martial arts schools can capture the attention of potential

students who are actively seeking to join a martial arts program by

showcasing their school’s unique selling points, such as specialized

training programs, flexible class schedules, or a supportive

and inclusive community. While social media marketing and magazine

marketing are effective strategies, they should not be used in

isolation. Instead, they should be integrated into a comprehensive

marketing plan that includes other channels such as website optimization,

email marketing, and community outreach.

Combining these different marketing approaches, martial arts

schools can create a cohesive and impactful brand presence

that resonates with their target audience. In conclusion, social

media marketing and magazine marketing are two powerful tools

that can greatly enhance the visibility and success of martial arts

schools. By leveraging the reach and engagement of social media

platforms and the credibility of magazines, schools can effectively

attract new students and establish themselves as leaders in the industry.

However, it is important to remember that these strategies

should be part of a larger marketing plan encompassing various

channels and approaches to maximize their impact.

GRANDMASTER JESSIE BOWEN is president of Karate International of Durham, Inc., a member of the

American Martial Arts Association Sport Karate League and Hall of Fame, and has been a member of the Duke University

PE Staff for over 25 years. He is the author of Zen Mind-Body Mindfulness Meditation and Zen Mind-Body Mindfulness

Meditation for Martial Arts, as well as several other books, programs, and audio CDs on meditation and success training.


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INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE

Teaching Adolescents

by Grandmaster Tim McCarthy

It should be no secret to any instructor of the martial arts that students have different

needs at different ages.

If you teach teenagers the same way you teach children, you

will not have a very well-attended teen class. With that understanding

in mind, here are some things you may not have realized about

teaching adolescents (ages 13 to 18.)

Generally speaking, teens should be attending adult class

rather than children’s class because except for full adult size and

strength, they are developing adult coordination and getting

adult interests. More importantly, they feel like they are adults . . .

and if you make them feel like children, they will not want to stick

around. You may have a family class that is appropriate, or if you

have enough teens to make up their own class, great! But if you

don’t, let them attend the adult classes.

Like the preteens we discussed last issue, teenagers are

getting more involved in school activities and sports,

and spend more time doing homework and socializing,

so they have less time for your classes. Your

best hope for keeping them active in your school

is to give them the feeling of accomplishment for

the skills they are developing and to offer a social

group of friends. It may be easy to quit your class,

but it’s not so easy to quit your friends.

Create teams: Tournament Team, Demo Team,

and Leadership Team. Offer special classes (maybe

once a week) for these specialty teams where

only the members attend (creating the

tight nit group of friends) and offering

special training that isn’t available in

the other classes. These teams do

not need to be “only teens.” The

teens will feel cool if there are some

skilled and respected adults on their

team to look up to. They can also

practice leadership skills if there

are younger kids on the team.

That being said, you may want to

have the teens form a special group within the team just for them,

where they plan their own contributions to the team or to the

school. Give them a combination of guidance and autonomy to

decide how they want to contribute. They can initiate community

service projects, school upgrades, and more.

Teens are constantly bombarded with peer pressure. During

class and especially during mat chats help them develop an

internal locus of control, where they look to themselves and their

own principles for approval rather than to their friends. Impress on

them that leaders lead, they don’t blindly follow.

Also consider offering them positions in the management of

the school. If you have an after school martial arts program or

summer camp, teens make great staff members to help with the

kids. I recommend you pay them, but if you can’t afford it at the

beginning, you can offer tuition discounts or some other perks

until you have built your enrollment to the point where you can

pay them fairly.

Students who express an interest in becoming an instructor

some day can learn to answer the phone, make calls to set

appointments, help with cleaning, etc., as long as you train them

properly. Having an untrained person answer the phone is worse

than letting the voicemail take a message.

Some schools have initiated scholarship programs for teens.

They log an agreed-upon number of hours working for the school,

and you put away the money you would pay them in a scholarship

fund. When they graduate from high school, you give them the

agreed-upon money to help with their college expenses.

Generally speaking, the key is to make them feel important to

you and to the school. We all need to feel important, but adolescents

are looking for ways to help them find their identity. You can

offer them several options of a positive identity that helps them

feel important by helping other students in your school. Teens

aren’t an easy audience to capture, but if you can, you will have a

steady resource of instructors and possibly branch school owners

and managers.

GRANDMASTER TIM MCCARTHY is a 9th degree black belt and is a martial arts educator with

a master’s degree in education. He has been instrumental in developing two industry-changing programs, plus

has directed and been featured in hundreds of martial arts videos and webinars.


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BUDO PHILOSOPHY

The Inner Outer Key

by Shidoshi Alfredo Tucci

“This world will not die of an atomic bomb as the papers say; it will die of laughter, of

banality, making a joke of everything, and a bad joke at that.” Carlos Ruiz Zafón

“I do not wish to sound apocalyptic, but the show has taken

the place of culture. The world has become a huge stage, a huge

show.” José Saramago

We live in times of acceleration and entropy. Like when you put

something in a mixer, everything now tends to go towards the periphery,

and so we are centrifuged in a vertiginous acceleration. On

the outside, the garbage is shot out of the fan; inside, the loss of

substance is rampant. The inside and the outside in this scenario

are related in trends, and the trend in these “Fire” times, is, on the

one hand, the transubstantiation of matter in an evolutionary leap

towards the consciousness of the immaterial (the advent of a new

spirituality); and on the other, the internal emptying, nothingness.

The “Momo” * gray men fill the streets, part-time or full-time

zombies; people speak repeating patterns, which are

not questioned by a minimum of good sense and

almost always serving other people’s purposes,

among other things, because of lack of truly

personal objectives. These are nonexistent, but

curiously enough, they’re blessed by an ideology

that extols the individual thing to a degree

of divine, and a mistaken idea of freedom as

the flag of all this. They are the result of the lack

of character and of a dimidiate education, and

as a consequence of all this, there are neither

persons nor personality, but automatism;

mental tics and intellectual watering

holes for the flock.

The majority only strives to

respond to internal demands

processed by the environment. To

a large extent, this is because the

material objectives are constantly

being induced through a continuous

bombardment of information

and pre-established stimuli, and if

someone lacks judgment, there will surely be another person who

will have it for him.

The information society has created mentally sloth people, and

it’s already known that easiness leads to difficulty. The inherent

advantage of the wealth of information lies in the ability to process

it to new conclusions, not in emptying people’s heads and forming

“illustrated ignorants”, by dint of a searcher. Creativity does not

work without the intelligence muscle being sufficiently trained, or

what is the same, idiocy is an insurmountable barrier to creativity,

leaving it relegated to the epigraph of occurrence.

The banality has been imposed accordingly, reaching the level

of “Art”, and praising graffiti vandals, sanctifying absurd skills

for the evolution of the species, such as kicking a ball, and even

elevating obtuse characters without any other useful trade, to the

highest paid altars and to the collective adoration of yesteryear

heroes.

Ancient Shizen Masters understood that two were the forces

that moved the personal worlds, namely, the inner inertia and the

outer inertia. The ministry of the first one concerned and related

to everything that encompassed the inner world of the person

and his or her capacity for self-mobilization. In other words, what

had to do and depended only on oneself. The external inertia was

generated in the world and reached the person in the form of situations

and events, which could move or stagnate, both positive and

negative, although for Shizen scholars, all stagnation was in itself

the greatest of negativities.

When the two spheres stop, the personal Universe, ultimately

shaped with both inertias, collapses and sinks. Since every spiral is

dominated from the center, the ancients recommended not to give

up on internal endeavors and activities, even and especially, at

times when the worldliness collapses. As the planet’s own internal

rotor, we must not cease to strive and keep our inner world going,

beyond the events and variable situations of the external world.

Life is movement, and at the end, Uni-versus itself means the “One

turning”, the One in motion.

SHIDOSHI ALFREDO TUCCI is the CEO and General Manager of the Budo International Publishing

Company, a leading publisher in the martial arts with over 35 years in the industry. He is also author of several

books: The Immaterial Dimension, The Way of the Warrior, and The Spirit. He currently lives in Valencia, Spain.


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COMPLETE MARTIAL ARTS CONCEPTS

Kata Routine - A Path to

Personal Expression

and Inner Peace (Part 2)

by Professor Willie “The Bam” Johnson

In the world of martial arts, the traditional debate between practicality and artistry

has evolved. While Wu Shu has evolved into a performing art in China, martial artists

worldwide seek to balance the artistry of their kata with its practical application, given

the dynamic challenges of the modern era.

Personal expression through kata practice is paramount, as it

equips martial artists to react instinctively to unforeseen attacks.

Unlike the past, where fighters specialized in either kata or

combat, today’s competitors excel in both realms. They

dissect each form thoroughly, comprehending the

depth of each move and its adaptability.

For some individuals, kata transcends mere

mechanics. Kata serves as a path to moving meditation,

where the mind becomes detached from

bodily motions, leading to profound harmony of

mind, body, and spirit. This is the essence of

personal expression—being at one

with oneself.

To enhance your kata

practice and unlock personal

expression, consider the following

drills:

1. Slow Motion Kata: Focus

on the seven elements

of kata expression while

performing movements in

slow motion.

2. Section Practice: Break

down katas into sections,

practicing each repeatedly.

3. Speed: Gradually increase speed, emphasizing balance and

technique.

4. Kata to Music: Utilize music to set the rhythm for your kata

practice.

5. Adding to a Kata: Incorporate your unique talents into your

kata routine.

6. Designing Your Own Kata: Create a custom kata to showcase

your best techniques.

7. Blindfolded Kata: Enhance your kata by practicing blindfolded,

improving your spatial awareness.

Remember, kata practice is not just about technique; it’s a transformative

journey toward personal expression and self-discovery.

Embrace it, and you’ll unlock your full potential as a martial artist.

PROFESSOR WILLIE “THE BAM” JOHNSON is a 7th degree black belt and seven-time sport

karate and Kung-Fu world champion. He has appeared in four movies, 16 plays, and 11 television shows. He is also

the national spokesperson for the Stronger than Drugs Foundation and the Champions Against Drugs.

96 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1 Photograph (right) by lucy baldwin

Lee Milteer is an Internationally known and celebrated

Entrepreneur, Visionary, Best Selling Author, Award winning

Professional Speaker, TV Personality, and Intuitive Business Mentor.

Lee provides business and success advice and resources to nearly

250,000 people around the world.

Reclaim the Magic

will evoke a consciousness

shift and an awakening

within you to manifest your

heart’s true desires. is

book will give you the tools

and concepts to claim your

natural birthright power as

a manifestor.

Success is an

Inside Job

will empower

ANYONE to

achieve new levels

of self-clarity and

control over their

destiny.

MASTER THE BASICS

Take a Lesson

From Bank Robbers

by Master Tina Bane

The story goes that when Willie Sutton, the FBI’s Most Wanted criminal, was captured,

a reporter asked him why he robbed banks.

He replied, “That’s where the money is.”

Although you may not agree with his morality,

it’s kind of hard to argue with his logic.

When I opened my school I had a choice

and I wanted to go where the money was. I

didn’t decide I would only teach rich clients but

I saw a clear difference. As I was working for

my master instructor in his school, I knew what

“regular” martial arts students were paying for their classes and I

knew what after school martial arts students and summer campers

were paying for their classes.

Don’t get me wrong: I am a firm believer that

if you offer a superior product you can charge

a premium price. Our curriculum is awesome

and we offer benefits most other schools cannot,

so we can ask for a higher tuition than our

competitors; but that raises another question:

Exactly who is your competitor?

If you look at the market of prospective

students who want to take martial

arts classes, you’ll find martial arts

schools charging $150 a month

or so in my community.

However, if you look at

the market of parents

who need after

school care for

their child, you’ll

find day care centers

charging $80

a week or so, which

comes out to over

$300 a month and that can

go up to $500 a month during summer camp.

That’s where the money is.

The AMSkids program offers you a tremendous

advantage in that market. When a parent

can choose between a day care program that

offers to babysit their child or a martial arts

education program that teaches their child selfconfidence,

self-discipline, and leadership for

the same price, it really is a no-brainer. You can have the superior

product in a market that has been strong in economic ups and

downs.

Even during the 2008 recession, schools that had an AMSkids

after school martial arts program managed to thrive when other

schools around them closed. After the economy rebounded my

school was doing even better.

Because AMSkids students pay two to five times as much as

regular martial arts students, it takes fewer students to provide a

solid financial base for your school. You can very quickly generate

$50–100,000 per year in extra income. I was able to be profitable

in the first three months of operation.

Make no mistake about it; I teach quality martial arts. I have my

students in class five days a week so I can have a bigger effect on

their lives. On average my after school students quickly develop

better technique and martial arts etiquette because they spend

more time in class, and even more time in the school, than my

evening students.

If your martial arts school needs more income to stay financially

strong, it’s hard to argue with the logic go where the money is.

Start an AMSkids after school martial arts program to provide

a valuable service to your community while getting paid better for

teaching quality martial arts.

Call my friends at AMS at (1-800) 275-1600 to find out how they

can help you get started without making beginner mistakes.

MASTER TINA BANE is a 7th degree master instructor and owner of a Top Ten martial arts school

with successful after school and summer camp programs.


Photograph by vwalakte

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BUSINESS BUZZ

Mastering the Art: 15 Tips for

Teaching Martial Arts to Adults

(Part 1)

by Grandmaster Lawrence Arthur

Unlocking the Potential of Adult Students with Expert Instruction

In the dynamic world of martial arts, teaching adults requires a

unique set of skills and considerations. Whether your students are

professionals seeking fulfillment or individuals looking to enhance

their self-defense abilities, these 15 tips will guide you in becoming

a master instructor for adult learners.

1. Embrace the Black Belt Attitude: Adults want

to cultivate a sense of professionalism in their

martial arts journey. Encourage a ‘black belt

attitude’ - look tough, act tough, and prioritize

personal safety. Acknowledge their past experiences,

reinforcing the belief that they can be

a formidable force.

2. Instill Military-like Discipline: Adults

often respond well to a structured and

disciplined environment. Introduce

etiquette and protocol reminiscent

of military practices, treating

higher-ranking students with

respect. Create an atmosphere

where they feel

enlisted in a martial arts

mission.

3. Balance the

Desire for Black Belt

with Practical Self-

Defense: While the

coveted black belt is

a medium-term goal,

emphasize the ultimate

objective – the ability to defend oneself. Address the fears associated

with a potentially long commitment, assuring them that

self-defense skills are the pinnacle achievement.

4. Foster a Sense of Belonging: For single adults, martial arts

can be a path to belonging, while attached adults may view the

school as a second home. Create a community where everyone

feels welcome and supported.

5. Lead by Example – Be a Lifelong Student: Maintain your

role as a perpetual student, demonstrating the value of continuous

growth. Adults, ranging from 26 to 70 years, appreciate instructors

who are not only skilled but also committed to personal development.

6. Elevate Fitness and Self-Defense: Rebrand traditional selfdefense

as ‘Warrior Training,’ emphasizing professionalism. Use

language that resonates with adults, connecting martial arts with

fitness and holistic self-improvement.

7. Empower through Referral Projects: Adults appreciate

referral projects and activities. Teach them effective recruitment

strategies, fostering a sense of pride in building the martial arts

community.

8. Monthly Seminars and Events – The Adult Party: Create

a vibrant atmosphere with monthly seminars and events. Dive

deeper into self-defense applications and host themed gatherings,

such as ‘Girls Night Out,’ leveraging social media for promotion.

9. Life Skill Integration for Adult Learners: Recognize that

adults, like children, benefit from life skill teachings. Incorporate

valuable life lessons, making the training experience richer and

more applicable to their daily lives.

Continued Next Issue

GRANDMASTER LAWRENCE ARTHUR has been a martial artist, specializing in Karate, Kung

Fu, Kenpo, Shotokan, and Goju Ryu, since 1968. He owns 40 Super Kick Karate locations and is founder of the

American Freestyle Karate Association (AFKA). A world champion and hall of famer, Lawrence also runs the

Black Belt Success Systems consulting firm, which trains martial arts instructors on proper business practices

and is used by schools all over the country.


UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Time: 4 pm to 6 pm

Cost: $20 Adults / $5 Kids

SALUTE TO CURTIS WONG & INSIDE KUNG FU

MAGAZINE

This is going to be a special day as we honor the

pioneer, founder and publisher of Inside Kung Fu

magazine, Curtis Wong. This is a rare opportunity

to honor him. It’s going to be packed!!!

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Time: 11 pm to 5 pm

Cost: $50 Adults / Kids 17 & Under are FREE

DRAGONFEST EXPO

Hosted by the Martial Arts History Museum is the

18th Annual Dragonfest Expo. The greatest martial

arts expo in the world. Meet your favorite celebs

and stars and icons.

MARTIAL ARTS PHILOSOPHY

Early Texas Dojo

By Sensei Gary Lee

I remember our first dojo—it was less than a thousand square feet!

No, wait, let’s go back even further in

my memory. Our first “dojo” was actually

a small two-bedroom apartment. We converted

one 10x12 room into a makeshift

training space. It had holes in the walls

from Sensei kicking people into them, and

the neighbors would call the police every

Tuesday and Thursday night because of

the noise. Sensei scared a lot of people

back then. Funny enough, three of the

policemen who responded to the noise

complaints ended up becoming students!

Later, we moved to a tiny spot in a strip

center. I remember a huge square stilt

right in the middle of the studio. We had

to wrap it with a blanket to avoid injuries

when we accidentally hit it—although Sensei

loved knocking us into it on purpose. He’d say, “That’s the guy

you didn’t expect. He’s the one who’s going to hurt you the most in

a street encounter.” Ouch.

We built a wooden brace to hang an old canvas heavy bag,

which we kept alive with rolls and rolls of duct tape. There was

a single table and chair for sign-ups, a tiny bathroom for changing

clothes, and a bamboo curtain separating the

room. Two cracked mirrors hung side by side,

casualties of fight nights, along with a wooden

silhouette of a man riddled with holes.

The silhouette was for practicing our starthrowing

technique, using Rice Chex cereal

as targets. Sensei would glue squares of

the cereal onto the silhouette, and for every

target we hit, we got to skip pushups and

calisthenics and go straight to sparring.

Sensei was a little eccentric, but

his methods worked. We developed

incredible focus—what

he called kime.

Fight Nights

Fight nights were open to anyone.

And I mean anyone. Sensei would put

an ad in the local newspaper that simply

read:

“Fight Night at the Pashou School of

Self-Defense.”

That was it.

People flocked to the dojo like

seagulls to popcorn. There was a waiver

to sign and a fishbowl where participants

dropped in a dollar to enter. After that,

they’d put their name in a box. When the

fights began, Sensei would draw two

names randomly, and those two would

spar for three minutes.

Sparring gear was optional.

The crowd was wild—a mix of karate practitioners, bikers, cowboys,

ninja types, and the occasional boxer. Some people showed

up to work out, some came to watch, and others just wanted to

prove they could beat me up (spoiler: they often did). It was the

1970s, a time when everyone wanted to be Bruce Lee or Billy Jack.

Sometimes real boxers would show up, and let me tell you—

those guys gave us a beating like no one else could. The fights

were brutal.

Sensei wasn’t just putting random amateurs in the ring, though.

Many of the participants were top-tier martial artists, friends of

Sensei’s. Regulars included Louis Vazquez, Al Garza, Steve Fotenote,

Linda Denley, Kevin W. Scott, Ernie “Radar” Smith, Jeff McRae,

George “Lightning” Sorrell, Chris Klecka, James Vernon, and

many others. Even Sensei’s kids—Stacy Love, Kevin Roy, and Troy

Smith—were thrown into the mix.

Looking back, I couldn’t understand why Sensei let kids fight

adults. Now, I get it. He was building their mental toughness. If they

could hold their own against adults, they could handle anything life

threw at them.

SENSEI GARY LEE, the American Samurai, is a 9th Dan black belt, a USA Karate

Federation gold medalist, winner of five Super Grand National Titles, a featured actor in

the movie Sidekicks, and is the founder of the National Sport Karate Museum.


MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE

What Is the Future

of the Martial Arts?

by Grandmaster Kirk Pelt

We are standing at a crossroads. The direction we choose will determine the future of

the martial arts for the next generation. That’s a pretty heavy responsibility when you

think about it.

One road is the way of the UFC. The other road is the way of

traditional martial arts. Which path should we, as the leaders of the

martial arts industry, follow?

Unquestionably we should follow the way of traditional martial

arts. If we want to preserve our 5,000-year-old tradition, we

should respect that tradition. If we want to preserve the business

that feeds our families we should go home with the partner that

brought us to the dance.

Sure, the UFC is exciting. It has great ratings and a powerful

promotional machine behind it. It’s tempting to jump on the

bandwagon, but how many students do you think want

to get grounded and pounded? How many students

do you need to support a successful martial arts

school? Do you really believe a UFC-style school can

be financially secure? How many successful boxing

gyms do you see in your city? How many successful

wrestling schools do you see in your city?

These are Olympic sports with long histories but

they do not represent a viable business plan. On the

other hand, there are probably several successful

martial arts schools in your city . . . hopefully

yours is one of them.

What’s the difference? When you

focus on winning championships,

whether a belt or a medal represents

that championship, you can only have

one champion. On the other hand,

when you focus on self-development

everyone can be a champion.

Only one person can become the

Olympic Champion or the UFC Champion, but every student can

become a Life Champion.

The physical techniques are important but only as a means to

develop the internal person. Traditional martial arts schools focusing

on the philosophy of the martial arts will be more successful

than schools that focus only on the physical techniques. Grandmaster

Y. K. Kim’s philosophy of the “Five Kinds of Fitness” creates

a simple way to incorporate this philosophy into the classroom.

Can we create a martial arts competition that is more in line with

traditional martial arts values? We hope so.

One possibility is to have exhibition competitions, which show

all the beauty and excitement of the martial arts without the violence.

Another is to create team sparring competitions, possibly

tag team competitions, to increase the action.

We are the current leaders of the martial arts. We are standing

at the crossroads. It’s up to us which road we follow. It just makes

sense that we follow the path that brought us here: The way of

traditional martial arts. Both economically and philosophically, it is

the right choice.

GRANDMASTER KIRK PELT is an 9th degree black belt and is the President of a multi-million

dollar, multi-school organization, has a 30-year track record of success, and is currently on the leading

edge of martial arts curriculum and business innovation.


Photographs by Antonio_Diaz (top left) and Wavebreakmedia (top right)

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THE WARRIOR WAY

The Power of Attitude

by Grandmaster Bill Clark

Positive attitude is critically important. Super Bowl Champion quarterback Bart Starr said,

“If there were just one word I could use to describe a successful person it would be attitude.”

Getting someone to admit they actually have a bad attitude is

about as rare as finding a business that admits to a bad reputation.

Over the years I have met thousands of instructors and students,

but I have never met an instructor or student who thinks he or she

has a bad reputation or a bad attitude. Strangely enough, however,

they can always tell me about a competitor down the street who

has a terrible reputation and a poor attitude!

That’s the same story I hear from Realtors, insurance agents,

gardeners, mechanics and many other occupations. They’re never

the ones with the bad reputations or poor attitudes. It’s always

someone else!

Do you know someone with a bad attitude? I’ll bet you do. What

do you think of that person? Is he or she a happy, balanced, fun-tobe-around

individual? I think not! You can tell a lot about a person’s

attitude by the way other people relate to him, whether acquaintances

greet him with a smile or merely nod in his general direction.

Attitude has been defined as “the belief or bearing of an

individual as it indicates thoughts, feelings, or actions.”

Our attitudes and moods determine to a very large

degree the actions, beliefs, and moods of our family,

friends, peers, and coworkers. Your attitude is like a

flashing sign telling the world at large exactly what you

expect. If it’s a happy, cheerful, positive attitude, there

is little doubt that is what you will get in return.

If it’s sullen, dull, and negative, there is little

doubt that’s what you will get back.

Success depends not only on your

attitude toward others, but also on

your attitude toward yourself. The

successful person knows that

attitude, more than aptitude,

has again and again proven to

be the most important ingredient

to success in any endeavor.

Attitude is what holds us back or propels us forward.

When things seem to be going well, it is easy to have a positive

attitude. It is when things are not going so well that keeping a positive

attitude really makes a difference. I love the words of William

James who was an American philosopher and psychologist who

also a trained as a physician. He said, “The greatest discovery of

my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering

his attitude.”

Managing Your Outlook for Personal Success

He was not alone. The number of great leaders who pegged attitude

as the key factor to success is huge. Clement Stone, author

of the classic book Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude

said, “There is a little difference in people that makes a big difference.

The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether

that attitude is positive or negative.”

Your attitude is like a powerful magnet. A friendly, happy, and

light-hearted attitude creates an environment of good luck. It

attracts good people and good things to you. But beware, for the

reverse is also true. A negative attitude will very often produce

negative results.

Since your actions reflect your attitudes, you will not be inclined

to make strong efforts to accomplish something if your attitude

is negative and you do not believe it can be done. Many people

will base their reactions to you based on their perceptions of you

- the person they are dealing with - rather than your point of view,

expertise or actual product or service offered.

Attitude is a way of thinking about, and looking at, the people

and things around you, as well as yourself. It includes your point of

view of the way things are now as well as your expectation of the

way things are going to be. Because a solidly positive attitude is

the necessary foundation for success, your attitude is one of your

most valuable personal possessions. Protect it from anything that

might harm it, just as you would a priceless treasure.

For more information visitTheEvolutionOfKrav.com

GRANDMASTER BILL CLARK is a 9th degree black belt and a former PKA Fighter of the Year.

He is widely considered one of the top experts in martial arts business with over 50 years of leadership and

innovation, having been inducted into almost every Hall of Fame in the industry. He is one of the largest multischool

owners in the world.


Photograph (right) by Vadym Pastukh

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The world of martial arts is a very

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quickly hit rock bottom, all depending

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“The Science & Secrets of Becoming

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Featuring contributions from

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Secrets of Becoming a Master Martial

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take your career to the next level!

To get your copy today for $29.95,

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TACTICAL SELF-DEFENSE

Executive Defense Training

By Grandmaster Tom Patire

The shooting of that healthcare CEO brought many things to light, and in the forefront

is personalized defensive based safety training.

Now you must understand when you train this level of personnel

that there’s things you do and there’s things you don’t. I have

been training executives for the past 30 years and it is 100% of my

private clientele. I will tell you that it is much different than training

an ordinary student in your school.

First and foremost, executives of high level want one-on-one

confidential training. They want to hide in plain sight and fly under

the radar without anyone knowing that they are being trained

in self-defense or personal protection. They truly do want the

element of surprise on their side, so they do not want any media

coverage or word of mouth recognition.

As a leader of a company, they control a lot of variables and by

being trained properly will not only enhance their

confidence but also enhance their leadership skills,

which is an added bonus to the training you

are offering. I did say properly which means

your executive training module must be quite

different than your normal aspect of defense

teaching.

It starts with where do you train them?

Private training must be in a private place, free

from onlookers. I usually go to their home, or they

come to mine. I have a full training studio in

my house. My training philosophy

for executives is all based

on what they need to know,

not what they want to know.

There’s a great difference

between both. The need

is as you see it as a fullcircle

defense expert of

what’s going on in society

at the time, what

type of company they

work for (are they the target list) and based on their daily activities

and responsibilities in their workplace as well as at home.

Be prepared if they want you to teach them things that have influenced

them from movies or things they have read. I can’t tell you

how many times one of my private clients will say “can you show

me that move from lethal weapon or that move from equalizer”.

That’s when you stick to the script, your script not theirs! Explaining

the difference between Hollywood and the streets usually brings

back to reality.

Another tip on executive training is many are not athletic or in

shape, so you have to adjust techniques to their body movement,

coordination or to their physical size. I have never been a believer

that one technique works for all and in my Executive Defense

Training (EDT) I customize all techniques accordingly. And

always be highly conscious of the understanding that they cannot

get injured or hurt in any way, shape, or form. Putting them out of

work will cause a detriment to their business, especially if they’re

the main decision makers of that company. So, as an added suggestion,

bring an assistant instructor, (who says absolutely nothing)

and let the client you’re training apply all the techniques you’re

teaching to that instructor. I never put my hands on any of my

executive clientele unless they ask me because they want to see if

it works or how it feels. Then I will apply in 10 percent intervals so

they appreciate what that technique can do.

Now there’s also a backdoor play to this one on one time, not

only to train them in an executive defense package, but for them

to get to know who and what you are. It also gives you time to

stimulate their brain on other services you can provide like safety

talks for the staff, or some type of empowerment program based

on situational awareness for their employees. There is no better

audience for marketing 101 than someone teaching a high-level

executive in a private one-on-one environment.

Remember, Safety First Because You May Not Get A

Second Chance! ®

GRANDMASTER TOM PATIRE, is known as “America’s Leading Personal Safety Expert” and has appeared

on Good Morning America, The CBS Morning Show, The Colbert Report, Montel, plus in mainstream publications such as

Family Circle, Redbook, Fortune Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. He has written several books and has personal

safety programs that can be incorporated into your martial arts school, available at TomPatire.com.


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Tools & Tactics

Start Strong: 3 Winning

Promotions to Ignite Your Martial

Arts School in the New Year

by Ms. Chris Lee

As the new year kicks off, it’s the perfect time to set the tone for

success and growth at your martial arts school.

January brings a wave of people eager to try new things, set

goals, and embrace healthier lifestyles, making it a prime opportunity

for lead generation. To help you seize this moment, here are

three impactful promotional ideas that can bring in new students

while building excitement and momentum.

1. “New Year, New You” Free Trial Program

What It Is: Offer a free week of martial arts classes to new students.

Position it as a way to start the year with a commitment to

fitness, focus, and personal growth.

How It Works: Promote this offer through social media ads,

email campaigns, and in partnership with local businesses, gyms,

or community centers. Highlight how martial arts training can help

people achieve their New Year’s resolutions.

Benefits:

• Creates a low-risk entry point for prospects.

• Attracts motivated individuals who are ready

to make a change.

• Builds excitement and a sense of urgency to

sign up before the offer ends.

2. “Bring a Buddy” Challenge

What It Is: Encourage current students to

bring a friend to class. If the friend signs

up for a program, both the student and

their buddy receive a reward, such as

discounted tuition, gear, or free private

lessons.

How It Works: Announce the promotion

during classes, in newsletters, and

on social media. Emphasize the benefits

of training with a friend, like added accountability

and fun.

Benefits:

• Leverages your existing student base togenerate high-quality

leads.

• Strengthens relationships among students, boosting retention.

• Offers an incentive for current students to stay engaged and

involved.

3. Goal-Setting Seminars with a Free Introductory Class

What It Is: Host a seminar focused on setting and achieving

goals, tying it to the discipline and perseverance taught in martial

arts. Include a free introductory martial arts class as part of the event.

How It Works: Market the seminar as a family-friendly event

and invite participants to set their own fitness or personal growth

goals for the year. Use local event calendars and social media to

spread the word.

Benefits:

• Positions your school as a hub for personal development, not

just self-defense.

• Attracts families and individuals looking for meaningful,

community-oriented activities.

• Provides an easy, no-pressure way for people to experience

your school’s culture and teaching style.

The Key to Success: Follow Up

No matter which promotion you choose, consistent follow-up is

critical. Use tools like email automation or text campaigns to thank

attendees, provide more information about your programs, and

guide them toward signing up. Personal touches, like a follow-up

call or a handwritten note, can make a lasting impression and set

your school apart.

By starting the year with creative and engaging promotions,

you can attract new students, inspire your community, and set

the stage for a successful year ahead. Remember, the energy you

bring to your promotions will reflect in your results—so make it fun,

motivating, and impactful!

MS. CHRIS LEE is a martial arts business development consultant with a background in online and social media marketing.


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ADVERTISER INDEX

Action Mega Convention

ActionMegaHoh.com ..............................61

Atlas Marketing Studio

AtlasMarketingStudio.app ......................... 95

Atlas Martial Arts Software

AtlasMartialArtsSoftware.com ...................2, 42

Action Hero Photos

ActionHeroPhotos.com ...........................103

Adventures of Harry & Friends

AdventuresOfHarryAndFriends.com ................23

Amazing Martial Arts Websites

AmazingMartialArtsWebsites.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 87

An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes

NinjaSelfDefense.com .............................49

AMS Billing

OurAMS.com ..............................25, 76, 122

AMSkids

OurAMS.com/AfterSchool ......................37, 89

Break Like a Champ

TeamChipTKD.com ................................85

Budo International Magazine

BudoInternational.com ............................ 113

Budo the Karate Mouse

BudoTheMouse.com ............................... 17

Extraordinary Marketing

ExtraordinaryMarketing.com ........................79

Master Karen Eden

CenturyMartialArts.com ............................15


ElitePublications.org and RevPublish.com ............73

Kick Start Kids

KickStartKids.org ..................................19

Kids Point MMA

PointMMA.com ....................................93

Kovar Systems

KovarSystems.com ................................53

Learn the Sword

LearnTheSword.com ...............................81

Lee Milteer

Milteer.com ........................................97

MA Biz Academy

MABizAcademy.com ...........................59, 115


MaBusinessInstitute.com .......................33, 111

Martial Arts History Museum

MAMuseum.com .................................101

Martial Arts Industry Innovations

tinyurl.com/mawnewsvideo .........................29

Ninja Fighting Techniques

tuttlepublishing.com ...............................32

Otomix

Otomix.com .......................................13

Sport Karate Museum

SportKarateMuseumArchives.com .................103


4d-2d.com ........................................92


TomPatire.com ....................................36

Warrior Certification

WarriorKravMaga.com/events ......................63

Warrior Defence Lab

https://bit.ly/2024Warrior ...........................83


YkKim.com .................................... 47, 69


Lulu.com .........................................107

YouTube Channel

youtube.com/@MartialArtsWorldNews ..............99


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SPORT MARTIAL ARTS

ISKA RANKINGS

Men’s Open Weapons Men’s Trad Weapons Women’s Open Weapons Women’s Trad Weapons

1. Phillip Brumme 1. Jake Presley 1. Samantha Mitling 1. Haley Glass

2. Ben Jones 2. Ben Jones 2. Maria Routel Ferguson 2. Katelyn McMillan

3. Dawson Holt 3. Diego Rodriguez Florez 3. Kaitlyn Vong 3. Melina Pecci

4. Alex Mancillas 4. Esteban Tremblay 4. Sara Campbell 4. Rose Rheaume

5. Brennan Green 5. Dawson Holt 5. Andrea Guzman 5. Lilli McGuire

Men's Open Forms Men's Trad Forms Women’s Open Forms Women’s Trad Forms

1. Esteban Tremblay 1. Mason Stowell 1. Kaitlyn Vong 1. Gabrielle Rudolph

2. Will Nevitt 2. Diego Rodriguez Florez 2. Andrea Guzman 2. Lilli McGuire

3. Dawson Holt 3. Jeff Doss 3. Noell Jellison 3. Rose Rheaume

4. Shaquan Parson 4. Luca Ricotti 4. Lilli McGuire 4. Kaitlyn Vong

5. Brennan Green 5. Cameron Klos 5. Cassidy Williams 5. Sofia Campos


SPORT MARTIAL ARTS

Men’s LW Sparring Men’s HW Sparring Men’s Open Weight Sparring Women’s Sparring

1. Bailey Murphy 1. Kameren Ali 1. Bailey Murphy 1. Katarina Herman

2. Roland Veres 2. Avery Plowden 2. Darren X 2. Francesca Ceci

3. Tyreeke Saint 3. Mason Bumba 3. Tyreeke Saint 3. Savannah Wolaniuk

4. Martin Balint 4. Darren X 4. Enrique Letona 4. Paola Fonseca

5. Enrique Letona 5. Devon Hopper 5. Mason Bumba 5. Jimena Janeiro

Team Synchronized Forms Team Synchronized Weapons Team Demonstration Junior Boys Open Weapons

1. Joey Castro, Cameron

Klos, Amber Rutherford

1. Samantha Mitling & Maria

Routel Ferguson

1. Team Freestyle 1. John Lorenz

2. Mason Stowell and

Rodrigo Madrid

2. Kodi & Michael Molina 2. Team Infinity 2. Jackson Hensley

3. Phillip Brumme and

Wassim Dridi

3. Piper Miller & Camille

Trippodo

3. Team Leclerc 3. Wassim Dridi

4. Will Nevitt and Noell

Jellison

4. Melina & Oscar Pecci 4. Team AmeriKick 4. Xristos Triantafillou

5. Samuel Diaz III and

Gabrielle Rudolph

5. Mike & Sam Brumme 5. Team Intensity 5. Magnus Magee


SPORT MARTIAL ARTS

ISKA RANKINGS

Junior Boys Trad Weapons Junior Girls Open Weapons Junior Girls Trad Weapons Junior Boys Trad Forms

1. Noah Sansait 1. Alyss Groce 1. Averi Presley 1. Matthew Gruitia

2. Nolan Grunwald 2. Kodi Molina 2. Emmersyn Cottingham 2. Mitchell Street

3. Wassim Dridi 3. Jada Cloud 3. Kodi Molina 3. Wassim Dridi

4. Xristos Triantafillou 4. Asia Asesor 4. Ava Becker 4. Sebastian Villanueva

5. Jackson Hensley 5. Annabella Russo 5. Quinlynn Brooks 5. Henry Hawkinson

Junior Boys Open Forms Junior Girls Trad Forms Junior Girls Open Forms Youth Boys Open Weapons

1. Wassim Dridi 1. Quinlynn Brooks 1. Averi Presley 1. Michael Molina

2. Aidan Guernsey 2. Emmersyn Cottingham 2. Jada Cloud 2. Carter Underwood

3. John Lorenz 3. Kodi Molina 3. Asia Asesor 3. Channing Geer

4. Xristos Triantafillou 4. Alyss Groce 4. Sofia Rodriguez Florez 4. James Potter

5. Zeke Gomez 5. Olivia Rodriguez 5. Savannah Agosto 5. Lukas Drevinskas

Youth Boys Trad Weapons Youth Girls Open Weapons Youth Girls Trad Weapons Youth Boys Trad Forms

1. Adomas Rackauskas 1. Camille Trippodo 1. Madalynn Wiersma 1. Aiden Ramirez

2. Michael Molina 2. Piper Miller 2. Amanda Duarte 2. Kaiden Camacho

3. Oscar Pecci 3. Abigail Hunck 3. Demi Rodriguez 3. Lukas Drevinskas

4. James Potter 4. Demi Rodriguez 4. Olivia Cano 4. Jeffrey Olaes

5. Channing Geer 5. Skai Suarez 5. Abigail Hunck 5. James Potter


SPORT MARTIAL ARTS

Youth Boys Open Forms Youth Girls Trad Forms Youth Girls Open Forms Women’s Team Sparring

1. Carter Underwood 1. Madalynn Wiersma 1. Madalynn Wiersma 1. Team Straight Up

2. Jayvin Jones 2. Alicia Sanmiguel 2. Amanda Duarte 2. Team Revolution

3. Michael Molina 3. Raegan Campbell 3. Piper Miller 3. Team Legend

4. Adomas Rackauskas 4. Charlize De Gannes 4. Olivia Cano 4. Team Army Strong

5. Lukas Drevinskas 5. Lindsey Chatlos 5. Alicia Sanmiguel

Men’s Team Sparring Senior Men’s Sparring Senior Men’s Forms Senior Men’s Weapons

1. Team Paul Mitchell 1. Kevin Walker 1. Jeff Doss 1. Samuel Diaz III

2. Team Straight Up 2. El Java Abdul Qadir 2. Tim Conkel 2. Joey Castro

3. Team DMND G3 3. Jason Bourelly 3. Samuel Diaz III 3. Jeff Doss

4. Team Legend 4. Yoskar Gamez 4. Joey Castro 4. Eric Tremblay

5. Team Impex/KTOC 5. Pablo Moreno 5. Andrew Cabilan 5. Mike Palitti

Senior Women’s Forms Senior Women’s Weapons Senior Women’s Sparring Youth Boys Trad Forms

1. Ashley Bartlett 1. Melanie Strauss 1. Katie Lacy 1. Aiden Ramirez

2. Clarissa DeHoyos 2. Melanie Cantin 2. Silvana Shamuon 2. Kaiden Camacho

3. Roxanne Doyon 3. Ashley Bartlett 3. Mouse Millner 3. Lukas Drevinskas

4. Ana Lucia Conde 4. Amy Williams 4. Andrea Busa 4. Jeffrey Olaes

5. Jenica Greynolds 5. Haylette Practico 5. Samantha Miller 5. James Potter


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Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 25 | Issue 1

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