Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 25

MartialArtsWorldNews.com VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 5

The #1 Business Resource for the Martial Arts Industry

Warrior to Entrepreneur:

SIYAR

BAHADURZADA

From World-Class Competitor to

Thriving Business Owner

Over 2,000 Compete: 2025 Kukkiwon

World Taekwondo Hanmadang

SPOTLIGHT COLUMN

Examining Active Shooter

Options by Tom Patire

Inside the

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CONTENTS

FEATURES

26 The Martial Arts School

Communication Solution

Has Arrived!

30 The 2025 Kukkiwon World

Taekwondo Hanmadang:

A July Showcase That

Recharged the Schools

36 Legacy on the Lake: Inside the

2025 G.O.A.T. Martial Arts

Awards Weekend

38 From Warrior to Entrepreneur:

Siyar Bahadurzada’s Journey

from World-Class Competitor

to Thriving Business Owner

103 FREE Tool of the Month

DEPARTMENTS

14 Industry Insights

15 Birthdays

20 Industry Innovations

22 Social 411

56 School Profiles

69 Classified Ads

112 Advertiser Index

YOUR INPUT

63 Feature Your School, Organization,

Accomplishment, or Event

73 Tell Us Your Story

COLUMNS

6 Editorial

The 3 Biggest Retention Blunders that Plague the

Professional Martial Arts Industry

Master Toby Milroy

8 Martial Arts World News Faculty

12 Tactical Self-Defense

Examining Active Shooter Options (Part 1a)

Grandmaster Tom Patire

60 The Millionaire Smarts Coach

Embracing Humor in Stressful Times

Ms. Lee Milteer

62 Teamwork

Resisting School Owner Burnout

Hanshi Dave Kovar

64 After School Excellence

Getting Feedback from Your Students

Grandmaster Mike Bugg

66 Growth Hacks

Martial Arts Schools Face New Tariff Challenges:

Rising Costs, Shifting Strategies (Part 1)

Mr. Sean Lee

68 Ninja Business Tactics

Martial Arts Teaching For The Future

An-Shu Stephen Hayes

70 Extraordinary Marketing

Constructing Your Marketing Parthenon (Part 2)

Grandmaster Stephen Oliver

72 Pillars of Success

Gain Freedom from Expert Physical Self-defense (Pt 2)

Grandmaster Y. K. Kim

76 Staff Development

The Importance of Protocol (Part 2)

Master Zulfi Ahmed

78 Mastering Modern BJJ

Life Lessons & How To Finish Strong (Part 2)

Master Carlos Machado

80 Business Buzz

The Power of Experience: How Outside Events

Shape the Martial Artist Within (Part 2)

Grandmaster Lawrence Arthur

4 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 5

STAFF

84 Next Level Strategy

Push Through The Pain Of Things You Don’t Like

Shihan Allie Alberigo

86 Mind Mastery

Why Your Martial Arts School Should Have a

Wikipedia Page (Part 1)

Grandmaster Jessie Bowen

88 Instructional Excellence

Meta-Programs: Toward vs. Away From

Grandmaster Tim McCarthy

92 Budo Philosophy

Consistency and Convenience, Loose Morals (Part 2)

Shidoshi Alfredo Tucci

94 Complete Martial Arts Concepts

The Art and Science of Free Style Sparring and

POINT MMA (Part 1)

Professor Willie “the Bam” Johnson

96 Master the Basics

Developing Focus

Master Tina Bane

98 Innovation

Budo and Bathrooms: Elevating Your Martial Arts

School’s Professionalism (Part 1)

Master Dan Segarra

100 Martial Arts Philosophy

Big Waves of Hawaii and Sharks (Part 1)

Sensei Gary Lee

102 Management Excellence

The Leader as Coach book review

Grandmaster Kirk Pelt

104 The Warrior Way

Black Belt Confidence—Play to Win!

Grandmaster Bill Clark

106 The Way of the Samurai

Staves: Go face-to-face, toe-to-toe with full ferocity

and speed (Part 1)

Shihan Dana Abbott

108 Tools & Tactics

Marketing Ideas for Martial Arts School Fall Success

Ms. Chris Lee

VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 5

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





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News Magazine is to be the definitive

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ethical business practices,

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developments in the world of martial

arts business.

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MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 5 5

EDITORIAL

The 3 Biggest Retention Blunders

Plaguing Martial Arts School Owners

by Master Toby Milroy

Long term student retention is the cornerstone of a successful martial arts school.

While flashy marketing and new enrollments often dominate the

conversation, your long-term profitability depends far more on your

ability to keep students engaged, progressing, and connected to

your community. Unfortunately, many schools unintentionally create

barriers that literally push students, and their parents, out the door.

Let’s examine three of the most common (and costly) retention

blunders in our industry and how to avoid them.

Blunder #1: World Champion Martial Artist – White Belt

Teacher

This is one of the biggest traps in our industry. Being an extraordinary

martial artist is not the same as being an extraordinary

teacher. The skill sets are completely different. In fact, the very

talents that make someone a great competitor, intense focus,

self-motivation, personal discipline, and perfectionism, can

sometimes work against them when it comes to teaching

beginners, especially children.

This issue ties directly to the Peter Principle, which

states that people are often promoted to their level of

incompetence. In a martial arts school, this happens

when a top-performing student becomes an instructor

simply because of their rank or competitive accolades.

Without the proper training in teaching methodology,

communication, and class management, they

may struggle to connect with students,

leading to frustration on both sides.

The solution? Invest in instructor

development just as much as student

development. Great teaching isn’t

about showing the perfect spinning

hook kick, it’s about creating an

engaging, supportive environment

where students feel capable and

excited to learn. Teaching is a profession within the profession, and

treating it as such will transform your retention numbers.

Blunder #2: Lack of an Effective Onboarding Process

An effective onboarding process should do two things:

Socialize the student into your culture so they feel like part of

the tribe.

Engage the parents so they understand your values, your expectations,

and the benefits of staying committed.

That means having clear communication about goals, class

structure, and progress milestones. Host orientation sessions,

send welcome emails, introduce them to other families, and celebrate

early wins.

At ATLAS Martial Arts Software, we’ve optimized tools to make

this process simple and consistent, automated welcome sequences,

parent education modules, and milestone tracking all help

create an amazing first impression that sticks.

When students and parents feel informed and connected, they

stay. Period.

Blunder #3: Curriculum That’s Too Difficult, Too Quickly

One of the fastest ways to lose a new student is to overwhelm

them. Many instructors forget what it’s like to be a beginner and

pile on too much, too fast. Complex combinations, advanced terminology,

heavy memorization, and high-intensity drills may look

impressive, but they can leave beginners feeling frustrated and

inadequate.

Retention thrives on early wins. Students need to experience

tangible progress within the first few weeks, not six months down

the road. If they can’t see improvement, they lose motivation.

The fix: Simplify the early curriculum. Focus on building confidence,

competence, and connection before complexity. Remember,

martial arts is a journey—don’t rush the first steps.

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


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.

64


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.

66

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.

60

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.

62

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.

68


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.

70


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

72


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

76


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.

78


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.

80


is a martial artist specializing in Karate,

Kung Fu, Kenpo, Shoto-kan, and Goju-rue,

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.

84


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).

86


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.

88


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.

92


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

94

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.

102


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.

96

Master Tina Bane

is a 6th degree master instructor and

owner of a Top Ten martial arts school

with successful after school and summer

camp programs.

98

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.

100

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.

104


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.

106

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

108

Ms. Chris Lee

is a martial arts business development

consultant with a background in online

and social media marketing.


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TACTICAL SELF-DEFENSE

Examining

Active Shooter Options (Part 1a)

By Grandmaster Tom Patire

Since the increase of active shooter incidents, more and more so-called certification

programs are producing instructors in mass numbers through online classes.

This is not something I feel should be taught online, but as a

business model it generates more income and accesses more

people, so I do understand why. The majority of questions I get

asked in interviews or at my personal safety seminars are “What

do I think of the philosophy being taught in Active Shooter certifications,

and do I think what they preach will work in real life?”

These questions cannot be answered in one article, so this will be

Part 1 of a three-part series focusing on Active Shooter

Options. I will first start with the movement part, as

some refer to it as Run, Move, or Escape.

First and foremost, knowledge, as we all know,

is power IF it is the right knowledge; if not, it could

be more of a detriment than a benefit. Most of

these certifications capitalize on common sense.

For example, when a person is fearful, his/her mindset

either goes to a frozen state or an escape mode.

So RUN or ESCAPING the situation is not something

someone brilliantly thought up; it is

what we have been doing since

time began. I have no problem

with the RUN/ESCAPE mentality.

He or she that runs away gets

to run another day; that is the

way I see it. BUT my problem

is no one really talks about

the HOW of running. That is

something that I cover in all

of my seminars when asked,

and I will cover some of

those topics in this article.

Take the history and factual accounts of many of the spotlighted

active shooter incidents and take a good look into how

they went down. The shooter in most cases has a semiautomatic

rifle and/or handgun. Take the total number of hits versus the total

number of misses, and you will see there were more misses than

hits. That’s the positive. The negative is that in many cases the hits

were life-ending or life-altering. Now looking at the victims that

were targeted, in most cases, they were isolated, frozen with fear,

or never saw it coming (shot from the back or looking in another

direction). In the case of being caught off-guard or never seeing it

coming, there is nothing, I believe, any expert can offer on what to

do. If you don’t see it, how can you avoid it?

Now for the intended victims that were there (I have spoken

to some for firsthand accounts), I asked what they did and what

type of training they have. Most had no training whatsoever, yet

their first instinct was to RUN. I asked if they had a destination in

sight. They said no just to run as far away from the shooter as possible.

This proves that ‘fight or flight’ kicks in with many untrained

people; with the majority of the people, their instinct will be to RUN

(if they are capable), not engage.

GRANDMASTER TOM PATIRE is known as America’s Leading Personal Safety Expert in the media today

with appearances on television shows such as Inside Edition, ICrime, Fox TV, Nancy Grace just to name a few. His

CDT De-Escalation System is the primary go to system for hospitals, school districts and Fortune 500 Companies like

Verizon, Facebook, and other prominent corporations. He is the author of a best-selling book entitled The Personal

Protection Handbook (www.tompatire.com) that teaches you to be safe through non-confrontational means.


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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Concussion Risks on the Rise: What

Martial Arts School Owners Must Know

Since COVID-19 raised its head, participation in martial arts has surged—but so have

concussion injuries, especially among younger practitioners. A new study by the

University of Florida Health reveals a sharp increase in concussion-related emergency

room visits in martial arts since 2020. The most striking finding? Most of these injuries

aren’t happening during competitions—they’re occurring during class time and practice.

As a martial arts school owner, this should be a wake-up call.

Dr. Heather Vincent, director of the UF Health Sports Performance

Center and senior author of the study, believes this

troubling trend stems from a combination of factors: increased participation

post-pandemic, overenthusiastic students returning to

training after time off, and possibly diminished attention to safety

protocols during regular classes. “What really concerned us is that

after the year 2020, when people started coming back into the

arena or sports facility, the injury rate skyrocketed,” Vincent said.

The data comes from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance

System and spans a decade (2013–2022). Of over 19,000 estimated

concussion cases linked to martial arts nationwide, nearly 71%

involved male athletes, with more than half being children. Karate,

Krav Maga, and capoeira topped the list of injury-associated disciplines,

and while males saw more injuries overall, females in sports

like judo and taekwondo were more likely to be injured during

competition—a reversal of the general trend.

Most importantly for school owners: 86% of concussions occurred

in practice settings, not at tournaments. That points directly

to the daily operations of martial arts schools as the frontline of

injury prevention.

What Can School Owners Do?

Here are a few critical action steps:

1. Reevaluate Class Safety Protocols:

Ensure that all instructors enforce protective gear use consistently—even

during drills or light sparring. Don’t let “practice”

become synonymous with “relaxed rules.”

2. Emphasize Technique Over Intensity:

Especially post-break or when welcoming new students, emphasize

proper form and control before ramping up intensity.

3. Educate Staff and Students on Concussion Awareness:

Vincent noted a surprising lack of research on coaches’ and

students’ ability to recognize concussion symptoms. Make

this a part of your instructor training and student onboarding.

4. Consider a “Concussion Passport” System:

Vincent supports the idea of a personal record that follows

a student through their martial arts journey. It helps ensure

instructors are aware of past injuries that could impact safety

decisions moving forward.

5. Monitor Young Athletes Closely:

Children and teens are particularly vulnerable. Keep a close

eye on contact levels, pairings, and response times after

impact.

Final Thought

The martial arts industry prides itself on discipline, control, and

protecting others—values that must

be embodied in how we run our

classes. While competition is

often seen as the high-risk

arena, it’s the daily dojo setting

where we have the most

influence and opportunity to

protect our students.

As school owners, let’s

lead the charge in making

safety as fundamental to

our curriculum as stances

and strikes.


Photograph by Chinnapong (top left) and phasinphoto (bottom right)

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Martial Arts Celebrity Birthdays

September

September 1 ......................Billy Blanks

September 6 ...................... James Lew

September 7 ......................Phillip Rhee

September 9 ...................Stephen Hayes

September 10 .........Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson

October

October 8 ................... Michael Dudikoff

October 11 .......................Kane Kosugi

October 17 .......................Keith Hafner

October 18 ...........Jean Claude Van Damme

October 28 .......................Simon Rhee

September 12 ....................... Bill Clark

September 15 ..................Fumio Demura*

September 27 ............Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa

*Deceased


INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Opportunity Knocks When Hollywood

Hits Your School

It’s not just the punches on screen that land hard—sometimes, it’s the training that hits

the actors the most. Over the years, major Hollywood stars have stepped out of their

comfort zones and into the martial arts schools, preparing for roles that demanded

more than just dramatic flair. From The Matrix to Shang-Chi, these actors didn’t fake

the fight—they trained for it.

And that’s where martial arts school owners like you can find

more than just entertainment—there’s opportunity here. Celebrities

learning martial arts for film roles is more than a fun trivia

fact—it’s a powerful marketing tool and an inspiration engine you

can tap into.

Let’s take a look at a few standout stars and how their training

can translate into business strategies for your school.

Stars Who Kicked Their Way into Iconic Roles

• Scarlett Johansson mastered a blend of karate, Jiu-Jitsu,

judo, Filipino martial arts, and Muay Thai to become Black

Widow, despite never having trained before.

• Keanu Reeves called his Matrix martial arts boot camp one of the

most mentally and physically demanding experiences of his life.

• Christian Bale trained in Wing Chun and the Keysi Fighting

Method to bring Batman’s brawls to life.

• Charlize Theron shocked her stunt team by executing 30-move

sequences in Atomic Blonde after just six weeks of training.

• Simu Liu admitted to exaggerating his martial arts experience

to get cast in Shang-Chi—then went all-in on training.

• Tom Hardy discovered a lifelong passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

while preparing for Warrior.

• Jessica Alba, Brie Larson, and even comedic actor Kevin

James undertook martial arts regimens to bring realism and

power to their performances.

Turning Celebrity Training into Enrollment

Opportunities

So what does all this mean for your school? A lot—if you know

how to apply it. Here are three practical ways to turn this Hollywood

training trend into new leads, greater engagement, and

fresh curriculum ideas:

1. Launch a “Train Like a Movie Star” Program

Create a limited-time course or workshop where students can

learn fight choreography inspired by movies like The Matrix,

Shang-Chi, or Atomic Blonde. Use the stars’ names to grab

attention—“Ever wonder how Charlize Theron pulled off those

insane fight scenes? Come find out!”

2. Host a “Movie Night & Martial Arts Demo”

Screen a popular martial arts movie (with appropriate licensing),

followed by a demonstration of the techniques used in

the film. Use it as a lead-generation event. Offer discounted

trials for attendees who sign up that night.

The Big Takeaway

Actors like Brie Larson and Simu Liu didn’t just learn martial

arts for the camera—they discovered something deeper: a lifelong

connection to discipline, confidence, and inner strength. Sound

familiar?

Your school isn’t just a place to throw kicks. It’s where future superheroes—real

ones—are made. These Hollywood stories prove

that martial arts are magnetic, transformative, and always in style.

Use that power to tell your story, connect with your community,

and draw in new students inspired to train like the stars.

Lights, camera… enrollments!


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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

How To Make Use of An NBA Star’s Shaolin

Retreat for Martial Arts School Owners

When 7’4” NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama shaved his head,

donned monk robes, and disappeared into the Shaolin Temple for

10 days of kung fu and spiritual immersion, the world took notice.

Photos of the towering Frenchman meditating before Buddha

statues and training with Shaolin monks went viral, and for good

reason: it was a rare glimpse of a modern sports icon embracing

ancient martial arts culture—not just for performance, but for

personal growth.

For martial arts school owners, this story isn’t just fascinating—

it’s a powerful marketing and curriculum opportunity. Here’s why.

Victor Wembanyama wasn’t promoting a sneaker or hyping a

brand. He went to Shaolin for real, disciplined, closed-door martial

arts training—kung fu, Chan meditation, and even traditional Chinese

medicine. He isolated himself, gave up familiar comforts, and

immersed in something ancient, purposeful, and transformative.

This isn’t just about kung fu. It’s about what the martial arts

have always offered: strength, focus, discipline, humility, and inner

peace. And now, one of the most exciting NBA stars on Earth is

bringing that message to a new generation—on a global scale.

What Can You Do With This?

1. Create a “Shaolin Challenge” Week or Camp

Bring Wemby’s story to life at your school. Host a special camp,

workshop, or training week inspired by traditional Shaolin themes:

• Morning meditation and stretching

• Kung fu-inspired drills or animal forms

• Plant-based “monk meals” for fun

• Journaling or quiet reflection sessions

This can be framed as a summer camp, back-to-school special,

or even an elite “Warrior Path” retreat.

2. Leverage the Story in Your Marketing

Use Wembanyama’s story in your social media, email blasts, or

posters:

“NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama just spent 10 days at the

legendary Shaolin Temple—training in kung fu, meditating, and

transforming his mindset. Now your child can experience the same

spirit of growth and challenge—right here at [Your School Name]!”

This is the kind of cultural crossover that captures parent attention

and sparks kids’ imagination.

Victor Wembanyama’s journey to Shaolin wasn’t about fame—it

was about growth. He pushed his body in new ways, found stillness

in meditation, and gained perspective from a 1,500-year-old

tradition. “I’m pretty sure I’m Buddhist now,” he joked, but behind

that joke is something very real.

Martial arts school owners can—and should—ride the wave

of this moment. It’s a reminder that what you teach has value far

beyond the dojo. It speaks to young athletes, celebrities, and everyday

people seeking strength, peace, and transformation.


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

Do You Have An AI Era Website?

Think about the last time you visited a website that felt like

it was built in 2010. You probably bounced in under 10

seconds, right?

The truth is, the way parents interact with martial arts websites

is changing—fast. Thanks to AI-driven personalization and

mobile-first design, your site needs to be more than just a “digital

business card.” It needs to engage, guide, and convert… without

you lifting a finger.

Here’s how to turn your site into a 24/7 enrollment funnel:

1. AI Chatbots Are Your New Front Desk

Parents don’t want to wait for business hours to ask, “Do you

have classes for 6-year-olds?” or “How much is tuition?” An AI

chatbot can answer instantly—and capture their info for follow-up.

What to do:

• Install an AI chatbot that’s trained with your class schedule,

programs, and pricing structure.

• Make sure it can offer trial booking directly in the chat.

• Include a friendly “Ask me anything!” button on every page.

2. Mobile-First or Bust

Over 80% of your visitors are on a phone. If your site loads

slowly, has tiny text, or forces parents to pinch-zoom… they’re gone.

What to do:

• Test your site on your phone right now. If you can’t find the

schedule and trial offer in under 5 seconds, fix it.

• Use large, tappable buttons—“Book a Free Class” should be

front and center.

• Keep forms short: name, phone, email, and child’s age are

enough.

3. Lead Magnets Still Work—If They’re Valuable

Parents love free resources that help them help their kids. An

instant-download PDF like “5 Ways Martial Arts Builds Confidence

Fast” can get them to trade their email.

What to do:

• Create a helpful, non-salesy lead magnet and make it downloadable

right after they submit their info.

• Follow up with a 3-email sequence offering a special trial deal.

• Promote the lead magnet on social media with a link to

your site.

In the AI era, your website should do the heavy lifting—capturing

leads, answering questions, and guiding parents to enroll without

waiting for you to call back. The schools that embrace these

tools will have more leads, less admin work, and a steady stream

of eager new students.


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SOCIAL 411

Social Media Shift:

How Your School Can Ride the Wave

If you’ve been running your school for a while, you’ve probably

noticed that social media is a moving target. Just when you

feel like you’ve mastered it, the platforms shift, the algorithms

change, and suddenly that killer post you thought would go viral…

gets buried under a hundred cat videos.

Well, 2025 is shaping up to be one of those years where the

social media landscape shifts in a big way. And if you get ahead

of it now, you can scoop up leads while your competitors are still

scratching their heads.

Here are three trends you need to know—and exactly how to

act on them:

1. Short-Form Video Is Now the Front Door to Your School

TikTok’s influence isn’t fading—it’s spreading. Instagram Reels

and YouTube Shorts are doubling down, with more algorithm reach

going to short, engaging clips. The good news? You don’t need

Hollywood-level production.

What to do:

• Film 15–30 second clips of your students breaking boards,

winning medals, or nailing a cool technique.

• Add a quick on-screen caption: “Your child could be this confident

in 3 months!”

• Post consistently—aim for 3 short clips a week.

Pro Tip: Use trending background sounds (without violating

music copyright) to boost algorithm exposure.

2. “Story First” Content Delivers Engagement

Parents want to see transformation stories, not just flashy kicks.

They want to feel the journey.

What to do:

• Film a before/after testimonial of a student who started shy

and is now thriving.

• Share weekly mini-stories in both posts and Stories format.

• Always tag the parent and encourage them to share it—you’ll

get organic reach to their friend network.

3. Social Search Is Replacing Google Search

Gen Z parents are using TikTok and Instagram search to

find local businesses. If your posts aren’t keyword-rich, you’re

invisible.

What to do:

• Use captions like “Martial arts classes for kids in [Your City]”

and “Self-defense for teens in [Your City].”

• Include your city name in your Instagram bio and

TikTok profile.

• Keep your Google Business Profile synced with your socials

for consistent info.

In 2025, social media isn’t about shouting the loudest—it’s

about showing the most authentic, bite-sized, keyword-smart

content. Your future students are scrolling right now… will they find

you or your competitor?


Our Goal is to Help Young Minds

GROW Stronger and EMPOWER

them through Stories that will:

• Inspire Their Imagination

• Develop Their Moral Compass

• Set Positive Examples Both Visually and Verbally

• Prepare Them for Life’s Challenges

Sarah B. Tucker, Author of

The Adventures of Harry & Friends

Book Series

AdventuresOfHarryAndFriends.com

SOCIAL 411

6 Reasons Why Martial Arts School

Owners Should Prioritize Video

Marketing Now More Than Ever (Part 2)

(Continued From Previous Issue)

4. You Don’t Need a Studio or Big Budget to Win

Let’s bust a myth: you do not need a fancy videographer

or expensive camera to

dominate with video. In fact, your

iPhone and a $20 tripod are more

than enough.

Authenticity is the name of

the game. Parents are drawn to

real moments—high-fives, smiles,

progress, and leadership in action.

Capture those moments in 30-second

chunks, post consistently, and watch

your online presence skyrocket.

Pro tip: Assign a “Content

Captain” on your team—a staff

member or assistant instructor

responsible for capturing video at

every class and event.

5. Videos Increase

Website and Landing Page

Conversions

Having a video on your

homepage or trial offer landing

page can increase conversion rates by up to 80%.

Why? Because visitors instantly understand what your

school stands for—and they feel more confident submitting

their contact info.

Use testimonial videos, class footage, or a 60-second

“Why Choose Us” overview. A single video can turn a

curious click into a scheduled intro lesson.

6. Video Content Is a

Marketing Asset That

Multiplies

One 3-minute video can

be sliced into:

• 3 Instagram Reels

• A YouTube Short

• A Facebook post

• A TikTok video

• A blog embed

• An email campaign

visual

• An ad creative

• And more

That’s maximum

exposure from minimum

effort. Video isn’t just

content—it’s your marketing

multiplier.

The Camera Is the New

Sales Rep

In today’s digital-first world, your video

content is often the first and only impression

you get with a prospective parent or student.

Think of each video as a silent sales rep—working

24/7, building trust, and driving action.

So yes, trends may shift. Platforms may evolve. But the

core truth remains:

Video is still king—and for martial arts school owners,

it’s your most powerful tool for marketing, growth, and

impact.

Start recording. Start sharing. Start winning.


Photograph (on screen) by NicoElNino

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HEADACHE

MANAGEMENT

The Martial Arts School

Communication Solution

Has Arrived!

Martial Arts School Owners and Staff – the wait is over! The most powerful, easyto-use

communication platform built just for martial arts schools is finally here.

Introducing Members Direct – the #1 communication tool designed to keep your

entire martial arts community connected, inspired, and growing together.

Say Goodbye to Communication Frustrations

We all know the challenges:

• Parents missing schedule changes because they never saw

the email.

• Students forgetting about belt testing because the flyer got

lost in their backpack.

• Instructors scrambling to text everyone last minute when a

storm forces class to cancel.

With Members Direct, those frustrations disappear.

Instant Messaging – Direct or group messages keep parents,

staff, and students on the same page.

Photo & Video Sharing – Show off student progress, belt promotions,

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School-Wide Alerts – Share updates in seconds,

from schedule changes to special events.

Community Engagement – Celebrate milestones, spotlight

students, and keep motivation high.

Your School’s Command Center – In Your Pocket

Members Direct isn’t just another messaging app – it’s your

digital school central hub for everything happening in your martial

arts school. Whether you’re teaching class, coaching at a tournament,

or catching up from home, your school stays connected and

engaged.

Professional, Branded Experience – Parents see YOUR school

front and center, not some generic app.

Mobile Access Anytime – Manage communica-

tions wherever you are.

Customizable Tools – Tailor the platform to

your school’s unique needs.


MANAGEMENT

Imagine never having to dig through multiple apps, emails, and

texts again. Members Direct puts everything in one place.

Building Stronger Connections & Culture

Martial arts is about more than just kicks and

punches – it’s about community, growth, and discipline.

Members Direct helps you strengthen that

culture every single day.

Student Spotlights – Post photos of new belt

promotions or “student of the month” recognitions

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if the word gets out.

Team Collaboration – Make sure your instructors and staff

always know what’s coming up.

When communication is smooth, engagement soars – and so

does retention.

The Future of Martial Arts Communication

With Members Direct, you’ll never worry about missed messages

or scattered systems again. Everything your school needs

to thrive is just a tap away:

Mobile app with SMS & push notifications – so nobody misses

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A customizable hub – your complete martial arts

community, in one place.

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Join the movement today and bring your school’s communication

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Say goodbye to missed updates and disconnected systems.

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EVENTS

The 2025 Kukkiwon World

Taekwondo Hanmadang:

A July Showcase That

Recharged the Schools

In July 2025, the 30th Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Hanmadang took front and center

stage in the U.S. for a three-day celebration of skill, spirit, and community—and it

delivered. Held at the Anaheim Convention Center in California from July 17–19, the

event blended world-class competition with festival energy, spotlighting everything

people love about Taekwondo: precision, creativity, tradition, and unity.

This year’s Hanmadang marked a milestone—the 30th anniversary—and

the U.S. Kukkiwon branch stepped up as organizer,

transforming Anaheim into a global hub for breaking, creative

demonstrations, and poomsae. For many schools, this wasn’t just

a trip; it was a statement: Taekwondo is thriving, and its community

is building momentum.

While the exciting competition days ran Thursday through

Saturday, the week offered even more reasons to come early, network,

and learn. On Wednesday, July 16, Kukkiwon hosted a High

Dan Test and Demonstration Team seminars—prime opportunities

for senior practitioners and up-and-coming leaders to raise the

level of their credentials and bring fresh value back home. The

weekend ended with a formal dinner on Friday and a closing gala

on Saturday, creating opportunities for network building among

masters, coaches, and school owners.

Grandmater Mike Bugg, Master Toby Milroy, Kukkiwon Board Chairman KabKil Jeon, Grandmaster Kirk Pelt


EVENTS

A Stage for Creativity—and Business Inspiration

Hanmadang’s competitive slate reminded all of us why this

event is different. Beyond the precision of poomsae and the athletic

drama of board breaking, the creative team demos energized

the arena with choreography, timing, and storytelling—skills that

translate directly into stronger school events and more engaging

community demonstrations back home. If you’ve ever struggled to

keep your in-house demo team fresh, this event served up a masterclass

in music selection, pacing, and crowd engagement.

The Opening Ceremonies set the tone with a Parade of Athletes

and a showcase by the Kukkiwon Demonstration Team—one

continued on page 34

Master Toby Milroy, Grand Master Jin Kwon, Mr. Sean Lee

Kukkiwon President DongSup Lee


presenting

the Ninja

‘Five Elements’ system

Author Stephen K. Hayes presents the Ninja "Five Elements" system to explain fundamental aspects of self-defense.

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EARTH—Remain grounded in your thinking and footing to repel attempts to distract or deceive you

WATER—Shift, angle and move fluidly to tactically confuse attackers and put them off balance

FIRE—See where a situation is going as it develops and intercept it at the critical moment

WIND—Stay light on your feet and move nimbly to evade and escape attempts to pin you down

VOID—Control a fight's direction by changing dynamics to confuse your attacker

“Ninja Fighting Techniques” explains how the five elements can

become automatic, unconscious responses for fighters who

train the Ninja way. Through study and practice they become

instinctive, effectively employed precisely when you need them

without thinking.

The advantage of Ninja teachings over other martial disciplines

is that, in addition to providing physical combat methods, they

teach you to develop a better understanding of human behavior

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EVENTS

continued from page 31

of those “you had to be there” moments that draws plenty of attention

on social platforms over a month later. For schools thinking

like media companies, the ceremony offered ready-made content:

short, energetic clips that inspire prospects and remind current

families they’re part of something special.

Of course, the Demo Team lifted the energy in the building.

Their performances throughout the event became instant highlight

reels for schools worldwide, a reminder that excellence is magnetic—and

marketable. If you missed it live, there are plenty of videos

out there that captured the electricity.

What School Owners Took Home

1) Programming ideas that enroll and retain.

Watching creative breaking and demo categories in person

sparked concrete programming takeaways: add a short “tricks &

specialty break” unit to your advanced curriculum, build a 6-week

demo team intensive before your next community festival, and

rotate themed challenges (speed breaks, precision breaks, combo

breaks) to keep students hungry and parents impressed.

2) A content library for the next quarter.

Between the Parade of Athletes and arena-wide highlights,

Master Toby Milroy, Grandmaster Tiger Choi

Grandmaster Y.K. Kim pumps up the crowd as only he can.

Grandmaster Sang Lee addresses the Hanmadang crowd with words of encouragement.


EVENTS

Grand Master DoHyun Chang, Master Toby Milroy

Master Toby Milroy, Grandmaster EngGil Choi, Grandmaster Mike Bugg, Mr. Sean Lee

Martial Arts World News collaborates with Taekwondo royalty.

attendees left with footage tailor-made for reels and newsletters.

Even those following from afar found official channels posting consistent

updates and visuals—a boost for schools running summer

and back-to-school campaigns.

3) A renewed sense of community and credibility.

Hosting the 30th anniversary Hanmadang in Anaheim was

more than convenient; it signaled trust in the U.S. schools. For

owners, that translated into easier staff development (Dan testing

and seminars mid-week) and more accessible networking

with leaders who can help you level up operations, curriculum,

and events.

Logistics That Worked

If you attended, you probably appreciated how neatly the

week stacked: mid-week advancement and seminars, three

impactful competition days, plus evening socials for networking

and celebration. The Anaheim Convention Center handled

the scale, while event communications—registration hubs and

FAQ updates—kept teams aligned on tickets, schedules, and

ceremony details. Even the city calendar echoed the footprint

from July 16–20 as the community geared up around the convention

district.

Hundreds of competitors gathered in unity during the opening ceremony.

The Bigger Picture: Hanmadang as a Growth Engine

For all the breathtaking jumping back-kicks and precision

breaks, Hanmadang ultimately functioned as a strategy workshop

in disguise. The event reminded us that:

• Spectacle sells. A well-produced demo is a lead magnet. Use

what you saw to script a tighter five-minute “wow” segment

for school shows and back-to-school nights.

• Milestones matter. Promote Black Belt candidates and Dan

testing as community events, not just internal assessments—

the week’s High Dan programming modeled how to elevate

rank advancement into a moment families remember.

• Shared identity fuels retention. The Parade of Athletes and

opening showcase weren’t just pageantry; they reinforced

community. Borrow that energy for your next intramural tournament

or “All-School March-In” at graduation.

The 2025 Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Hanmadang didn’t just

celebrate 30 years of tradition—it re-energized schools with ideas,

footage, and motivation we can monetize ethically and proudly.

Whether you were on the floor, in the stands, or following along

online, July in Anaheim reminded us why Taekwondo changes

lives—and why smart, community-minded showmanship will keep

our schools strong in the months ahead.


EVENTS

Attending honorees

Legacy on the Lake:

Inside the 2025 G.O.A.T.

Martial Arts Awards Weekend

Pottsboro, Texas — The 2025 World’s Greatest Martial Artists

G.O.A.T. Awards brought hundreds of martial arts leaders together

August 14–16 at Tanglewood Resort for a weekend that mixed

training, testing, recognition, and community.

The event opened with the National Anthem and remarks from

Grand Master Lawrence Arthur, kicking off three packed days that

blended high-level seminars, black belt testing, networking, and

the capstone black-tie G.O.A.T. Gala.

Lawrence Arthur, Dr. Jimmy Steger Seminar Presenter

What the G.O.A.T. Awards Represent

The G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) Awards aren’t about tournament

titles or highlight reels. They recognize the people who have

built schools, trained generations of students and instructors,

served their communities, and helped raise the standards of martial

arts worldwide.

This year’s inductees included senior instructors with decades

of experience, innovators who connected styles and systems, and

international leaders advancing martial arts across borders.

Testing, Training, and Teaching

The weekend wasn’t just about

recognition. A ten-member board oversaw

black belt testing from 5th through

9th Dan, with candidates evaluated on

more than technical ability—leadership,

ethics, and teaching ability were

key measures. Fourteen martial artists

earned advancement after tough

deliberations.

Seminars ran throughout the

weekend, many filled wall-to-wall. One

standout was Grand Master Rainer 14 high rank black belts

Grytt (10th Dan Jiu-Jitsu), whose teaching

style reflected decades of experience in refining complex material

into practical lessons. Grytt also sat on the examination board and

was later honored at the Gala.

For many, these sessions and the rank testing were the heart

of the weekend, reminding attendees that the real legacy of

martial arts comes through daily practice, ongoing learning, and

mentoring others.


EVENTS

The testing board: (on the left) Mike Sullenger, Rainer Grytt, Ismet Kurt; (on the right) Ted Gambordella, Lawrence Arthur, Troy Burleson, Jason Wadley, James Perlini

An International Gathering

More than 350 honorees from 27 U.S. states and 15 countries

attended, creating a diverse and global mix of uniforms, accents,

and traditions. Old acquaintances were renewed, and new partnerships

formed over seminars, photo sessions, and even casual

conversations in the resort’s lobbies and coffee lines.

The formal portrait session, where honorees suited up in black

tie attire for their official plaque photos, gave the event a sense of

milestone achievement. For some, like Germany’s Rainer Grytt, it

was their first time in formal wear—a moment that underscored the

occasion’s significance.

Rings, Plaques, and Recognition

At the Gala, honorees

were called to the stage to

receive the G.O.A.T. Ring and

a custom plaque, presented

by Grand Masters Ted

Gambordella and Rick Arnold.

The room’s responses

ranged from cheers to standing

ovations, reflecting the

deep respect among peers.

The G.O.A.T Ring

High rank testers and testing board

International guests from Australia, Canada, Ireland, Turkey,

South Africa, the U.K., and beyond helped give the evening an

even broader sense of community.

The Bigger Picture: Passing It On

A consistent theme throughout the weekend was that legacy is

less about personal accolades and more about the students and

instructors one has mentored along the way. Many of the most

decorated leaders talked about their schools, their students, and

the responsibility that comes with high rank.

That’s part of what makes the G.O.A.T. Awards unique—it’s not

just about the hardware. It’s about gathering leaders in one place

to test, train, teach, and celebrate together.

By the Numbers

• 3 days of training, testing, and celebration

• 350+ honorees

• 27 U.S. states represented

• 15 countries represented

• 10 examiners on the testing board

• 14 Dan promotions (5th–9th)

Special Thanks

A special note of appreciation goes to Grand Master Rick

Arnold and his family, whose work

behind the scenes—from logistics to

hospitality—helped ensure everything

ran smoothly. Their efforts reflected

the spirit of service and unity that the

G.O.A.T. Awards aim to celebrate.

How to Get Involved

Future nominations and registrations

are now open. School owners are

encouraged to nominate instructors,

students, and community leaders who

embody the values of service, teaching,

and leadership.

Learn more or submit a nomination:

www.GOATHonors.com


Siyar Baha

Siyar Bahadurzada shares his incredible journey from elite MMA fighter to

passionate coach and martial arts school owner. Born in Afghanistan and

raised in Amsterdam, Siyar trained under legendary kickboxing coach

Lucien Carbin and began his MMA career in 2000. Over the years, he

fought across the globe, winning prestigious titles such as the Shooto

Championship and the Glory World Series Tournament, knocking out all

opponents in the process.

In 2019, Siyar transitioned from fighter to coach, landing a role at

Singapore’s renowned Evolve MMA, where he discovered

his natural leadership and coaching abilities. There, he

coached numerous world champions and maintained

an impressive 80% win rate—all while keeping his

fighters injury-free.

In November 2024, Siyar opened his own

gym, Elevate MMA, where he teaches

Dutch kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and

wrestling to students of all ages.

Despite being a one-man show, he

runs a full weekly schedule, offering

everything from kids’ classes to

women’s self-defense.

His mission? It’s not just about creating

champions—it’s about transforming lives. Siyar helps students

durzada

build discipline, confidence, and leadership. His gym fosters a positive,

welcoming environment, where every student—from total beginner to

aspiring champion—feels valued and supported.

Leadership is the core of Elevate MMA. Siyar believes martial arts

schools should develop leaders, not followers. His coaching goes

beyond technique; it’s about empowering students to grow, overcome

challenges, and help others do the same.

Though running the school is demanding, Siyar

embraces the grind, fueled by passion and

purpose. He credits his success to mentors

like Greg Jackson and Chatri Sityodtong,

and tools like AMS and ATLAS Martial

Arts Software® that help him manage

the business side efficiently.

Looking ahead, his goals are

clear: build a championship

team, create a joyful,

tight-knit community,

and positively impact as

many lives as possible

through martial arts. As he

says, “If you put good into the

world, good will come back to you.”

COVER STORY

From Warrior to Entrepreneur:

Siyar Bahadurzada’s Journey

from World-Class Competitor

to Thriving Business Owner

MAWnews: Sir, can you please give a brief overview of yourself

including your martial arts background and achievements?

SB: My name is Siyar Bahadurzada. I grew up in Amsterdam

where I learned kickboxing training with the legendary Master

Lucian Carbin. I’m a mixed martial artist and I started my career

in the Netherlands in 2000. Back in the day, when I started you

were either a striker or a grappler,

but I was fortunate enough to find

a gym close by the house that was

teaching MMA. They were teaching

grappling and striking at the time. I

joined that gym and I was training

twice a week, then later three times

a week until I became the Shooto

Champion in 2007.

While I was studying in 2007, I

got a chance to go to Japan to fight

for the title. I won the title and that’s

when my life changed. I started

training like a professional fighter

by training everyday. Then I started

competing in Japan with big organizations

like Sengoku at a time. When

Pride fell, two other organizations

came and took their place, which was

Sengoku and Dream. Some of the

prizefighters went to Sengoku and

some of them went to dream. I was

signed to Sengoku.

My next fight was with the Pride

Middleweight Grand Prix champion

Kazuo Misaki. He was a Japanese

fighter and I had my fight with him. I rocked him in the first round

and went after him. But then he took me down and I ended up

in a guillotine choke. His guillotine choke was his trademark. I

couldn’t get out of it. I lost that fight with the Pride Champion.

Then I went on to defend my Shooto title twice in Brazil. Both

matches were against local Brazilian fighters from Team Nova

Uniao. I have a great memory from then because Jose Aldo was

at one of my fights when I was fighting for the title. When I won,

successfully defending my title belt, he switched shirts with

me. He was the WBBC champion at the time and he put on my

Golden Glory shirt. I was the Shooto champion at the time and he

gave me his Dethrone sponsored shirt. So I wore his Dethrone

shirt and he had on my Golden Glory shirt and we took a picture.

So I have that cherished picture.

After that I was competing in Europe and in Japan. There

was the United Glory which is the Glory Kickboxing now. So I

competed for United Glory in the Glory

World Series which consisted of 8 fighters

competing in the tournament. Of the

8 fighters, two were UFC fighters. John

Alessio and Derek Noble. Also Roan

“Jucao” Carneiro who currently runs the

ATT Team in Atlanta was in the tournament.

In addition, one of my teammates,

Tommy Dupre, who was a very strong

fighter from Belgium.

So my first fight was with Derek

Noble and I knocked him out in the first

round. The second fight was with John

Alessio, who I also knocked out in the

first round as well. In the final, I faced my

teammate who had caused the other

two fighters to submit. He submitted

Carneiro and also the former middleweight

Shooto champion. So he entered

the final match with two submissions

and I had two knockouts.

The final was in Moscow, Russia with

a $150,000 prize purse. I ended up beating

Tommy in a second round knockout

as well. So I won The Glory World Series

tournament by winning all three fights

by knockout. Golden Glory was the best team in kickboxing in

the world at the time. We had multiple K1 champions on our team.

It’s been a long, beautiful career.

MAWnews: Sounds like it sounds like. So now what’s made

you dedicate yourself to the transition for competition to teaching

the martial arts now?

SB: In 2019 there was an opening I saw through social media

at Evolve MMA for an MMA head coach. I was just curious and

they were paying good money. I thought to myself, “Let me give

it a shot.” I sent them a message and they contacted me back


COVER STORY

suggesting I come in and do a trial month. Basically, they said,

“Come in, train the guys for a month, see how they like it, how

you like it, and then we’ll take it from there. So I went to Singapore

and coached the team for a month. They loved it. I didn’t

know I had coaching instincts in me before that. So when I went

to Singapore, it was absolutely something new for me. I jumped

into something that I had no experience in. What carried me was

my work ethic and my knowledge of mixed martial arts. They like

the way I was explaining things and how I was leading the team.

Leadership was another factor that got me the job.

So Chatri Sityodtong, the owner of Evolve MMA, interviewed

me four times. In those four times that we sat down, ate, and he

interviewed me. He was very straightforward. He said, “When

you compete and I look at your techniques, you don’t look very

technical. When you explain stuff, you are very technical. You

know what you’re talking about. You have very good knowledge

of mixed martial arts and martial arts in general.” Then he sent

me the contract and I ended up coaching with Evolve MMA. I had

multiple Muay Thai Lumpinee Stadium world champions, multiple

Jiu Jitsu world champions, Wrestling gold medalists, and kickboxers

under my wing.

I had a student from Japan who was not ranked when I started

working with him. Within two years, I helped him to become the

kickboxing world champion in the bantamweight division in One

Championship, which is the highest level of kickboxing. And I

consider that to this day, my greatest achievement as a coach.

Besides that, I had multiple world champions in MMA who defended

their belt successfully under my wing and my guidance.

My winning ratio was over 80% at EVOLVE MMA. My students

were doing amazing. In the two and half to three years that I was

there, the fighters I trained for the team had 0 injuries. It had a lot

to do with the coaching, instructing, and leadership. So that’s the

brief story of how I jumped into being a coach.

MAWnews: Great. So you have the talent, the love for it, and

you got proof positive in your students. So now, how long ago did

you open up your own school and what styles of martial arts and

programs do you offer?

SB: I opened my own school for the first time in November

2024. It’s called Elevate MMA. So it’s been about four months. I

teach kickboxing Dutch kickboxing, which is very popular among

MMA athletes. I teach Jiu Jitsu and wrestling as well.

Currently, I’m a one man show, but I’m offering classes to

children and adults. The schedule for Monday through Thursday

is from 6 AM to 9:30 PM. On Fridays, the school opens in the

afternoon at 3 PM for the after school program. Saturdays Elevate

MMA is open from 9 AM to 1 PM and it’s closed on Sundays.

For the most part, the day begins with Kickboxing or BJJ with

some of the classes designed for fitness and others for fighting.

I also teach after school martial arts and a Young Champs MMA

class for the children. In addition, I also offer a women’s only selfdefense

class and a family class on Saturday mornings. Throughout

the week there is a mixture of kickboxing, wrestling, and

MMA for all levels of students. My days are pretty full of instructing

students with this kind of variety. Whoever loves martial arts

are welcome in my school.

MAWnews: Wow, you’re certainly a busy school owner doing

all of that alone. What would you say your personal martial arts

mission is in operating your school? Before you were in the ring,

but now as a school owner, what’s your mission? Is it still primarily

toward developing those types of fighters or is it more holistic

related to martial arts in general?

SB: The journey of being a coach is not just to have world

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continued from page 41

champions. It’s a beautiful thing to be in a position to help change

someone’s life to the point of becoming a world champion. But

my first and foremost purpose is to help people achieve their

goals. Whether they want to lose weight or get rid of some bad

habits, I’m here to help. I’m using the martial arts to empower

them to be able to reach whatever positive goals they have and

wish to achieve. If it’s to lose weight through the process they get

rid of the bad habits that put them in that condition. I also have

fighters as well who train here to become world champions. So

it’s a variety of things that I use my passion for helping people

through teaching the martial arts. The guidance that I have for

them is what actually drives this wheel.

MAWnews: That truly sounds like an excellent mission for

helping people. Next, can you describe what your school is like

relative to size, facilities, and its atmosphere?

SB: The building is a little over 3000 square feet. It’s a nice

size and it’s a beautiful state of the art gym. Right now it has mats,

wall pads, and boxing bags which is just right for the kind of training

we do. People who come and train here, fall in love with the

environment, the vibe, and the energy.

The feel of a school is very important for people who come

and step into a gym for the first time. They want to train, but

they don’t know what to expect because it’s something that

they’ve never done before. Of course, there’s always going to

be a stereotype of people who train in the martial arts, but when

they come and step in this gym, they feel the energy. I keep the

energy positive.

MAWnews: Yes, environment is one of the primary keys to

retaining students? How is the active student base like and what

are you trying to instill in them?

SB: At first, Elevate MMA had a lot of students who signed up

to come and trained at this gym from a distance. That pulls on

them because they are driving here from an hour away. Now due

to the school’s growing reputation in the community, I’m getting

more local students who live in the area.

The dominating principle I strive to instill in them is leadership.

The thing with all martial artists is that they’re alphas. Whether

they’re males or females, whoever steps in and wants to do martial

arts, they’re a little bit alpha. I wouldn’t say it’s just an alpha

sport, but people who join it tend to be a little bit alpha and they

want to develop those skills and attributes.

So they have to accept you as their super alpha. Being their

super alpha means you have to have a lot of qualities that they

see in you and accept as a super alpha. Once that happens you

win their trust. The instruction is very important for people to

see and realize that you know what you’re talking about. Lots of

people come from other gyms also, listen to the instructions, and

they just haven’t heard the things being taught before. I think it

has a lot to do with your knowledge of mixed martial arts. I believe

I have a good knowledge of mixed martial arts.

MAWnews: Very true. As you know, someone might come

into your school on reputation, but then through experience

they start finding out what you really know and then they get the

depth of that and from there, that trust comes about. Once you

have that, the sky’s the limit, right?

SB: Absolutely. You see their faces when you explain and

their eyes widen because of what you’re teaching. I enjoy seeing

those faces and I feed off of those reactions because I genuinely

want to help people. I literally give them my all. If I see them do

techniques the wrong way, I correct them because that avoids

injuries. If you can keep them injury free and consistent, they’ll

keep coming back. A lot of people lose the love of martial arts,

not because martial arts are terrible, but because the coach is

terrible or the people they train with are terrible. I believe that’s

an important factor.

MAWnews: That’s an excellent answer, because if people feel

good about you,what they’re learning, and stay injury free they

will surely continue with you. So what are you most proud of with

your school? You’ve had a lot of teaching experience with champions

over the years now. So what do you take pride in?

SB: This is an easy question to answer. It’s that people come

here to train and they have fun. They walk out of class with a

smile. When they say this is the best part of the day. The thing

is we don’t have a belt system, so there’s no comparison in that

way and we just train people to be badasses. That makes them

feel good because a belt only covers two inches and you have to

cover the rest. They can feel this at Elevate MMA.


COVER STORY

MAWnews: Sounds like you really have the pulse of your students.

In the future do you plan on having any kind of leadership

club? Like a plan on a structured type of program for developing

leaders or is it just a general kind of thing?

SB: All I’m doing is developing leaders. In two years, every

student that I teach, if they stick around for two years, they will be

leaders. My whole purpose is not to create sheep and students.

My whole purpose is to create leaders. Once somebody has a

little bit of leadership skills, they see it, and they fall in love with it.

It’s not a particular system, I just do me. That’s just ingrained

into my system. I am not a good follower myself and I don’t like

followers. I try to help people to become leaders because people

who come here don’t just do my martial arts, they need my guidance

and leadership most.

They lack something in their lives when they come and train

in martial arts. Once you figure that out, you help them out with

it. That’s leadership. Then they’re going to do that for somebody

else. This is something I demand in the school. That they do it for

other people when they need it as well.

It’s almost like an apprentice type thing. It is like a big family.

Nobody is raising their eyebrows or judging anybody. Everybody

is welcome. Whether you punch slow, fast, hard, or weak, you’re

welcome here. As soon as you join, you’ll be one of us. Everyone

is for one and one is for everyone.

MAWnews: Very nice. That kind of leadership certainly fosters

unity. So you are currently a member of a professional business

consulting organization and how has that benefited you?

SB: Yes, I am a proud AMS member. Being a member takes

a lot of the load off your shoulders because everything’s run

automatically. Joining AMS has been a great step in my process

of transitioning to owning my own school. My representative,

Sean Lee, is a great guy. He’s a smart guy. I like working with

smart people. When I work together with people, I want to be

the dumbest guy. I always look for people who are smarter than

me and Shawn Lee is a smart guy. I have fun working with him.

He has a lot of good qualities. Even with him coaching me on

the business side of things, the instruction and leadership come

together. He’s a good leader too.

MAWnews: Keeping the business side of things in mind, do

you currently use a management software tool? If so, how does

that help you?

SB: Yes, I use ATLAS Martial Arts Software. Everything is automated

so that makes it easy. The system also includes a website

that is created for my school which I get my leads through. the

website. Make it easy. So everything is in the

system.

First of all, the software itself is very easy to

use. You have a clear overview of everything.

It’s all one click away to see how your school

membership is doing. It shows whether or not

their transactions are going through. What

makes Atlas more intriguing is the martial arts

base that it has. That’s a huge help for new

schools who don’t have their own staff because

it takes care of a lot of the office and paperwork

oriented work to keep you organized.

The system also includes access to the after

school martial art program support tools, which I

haven’t taken full advantage of yet, but I’m working

on building up my summer camp first. The

plan is to sign up a lot of people for the summer

camp and then starting September, get a lot of

after school kids.


COVER STORY

MAWnews: Now is the time to kind of start gearing up for

the summer camp and once you get that going, if you have an

impactful summer camp, it’s like just a turnkey right into your after

school program. You can have a huge influence on kids by having

them for five days out of the week more so than just one or

two classes a week, right?

SB: Yes, those kids who come here for an after school program

are the ones that are going to be the future leaders. It gives

you the opportunity to shape the future with your own hands. It

starts with those kids and martial arts because in this era that

we live in the kids are more digital. So I will do my best to create

leaders that are more socially active than than virtually.

You shape the future with your own hands by teaching people

discipline and confidence. And the student is as confident as

their instructor wants them to be. It’s very easy to break people,

any coach can do that, but it is very hard to build people up.

Building people brick by brick takes time, but it’s a rewarding process.

Especially, when you see them in just a few years: independent,

confident, and young gentleman.They will help and inspire

a lot of other people. So you give something good to the world

and good will always come back to you. That’s what I believe.

MAWnews: That all makes a lot of sense because the after

school program is really all about preparing future leaders like

you’re saying. Earlier you mentioned that you’re kind of a one

man show, how has that been for you?

SB: It’s a little hectic. I have to do the promotions, the sales,

the instruction, and the leadership. Sometimes I only sleep 3 or

4 hours a night. The rest of the time I’m working. I leave when it’s

dark and I go home when it’s dark. I don’t see my kids. I see my

kids on the weekends. So it’s not easy, but nothing worthwhile

comes easy. I think it has been built into my system from the

martial arts that giving up is not an option. If you want something

beautiful, you have to do what other people don’t or won’t do. If

you want success, you have to do more than other people.

It always reminds me of the story that I heard somewhere on

YouTube. It was part of a motivational speech. There’s an old man

who is very successful. A young man looks at

this man that he’s very successful and walks

up to the man and says, “Hey, old man, how

did you become so successful? The old man

looks at him and says, “You want to know how I

became successful?” To which the young man

says, “Yes!” Then the old man says, “Meet me

tomorrow morning at 4:00 AM on the beach.”

So the young man comes in suit, tie, and nice

at 4:00 AM. The old man says, “Let’s go into

the sea.” The young man gives him a look that

says are you kidding because he dressed up

with different expectations?

Reluctantly, he walks into the water with

the old man who takes him to the waist deep.

Then he says, “Keep going.” Again, he looks at

the old man thinking he’s crazy. They continue

until the water is chin high and then the old

man pushes the young guy’s head underwater.

He tries to come back up, but the old man doesn’t let him. All of

a sudden the young man panics and starts fighting for his life.

When he finally comes up, he takes a deep breath and exclaims,

“You’re crazy!”

The young man walks out of the water, angry at the old man.

He said, “You wanted to kill me.” The old man replied, “No, I

didn’t want to kill you. I just wanted to teach you a lesson. Did you


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COVER STORY

get your answer to how I became successful?” The young man

said, “No!” To which the old man answered, “Let me ask you a

question. When your head was underwater, what did you think

about? Did you think about all the beautiful things, this, that or

any of a number or irrelevant things?” The old man continued,

“When I kept your head underwater, what

did you think about?” “Breathing”, the

young man said. “Good. If you want to

be successful as bad as you wanted to

breathe when I had your head underwater,

you’ll be successful. Otherwise you won’t”,

the old man concluded. That story is

always in the back of my mind. I try to live

up to that and let it drive me.

MAWnews: That’s a powerful story that

can definitely motivate someone touched

by it to push themselves to success. Now

you mentioned that you have a business

website, so what does it take for successful

lead generation with it?

SB: A productive lead generating website

must be very SEO oriented in order to

gain leads in an organic way. Without that

your website can’t successfully bring in

leads automatically. In that case, you have

to do a lot of marketing and promotion in order to get visitors to

the site to take advantage of your special offers. A school owner

won’t be happy with that because they want to be in the gym

teaching rather than spending time coming up with marketing

ideas. So a website that also does some automated marketing

along with good SEO is the key to driving leads to a school.

MAWnews: Absolutely. So tell me what your busy biggest

successes and breakthroughs have been so far with your school.

SB: Helping to create a home grown world champion is something

that I’m very proud of. It wasn’t just some world champion,

but the world champion in that weight class at the highest level

of the sport. And not just in kickboxing, but in MMA I was guiding

world champions too. So my expertise is very broad in the

martial arts. I’ve helped gold medallists in wrestling. I have world

champion Jiu Jitsu black belts. I helped Muay Thai Lumpinee

Stadium champions and kickboxing world champions. I can instruct

them all and have all their respect from my instruction and

knowledge of martial arts. That’s something that I believe is rare.

My understanding of martial arts came from the coaches that

I trained and the world class level athletes that I trained. I trained

with Jackson Wink and at Blackzilians with Henry Hooft which is

now Kill Cliff Fight Club, but most importantly with Greg Jackson.

Greg Jackson is another coach that I truly admire because he

opened up my mind like a parachute. He’s a great leader that

creates leaders. I was very happy that I got to work with him.

MAWnews: Yes. In high level sports the best coaches seem to

be leaders of men. Now from a business standpoint with marketing

in mind, what delivers your best marketing results? Is it word

of mouth? Is it social? Etc.?

SB:

I think my school it’s word of mouth because the people who

come here to train love it. They love the leadership, the people

who they train with, and the vibe in the gym. I tell them straight

and honestly, when you come here, you train, you do what I tell

you to do, avoid injuries, and you get the best instruction in the


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COVER STORY

entire DMV area. You’ll have great teammates that you can work

with who will take care of you when you’re a beginner. When

you’re working with someone that’s advanced and they know

you’re a beginner, they’re not going to try to hurt.

This has a lot to do with leadership and my team knows my

demands from them. So I give the best instruction in kickboxing,

Jujitsu, and MMA, but what I expect back from them is to help the

new students. First, when they come into the gym and they don’t

have a lot of experience in martial arts, I don’t want them to hurt

them. Second, I want them to help that guy because he’s going

to be the next guy on the next day helping when somebody new

walks into the gym. If he has had a good example of how to do it,

he will help the next person. With this kind of leadership in five

or ten years from now when I don’t want to teach anymore, my

students will be just like me. Their leadership will turn this martial

arts into something beautiful that inspires people. Just the way it

should be.

Basically, with my leadership as a pattern and a genuine

desire to help, word spreads that Elevate MMA is a school that

cares. I truly love literally helping people try to figure out what

they want and then helping them achieve their goals. Nothing

gives me greater motivation and fulfillment than helping people

achieve their goals and that message spread fast with impact.

MAWnews: Certainly that kind of vibe and leadership can

generate buzz in a community. So what are some of your goals

over the next five years?

SB: In the next 5 years, I want to create as many happy people

as possible with the martial arts. I want people to be happy and

when they step into the gym, I want it to be the best part of their

day. They enter a positive environment, get inspired, have a good

workout, release a lot of endorphins and serotonin, and walk out

feeling happy.

I don’t have a clock in the gym, I only have a timer. When they

come here, I want them to lose a sense of time and have fun.

They put on their gloves and disconnect from the outside world.

They can leave their problems outside the door when they come

here for an hour to two hours. I want them to literally enjoy the

martial arts, get a good sweat, and forget. It’s like a meditation

for them. I want to build their mindset, their physicality, and build

them into winners. That’s what my deepest goals and purposes

are.

MAWnews: Those are truly some practical and life changing

goals. Can you envision any challenges relative to these goals?

SB: Of course, nothing is easy. As a leader you

try to steer the ship the best way you can. Sometimes

you have to deal with a storm. But it’s how

you deal with the storm and get through it with your

team that matters. Alone, it’s very difficult to do, but

with a team around you with people that are close

to you and you want to give them your all, anything

is possible. When they feel that genuine desire to

help them with their goals, if they’re sick with you,

you’ll get through the storms.

So far no storms, but it would be foolish to think

that I will not encounter any storms in the future. I’m

bracing myself for it because it’s better if you are

prepared for it and it doesn’t happen, than if you

don’t and it happens.

MAWnews: Absolutely. In addition to Greg

Jackson, who else had a big influence on you from

a business perspective?


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COVER STORY

SB: Chatri Sityodtong. He was a hedge fund manager on Wall

Street and he was my leader at Evolve MMA for two and a half to

three years. I learned a lot of good leadership qualities and business

leadership. In mixed martial arts, again, it is Greg Jackson.

MAWnews: They clearly have had a deep impact on your life.

So on a personal level, what have been the biggest challenges

you faced and overcame?

SB: Injuries. I want to avoid them and I want my students to go

injury free. I learned from those negative experiences and now

I want to prevent my students from having those bad experiences.

I know how to avoid them and if I can keep my students

injury free and consistent, they’ll grow quickly. That’s what I did in

Singapore and in three years I had a world championship team.

We had no injuries in three years on the team and my winning

percentage was over 80 by taking that bad luck factor out of the

fights. So yeah.

MAWnews: That really lines up with what many professional

coaches say with the expression, “The best ability is availability.”

So what further advice would you give a school operator that

might be struggling to break through to the next level or even

just starting out?

SB: Help and be there for your students. Listen to them.

Inspire them. Build their discipline. Motivation comes and goes,

but discipline remains. Discipline makes a difference. Build their

discipline. Talk to them about discipline. Shape their discipline.

Force discipline on them, if you have to. That’s something they

will be very thankful for. Maybe not in the beginning because

not everybody loves to be disciplined. You have to have a way of

teaching discipline and everybody is different.

That’s what leaders must do. You have to figure out your students.

You have to learn their way of listening. How do you gain

their respect and their attention? You’ll connect with them also by

having respect for them and for

their goals. I believe that’s the

best thing you can do for your

students.

MAWnews: For our last

question, what is it you’re

excited about to this point or for

the future in teaching at your

school?

SB: Creating a world champion

team and a very happy and

positive community. Then for

this positive community to go

on and inspire and help other

people. This will be a big wave.

Like I said before, if you put

something good into the world,

good will come back and find

you. So I’m trying to put something

good into the world with

my gym and people sense that.

They come to do a trial class

and they don’t walk out before

signing up. If they don’t, they

go and try other gyms, then a month later they come and sign

up here because the vibe is just different. The instruction and

leadership is different. The vibe and energy training with other

students is different. So these factors make a big change.

As a leader you have to create an environment where people

grow and enjoy being. If you can’t create this as a leader, you fail

them as a leader. That’s when they quit martial arts and it has

nothing to do with martial arts. It has to do with your leadership.

Martial arts are not terrible, but sometimes leadership is. You

always have to point the fingers at yourself, not at other people.

It always starts with you. As the saying goes, “There’s no bad

students, just bad instructors.

Running a business can be tough and it can even break you,

but nothing breaks a true martial artist. Once you have the mindset

and discipline of a martial artist, you have the stepping stones

to achieve great things. When you combine a deep passion with

these things, you can accomplish anything!

MAWnews: Sir, we appreciate your time.



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SCHOOL PROFILE

Relentless Training Concepts:

Building Strength, Skill, and

Character in Tulsa

Since 2010, Relentless Training Concepts has been a place where people of all ages

come to challenge themselves, learn powerful skills, and grow in confidence. Based in Tulsa,

Oklahoma, and led by husband-and-wife team Brandon and Lisa Bennett, the school offers

expert instruction in Jun Fan, Muay Thai, Maphilindo Silat, Inosanto Kali, and Sayoc Kali.

From the beginning, Brandon and Lisa set out to do more

than teach martial arts. Their mission is to help students become

strong—in body, mind, and spirit—so they can excel in every area

of life. Today, with about 75 active students, Relentless Training

Concepts is known not just for producing

skilled martial artists, but for

shaping people who carry discipline,

confidence, and resilience into everything

they do.

Brandon Bennett brings a rare

combination of martial arts mastery

and real-life law enforcement experience.

Serving the Tulsa community as

a police officer since 1992, his roles

have included burglary detective,

defensive tactics trainer, and active

Tommy Bottone - Founder of American Fighting Concepts

involvement in officer safety programs.

His decades on the job give

him a grounded, practical perspective

that shapes every class.

His martial arts background is equally extensive, with certifications

from Inosanto Systems, the World Thai Boxing Association,

Warriors Way International, and Sayoc Kali. He’s been part of

curriculum development for organizations like the United States

Shooting Academy and has contributed to Close Quarters Tactics

and edged weapons programs. Brandon also helped shape the

Tulsa Police Department’s defensive tactics training and has led

highly regarded self-defense programs for women and children.

The result is a training environment where techniques are not

only traditional but also functional—skills that work in real situations,

taught with an emphasis on awareness, adaptability, and

confidence.

While deeply rooted in martial arts tradition, Relentless Training

Concepts stays on the cutting edge when it comes to running the

school. They use advanced school management software, a website

optimized for attracting and connecting with new students,

Brandon Bennett poses with a group of his students.

and a smart follow-up system to ensure prospective students feel

welcomed and informed.

Their approach works—on average, the school generates

around 15 solid new leads each month. More importantly, they

focus just as much on keeping

students as they do on finding

them. Retention is high because of

the supportive, close-knit community

Brandon and Lisa have built.

Students are encouraged to think

independently, act decisively, and

support one another—understanding

that strength grows even more

when shared.

The Bennetts are not content to

stand still. Over the next five years,

they plan to grow the Relentless

Training Concepts family from 75

students to 200. That’s not just

about numbers—it’s about reaching

more people in Tulsa and beyond with the benefits of martial

arts training.

Part of their vision includes continuing to refine their marketing

efforts, expanding community outreach, and creating more programs

that introduce kids and adults to the life-changing impact of

martial arts.

Relentless Training Concepts is exactly what its name suggests—a

place where persistence is valued, effort is rewarded,

and growth is inevitable. Students don’t just leave with better

punches, kicks, and weapon skills—they leave with the confidence

to handle challenges, the discipline to keep improving, and the

mindset to contribute positively to the world around them.

Under Brandon and Lisa’s leadership, martial arts become

more than a hobby—they become a way of life, a set of skills and

values that prepare people to be strong, capable, and, above all,

relentless in pursuit of their goals.


See

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SCHOOL PROFILE

Centre Samourai Koryukan:

Cultivating Mind, Body,

and Tradition

Since its founding in 1999 by Sensei Medhat Darwish, Centre Samourai Koryukan has

been dedicated to preserving and sharing classical Japanese martial arts in Montreal.

The name “Koryukan”, which loosely translates to “advanced learning,” reflects the

dojo’s commitment to deep, time-honored training. In 2004, Sensei Darwish became

the Canadian representative of Hakuho-ryū Aiki-Budo, and he continues to refine his

skills through annual training with master Ozeki Shigeyoshi Sensei in Fukuoka, Japan.

Sensei Darwish holds several prestigious Shihan licenses: in

Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, in Yamato Tenshin Ryū Bōjutsu, and as

a 12th-generation Mokuroku holder in Heiho Niten Ichi-ryū, the

dual-sword art founded by samurai legend Miyamoto Musashi.

What really sets Centre

Samourai Koryukan apart isn’t

just the techniques—it’s the

spirit behind them. Sensei Darwish

believes these arts can

transform practitioners by harmonizing

mind and body, helping

them face life’s challenges

with resilience. His vision is to

build a community grounded

in respect, courage, honesty,

and camaraderie—values that

live beyond the dojo.

Exploring the Classical

Martial Arts

At Koryukan, training goes

well beyond kicks and strikes.

Each discipline nurtures presence,

awareness, and purpose.

Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu focuses

on mastering conflict through harmony. The name says it all:

“Ai” (harmony), “Ki” (life energy), “Ju” (flexibility), “Jutsu” (art). This

practice emphasizes joint locks, disarmaments, throws, pressure

points, and strikes—tools for powerful yet effortless—defense and

personal growth.

Yamato Tenshin Ryū Bōjutsu, the art of the staff, bridges

weapon and body. Whether swinging, thrusting, or striking, the

bō becomes an extension of the learner—building coordination,

balance, and discipline. Its origins recall the humble farming stick

turned elegant weapon in the hands of the samurai.

Heiho Niten Ichi-ryū Kenjutsu and Iaidō reflect the samurai

spirit of Miyamoto Musashi.

Kenjutsu teaches sword

techniques with precision

using a wooden bokuto, while

Iaidō demands mindfulness,

timing, and ritual—from smooth

draws to sheathings. Training

develops a calm clarity, where

each gesture is intentional and

present.

A Global Community with

Local Roots

Koryukan isn’t just a

dojo—it’s the Hombu dojo of a

growing international organization.

Sensei Darwish leads

seminars, specialized teacher

training courses, and intensive

Sensei Medhat Darwish demonstrates a throw.

workshops both in Canada and

abroad.

With over 25 years in the Daitō-ryū lineage, Sensei Darwish

blends deep tradition with modern insight.

From Aiki-jūjutsu to Bōjutsu to the sword arts of Musashi, every

class is a step into centuries of samurai legacy. Students train not

just to learn movements but to unlock self-control, awareness, and

inner balance. Locally rooted in Montreal yet internationally active,

Koryukan is both a community dojo and a global presence.


THE MILLIONAIRE SMARTS COACH

Embracing Humor

in Stressful Times

By Lee Milteer

Can Finding the Funny Help You Live A Less Stressful Life?

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy for people to take

offense, particularly in these stressful times. During a recent

conversation with an insightful individual, I discovered a powerful

remedy for coping with the mounting stress and tension in our

lives: the ability to find humor in any situation.

Facing Life’s Trials

Our community recently confronted a significant challenge

that required two days of diligent preparation at both home and

in my office. Thankfully, my home emerged relatively unscathed

compared to the state of my office building, visibly reflected in

the condition of our office sign out front. Its appearance was far

from resembling a flag. Furthermore, a substantial

section of our fence bore the brunt of the storm,

and some other signs sustained damage.

My husband, ever the optimist, noted as

we surveyed the aftermath, “Remember

when you mentioned updating your office

signs? Well, I think recent events have

presented the perfect opportunity to

do just that.”

Discovering the Bright Side

Admittedly, not everything

may seem humorous at first

glance when adversity

strikes. Yet, if you can

find a moment of levity

amid the chaos and

share a hearty laugh,

you can instantly lower

your blood pressure

and alleviate distress.

This holds the key to maintaining your mental equilibrium during

life’s trials.

Life is fleeting, especially when we’re weighed down by

problems, fears, doubts, and persistent unhappiness. It’s essential

to recognize that your emotions are products of your thoughts.

To effectively confront life’s stressors, it’s vital to cultivate selfconfidence

and the ability to poke fun at yourself. Let’s face it;

there are numerous circumstances beyond our control. The better

your sense of humor, the greater your contentment with yourself

and your life. Humor serves as our anchor, preserving our sense of

balance.

Recalling Childhood Joy

Consider the carefree days of your childhood; there’s much to

learn from children who relish the present moment and embrace

life’s absurdity. They engage in activities purely for the joy they

bring, unburdened by others’ opinions, and simply for the pleasure

of having fun.

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


Photo (top right) by dusanpetkovic

Warrior Certifications return Sept. 12–14

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CERTIFICATION

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Warrior Certifications return Sept. 12–14

Join Us! September 12-14, 2025

And for the first time ever… we’re offering

Introduction to Warrior Traditional Certification

This is your gateway to becoming a licensed

Warrior Traditional school — don’t miss the

chance to be among the FIRST to earn this title.

Also available:

• Warrior Krav Maga Core & Adv B

• Fight Club Core & Adv B

• Warrior Kali Certification

• Warrior Business Seminar (Sept. 12 only)

register NoW! Registration is now open: bit.ly/2025Warrior

or CALL MS. HARRISON 904-724-2100 1400 Millcoe Road,Jacksonville, FL

TEAMWORK

Resisting School Owner Burnout

by Hanshi Dave Kovar

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the mid-90s.

My good friend had just opened up this gorgeous martial arts

school and invited me down for a visit. Upon entering, I was blown

away. It was fully matted long before the average school even had

mats. It had great equipment, a gorgeous lobby, and a state-ofthe-art

pro shop. It was one of the nicest schools I had ever seen.

What happens when you combine a state-of-the-art facility with

a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and charismatic instructor? Success,

and lots of it. Over the next decade my friend thrived. When

it came to business, he could do no wrong. Classes were always

packed, the energy was great, and the paycheck was solid.

Over the years, our lives moved in different directions, and we

sort of lost contact. I would see him from time to time at conventions

where we would exchange pleasantries, but we never

seemed to have time for a deep conversation. Each time I saw

him, his light was a little less bright and his smile seemed a little

more forced.

A couple of years ago, I was doing a seminar in his area, and I

had the chance to go to his school to say “hello.” It

was the same location and the same guy, but it

wasn’t the same experience. What was once a

state-of-the-art facility was now a worn-down,

battered, and smelly dojo. His youthful enthu-

siasm had been replaced with cynicism based

on years of challenges. His hunger had been

replaced by lethargy and compromise. To put

it bluntly, he was suffering, and so was his

business. He was just plain burned out.

Although I’m still extremely enthusiastic

about my career, I myself have

had my moments of near burnout,

to be sure. And after seeing my

friend, I have doubled my efforts

to avoid burnout by trying to do

the following four things on a regular

basis as a martial arts school

owner. Perhaps these things might

be valuable to you as well.

1. Create a vision of what you want your school to be

and then visit that vision often. I once read that “burnout”

only happens when you lose sight of your vision. There

certainly can be other things that come into play that could

cause burnout, but losing sight of your vision is certainly

near the top of the list. Having a clear vision of what you

want your school to be helps you to keep your purpose

strong. When your purpose is strong, it is easier to sustain

your motivation.

2. Constantly be training your team. My friend in the

story above had a philosophy that if you wanted something

done right, you had to do it yourself. Because he was a hardworking

guy, he was able to push himself and do virtually

everything on his own, year in and year out, for over a decade

before it caught up to him. He never really relied on anyone

else, and when he did, it was in a crisis situation, so he never

had ample time to train his team correctly to help. Because of

this, his staff never lived up to his expectations and therefore

wouldn’t last long.

3. Maintain a love for the arts. It has been my observation

that the people I see in our profession that have maintained a

high level of success over time have been people that have kept

their love for martial arts strong. People on the outside think that

if you teach martial arts, you get to train all the time. We know

that’s not the case. As a matter of fact, it can be extremely hard

to get your own personal training in unless you make time for it.

I believe that this is one of the X factors for a successful martial

arts school and should not be neglected.

4. Savor the moment. In a Japanese tea ceremony, there

is a phrase. “Ichi-go Ichi-e.” Roughly translated, it means “one

encounter, one chance.” It means that this moment with these

people will never happen again the same way, so we should savor

it. I translate this to mean that every day I should consciously try

to savor each class I teach, each staff meeting I participate in, and

each student I converse with. Because when I do this, I maintain

a higher level of present focus, which allows me to be at my best

and maximize the situation.

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.


Photograph (right) by JackF

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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!

MartialArtsWorldNews.com/Ureport

Contact us at: 407-895-1996

or Email Editor@MartialArtsWorldNews.com

AFTER SCHOOL EXCELLENCE

Getting Feedback from

Your Students

by Grandmaster Mike Bugg

There’s a popular saying that you should work smarter, not harder, which is something

to keep in mind as we explore the concept of intelligence.

There are several things you can do at your school to work

smarter, not harder. The lifeline of your school is your students.

They dictate the growth and development of your school. Without

students, you’re definitely doing things the hard way. Within

your school, you work hard to bring in tons of new students in

your doors, but once you bring the new students in, you’ve got to

close the door behind them; otherwise you’re constantly trying to

replace new students—an effort that’s not working smartly at all.

So, how do you keep the students you get?

That requires establishing communication between your staff

and students. You’ve got to learn what your students like about

your school so you can better serve their needs and retain them as

students.

Here are a few tips on how you can get the necessary feedback

from your students so that growing your numbers is a

breeze, and you can work smarter, make your school

healthier, and make your students happier.

Your most important source of student desires

and wishes is obviously going to be students.

However, you shouldn’t overlook feedback from

parents. There are times when students may feel

intimidated, shy, or embarrassed to share certain

ideas with you, and parents can be helpful with

communicating things that kids are slow to share

(like bullying at school). Also, since parents hold the

purse strings, it’s not a bad idea to find out what

they like and don’t like about your program

so you can address those concerns before

they get out of your control. You may also

want to utilize your relationship with local

schools to get more feedback on what

students like and don’t like, or what

might be effective in the martial arts

school and what won’t work. Talk to people who have tried these

things before. There’s no sense reinventing the wheel if there are

more efficient ways to improve your program and retention.

Make a comment box for the lobby at your school. You can

have your students decorate it with martial arts-themed drawings.

Place it near your front door or somewhere that people will see it

as soon as they come in. Provide a simple questionnaire for people

to fill out that includes some things you want to know, like do your

students enjoy your activities? You can include a scale from 0–5

that makes it easier for students to answer. At the bottom leave

a blank space where students can write comments. This will give

you invaluable insight into how students are enjoying your school

and what can be done to improve their experience.

Check in with parents through regular calls home. You can

present these calls as progress reports on each student’s performance

and get their opinion on many aspects of your school’s

instruction.

If you haven’t ventured into the digital world and social media

yet, it’s never too late to get started. AMS offers outstanding products

and services that can help you develop your school website

and online strategy. A Facebook account is a great place to post

polls and get feedback from your community. Operating a blog

with a comment section gives you access to unfiltered feedback

from your students.

Your staff is also a good source of information about your

school’s strengths and weaknesses. Hold regular meetings where

you can ask your staff questions and get their input on curriculum

and course objectives. If staff members leave to pursue other

career interests, conduct exit interviews where you can hear their

suggestions for improvement.

Opening your ears and getting feedback on your school is

essential to achieving your greatest success. Working smarter and

not harder will yield you incredible results!

GRANDMASTER MIKE BUGG is an 8th 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 AndreyKaderov

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GROWTH HACKS

Martial Arts Schools Face New

Tariff Challenges: Rising Costs,

Shifting Strategies (Part 1)

by Mr. Sean Lee

A Tariff Shockwave Hits the

Martial Arts Schools

For decades, martial arts schools across the United

States have relied on affordable uniforms, protective gear,

and training equipment imported from Asia. But with the

new wave of U.S. tariffs—some as high as 30–46% on imports

from China, Vietnam, and Taiwan—the industry is

bracing for a financial test unlike any it has seen in years.

From steel-reinforced weapons to aluminum-based

protective gear, costs are climbing. And while a 10%

tariff may sound modest on paper, once layered across

multiple supply chains and resellers, the ripple effect can

be sharp and immediate.

The result? Higher prices for schools, instructors,

and ultimately, the families who sign their children up for

karate, taekwondo, and jiu-jitsu classes.

When Rising Costs Meet Family Budgets

The martial arts industry has long prided itself on

accessibility—providing life-changing lessons in discipline,

confidence, and fitness at a reasonable cost.

But in 2025, affordability is under threat.

Parents already juggling rising grocery bills

and mortgage rates may hesitate when faced with

increased uniform fees or higher tuition to offset

equipment expenses. Industry experts warn that

this could especially impact lower- and

middle-income households, reversing

recent gains in youth participation

across sports and recreation.

“Families don’t just see a higher

Uniform price tag,” one industry

insider explained. “They see it as

another expense stacked on top of everything else. For some,

that’s the breaking point.”

The Business Dilemma for School Owners

For school operators, the choice is far from simple:

• Absorb the costs and watch margins shrink.

• Pass on the costs and risk of alienating students.

• Restructure operations with alternative sourcing or creative

pricing.

Small and mid-sized martial arts schools, many still recovering

from the pandemic years, are particularly vulnerable. Unlike large

fitness chains, they lack the scale to negotiate favorable bulk contracts

or buffer sudden price shocks.

Add in the uncertainty of shifting trade policies—with tariffs

frequently being renegotiated or revised—and planning becomes

a moving target.

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.


Photograph by CreativaImages

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NINJA BUSINESS TACTICS

Martial Arts Teaching

For The Future

by An-Shu Stephen Hayes

One reality I see over and over at martial arts business conventions is crowds of young,

proficient martial artists in on the latest martial fad and hoping to earn a living providing

good training for their communities but lacking in a crucial double-edged necessity.

They lack a seasoned, mature presence, and they lack an inspiring,

realistic system for teaching how to deal with people. They

definitely need more motivation and determination; they need to

listen to some Black motivational speakers.

Are you mature enough in your presence (we’re not necessarily

talking years-of-age here) to inspire successful people to want to

engage you to help them advance?

Are you aware enough to come across as someone

that matters, someone that is making a difference

in the community (…as opposed to being some

twitchy young dude who mimics all the fads

and cliches in appearance, language, and

bearing, someone who radiates, “I’m trying

real hard here and hoping you will chip in

and help pay for all my fun”)?

I can teach other teachers good realworld

martial arts. I must admit that really is

not a likely business target, though. I have few

takers when it comes to getting a better martial

art for an existing school; teachers stay pretty

locked in emotionally to what they

earned their black belt in, even

when there are better things

out there. On the other

hand, there are school

owners who have no

grounding at all and

easily fall victim to

chasing down a newer,

sweeter “flavor

of the month.” Many school owners want to “roll” since Brazilians

made that popular in the 1990s. Where were they when folks were

snickering at me for teaching ground technique in the ’80s? And

what then is the next hot thing to blossom? Fads come and go.

Success in the martial arts business is not about superior defense

technology, it seems. It is about recognizing and delivering

what makes people feel strong, decisive, and capable. Therefore,

my next few years’ work is in the inner realms of warrior protector

spirit. I believe martial arts school prospects in most towns are

looking for authentic, confident presence. They just happen to enjoy

martial arts as a great way to get there. Yes, every teacher says

s/he will deliver that, but the truth is I see a lot of teachers who do

not even have such maturity and stability themselves.

You can join us if you are brave enough and sincere enough

and ready to let go of the fad addictions that seem to motivate so

many of your lost martial arts school owner peers.

I will start the next chapter in my teaching in 2012 after one

more trip to see friends in the Himalayas next spring. I want to deliver

training experiences to promote the inner strength and outer

sophistication that seems to be so forgotten in our martial arts

image of today. “Martial mastery, all-organic, no artificial additives,

free-range, no cages.” The real deal for a world that seems to be

growing more and more challenged and confused every day.

Maybe I will find some brave men and women ready for a fasttrack

experience to what we 1960s martial artists admired in the

rough-and-tumble grand old Asian men who headed the training

halls back then when martial arts first came to general America,

and what forward-thinking people admire in spiritual teachers

today in the 21st century.

Let’s see who shows up.

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 natalie_board

CLASSIFIED

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COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

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EXTRAORDINARY MARKETING

Constructing Your

Marketing Parthenon (Part 2)

by Grandmaster Stephen Oliver

Your Parthenon of Marketing

Visualize your marketing plan as a “Parthenon” of different

strategies and tactics. Each month some may fail, others create

mediocre results, and some may be home runs.The reality is that

that order may well be reversed next month.

All you have to do is look back to the Covid shutdowns.For

advisors the market crashed, and clients were panicking. Oh, and

by the way, your AUM took a huge hit. If you were dependent upon

dinner meetings, guess what? You were dead in the water.

However, if you were on Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn, using

direct mail, and nurturing a huge prospect list, then there was

MORE OPPORTUNITY than ever. While some crashed, others hit

new records. That’s the difference between having that Marketing

Parthenon going on as opposed to being dependent upon one or

two strategies.

When I meet with a new client, my first question

for people is always, ‘What have you done

in the past?’

What have you done?

What were the results?

What should you do?

I hear every day about advisors or other

businesses that have done something VERY

effective in the past. Our joke is that it “Worked

So Well, They Never Did That Again.” You’re

likely guilty if you’ve been around

long enough.

I bet there are things you

USED to do that would work

just fine again, get it “off

the shelf,” dust it off and,

IMPLEMENT.

On the other hand, plenty

of advisors close themselves

off to doing a certain thing or

trying a certain method because

they think it failed the last time. Often, it did fail, but the reason

behind the failure must be studied. Did it get advertised well?

For an event, how many showed up? Were they the right people?

How’d I do on lead capture? How many did you turn into appointments?

How many of those did you actually have a meeting with?

How qualified were they? How many turned into a client?

In working with clients, I immediately insist upon very accurate

numbers. A daily “statistics” sheet that keeps track of all

of the marketing numbers. How many visitors to your website,

how many opt-ins, how many made an appointment, how many

discovery meetings, and how many converted to a new client?

Keeping accurate numbers and benchmarking against what’s

possible makes a huge difference.

In 98 percent of cases, the failure comes from a mistake in

the system rather than the concept of the system itself.

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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Gain Freedom from Expert

Physical Self-defense (Part 2)

by Grandmaster Y. K. Kim

3. TOXIN FREE!

Toxic attacks are cigarette, alcohol, and drug attacks.

A cigarette, alcohol, or drug attack causes lung cancer,

dangerous driving, poor judgments, wasting money, having

hangovers, or, in the worst case, it will land you in jail or endanger

your life.

It’s easy to smoke, drink, and take drugs when cigarettes, drinking

alcohol, or taking drugs entice you; but it’s difficult to live with

because you smell bad, ruin your skin, and get sick. While quitting

smoking, drinking, or taking drugs may be difficult, it’s easy to

live with because you will look better, save money, and will be

healthier.

Turn TOXIC ATTACKS into a healthy life!

Toxic Attack: You think, “Whenever I feel stressed out, I smoke

cigarettes, drink alcohol, or take drugs to help me release the

stress.”

Defense: Taking charge of your life is your top responsibility;

you need commitment: Throw away all your cigarettes, alcohol, or

drugs and never buy any more. You save money.

You need determination: Whenever you crave ciga-

rettes, alcohol, or drugs, you drink water or chew gum

and say, “I am a nonsmoker, I don’t drink alcohol, or

take drugs, and I am strong and intelligent so I can

quit smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs,”

100

times or more… out loud if possible. You will continue

for at least 21 days, until you feel that you are smoke,

alcohol, or drug free.

You need control: Don’t let cigarettes, alcohol, or

drugs control you; you have control by competing

within until you win. Therefore, you can turn a

toxic and dirty life into a clean and positive life!

Personal advice:

If you need expert help,

do it now because you live only once, not

twice; seeking help shows your wisdom

and confidence. You will be toxin free and

energize your life.

4. FIST FIGHTS FREE!

A fist fight is a physical attack from another person. You can

control yourself not to fight, but you can’t control other people’s

behavior, so you need to know how to defend yourself. Once you

know how to defend yourself, it is too easy to prevent the fight.

Therefore, you must learn physical self-defense.

Prevent FIST FIGHTS for peace of mind!

Fist Attack: You think, “He is annoying me and trying to hurt

me, and that makes me frustrated and angry.”

Defense: You do not let anybody control you: You control

yourself.

1) Prevention is better than the cure: You don’t go to places

where you will find trouble, and you avoid troublemakers.

2) Smiling is the best self-defense. It will deter many unnecessary

fist fights.

3) Talking is better than fighting; otherwise you just walk away

from attackers.

4) If there is no way out, you must defend yourself.

Everybody has strong points and weak points, both physically

and mentally. You will use your strong points against the attacker’s

weak points. It is your last resort. Therefore, you can turn a cowardly

life into a confident life!

Start Today!

Practice physical self -defense daily – you will be healthier.

Practice physical self -defense daily – you will be stronger.

Practice physical self -defense daily – you will be happier.

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.


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 Importance of Protocol (Part 2)

by Grandmaster Zulfi Ahmed

The Influence of Eastern Systems

and the Cycle of Respect

Many of today’s martial arts draw their heritage from ancient

Eastern systems, where strict discipline and protocols were developed

and refined over centuries. These cultures understood

the importance of respect, loyalty, and the reciprocal nature of

human interactions. The adage “we receive back what we give

out into the world” is particularly relevant in this context.

In the BUSHI BAN organization, instructors must model the

behavior they wish to see in their students. When instructors

show respect to their teachers, speak with appreciation, and

demonstrate loyalty, students observe these actions and are

likely to mirror them. This creates a cycle of respect and protocol

that reinforces the values of the martial arts. What goes around

comes around; by leading by example, instructors can cultivate

an environment where respect and value are paramount.

Leading by Example: The Role of

Instructors and Leaders

If you desire respect and value

within the BUSHI BAN organization,

you must lead by example. Show

respect not only to your elders and

seniors but to everyone within the

organization. Your actions, words,

and behaviors are constantly being

observed by your students, and they

will follow your lead.

Every organization, including BUSHI

BAN, has its own unique protocols

and rules. These

protocols are not arbitrary;

they are carefully crafted

to support the growth

and success of both

the individual and the

organization as a whole.

By adhering to these protocols, instructors and leaders help

maintain the integrity of the system, ensuring that the values of

discipline, respect, and tradition continue to thrive.

Instructors within the BUSHI BAN organization bear a significant

responsibility—not only to understand and adhere to the

protocols of the school, organization, and martial arts system but

also to practice, follow, and actively help implement these rules.

As leaders and role models, instructors must embody the values

and standards set forth by the organization. This means leading

by example and becoming a model of excellence that students

and peers can look up to.

By consistently practicing and upholding these protocols, instructors

play a crucial role in building a culture of utmost respect

and discipline. This culture is not only vital for the smooth operation

of the school but also for the personal growth of each student.

Respect and discipline are the cornerstones of martial arts,

and when instructors demonstrate these qualities in everything

they do, they set a powerful example for their students to follow.

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.


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MASTERING MODERN BJJ

Life Lessons & How To

Finish Strong (Part 2)

by Master Carlos Machado

The Vision Strategy

Another strategy that helped me a lot in my early days was the

vision strategy. This strategy consists of seeing what the outcome

will likely be before you execute a technique or a sequence of

techniques. You visualize how your opponent will react or counter

and how you will respond or adjust accordingly. You also visualize

how you will finish or transition from one technique to another.

The vision strategy will help you improve your anticipation and

preparation in jiu-jitsu. You will also learn how to deal with different

types of opponents and situations, which will enhance your confidence

and resilience.

The Seizing Strategy

Another strategy that helped me a lot in my early days was the

seizing strategy. This strategy consists of incorporating a move

from your opponent into your own game and then addressing

the counter from more than one perspective. You learn

from your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and

you use them to your advantage. You also learn how

to defend yourself from your own techniques, which

will make you more aware and cautious.

The seizing strategy will help you expand your

repertoire and options in jiu-jitsu. You will also learn

how to use your creativity and intuition to find solutions

and opportunities.

The Finishing Days

As time went by, and as I progressed

in my jiu-jitsu journey, I

learned many more strategies

and techniques that helped me

improve my game. I also faced

many more challenges and

opportunities that tested my

skills and character. I competed

in many tournaments in Brazil and abroad, winning some titles

along the way. I moved to America with my brothers in the early

1990s, where we were among the pioneers of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in

this country. We worked hard to promote our art and our academy

while facing competition and resistance from other martial arts

styles. We proved ourselves as fighters and as teachers while

maintaining our humility and respect for others.

Through all these experiences, I learned that jiu-jitsu is not only

a martial art but also a way of life. It teaches you how to be resilient,

patient, adaptable, and humble. It molds you into a better person,

on and off the mat. It equips you with skills that help you navigate

through life’s challenges and opportunities. And most importantly,

it instills in you a never-give-up attitude that pushes you to finish

strong, regardless of how you start.

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.


Photograph (right) by Miljan Živković

OLYMPIC SPORT COMPETITION

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shares hard-won wisdom on running a

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on culture, mentorship, and choosing the

right students. If you want to be inspired,

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BUSINESS BUZZ

The Power of Experience: How

Outside Events Shape the

Martial Artist Within (Part 2)

by Grandmaster Lawrence Arthur

4. Learning to Learn—Anywhere

Outside events teach students how to absorb,

adapt, and apply knowledge quickly. In a seminar

setting, they’re hearing new terms, seeing different

techniques, and learning under pressure.

They’re learning not just what to do—but how to

learn. That skill pays dividends in every area of life.

5. Real-Time Emotional

Intelligence Development

Events outside the dojo demand

emotional control—composure

under pressure, humility in

defeat, grace in victory. Students

are exposed to real-time emotions

and forced to regulate themselves

in meaningful ways.

These are life skills: how to lose

without quitting, how to win with

honor, how to walk away from

a challenge having gained

something no matter the

outcome.

6. Purpose-Driven

Goal Setting

Signing up for a

retreat or tournament

gives students

something to train for.

It shifts their focus from

routine practice to purposeful preparation.

They learn the discipline of setting a goal, training for it, and

seeing it through. That process builds self-trust—one of the most

powerful qualities a person can have.

7. Belonging and Identity

Something shifts when a student attends their first tournament

or martial arts retreat and sees hundreds of other people

who believe what they believe. They realize: I am not alone in

this path.

They begin to identify as a martial artist, not just a student

in a class. That shift strengthens their commitment and helps

them internalize the values we teach—integrity, perseverance,

and respect.

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.


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Have Your School, Organization,

Accomplishment, or Event Featured in

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

• One of your students

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NEXT LEVEL STRATEGY

Push Through The Pain Of

Things You Don’t Like

by Shihan Allie Alberigo

When I was a very young child, my parents enrolled me in a martial art school.

My memories of that school consisted of a huge amount of fun,

but I don’t recall it being the fun that we look at these days. In other

words, within my schools we disguise repetition through fun drills

and exercises that capture the child’s imagination and creative

learning. We even do this with teens and youth as well. It is more of

a science than anything else, and as teachers we have to understand

the way the mind works.

I do admit, we live in a totally different time than when I was a

child, and we have to adapt to the times. What I remember as fun

really was hard work, exercise, and repetition. I remember even

at 3 and 4 years old, my goal was to be amazing. I don’t know if it

was my mindset, but I was very competitive, and I always wanted

to strive to be the best at all I could do and even be the best in the

class. I also remember classes being extremely difficult, and the

tone would change. My teachers would put me through the class,

and it seemed they were mad at me. I never

let them see me demotivated, but I always

wondered why Sensei was mad at me. I

would later find out my mom has spoken

to him about me talking back to her, not

doing my chores, or being disrespectful.

In fact, they never mentioned it to me in

class; however, they showed it to me. I

would ask my mom why Sensei was mean

today, and she would say because I spoke

to him about being disrespectful.

I am not sure now if the

lesson would be as well received

with our generation

of parents and children.

However,

for me, it taught

me many valuable

lessons:

1. Life is not fair.

2. Life has its ebbs and flows. Sometimes things don’t go

my way.

3. Life inevitably will beat you up at times.

4. Life is not always about getting what you want; sometimes

you have to suck it up and deal with it.

5. Life is not a big fluffy place. Sometimes the world could

be cruel.

I learned early on that if I expected or felt the world, people,

instructors, bosses, or teachers owed me something, I was in for

a rude awakening. However, in public school, I did an awful lot of

blaming others for my lack of success. Until I realized all the whining

in the world wasn’t going to save me and I needed to take my

success in my own hands, I basically struggled. I was continually

looking for others to change my outcome. I know now there are

many people that may assist on my journey; however, not as many

people will be there taking me through it. I am responsible for it.

Everyone has a god-given potential. Some use it, while others

don’t even recognize it. Sadly, some of the most talented people

don’t recognize their potential. I can say from experience that

some of my best students were not those that had recognized their

god-given potential and natural ability. It was those that recognized

their potential and pushed hard to become the best they could be.

The reason why I wrote this article was from a comment that my

yoga instructor said during one of our sessions, and it is very similar

to what I say as a martial arts teacher. We have to push through

the pain and expand our comfort zone so that the things we do

not like become easy and we can do them without any stress or ill

feelings. Even though they still may not be our favorite activities,

they are still activities that we do not try to avoid. We have to push

through the pain, through the boredom, and through the repetitiveness.

We have to inspire ourselves to do it because it is good for

us, not because we love it and enjoy it so much. We do it because

it is what we need, no matter how difficult it is.

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

Why Your Martial Arts School

Should Have a Wikipedia Page

(Part 1)

by Grandmaster Jessie Bowen

The American Martial Arts Alliance Foundation, in collaboration

with Elite Publications, recognizes the immense value

of documenting your journey in martial arts.

As martial artists, we devote our lives to discipline,

excellence, and the betterment of our

communities. However, many fail to preserve

their legacies in a meaningful, lasting way. A

Wikipedia page offers a unique opportunity to

cement your school’s place in history

while elevating its credibility

and outreach.

Wikipedia is more

than just an online

encyclopedia; it is the

Internet’s gold standard

for information. As one

of the most visited

websites globally,

it is often the first point of reference for people seeking verified

information about individuals, organizations, and institutions.

For martial arts school owners, having a Wikipedia page signals

professionalism and validates your achievements in a world where

credibility is paramount.

The Importance of Documenting Your Journey

Every martial arts school has a story worth telling. From its

inception to its mission and accomplishments to its impact on the

local community, these narratives deserve to be shared. A Wikipedia

page is not merely a summary; it’s a documented testament to

your hard work, dedication, and success.

A well-crafted Wikipedia page enhances your school’s visibility

and positions you as an authority in the martial arts world. Parents

looking to enroll their children, aspiring martial artists, and potential

collaborators often research schools online. When your school

is featured on Wikipedia, it demonstrates that you have met the

stringent standards for public recognition.

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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Meta-Programs:

Toward vs. Away From

Driving forces for Behavior

by Grandmaster Tim McCarthy

If you read my last column, you know we are discussing Meta-

Programs, a psychological concept that describes the thought

patterns that work in the background to control how we filter

information and make decisions. In this article we will see how

understanding the Toward vs. Away From Meta-Program helps you

become a better salesperson, teacher, and staff manager.

In Sales

The Toward or Away From Meta-Program is a driving force for

motivation. In this application, it will influence whether a prospective

student enrolls in your school.

When I first began selling martial arts programs, I thought

everyone was goal oriented like me. In our system, black belt testing

included breaking a concrete slab. To me, painting an

image of the prospective student being able to break

concrete should have been highly motivating, so I

presented it to everyone. I didn’t realize that a large

group of people would picture themselves breaking

a hand instead of the concrete and want nothing to

do with our school thanks to what I thought was a

brilliant sales tactic.

To help you assess this Meta-Program, ask, “Why

do you want to train in the martial arts?” Follow up with,

“Why now?” Listen to find out if they are moving

toward a positive outcome or away from

something they fear.

If you can establish that a prospect

likes to move toward good things, you

definitely should paint a picture of the

better self they can become as a result

of your training. If you find out that the

prospect tends to move away from

danger and pain, you want to paint a

picture of the dangers of not becoming

a student and learning the valuable skills you teach – emphasizing

self-defense from a dangerous world.

In the Classroom

On the mat, you have to remember to keep in mind the individual

student’s Meta-Programs, while working to help them develop

a more positive outlook. If you know the student moves toward,

then you constantly dangle a carrot of new skills and abilities to be

learned. If the student moves away from, you want to help them

focus on the dangers and bad situations each skill will help them

avoid, also reminding them of how the health benefits of training

keep them away from sickness and stress.

It is also a good practice to help those who habitually move

away from to develop a more positive attitude by slowly reinforcing

the benefits of setting goals and achieving them. The belt system is

our classic format for teaching goal setting, but you can also model

positive thinking as a way of developing a growth mindset. A lifechanging

breakthrough is learning that failure is not the opposite of

success, but one of the most valuable tools on the way to success.

With Your Staff

Just like in the above two instances, knowing each staff member’s

preference helps you motivate them in the most effective

way. Those who like to work toward will be motivated by rewards

and bonuses (which don’t have to be monetary.) Those who tend

to move away from need to have negative consequences to avoid.

The key is to use the right tool for the right person. Threatening

someone who moves toward with negative consequences is not

only non-productive, it may be de-motivating and downright offensive.

You have to use the right tool for the right job.

Please remember that no one is a cartoon that is completely

moving toward or away from. We all like to move toward pleasure

and away from pain, but it is more a spectrum than a binary choice.

We usually tend to move in one direction or another, but the degree

can change in different circumstances with different people.

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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You Don’t Need a Degree in

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Dimensional World is an informationpacked

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makes it easy to understand, explaining

how a child’s brain develops, year by

year. Even the youngest members of your

staff will understand which activities are

appropriate for which age groups, which

activities are not, and why.

Take advantage of Grandmaster Tim McCarthy’s research and experience, organized for you

with over 400 age-appropriate activities. It will be the best $5.00 you ever spent.

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BUDO PHILOSOPHY

Consistency and Convenience,

Loose Morals (Part 2)

by Shidoshi Alfredo Tucci

There are also people who, despite traveling a lot, will never leave their own room

because they are unable to take distance from themselves, and they see everything

through the glass color of their well.

In these times, where identity is a problematic psychological

and social schema for most people, we tend to barricade

ourselves in our origins (read that as terroir, family or genetic

lineage, mother tongue, or whatever), to supply our insatiable

need for identity with a reference that allows

us to remain cohesive in the entropic

blender of modernity.

So, rooting and uprooting

conflicts have a

lot of power because

they are based on

something essential,

in the most elementary—the

ground we

walk on. Hence, it’s

not surprising that it’s

precisely now that

nationalisms, supremacism,

and other narrow

mental pathways are proliferating

again, because they allow

subjects and cultures to point

accusingly at third parties

with the index finger.

We can’t forget, however,

that when we point this finger

at others, at least three

other fingers are pointing

at ourselves.

There is no antidote

to this intellectual and psychic hardship, which, fed by fear, is

engulfed in the guts and in the most elemental defense mechanisms

of the universe. I only know an intelligent vaccine against

this perversion, a Taoist phrase that, almost like a Haiku resonates

in this way: “Nothing does anything to anybody.”

As in every Haiku, to try to explain it is to destroy it,

and only he who is ready to receive it will understand

its meaning. Therefore, I will refrain from

such boldness, but let it remain here as a hope

that not everything is lost and that to such perversion

also corresponds some antidote.

However, there is none so deaf as he who

will not listen, so I shall refrain from repeating

myself on this point where convenience and

coherence meet, but not without first giving

you one more pearl:

“All morals end in loose morals,” or, in other

words, “Tell me what you brag about, and I’ll tell you

what you lack.”

Anthropology teaches us that every culture is based on

taboo. When you set the shadows, you define the lights and

vice versa. Neither turning a blind eye to the interdependence

of both will change that link, nor drawing our shadows on the

ground will make them stand still.

Life is always much more dynamic than its explanations,

which, much too often, push us in our smallness to try to make

the square fit in the circle, even at baton blows if necessary.

No, kid, that doesn’t fit into there! ... Hey, don’t do that! ...

Don’t touch that! …Will you stop bothering with the ball???

We are sooo childish! ...Jesus... What patience!...

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.


Image (middle) genreated with Firefly

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COMPLETE MARTIAL ARTS CONCEPTS

The Art and Science of

FREE STYLE SPARRING

and POINT MMA (Part 1)

by Professor Willie “The Bam” Johnson

Are you technically ready?

The authenticity in sparring back in the day is what has been

lost for some time. In the martial arts, urban American beginning

sparring was that collective voice of the culture. Your technique

expressed one of self; back then it was what defended your inner

character. It was an expression of your own style and authenticity

of self. There was no need for reality this, ineffective this, or

practical this because the martial artists understood the beats,

language, and rhythms of the culture. Like Bruce Lee, his real-life

expression defined his unique style of sparring.

In a Dojo or competition area of expression, it was hard to label

one as the world’s best or greatest because everyone’s

expression was just another piece of the martial truth,

which is to lead by example in discovering one is

in one’s inner truth. In expressing it on all levels of

physical, mental, and spiritual.

The confidence discovered from within through

sparring was reflected in how you walk, talk, carry

yourself, and teach others. Sparring is that

one art of the martial arts training

where you can face or be halfway

committed. It requires the whole

you; it also requires you to push

past your ego because ego only

hinders the fluid truth of harmonies’

rhythmic flow of sparring.

Through this type of training,

pride and purpose become a part

of a bigger hold because selfishness

wins and who is the best.

This martial arts swagger

expressed in winning is only discovered

through the discovery of how your example, teaching, and

coaching have helped others on their path of technical expression

on all levels.

After we express that level of false pride and ego and grow

beyond the stage of purpose at a level of any means necessary.

You evolve to do it their way, and their artistic expression becomes

more important. Artistic expression is the true awakening of self in

each daily moment, and creative intelligence is displayed without

limits. This is what happens in sparring, where it is no longer you

against them or about impressing the teacher, the coach, or the

crowd, and as a matter of fact, time titles no longer matter. Just

the countless rhythmic discoveries of improvement of your own

strengths and weaknesses, at the end of such matches you’re

pumped because you’re just beginning.

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.

94 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 5 Photograph (right) by master1305

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.

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heart’s true desires. is

book will give you the tools

and concepts to claim your

natural birthright power as

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achieve new levels

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control over their

destiny.

MASTER THE BASICS

Developing Focus

by Master Tina Bane

As you’re reading this, if you’re watching

your class go through drills while listening

to the radio and getting an update

on how classes are going from an instructor,

you’re experiencing what it’s like for

most kids when they try to pay attention in

class at all times. Children are very easily

distracted, which is a leading concern

in their academic careers because their

minds often drift when they’re learning

new material that may be difficult to grasp

right away. This is also a major concern

for parents, who are expecting big things

from their students in school. Focus keeps

kids out of trouble and helps them learn

new skills, so how can you bring more focus into the classroom so

that you can use that as a selling point for your school? Here are

some industry-leading tips for getting students to

dial in and focus on what will benefit them—

not only in after school martial arts, but in all

aspects of their lives.

Identify Students’ “Focus Fence”

A “focus fence” is a barrier that a student

cannot pass. It’s the point where they

stop paying attention. This is slightly different

for everyone. However, to best

help your students develop their

focus and attentiveness, you

must identify where their

focus fence is. You can

do this by having one

of your instructors or

student volunteers

lead the class while

you observe. Pay

attention to students

who fidget, start talking,

or begin looking around the

room when instruction is given.

Make note of each student’s threshold, because you’re going to

need that information to help them develop better focus.

Push Students Beyond Their Limits

The only way to improve your flexibility is to stretch your

muscles beyond their normal threshold. Each time you stretch the

muscle a little farther you gain a bit more flexibility. The same is

true of focus and concentration. If you have a student who can only

focus for five minutes at a time, have them try staying focused for

seven minutes. Work in small increments to bring your students

along. The more you push their limits, the greater capacity they’ll

have for concentration.

Use Your Emergency Release Valve

Just like with physical exercise, when you’re helping your

students develop their focus, you’ve got to take breaks at the

appropriate time. Pushing too far will have the opposite impact of

what you’re looking for. Your students will feel overwhelmed or their

minds will wander even more. You want to push just beyond their

limits, and then give them a break before you push them too far. The

key to building their focus is to know the right time to stop pushing.

Follow these three simple tips and you’ll see your students’

focus improve. This will have long-term benefits to your program

since they’ll be able to focus longer on the martial arts, therefore

increasing your retention!

MASTER TINA BANE is a 6th degree master instructor and owner of a Top Ten martial arts school

with successful after school and summer camp programs.


Photograph (right) by KatarzynaBialasiewicz

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INNOVATION

Budo and Bathrooms: Elevating

Your Martial Arts School’s

Professionalism (Part 1)

By Dan Segarra

As a martial artist who has been training in Tang Soo Do since 1979 and teaching

professionally since 1985, I’ve learned that every detail matters when it comes to

running a successful martial arts school.

Recently, during a layover at Baltimore Airport, I experienced

something that made me rethink an often-overlooked aspect of

our dojangs—the bathroom.

When I approached the bathroom at Baltimore Airport, a digital

display informed me that six stalls were available. Intrigued, I

stepped inside and was immediately struck by the immaculate

condition and modern design. The stalls, made of white opaque

glass, were floor-to-ceiling private with lights indicating occupancy.

The fixtures and decor were nothing short of

impressive, with artistic sinks and LED-lit mirrors framing

a sleek, modern look. A full-length mirror allowed

for a final check before leaving, and a touch display

asked for feedback on the experience.

This bathroom was better than many high-end

hotels I’ve stayed at—and no, I don’t only stay at

cheap hotels! The attention to detail and commitment

to cleanliness and aesthetics left a lasting impression

on me. After my trip, I couldn’t stop

talking about it to my friends.

So, what does a high-tech

airport bathroom have to do

with martial arts and running

a martial arts school? Everything.

It got me thinking

about the state of our own

bathrooms at my Warrior

Scholar Martial Arts Academy

and how they reflect on our business.

Our bathrooms are often the first and last places visitors see,

and they can make a strong impression. At my academy, we strive

to create an environment that reflects our values and professionalism

(Budo/martial way). Our bathrooms are always super clean. The

bathroom mirrors are adorned with the lettering “Future Master,”

reminding our students of their potential. We use Yin Yang liquid

soap holders and have bonsai plants to create a serene atmosphere.

However, inspired by the Baltimore Airport bathroom, I

realized there is always room for improvement.

Every aspect of your dojo or dojang should reflect your level

of professionalism. Just as we emphasize discipline, respect, and

excellence in our martial arts training, these qualities should be

evident in the environment we create for our students. Clean, wellmaintained,

and thoughtfully designed spaces communicate our

commitment to these principles.

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.


Photo (right) generated with Firefly

MARTIAL ARTS PHILOSOPHY

Big Waves of Hawaii and Sharks

(Part 1)

By Sensei Gary Lee

I wasn’t the nicest guy on the block fifty years ago. I was young and naïve, often

learning things the hard way. But I was learning. This is a fun memory from the time

when I chased the waves and learned a tough lesson.

Mako Sensei was teaching me the sword and how to surf, all

while making people laugh. He taught me lessons I’ll never forget.

I miss him every day. This short story is dedicated to you, Sensei. I

love and miss you deeply.

Your deshi,

Gary-san

The first—and last—time I ever got arrested, I was terrified. It

was the 1970s, and I hitchhiked everywhere. It was my favorite

way to see the country. Chasing waves and visiting karate schools

became my lifestyle when I first arrived on the mainland.

On one of my three cross-country hitchhiking trips, I ended up

in Florida. My friend Royce Livingston and I were avid surfers. We

loved chasing waves, traveling coast to coast from

California to Florida, and exploring the East

Coast.

One day, we found ourselves at Daytona

Beach, Florida. It was incredible. All my

dreams of surfing there came true. Daytona

Beach was one of the most beautiful places

I’d ever seen, with long stretches of white

sand where you could drive your car right to

the ocean’s edge.

Royce was riding a seven-foot

single-fin Mako board, nick-

named the “aircraft carrier,”

while I had my prized

Gordon and Smith

five-foot-seven-inch

twin-fin board. It

had a creamcolored

finish with my karate symbol proudly displayed on the

front. That board was my connection to home—Hawaii.

The waves that day were a solid four to five feet on a good

break. As we moved down the beach, we came across a large

canal separating Daytona Beach from New Smyrna Beach, where

a Coast Guard station was located. Unbeknownst to us, the beach

had been dredged forty to fifty feet from the shore to create a

canal, allowing Coast Guard ships to pass through easily.

This dredging created an underwater shelf beneath the breaking

waves, making them two to three feet taller at that end of the

beach. What we found was a “honey spot,” with seven-foot waves

on a normal day.

The weather began to shift, but we were too focused on the

waves to notice. The wind picked up, the calmness vanished,

and the waves grew to seven, eight, and even ten feet. Despite

the rough conditions, the chance to ride those massive waves in

Florida was irresistible. I was in surfer heaven.

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.


Photograph (right) by Nuture

MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE

‘The Leader as Coach’

Review of Dr. Richard Huseman’s “The Leader as Coach”

by Grandmaster Kirk Pelt

The Leader as Coach is a practical, easy, and effective book on modern leadership. It

covers some interesting statistics. Here are two interrelated ones:

1. The number one reason why people say they quit their

job is their immediate manager.

2. The number one reason why people stay, work hard, and

like their job is their immediate manager.

One of the best principles it explains is how a leader can get

the best out of their employees by being perceived as highly competent

and genuinely caring about the people they lead.

By achieving those perceptions, you’ll get the most

out of them for the organization, and they’ll get the

most out of the organization, creating a win-win

cycle for everyone involved. Here are some keys

from the book that you can apply to operating a

martial arts school:

1. Fit each person’s talent to the team’s benefit.

If someone is a good teacher, have them

teach more. If someone is a great promoter,

have them promote more.

2. Whether it’s promotions or a tournament,

tap into your team’s desire to win.

Encourage your team to exceed,

whether it’s to contact 100 leads

or a first place cup.

3. Share your vision and/or

goals with your staff. Your

staff will perform better if

they know where they’re going.

For example, if you want

an A+ Program with 100

students they need to know

that vision or goal.

Be it promoting or

teaching give your staff

specific feedback on their effectiveness. It’s an educational

axiom that feedback increases performance. For example,

if you have a staff member that’s strong on phone skills, let

them know what makes them strong, like good timing, a

pleasant voice, etc.

4. Celebrate all triumphs with your staff, both great and

small. Praise in public. Even adding two students to your

program is well worth praising a staff member.

5. Help your staff recognize their highest potential. Encourage

them to reach their highest potential. If you see

a talent in a specific area, like if a staff member has a gift

for working with children, then guide him to reach that

potential.

6. Have reasonable expectations of your team. Don’t

expect your staff to live up to superhuman expectations

in an impossible situation. For example, they can’t be

expected to get 100 leads to call for your children’s program

at a midnight movie showing an R-rated movie, but

they may be able to get 100 young adult leads.

7. Practice what you preach. If you preach promotion,

show your staff your commitment to promotion.

8. Know what motivates each employee specifically. A

few ideas could be an afternoon off, thank-you notes,

gift certificates, or tickets to events. Remember, different

people have different likes and dislikes. For some people,

football tickets may be great fun, and for others they’re

useless at best.

9. Put your priority on relationships with your staff. Know

them and their family.

The Leader as Coach is an excellent book worth reading. It’s

clear, practical, and well worth the investment for your professional

library.

GRANDMASTER KIRK PELT is an 8th 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.


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Each card features a Special Offer for Free Martial

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THE WARRIOR WAY

Black Belt Confidence

Play to Win!

by Grandmaster Bill Clark

The fifth factor in creating confidence is developing a play-to-win attitude.

Unlike average people who play to maintain the status quo or,

worse still, play specifically not to lose, successful people play to

win. They never content themselves with maintaining their position

in life. Instead, they are always on the lookout for new ways to

increase business, leverage their talents, and enhance their lives.

When starting out, playing to win often means the same thing

as survival, but once a person has established a solid foundation,

she often finds a comfort level and becomes complacent.

In the early 1970s, the dominant US auto industry came close to

being crushed by foreign competition because it was no

longer playing to win. For championship companies,

the motto should be if you are not going forwards,

you are going backwards. Confidence is a critical

ingredient of good decision-making, and good

decision-making with good implementation is the

key to business success.

Building a championship business usually

results from a leader making a series of playto-win

decisions. Such decisions are

made faster, put into effect sooner,

and carried out more precisely

when they are made with

confidence. People around

you can sense the level of

confidence with which

you reach decisions

and they will act

accordingly. So, it’s

important to maintain

an air of quiet

confidence and make

it plain that you play

to win.

Act as if it were impossible to fail

The sixth factor in developing confidence is to act as if it’s

impossible to fail.

Is there something deep in the back of your mind that you

always wanted to do but never actually did? Something fun, something

exciting, something challenging? Something scary, something

at which you might fail, lose your money, and perhaps lose

the respect of your peers?

Most people have such dreams, and for most people, they

remain just that: Dreams that end the moment they wake up and

reality returns with the first smell of morning coffee. However, let’s

pretend for a moment that the dream lingers on—that it just won’t

go away. Would you go after it if you knew there was absolutely no

chance of failure? If the only possible outcome was the complete

and wonderful success of your dreams, what would you do? What

would you try to accomplish?

When you act as if it’s impossible to fail, others support you

more, you move with more assurance, and things work out better.

The only real failure is not taking an intelligent risk. If you experience

setbacks your self-confidence will help you take another

route to your ultimate success.

For more information, visit TheEvolutionOfKrav.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 Marcio Binow Da Silva

The Latest Guide

All Martial Arts School Owners

NEED TO READ

Grandmaster Zulfi Ahmed’s

newest book, “The Science & Secrets

of Becoming a Master Martial Arts

Instructor,” is the latest must-have

industry guide for martial arts school

owners and instructors.

The world of martial arts is a very

complicated one, where you can soar

to the heights of the profession or

quickly hit rock bottom, all depending

on your mindset, discipline, and skills.

“The Science & Secrets of Becoming

a Master Martial Arts Instructor” is

designed to teach you everything

you’ll need to know to avoid the pitfalls

and succeed as an instructor in the

modern era.

Featuring contributions from

some of the best martial arts minds,

including Grandmaster Ernie Reyes,

Grandmaster Stephen Hayes, and

Hanshi Dave Kovar, “The Science &

Secrets of Becoming a Master Martial

Arts Instructor” will no doubt help you

take your career to the next level!

To get your copy today for $29.95,

simply go to Lulu.com and search by author.

THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI

Staves: Go face-to-face,

toe-to-toe with full ferocity

and speed (Part 1)

by Shihan Dana Abbott

There is now a venue open to martial artists and combatants from around the world.

Competing with no restrictions, at full speed and power, in the

Ultimate Physical Game of Chess. Participants do not have to be

250-pound guys that beat on each other in cages nor have to

train and study for years just to test their skill. Full-contact weapon

sparring is thousands of years old, but in the year 2002 innovation

allows fighting without the hindrance of pain and injury.

The staff is a simple but remarkable weapon. From humble

beginnings the staff has aided mankind throughout history. In

many countries, stories have been interwoven into their cultures,

handed down over centuries through folklore and tales of triumphant

warriors and their mighty champion, the staff. Folklore and

tales were first painted on walls and carvings. These stories of

adventure were then printed in books and now can be seen on the

silver screen.

Modern mankind has seen the staff in action,

but mostly as a medium-range weapon. The

reason why so many movies and books add in

medium-range techniques is

that…the actors or characters

were able to have dialogue.

(Two men fighting it out, strikes

are going back and forth while

they lunge at each other hitting

their staves together. Muscles flexed

and sweat pouring down their bodies

these combatants have a pushing

contest with words and accusations

flying back and forth to

keep the audience at the edge of

the seat.).

When viewing

movies from the west,

notice the staff being

used more as a medium

range weapon,

while movies and

entertainment from

Eastern cultures have a

tendency to use staves

as long-range weapons.

Many ask…which

styles and forms offer

the most knowledge?

What techniques are

most effective?

Throughout the martial arts community there are many techniques,

styles, and forms to train in and master. There are 1000s of

techniques, which are theorized in text, picture, and video. Theory

is usually executed at one-third speed, which allows students to

grasp concepts more clearly. Traditional, eclectic, artistic, correct,

or realistic, all ask the age-old question. Who is better? What style

is stronger? Which techniques are faster? Will a 6-foot bo overtake

a 4-and-a-half-foot jo?

Debate continues about what style is better. We all know that

practical application of proper techniques will cause pain and injury.

With video and print we can only speculate about who the hero

is and what style works best. In the real world of sparring, there has

never been a safe, practical and speedy application of technique

that could be practiced without the possibility of errors, resulting in

weeks or even months of painful recuperation without training.

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.


Photograph (right) by castillodominici

Join a Winning Team!

W Want a Truly Inspiring Career?

W Want to Join a Growing, Creative, Vibrant Organization?

W Want to Help Make the World a Better Place

by Expanding the Reach of the Martial Arts?

If So, We Want to Meet You!

We’re Expanding Our Teams!

Seeking:

• Account Representatives

• Sales Professionals

• Administrative Professionals

• Marketing Representatives

• Data Entry Experts

• Graphic Designers

• Pre-Collection Agents

• Collections Professionals

• Web Designers

• Web Developers

• Software Engineers

• IT Professionals

Benefits:

• Competitive Pay

• Holiday Pay

• Paid Sick Time

• Paid Vacation

• Insurance Options

• 401K

• and More!

OurAMS.com/Careers

Tools & Tactics

5 Proven Marketing Ideas for

Martial Arts School Fall Success

by Ms. Chris Lee

Parents are settling back into routines, kids are looking for after-school activities, and

communities are buzzing with seasonal events—all these present the perfect moments

to grow your school. But how do you make the most of this season’s unique energy?

Here are some practical, proven marketing campaign ideas

designed specifically for martial arts schools to Gain New Leads In

The Fall.

1. Host a Fall Family Fitness Challenge

What: Launch a 4-week fitness challenge encouraging families

to attend classes regularly, complete at-home activities, or bring

a friend. Offer small weekly prizes and a grand prize like free uniforms

or private lessons.

Why it Works: Parents love family-friendly activities that promote

health and bonding. Challenges build consistency, improve

attendance, and create a sense of community.

Benefit: Increased class attendance and new leads from

participants inviting friends and relatives to join the

challenge.

2. Halloween-Themed Trunk

or Treat Event

What: Partner with local businesses or your

own school family to organize a trunk or treat in

your parking lot. Dress instructors in fun costumes,

decorate cars, and offer candy along

with free trial class coupons.

Why It Works: Halloween is a natural fit

for martial arts with its themes of courage

and heroism. It’s also a fun, low-pressure

way to bring families to your school who

might not otherwise visit.

Benefit: Builds community goodwill,

generates walk-in leads, and gets your

school’s name out in a memorable, festive

way.

3. Create a Fall Social Media Challenge

What: Launch a hashtag challenge encouraging students to

post videos or photos of their martial arts progress or their favorite

moves. Offer prizes for creativity or improvement.

Why It Works: Social media engagement increases your

school’s visibility and leverages the enthusiasm of current students

to attract new ones.

Benefit: Expands your school’s online reach organically and

creates fresh content you can use in marketing materials.

4. Seasonal Email Campaign Featuring Success Stories

What: Send weekly emails throughout the fall showcasing student

achievements, testimonials, and upcoming events with calls

to action for trial sign-ups.

Why It Works: Stories resonate emotionally, showing prospective

families real results and benefits. Frequent emails keep your

school top of mind.

Benefit: Improves lead nurturing and conversions by connecting

personally with your audience.

5. Host a Fall Open House

What: Plan an open house event with demonstrations, free

mini-lessons, and Q&A sessions for parents.

Why It Works: People love to experience something firsthand

before committing. An open house lowers barriers and answers

questions directly.

Benefit: Converts prospects who might be on the fence and

strengthens community ties.

Consistency is key. Implementing one or two of these ideas

with enthusiasm and follow-up will pay dividends—not just in immediate

leads but in sustained school growth. So, grab your pumpkin

spice latte and start planning your fall marketing blitz. Your best

season yet is just around the corner.

MS. CHRIS LEE is a martial arts business development consultant with a background in online and social media marketing.


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Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 25 | Issue 5

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Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 25 | Issue 5

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

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