Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 23 | Issue 3

MartialArtsWorldNews.com VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 3 

The #1 Business Resource for the Martial Arts Industry 

Standing on 

the Shoulders 

of Giants 

Michael Matsuda 

the founder, curator and operator 

of the Martial Arts History Museum 

The Norris’ Celebrate 

The 30th Annual Boots 

and Black Belts Gala 

Sport Karate Museum 

“Legends” Event Honors 

Stone, Eden, Smith

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CONTENTS 

FEATURES 

28 The 30th Annual Boots and 

Black Belts Gala 

30 The National Sport Karate 

Musem Event 

36 Michael Matsuda: The Martial 

Arts History Museum 

103 FREE Tool of the Month 

DEPARTMENTS 

14 Industry Insights 

15 Birthdays 

18 Industry Innovations 

22 Social 411 

54 School Profiles 

65 Classified Ads 

99 Advertiser Index 

YOUR INPUT 

59 Tell Us Your Story 

78 Feature Your School, 

Organization, Accomplishment, 

or Event 

COLUMNS 

6 Editorial 

Is the Long-Promised Recession Now Near, and 

What to Do to Prepare. 

Master Toby Milroy 

8 Martial Arts World News Faculty 

12 Staff Development 

An Epiphany From My Experience 

Why Students Might Leave (Part 3) 

Master Zulfi Ahmed 

58 Teamwork 

Good Business Habits: 

Be Friendly On Purpose 

Hanshi Dave Kovar 

60 Mind Mastery 

Becoming An Author (Part 2) 

Grandmaster Jessie Bowen 

62 Growth Hacks 

Social Media Advertising Data Usage 

Mr. Sean Lee 

64 Ninja Business Tactics 

“Only A Ninja Can Kill Another Ninja…” 

An-Shu Stephen Hayes 

66 After School Excellence 

Prosper While You Prepare Tomorrow’s Leaders 

Grandmaster Mike Bugg 

68 Pillars of Success 

Network Like Successful People! 

Grandmaster Y. K. Kim 

72 The Way of the Samurai 

Combative Weapons Q & A (Part 5) 

Shihan Dana Abbott 

74 Extraordinary Marketing 

Wealth vs. Lifestyle (Part 2) 

Grandmaster Stephen Oliver 

76 Mastering Modern BJJ 

Solitude with Fortitude 

Master Carlos Machado 

4 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 3

STAFF 

80 Next Level Strategy 

Teaching Commitment (Part 1) 

Shihan Allie Alberigo 

82 Complete Martial Arts Concepts 

10 Principles to Become Great at Sparring (Part 2) 

Professor Willie “the Bam” Johnson 

84 The Millionaire Smarts Coach 

Free Yourself From Too Much Stuff (Part 3) 

Ms. Lee Milteer 

88 Budo Philosophy 

Reason and Magic (Part 1) 

Shidoshi Alfredo Tucci 

90 Master the Basics 

Regain the Adult Market 

Master Tina Bane 

92 Instructional Excellence 

The Value of Mat Chats 

Grandmaster Tim McCarthy 

94 Business Buzz 

First Impressions: Steps to Success 

Grandmaster Lawrence Arthur 

96 Martial Arts Philosophy 

My Journey With The A.O.K and Golden Greek (Part 3) 

Sensei Gary Lee 

98 Management Excellence 

Give Prospects An Online Response Option 

Grandmaster Kirk Pelt 

100 The Warrior Way 

Pressure and Choice In Motivation 

Grandmaster Bill Clark 

102 Tactical Self-Defense 

Each Situation Dictates Its Own Response (Part 1) 

Grandmaster Tom Patire 

104 Tools & Tactics 

Do You Spend or Invest Your Time? 

Ms. Chris Lee 

VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 3 

PUBLISHER 


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 


Grandmaster Zulfi Ahmed 








Professor Willie “The Bam” Johnson 



Ms. Chris Lee 


Mr. Sean Lee 








COVER PHOTO CREDIT 

Henrry Binerfa 

The mission of Martial Arts World 

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MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 3 5

EDITORIAL 

Is the Long-Promised Recession 

Now Near, and What to 

Do to Prepare 

It seems like we’ve been hearing about the ‘imminent’ recession for more than a year now. 

The Dow Jones is down about 8% and the S&P 500 is down 

about 13% from their peaks in 2021. Energy prices spiked to record 

breaking levels. Inflation rates have escalated beyond what 

we saw in the 80’s, even approaching what we saw in the 70’s, 

yikes. The Fed has raised interest rates faster than any time since 

the 1980’s where they reached 20%. Our representatives in DC 

are digging in as the debate over the debt limit looms. And now, 

we’ve seen a string of bank failures that give even 

the most conservative ‘saver’ serious concern 

about their future. 

Are we in the midst of another “stagflation” repeat 

of the 1970’s, or are we facing an even more 

sinister economic disruption? Well, I don’t have 

a crystal ball, but it sure ‘feels’ like we’re on the 

precipice of a significant change in the market. 

If you’ve been in the industry for a while, much 

of this will be ‘nothing new’ to you. We’ve 

seen booms and bust cycles 

come and go over the years and 

decades. We’ve seen recessions, 

housing market crashes, stock 

market bubbles burst, terrorist 

attacks, natural disasters, riots, 

pandemics, and more. 

Through ALL these disruptions, 

one thing rings true. 

Some schools will THRIVE, 

while others will suffer. 

If the COVID crisis taught 

us anything, it’s that there 

are times when we have to be 

nimble! Times where we have to 

change our approach, and align with the situation at hand. It ALSO 

taught us that the PRINCIPLES of running a successful school don’t 

really change much, if at all! 

Human behavior, human psychology, and how humans fundamentally 

make decisions hasn’t changed much in the last 100,000 

years or more, so it’s not likely to change much because of an 

economic disruption. 

School owners whose business model, systems, programs, 

curriculum structure and marketing strategies align with the human 

decision making process, and basic influence science will 

be the ones who stand out from the crowd, and will prosper while 

others struggle. 

For example, if you’re marketing your program’s outcomes 

and benefits rather than your ‘style’ or some other technical detail 

about your system, you’ll find the market will have a far higher 

perception of your value. “Activities” become commoditized, and 

find themselves in a ‘race to the bottom’ on pricing, while high level 

educational experiences command far greater prices and profits. 

As another example, schools that solve a ‘need’ for families and 

not just a ‘want’, find their businesses more stable, and in some 

circumstances even grow FASTER when the economy tightens. 

Schools who provide the ‘transported after school’ program often 

GROW through recessionary times, as some households have the 

2nd parent go ‘back to work’ and need a solution to their child’s 

care after school hours. 

In summary, when things get ‘tough’, your business model, program 

structure, marketing systems (and more) will be tested. NOW 

is the time to make sure your systems are in order, so that WHEN 

(not if) the next disruption comes, you’ll be ready. 

If you’re not sure about how ‘optimized’ your systems are, or if 

you need any help gaining more clarity on this topic, my team will 

be happy to help you - give us a call here at HQ – 1-800-275-1600! 

MASTER TOBY MILROY is a 5th 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. 

6 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 3 

Photo by Pheelings Media

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DISCUSSION GROUP 

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OUR EXPERT FACULTY 

6 


is a 5th 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 


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. 

58 


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. 

62 

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. 

64 


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. 

66 


is a 9th degree black belt and the owner 

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

of the largest after school and summer 

camp programs in the country. 

60 


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. 

68 


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. 



72 


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. 

74 


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. 

76 


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. 

80 


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). 

82 

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. 

84 


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. 

88 


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. 

90 


is a 6th degree master instructor and 

owner of a Top Ten martial arts school 

with successful after school and summer 

camp programs. 



92 


is a 9th degree black belt and is a martial 

arts educator with a master’s degree in 

education. He has been instrumental 

in developing two industry-changing 

programs, and has directed and been 

featured in hundreds of martial arts videos 

and webinars. 

94 


is a martial artist specializing in Karate, 

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

with 40 Super Kick Karate locations, 

and founder of AFKA. World champion 

Lawrence also runs the Black Belt Success 

Systems consulting firm, training 

martial arts instructors on proper business 

practices in schools all over the country. 

96 


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. 

100 


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. 

102 


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. 

104 

Ms. Chris Lee 

is a martial arts business development 

consultant with a background in online 

and social media marketing. 

98 


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. 

We’re Seeking Contributors! 

Do you have something to share? 

We’d love to hear about it! 

CONTACT US: 

407-895-1996 Editor@MartialArtsWorldNews.com 

MartialArtsWorldNews.com/Ureport 


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STAFF DEVELOPMENT 

An Epiphany From My 

Experience Why Students 

Might Leave (Part 3) 

by Grandmaster Zulfi Ahmed 

A private elite school mentality. Expect excellence don’t settle 

for mediocrity Demand more to get more. Engage more to be 

engaged. Communicate more to be understood better. Educate 

more to be understood better. Appreciate more to be appreciated. 

Parents with high standards and expectations take their children 

to institutions of higher excellence. They don’t mind paying more. 

They don’t mind sacrificing more. But they expect results and a 

higher quality of performance. 

So let us make our mindset such and let’s make our 

institutions such. Expect more to get more. Higher 

standards to attract a higher quality of customer. 

One who is willing to do more and pay more in 

return of quality education. 

So my dear fellow Martial Art Executives, 

my moment of realization and the epiphany was 

really nothing new. It just happened that it happened 

to me in a different setting in a different 

role, first as a parent then as a customer and then 

I connected it to being a business owner and an instructor. 

I was outside my normal element. Not that I 

didn’t know this in the very first phase but that 

day I realized it from a different role. 

We all know these important facts 

about keeping good retention. We all 

have learned and even taught them to 

our staff. But it is always good to see 

things once again to be reminded 

and to view them from a different 

angle. 

For you, the ultimate takeaway 

from this writing should be: The 5 

Major Truths of student Retention. 

1) First of all, to grow our Students we must first get to know our 

students. Make a connection. Be curious, be inquisitive, and be 

sincere. 

2) Understand them before you expect them to understand 

you. They don’t really care about how much you know but they will 

know how much you care. Take good care of them. 

3) To be appreciated you must first appreciate. Show your gratitude 

and appreciation every chance that you get. 

4) Be serious about their progress and improvement first, if you 

want them to be serious about what you do, show genuine concern 

about their learning, progress and the quality of their skill. 

5) Clear and timely Communication is your responsibility. The 

more you communicate, the better relationships you develop. 

Great communication is one of the most important aspect of your 

service. 

In conclusion, all that what I have expressed is probably nothing 

new for any good business owner and any great Martial Arts 

teacher. 

To expect seriousness from our students and to get commitment 

from our students, we must first approach with seriousness 

and commitment ourselves. Remember, it’s a give and take 

paradigm and not a take and give paradigm. You must give first, 

before you expect to receive. What you give out, you will take in. 

The more serious you are, most likely, they will also be serious 

about you. The more committed you are, most likely they will be 

committed too. 

You see, you set the mindset expectations and conditioning 

in your school, in your life, and in your business. Don’t expect any 

rewards without first earning the right to be rewarded. 

Let’s get serious. 

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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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS 

Michelle Yeoh Inspires with 

Everything Everywhere All At Once Win 

Imagine the feeling of making history, of breaking barriers 

and shattering ceilings that once seemed impenetrable. That 

is the feeling that Michelle Yeoh must be experiencing after 

winning the Academy Award for Best Actress at the Oscars. 

Her win for her role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is 

not just a victory for her, but a victory for representation and 

diversity in Hollywood. 

For years, Yeoh has captivated audiences with her performances 

in action movies like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” 

and “Tomorrow Never Dies,” but it wasn’t until now that she was 

recognized for her dramatic abilities. And what a recognition it was! 

Winning the Oscar for Best Actress is the pinnacle of achievement 

for any performer, and Yeoh’s win is a testament to her talent, hard 

work, and perseverance. 

In her acceptance speech, Yeoh spoke directly to the little girls 

and boys who look like her, who might have once believed that 

success in Hollywood was out of reach. “This is a beacon of hope 

and possibility,” she said. “This is proof to dream big, and dreams 

do come true.” Her words are a reminder that anything is possible, 

and that representation matters. 

Yeoh’s win is also a win for women everywhere. At 60 years 

old, she defied the ageist notion that women have a “prime” and 

that once they pass it, their career is over. “Ladies, don’t let anybody 

ever tell you you are past your prime,” she said. “Never give 

up.” Yeoh is a superhero, both on and off the screen, and her win is 

a reminder that women of all ages can be superheroes too. 

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” was not just Yeoh’s 

triumph, but a triumph for the entire cast and crew. The film, 

directed and written by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, won 

multiple awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best 

Screenplay. Ke Huy Quan won Best Supporting Actor, becoming 

only the second performer of Asian descent to win that award. 

Jamie Lee Curtis won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. 

And the film also won Best Editing. It was a clean sweep, a total 

domination, a true reflection of the talent and hard work that went 

into the making of the film. 

The message of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is that 

anything is possible, that there are infinite universes out there waiting 

for us to explore, and that we have the power to create our own 

destinies. It is a message that Michelle Yeoh embodies, both on 

and off the screen. Her win at the Oscars is a reminder that when 

we dream big, when we believe in ourselves and in each other, we 

can achieve everything and anything we want. 

So let us celebrate Michelle Yeoh, let us celebrate “Everything 

Everywhere All at Once,” and let us celebrate the power of dreams 

and the possibility of the infinite. Congratulations to the entire cast 

and crew for their historic win, and for inspiring us to dream big 

and reach for the stars. 



Martial Arts Celebrity Birthdays 

May 

May 5. ............................. Jim Kelly* 

May 12. ......................... Jerry Trimble 

May12 ............................ Mike Bugg 

June 

June 17 ..........................Scott Adkins 

June 17 ........................... Sho-Kosugi 

June 20. ......................Benny Urquidez 

May 21. ...........................Dave Kovar 

May 25. ............................. Cung Le 

*Deceased 



GTMA Offers Break Through 

Health Insurance Options for 

Licensees and Their Families 

GTMA is thrilled to announce its latest offering: 

the GTMA Benefits Center. This new benefit 

will provide GTMA licensees, their families, and staff 

with access to a range of affordable, high-quality 

healthcare options. Through a partnership with 

Decisively, GTMA will be offering guaranteed issue 

medical plans that come with access to nationally 

recognized provider networks. 

The GTMA Benefits Center is the first and only 

program of its kind to be offered in the martial arts 

industry. GTMA understands the struggle of finding 

quality healthcare coverage at an affordable price, 

which is why they are excited to offer a solution that 

will benefit the entire GTMA community. 

With healthcare premiums on the rise, the GTMA 

Benefits Center will provide robust and affordable 

medical plans with deductible options ranging from 

$0 to $6,000 for individuals. The program will also 

offer ACA-compliant health benefits that include 100% coverage 

for preventive and wellness care. 

“We truly care about our GTMA family and want to make 

sure they have everything they need to succeed,” said Jeffrey 

Nodelman, CEO of Global Traditional Martial Arts. “Affordable 

health insurance has been missing in our industry 

for far too long. GTMA is proud to be the first to bring it to 

our people.” 

By accessing the unique medical plans available through 

the GTMA Benefits Center, licensees and their staff will be 

able to save on healthcare expenses while still receiving 

quality coverage. No health questions are required for enrollment, 

making the program available to everyone. 

“The GTMA Benefits Center healthcare program represents 

a major breakthrough for the martial arts industry,” 

said Eric Frazer, Decisely SVP of Business Development. 

“We are thrilled to help GTMA introduce this program to 

their community.” 

In conclusion, the GTMA Benefits Center is a major 

breakthrough in the martial arts industry, offering high-quality 

healthcare options at affordable prices. This new benefit 

will be a game-changer for GTMA licensees, their families, 

and staff, providing them with the support they need to 

succeed both in their martial arts journey and their growing 

businesses. GTMA is proud to offer this program and looks 

forward to continuing to support their community. 


www.ElitePublications.org

INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS 

Lee Milteer’s Success Smarts Club 

In today’s ever-changing 

business landscape, it can be 

difficult to navigate on your own. 

As an entrepreneur, it’s essential 

to have a mentor who can 

motivate, inspire, and rejuvenate 

you. Don’t let past mistakes, 

fear, doubts, or lack of direction 

hold you back from achieving 

your goals. Lee Milteer says, “To 

be successful, you need a clear 

plan to deal with the world’s turmoil 

while maintaining your passion, 

enthusiasm, and creativity.” 

At the Success Smarts® Club, they understand that entrepreneurs 

need to be vigilant about their surroundings, as they affect 

how they think, feel, and act. That’s why they offer a unique opportunity 

for business owners and entrepreneurs to link arms with Lee 

Milteer – a trusted business advisor, performance and productivity 

coach, best-selling author, and implementation specialist. 

The program is designed to optimize your talents and experience 

for success, profits, and internal well-being. Every month, 

they provide practical guidance and support to help you overcome 

any obstacles and achieve your business and life goals. The program 

is straightforward, easy to follow, and tailored to meet your 

specific needs. 

You don’t have go it alone in this complicated and perplexing 

world. Check out the Success Smarts® Club today and start experiencing 

the benefits of having a trusted mentor by your side. 

milteer.com/smarts-club/ 

Simplify Attendance Taking with ATLAS 

Hundreds of martial arts school owners have taken advantage 

of The Most Flexible Attendance System in the martial arts 

industry. ATLAS Martial Arts Software gives you more options for 

attendance taking and management than any other application. 

Now, you can take attendance in whatever way you find most effective 

for your specific circumstances. 

Here are some options that school owners like most: 

● Barcodes – print barcodes for cards, key tags, or whatever 

you like. 

● Batch Entry – use batch entry to do groups or classes with an 

easy quick touch. 

● Kiosk – have a station that allows students to check themselves 

in at the front desk. 

● Fingerprint Reader – use fingerprint technology to allow 

students to check in effortlessly. 

● Roll Call – utilize a tablet or cell phone to take attendance 

from the mats. 

● Manual Entry – you can add your attendance manually if 

you like 

To find out more about simplifying your student attendance 

taking and tracking visit: 

atlasmartialartssoftware.com/attendance-tracking 


Photo (bottom) by Georgiy Datsenko

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 

Introducing Next Level OpenAI In 

Creativity, Accuracy, and Collaboration 

with GPT-4 

On March 14th, OpenAI released it’s new version 

of the insanely popular “ChatGPT”, updating 

it’s core functionality to “GPT-4.0”. With this latest 

edition there are several benefits to be aware of 

regarding OpenAI’s latest language model, GPT- 

4. Unlike its predecessor, GPT-3.5, GPT-4 offers 

enhanced creativity, accuracy, and collaboration. 

One of the most significant benefits is that GPT-4 

is “multimodal,” meaning it can understand and 

process both image and text prompts, which can 

improve its ability to communicate effectively. 

Additionally, GPT-4 is less likely to break rules and 

produce prohibited content due to its enhanced 

training on malicious prompts. 

GPT-4 is also more multilingual, with the ability 

to answer multiple-choice questions correctly in 26 

different languages. Furthermore, GPT-4 is capable of handling 

more nuanced instructions and has a longer memory than its 

predecessor, making it more creative and collaborative. Finally, 

GPT-4 offers different personalities that can be customized to suit 

specific needs, allowing for a more personalized and engaging 

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SOCIAL 411 

12 SEO Tactics to Increase Martial Arts 

School Website Traffic (Part 2) 

2. Write Quality Original Content 

If you want users to find and return to your site, you need quality 

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When creating evergreen content, think about what topics will 

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If you really desire to catch bass, you have to know where they 

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SERP Volatility and Your Martial Arts 

School Website? (Part 2) 

low volatility score for your school website means that rankings 

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The National Sport Karate 

Museum “The Legends” Event 

This year’s National Sport Karate Museum event is set to be bigger and better 

than ever before, with a jam-packed lineup of exciting features and unforgettable 

experiences. Prepare to be inspired by this, one of a kind event of Professor Gary 

Lee, the mastermind behind some of the most unforgettable martial arts experiences 

of our time! 

What sets Gary apart from the rest is his unwavering dedication, 

boundless passion, and unparalleled tenacity. He’s a true 

embodiment of character, humility, and ethical standards, and 

commands the respect of the entire martial arts community. With 

his extensive knowledge of the history and practitioners of this art, 

he’s a rare gem that shines bright among the masses. And let’s not 

forget his roots - Gary brings a touch of Aloha from his Hawaiian 

heritage to every event. 

But it’s not just Gary alone that makes these events happen 

- he has an incredible support team led by the brilliant Executive 

Producer Jim Anderson and his better half, 

Tammy Lee, who works tirelessly behind 

the scenes as the backbone of the 

event. Together, they are an unstoppable 

force that continues to 

leave us in awe year after year. 

Last year’s National Sport Karate 

Museum event was not just 

important and respected - it was 

downright awe-inspiring! Over 

the course of two jam-packed 

days, around 600 attendees and 

visitors from all over the globe 

came together to experience the 

magic of this incredible event. 

The attendees were a 

diverse mix of grandmasters, 

masters, 

black belts, 

and aspiring 

martial artists, 

all eager to 

learn and 

grow in their 

craft. And with 

martial artists 

coming from 

as far away as Australia and Europe, it was clear that this event had 

something truly special to offer. 

But what really made this event stand out were the amazing 

guests in attendance. From the award-winning radio show “Parts 

Unknown” with Professor Gary Lee came David Chambers, AJ 

Perry, and Karen Schlachter, all eager to share their expertise and 

enthusiasm with the crowd. And who could forget the universally 


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

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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 

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Black Karate Federation Founder Jerry Smith, an Honoree at the Celebrity Roast this Year 

loved “King of Kata,” Eric Lee? Not only did he perform a jaw-dropping 

kata that left the audience breathless, but he also serenaded 

them with his soulful singing. 

All in all, last year’s National Sport Karate Museum event was a 

true testament to the power and beauty of martial arts. It brought 

together people from all walks of life, from all corners of the globe, 

to celebrate the rich history and exciting future of this incredible 

art form. And with so much talent and passion in one place, who 

knows what kind of amazing feats we can expect to see in the 

years to come! 

Get ready to feel the energy and 

excitement that pulsates through 

every moment of this incredible 

event! From the electrifying performances 

to the unforgettable 

networking opportunities, 

there’s no shortage of magic 

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this event is the perfect 

place to bring 

people together. 

With so many 

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grand ballroom 

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something new and exciting 

to discover. And 

Master Karen Eden Will Also be Honored at 

the Celebrity Roast 

for those who want to 

delve into the rich history 

of martial arts, the 

National Sport Karate Museum offers a stunning array of treasures 

and artifacts that are sure to leave you in awe. 

One of the highlights of the event is the Living Legends Roast 

Tribute to two icons of the martial arts community: BKF President 

Jerry Smith on Friday, October 6th, and media specialist Karen 

Eden Herdman on October 7th. These living legends have made 

an indelible mark on the martial arts world, and this is the perfect 

opportunity to honor and celebrate their incredible contributions. 

But that’s not all - there’s also the thrilling Kata Wars competition, 

where the best of the best will go head to head in an epic 

battle of skill and technique. It’s an opportunity to witness firsthand 

the incredible athleticism and precision of the world’s top martial 

artists as they push themselves to the limit. And if you’re looking 

for some amazing deals on martial arts gear and equipment, 

be sure to check out the Super Vendors Show, where you’ll find 

everything you need to take your skills to the next level. From 

state-of-the-art training equipment to top-quality uniforms and 

protective gear, the Super Vendors Show has it all. And of course, 

no event would be complete without a delicious dinner to fuel all 

the excitement. But the real highlight of the day comes at 3:00 PM, 

when history will be made with the High Dan Promotions. Mike 

Stone, America’s first superstar and recipient of his 10th Dan from 

the History Generals of Sport Karate, will be honored in a ceremony 

that you won’t want to miss. It’s a rare and special occasion 

that recognizes one of the most important figures in the history of 

martial arts, and you’ll be right there to witness it all. And finally, 

the day will be capped off with the United States Martial Arts Hall 

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as the industry’s most accomplished and respected practitioners 

are recognized and honored for their contributions to the art form. 

You’re invited to be a part of this unforgettable event that will 

inspire and motivate you to take your own martial arts practice 

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get ready for an event that you’ll never forget! This is your chance 

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Don’t Miss Mike Stone’s Promotion to 10th Dan at the “Legends” Event! 

Sport Karate Museum Annual Event 

The Ladies Celebration 

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featuring 

The 2023 Living Legends Roast Tribute 

Friday, October 6th 

Jerry Smith 

Saturday, October 7th 

Karen Eden Herdman 

To Register: Call 713-483-0476 

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Michael Matsuda 

The Martial Arts 

History Museum 

By Linda Bustamante 

Michael Matsuda, the founder, 

curator and operator of the 

Martial Arts History Museum 

Over the past 70 years, there have been some 

unique and world-changing milestones in the 

martial arts community. In 1945, James Cagney 

was the first major star to use martial arts in 

the film, Blood on the Sun. As a result, judo 

schools sprung up across the nation. In 1964, 

the biggest and most prestigious tournament 

called Ed Parker’s Long Beach International 

Karate Championships was launched, which 

transformed martial artists into movie stars. In 

1971, from the success of the movie Billy Jack, 

Hong Kong ushered in the kung fu movie 

boom and the following year, the Kung Fu 

television series began and American homes 

were introduced to the Shaolin Temple. In 1984, 

The Karate Kid opened the doors to a new 

generation and in 1999, the world’s first museum 

dedicated to the martial arts was founded; the 

Martial Arts History Museum.

COVER STORY 

It was on September 15, 1999 that the only museum dedicated 

to the martial arts was established. Spearheaded by former magazine 

publisher and martial arts veteran of fifty-plus years Michael 

Matsuda, it began as a traveling exhibit until landing in a brick 

and mortar facility in 2006. Celebrating its 21st year, the museum 

resides now in the city of Burbank, the motion picture industry 

capital of the world. 

Although there have been bumps and bruises along the road, 

the museum has gained such notoriety that it has been featured on 

every major media outlet in America. From a variety of television 

news channels, to live coverage for its events to commercials and 

magazine articles, the Martial Arts History Museum has become a 

new addition to the “bucket list” for the martial arts enthusiast. 

Through this article, we take you for an in-depth look at the 

Martial Arts History Museum and a man who has been referred 

to as the “Walt Disney” of the martial arts, museum president and 

founder Michael Matsuda. 

The Walt Disney Effect 

Walt Disney is considered perhaps the “most creative” individual 

on the planet. Through his ingenuity, his creativity, his 

perseverance, and tenacity, he was able to build an empire from a 

small little mouse. Walt Disney, through his own creatively inspired 

methodology, was able to establish the “Happiest Place on Earth.” 

Although a leaf in comparison to Disney’s oak tree, the Martial 

Arts History Museum has become the home of the martial arts 

community worldwide. Designed through Matsuda’s eyes and creativity, 

it is filled with art, history, culture, and tradition. It is the only 

place in the world that the history of the martial arts is preserved, 

celebrated, and honored. 

“I am a very creative person, and in my 53 years in the martial 

arts, I found there isn’t much in the way of creativity. Most martial 

arts events are all the same; there is so little imagination in 

our presentations, our logos and our awards. When I made the 

decision to go forward with the museum, I wanted to be like Walt 

Disney, coincidently I was a Disney graphic artist back in the 70s, 

but I wanted that same feeling for the museum. It shouldn’t be a 

bunch of pictures hanging on the walls with unmatching frames, or 

uniforms on just hangers or worse, pinned to the walls; it had to be 

inspiring, professional, and full of imagination,” notes Matsuda. “To 

be even slightly compared to Walt Disney is a huge honor, and I 

thank the handful of people that called me that.” 

Matsuda Strives for Near “Disney Like” Exhibits and Displays that Leave a Lasting, Positive Impression on Guests 


COVER STORY 

Building the Foundation 

The success of the world’s 

first and only Martial Arts History 

Museum has been a tough and 

winding road filled with countless 

roadblocks, broken promises, and 

at times, financial hardship before 

enjoying the notoriety it has today. 

“I always knew that was not going 

to be an easy road,” confesses 

Matsuda. “I knew I would face so 

much disappointment and heartache, 

but I always knew it would 

succeed. I have never had one 

doubt in my mind, since day one, 

that it would not succeed. I could 

always see the light at the end of 

the tunnel and knew it would be a 

success. I knew this would work!” 

Matsuda was a contributing editor 

for Black Belt and Inside Kung 

Fu magazine for 20 years and started 

his own publication in 1983 called Martial Art Magazine. In 1988, 

he sold the magazine and set his sights on creating something that 

would keep the martial arts history alive. Although now in his 60s, 

he personally witnessed the evolution of the martial arts, so for 

him, it’s a little personal. “Hey, I was there to see most of this happen,” 

remarks Matsuda. 

“The beauty of growing up in the 1960s is that you got to meet 

or experience this amazing time in history, when martial arts got 

on the map. Being there to see Eric Lee perform and meeting Ed 

The Mast from the 1983 Film “Revenge of the Ninja” on Display 

Martial Arts Celebrity Sightings are an Every Day Affair: Here The Lady Dragon Cynthia Rothrock Visits 

Parker and doing a few moves with Brendan Lai or shaking hands 

with Chuck Norris and Joe Lewis was overwhelming.” 

Today, however, our iconic generation is slowly passing away, 

and in the martial arts community, there are no resource libraries, 

there are no governing bodies, there are no more magazines, 

and there is nothing to keep the history of the martial arts alive for 

generations to read about. 

“When I had the magazine, I wanted to focus on history. But, I 

got so many ads for tournaments, so that’s what I covered. When 

someone made me an offer to purchase 

the magazine, I jumped at the chance 

because I wanted to do something more, 

something that would keep our history 

alive,” says Matsuda. “I thought the best 

thing we could all do for the martial 

arts is to create a place, a museum that 

would house the history of the arts, how 

it began and how it made its way across 

the world.” 

The creation of the museum was not 

going to be an easy road, and at the time, 

Matsuda did not have the education or 

experience to begin such a huge task. 

“In 1988, when I sold my magazine, I 

knew nothing about creating a museum. 

So, I went back to school to learn. I did 

not want to be one of those guys who because 

he’s done the martial arts for over 

20, 30 years, decides he’s going to be a 

museum curator. I’ve seen this a lot. Just 

because you know martial arts history 

doesn’t mean you know how to create, 

continued on page 42 


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COVER STORY 

Matsuda Deploys His Vision and Creativity to Build Impressive and Immersive Displays 

continued from page 39 

run and manage a museum.” 

Matsuda relates it to walking into a karate school on your first 

day and trying on a black belt. “Establishing a museum is a very 

creative business. It involves a ton of design work, creative displays, 

architecture, marketing, comprehensive historical timelines, 

pleasing color designs, proper storage, and tons of archiving. You 

need to know how to create tours, how to feature exhibits, etc. 

Professionalism is something the martial arts lacks in most cases 

and to create a museum for the world to visit; it has to be a professional, 

proper facility that people will both enjoy, learn from, and 

respect,” says Matsuda. 

For the next 11 years, Matsuda 

went to back college with courses on 

museum management and design, 

marketing, photography, multi-media, 

clothing manufacturing, etc. He knew he 

would have videos, so for three years, 

he attended the American Film Institute 

to study directing, editing and filmmaking. 

He got degrees in design, journalism, 

and business. 

“I did my best to learn every facet of 

managing a museum. I learned how to 

create displays, how to launch a traveling 

exhibit and how to create visually 

stimulating areas for kids and families 

to enjoy. If the museum was going to be 

a success, it was important that I knew 

how to establish it properly and professionally. 

I cannot stress that enough. 

People should not leave a museum 

embarrassed by the displays; they 

should leave impressed and filled 

with knowledge and appreciation. 

Again, I cannot stress that 

enough,” adds Matsuda. “I recall 

Jhoon Rhee, before his passing, 

telling me that I did the museum 

the right way.” 

It wasn’t until 1999, that Matsuda 

felt he was ready to move 

forward and officially register and 

establish an actual museum for 

the world to enjoy and through his 

close friend Fariborz Azhakh, he 

helped make that happen. 

The Concept 

One of the goals of the museum 

was to focus on the cultural aspect 

of the martial arts. Everyone who 

has taken the martial arts already 

knows about the punch and kick, 

but few people learn about where 

their art came from or how it was established. 

“When I took the museum on the road, it was an eye-opening 

experience for me. We started as a small exhibit and then grew 

to a 1,000 square foot traveling museum. It was at that time I 

experimented on the displays. Was this going to be a who’s who, 

or would it be cultural or what? In other words, what do people 

want to see and experience? I tried everything possible. Our 

worst showing was a who’s who. No one knew who these people 

were, they couldn’t relate to them and they didn’t even spend two 

minutes in the exhibit. After many trials and errors, it was obvious 

that Asian culture and history was our biggest attractor. Of course, 

we are including our pioneers, historic achievers, and more, but 


COVER STORY 

people were interested where the arts 

came from, how they were established, and 

then the impact on American history. Using 

this timeline approach was the key.” 

The museum highlights the countries 

in which the art came from, and how the 

martial arts played a key role in its development. 

The museum is divided into several 

sections: China, Japan, Korea, Hawaii, the 

Philippines, Thailand, Anime history, and 

Media history. Through creative displays 

designed by artists from Disney, Dreamworks, 

The Simpsons, and Halloween prop 

makers, the museum is like a mini-Disneyland 

with interesting backdrops, animatronics 

to greet the guests, and actual artifacts; 

it is a place for all to enjoy and learn from. 

The place is also lined with video displays 

explaining the history of the arts. The 

walls are filled with artistically designed 

photographs and drawings of Asian history, 

artistry, music, and of course, our pioneers 

and legends that made a huge impact on 

Eastern and Western history. Large images 

of Cynthia Rothrock, Benny Urquidez, Jigoro 

Kano, Ed Parker, Bruce Lee, and more 

line the museum. 

The Events 

A museum can never entirely depend 

on just visitor-ship. That is of course unless 

it is a car museum or a Disney museum, it 

stands alone on just the name. But for the 

rest of us, a museum must have special 

exhibits and on-going events, and that, besides 

everything else, is what the museum 

is wonderful at. 

The Martial Arts History Museum is 

very big on events. In fact, it averages two 

to three events per month. From photo 

exhibits to craft fairs to book signings to 

seminars and workshops, the museum has 

something different for all to enjoy. 

“One of our biggest events is our 

‘Honor Days.’ We dedicate two hours to 

honor a martial arts pioneer, legend, significant 

achiever, or martial arts instructor. 

It is a time to share that person’s life and 

accomplishments. It is a very touching time 

where people come from all over the nation 

to give thanks to their instructor,” adds 

Matsuda. “I enjoy the flexibility we have in 

our events. We have done mini-concerts, 

comedy shows, and more to help raise 

money for the museum.” 

The Tours 

Children love to go on field trips, especially 

to museums, and the Martial Arts 

History Museum has become their latest 

destination. Thousands of kids come to the 

museum each year from as little as 30 kids 

to as many as 90 kids in just one session. 

Volunteer docents lead the kids 

throughout the facility with animated story 

telling, fun facts, and tons of Q&A. At the 

GM Arthur Inducted into the “Who’s Who” Legends Hall of Fame 

You’ll Want to Check Out the Martial Arts “Timeline”, Highlighting Notable Events in Our Shared history 


COVER STORY 

The Museum Features the Martial Arts of MANY Continents and Cultures! 

end of their tour, kids enjoy a fun scavenger hunt as they earn a 

museum sticker while getting educated about martial arts history. 

Humanitarian Efforts 

Although a museum is, without a doubt, the best way to keep 

the history of the martial arts alive, Matsuda believes that the 

museum must be a part of the community, 

that it must have an impact 

on society, and having a number of 

humanitarian events are essential. 

“We give back to the community 

and the world. A museum must be 

a living thing, it must grow, and although 

it’s great to have photos and 

amazing information, we must have 

the connection with the world,” says 

Matsuda. 

As part of their humanitarian 

efforts, the museum hosts blood 

drives, acquiring used uniforms and 

equipment for kids who cannot afford 

them. They conduct special free tours 

for the elderly and those mentally 

and physically challenged. They work 

with the “Make A Wish” foundation 

and “Save the Children” and the host 

free workshops on “Making money 

on Youtube, “How to write a book,” 

“How to run a school,” so humanities 

is a big part of the museum. 

Dragonfest: The Comic-Con of 

the Martial Arts 

In the 1990s, actor and martial 

arts pioneer Gerald Okamura started 

a convention called Dragonfest. 

It was an accumulation of martial 

arts stars, pioneers, and celebrities. 

From just a small room with a handful 

of tables, it amounted to a larger 

convention with over a thousand 

visitors in attendance. The event 

lasted for nine years as Dragonfest 

ended and laid dormant for the next 

ten years. 

Upon the encouragement of 

the martial arts community and the 

blessings of Gerald Okamura, the 

museum re-started Dragonfest. It 

has grown to over 3,000 visitors and 

140 booths in the six years and has 

expanded to a two-day event. 

“Dragonfest, I feel, is the next 

Comic-con. It is a gathering of 

pioneers, martial arts products, 

movie stars, cosplay, management 

firms, animators, and unique cultural performances. It is a reunion 

of martial artists and a great place for anyone who loves watching 

martial arts movies,” says Matsuda. “Dragonfest is also the 

place for workshops and seminars. From learning how to run a 

school to martial arts marketing to teaching seminars and plain 

old workouts.” 

Dragonfest, the Annual “Comic-Con” of the Martial Arts Supports the Museum’s Growth 


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COVER STORY 

Museum Productions 

In 2017, a new branch of the museum 

was established called Museum Productions. 

This new department is dedicated to 

all areas regarding multi-media. The production 

department publishes at least one 

new book a year, but more importantly, it is 

responsible for documenting and recording 

the pioneers of the arts in their new 

“Biography” series. 

Headed by Matsuda, a biography of 

each icon is recorded, highlighting their 

historical contribution to the arts and their 

life history. The Gerald Okamura Biography 

was the first film project, and there are over 

20 biographies now completed. 

“We are not getting any younger, and it 

is so important that martial arts history be 

remembered for this and future generations,” 

says Matsuda. Museum Productions 

plans to use these documentaries as part 

of their research library for visitors to enjoy 

in the museum’s Hall of Fame section. 

Conclusion 

“The Martial Arts History Museum, I know, will be the only museum 

for the martial arts. I say this without reservation. It has taken 

an unlimited amount of time and especially finance and 21 years, to 

make it a success. The museum had to be able to stand on its own 

so that when I pass, the museum will continue for many generations,” 

says Matsuda. 

The Museum Tells the Stories of Our Martial Arts Giants for Generations to Enjoy 

As Cecil Peoples so accurately put it, “I want my great-grandkids 

to one day see what their great-grandfather did.” 

Nothing that is worth doing has ever been easy. But like they 

say, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. 

The museum is something that is bigger than any one of us, 

and without this museum, all that history, all the sacrifices that so 

many people made to bring the arts to this country, to impart their 

knowledge to a new generation, all that rich and wonderful his- 


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COVER STORY 

Benny “The Jet” Urquidez and Linda Lee Drop By at a Recent Gathering of MA Celebs 

tory that changed the world, will not only be lost, but be forgotten 

forever,” says Matsuda. 

“I see a lot of postings on Facebook and other areas of social 

media with photos from the tournament days way back when. They 

are wonderful, and if you were there, it’s a great memory. But when 

that person is gone, no one is going to be posting anything about 

them. Without this museum, everything they did, the trophies they 

won, the impact they made, and the history of the martial arts will 

be lost and never to return,” remarks Matsuda. 

As the museum feels its growing pains in its current facility, it 

seeks to relocate to a much larger location in which a 300-plus 

seat theater would be installed, as well as a seminar area and a 

huge museum store and café. 

“The museum is here because of wonderful individuals who 

have given of themselves to make this happen. I was always 

hoping that those who have benefited most from the martial arts, 

those who became movie stars, stuntmen; those who have successful 

equipment companies, and marketing companies, would 

be there to support this great cause…they have not. So, for the last 

21 years, it has been us, the little guys who have raised dollar by 

dollar to create a museum. It is those who will never be in the museum, 

who give the most donations. We have those who are living 

on a fixed income continue to give to the museum. The museum 

has been built by us, and I hope that one day, those who benefitted 

from the arts, will feel that the martial arts is so important to be 

remembered, that one day they will give back. What better way 

to give back to the arts than having a museum to remember and 

honor those arts,” urges Matsuda. 

“I conclude with his. While we are still alive, we can be a 

part of this. What good is it to have your picture on a cover of 

a magazine when you are gone and not here to enjoy it? We 

have this one and only 

opportunity to make a 

big impact. Art museums 

are great, but the martial 

arts, it’s something 

that changed our lives. I 

think it’s time we all pitch 

in and really make the 

museum something so 

exciting that we will want 

to be there all the time. 

What do you think?” 

To Make a Donation* to the 

Martial Arts History Museum: 

1. Visit www.MAMuseum.com 

2. Vist the museum at 

2319 W. Magnolia Blvd. 

Burbank, CA 91506 or 

3. Call (818) 478-1722 

*Gifts are tax-deductable. 

501c3 Organization 

Part of The Martial Arts World News Executive Team, Master Toby Milroy and Mr. Sean Lee, Pay a Visit to The Museum 


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SCHOOL PROFILE 

Martial Arts World of Lake Mary 

Chief Instructor Juan Villamizar opened his 2,400 square foot school a few years ago 

in a prime location, teaching seven classes a day. Like many schools, he struggled at 

first, but then had two major breakthroughs. 

Martial Arts World of Lake Mary had maxed out their after school program and needed to find a bigger location. 

MAWN: How was it going the first year you opened, Sir? 

JV: It was rough, Sir, we were just making the bills . . . not a lot 

of profit, so everything was focused on how we could make a solid 

profit and keep it stable. 

MAWN: And then about a year into it you opened the after 

school program? 

JV: Yes, Sir, once we opened up the after school program, that 

totally gave us less stress because that covered our bills, so the 

evening program was pure profit. 

MAWN: So, a struggling school, even in a prime location, started 

an after school program and jumped into profit fairly quickly. 

JV: Yes, Sir. 

MAWN: So let’s set up where you were a year ago today: 

roughly how much were you making a month? 

JV: We were making about $14,000 a 

month. 

MAWN: So that’s your baseline, and 

then you jumped into the iENROLL 

System in ATLAS Pro. How quickly did it 

make a difference? 

JV: It took about 1 month before 

it really started kicking in, but then 

I was getting opt ins at 1:00 in the 

morning, 2:00 in the morning, 

6:00 in the morning. It was really 

Chief Instructor Juan Villamizar an exciting time because the 

next day of business we were just focused on getting them in and 

teaching a quality class. 

MAWN: So . . . that much difference: By the second month, you 

were getting daily referrals – at least one person every day. 

JV: At least one person every day, Sir. Some days we’d have 5 

or 6, but minimum one a day. 

MAWN: Fantastic. Now, what difference does that make as far 

as your income? 

JV: We ramped up another $6,000.00 a month and maxed out 

our after school program – but because of the space we could 

only handle about 45 after schoolers in that location. 

MAWN: So you literally filled your school and you had to start 

looking for another place to move? 

JV: Yes, Sir. Because the system was working really well for us, I 

didn’t really need a prime location. So I found a secondary location 

just about 1 mile down the road, $4000 cheaper (half the rent) and 

the space was almost double the size at 3,400 square feet. 

MAWN: Wow! That’s quite a difference! You earned an extra 

$6,000, saved an extra $4,000, got a bigger space and maxed out 

your after school program! 

JV: Yes. I feel very lucky, Sir. 

MAWN: Thank you, Sir, for sharing that with us. We look forward 

to your continued success and getting an update in the future. 

To learn more about the ATLAS Pro system that made such a 

dramatic difference in Instructor Villamizar’s school, go to 

AtlasMartialArtsSoftware.com. 


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SCHOOL PROFILE 

Advice From a Champion 

Master Troy Dorsey is an 8-time world champion with a combination of kickboxing 

and boxing titles. He began training in the martial arts in 1974 and opened his first 

school in 1981. 

Master Troy Dorsey displays his impressive belt collection. 

MAWN: Master Dorsey, to what would you attribute the longterm 

success of your school? 

TD: What makes a champion in the ring, or a successful martial 

arts school owner, is really just digging down deep, and working 

hard, and doing what you have to do to reach your goals. 

MAWN: As a former world champion, do you focus on making 

your students champions? 

TD: We are servants here in our school. I can’t walk around 

showing my world title belts to everybody . . . that’s not going 

to continue to grow my business. We have a lot of single mothers 

and also a lot of grandparents raising the grandkids, so I 

think you just have to have a good product. No one comes in 

telling me that their child wants to be a world champion. We 

do our best to help those children do their best to work hard 

at school and do what they’re supposed to do at home… The 

two most important things we teach at our school are: Number 

one is self-control, and I know I need more of that, and number 

two is respect for yourself and others. 

MAWN: What about martial arts technique? 

TD: If they have a great kick, that’s OK, but if they have a great 

attitude, that’s an A+ in my book. 

MAWN: You’ve been getting some amazing results recently 

on getting the Opt-ins from your website to show up at the school. 

How are you doing that? 

TD: We’re texting. Texting is the technology. The world is texting 

and we are now communicating with our people by text. It’s 

kind of amazing to me—it seems like they would want to speak 

to somebody, but obviously they don’t. I want to encourage 

anybody out there that’s using the ATLAS system, I make a call 

first, and after I call and I haven’t spoken to anybody, I get pretty 

good responses from text. 

MAWN: Thank you, Sir, for taking the time today. We really appreciate 

you sharing your successful experience both inside and 

outside the ring with us today 


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Good Business Habits: 

Be Friendly On Purpose 

by Hanshi Dave Kovar 

One of the best things you can do to gain and retain new martial arts students is to 

make people feel welcome when they enter your martial arts school. To do that, we 

follow the mantra: “Be Friendly on Purpose.” 

Have you ever walked into an establishment and 

felt like the person who was supposed to be helping 

you didn’t care about you or your business? They 

may not have been mean or surly, but they certainly 

didn’t make you feel like they were 

glad to see you or happy to serve 

you. This can happen within a 

business too, and when we 

deal with our fellow martial 

arts instructors and others in 

our schools (our internal customers). 

These are the people 

we are supposed to support 

and serve within our organization. 

It’s important to keep 

that in mind and put that 

mindset into practice. 

Here are the 

three habits of 

“friendly on 

purpose” that we want you 

to keep in mind: 

1. Be the first to say 

“Hello” or “Good Morning.” 

If you can’t help 

someone right away, let 

them know that you’ll be 

right with them. 

2. Smile, even when 

you’re on the phone: people 

can hear the smile in your voice! 

3. Be sincerely interested in them. Make eye contact. Shake 

hands if appropriate. Let your customers know you are very glad 

to see them. 

Remember that your students have choices about where to 

spend their time and money–and who to hire as a martial arts 

instructor. Being friendly shows respect to those with whom you 

deal. People will continue to do business where they feel respected. 

Make the effort to put your best face forward when dealing 

with everyone. Be friendly on purpose! 

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. 


Do You Serve Martial Arts Professionals? 

Share Your Message in Martial Arts World News Magazine 

For Sponsorship 

Options & Packages: 

Visit: MartialArtsWorldNews.com 

or Call Jeff @ 407-895-1996 

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! 


Contact us at: 407-895-1996 

or Email Editor@MartialArtsWorldNews.com

MIND MASTERY 

Becoming An Author (Part 2) 

By Grandmaster Jessie Bowen 

In part one of the Become An Author for Martial Artists, we 

discuss the decision-making process. In this article, we will be 

working on getting started. Now that you have decided to write 

your book, you need to consider your audience. Just because you 

publish your book doesn’t make it successful if you’re trying to 

monetize it. This is why the decision, whether your book is written 

just for your own pleasure, benefits your family, friends, and students. 

Some have a deeply personal story to share. Some have to 

get something out of their system. Some seek riches through their 

writing. Everyone is driven by these forces, or some combination 

thereof. Finally, a few want to earn money from their writing, which 

is a natural outcome of all of the above. 

Will you discuss yourself and your life experiences? Will you 

be discussing something more specialized, such as gold setting, 

financial growth, or athletic performance? First, you must choose a 

topic for your book. 

I’ll go over all three reasons you would want to become an 

author. The first is because you’ve always wanted to do something 

special for your family, friends, or students. Your legacy is the tale 

of your life, upbringing, activities, family members, and friends who 

grew up with you. Although this is an autobiography, your book 

can be written like a personal family reunion, bringing together 

distant relatives whom your children will never meet. 

Perhaps you’ve heard of Ancestors.com, the World’s 

Largest Online Family History Resource, which gives 

you access to over 20 billion records as a family 

resource. With images and personal data, your book 

can become a historical insight, but it’s your words 

that matter the most. 

The second motivation is to have your 

book assist you in achieving a goal. 

When you become an author, you 

automatically advance up the 

authority ladder. If you’re a martial 

artist and you find a topic 

you’re passionate about, such 

as child development through 

martial arts, winning the mental 

game in Taekwondo, or 

karate, to mention a few examples, students and parents may be 

interested. Placing your biographical information on your website 

and social media will notify your clients that you are a martial arts 

master in a specific area. If you give seminars or public speeches, 

becoming an author can help you advance your speaking career. 

The third reason is that you want to make money off of a book 

that will help others. But nothing sells until you get the word out, 

so you’ll need to put in the extra effort. Begin with the end in mind: 

how much money do you want to make from your book sales? My 

ability to presale before a single word is written has been crucial to 

my career as an author. It all comes down to how well you can market 

and sell your book. If you don’t have any marketing experience, 

I propose hiring a coach or working with a traditional publishing 

house. Would you please pick up a copy of my book Become An 

Author for Martial Artists to understand more about the differences 

between self-publishing and traditional publication? It’s a full guide 

to finding the proper publishing business for your book. 

Just Write 

You’ve got some fantastic book ideas that you’d like to share 

with the world, and you’re more determined than ever to inform 

your readers about them! Your book, regardless of genre, has the 

potential to alter someone’s life. 

This is how you can start writing a book today: 

• Start by setting up your writing environment 

• Develop a writing habit to start 

• Create a book outline to begin writing 

• Focus on writing your book ONLY 

• Maintain your focus at the start 

• Schedule book writing time 

• Deal with writing distractions 

• Start writing your book! 

You may find that writing a book is difficult once you get 

started. Many barriers can obstruct your ability to write and cause 

stress, which can lead to worry. 

I would advise you to get a coach. Elite Publications offers free 

coaching to help you get started. Email elitepublication.org for 

more information. www.elitepublications.org is our website. Call or 

text 919-618-8075. 

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 

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GROWTH HACKS 

Social Media Advertising 

Data Usage 

by Mr. Sean Lee 

Continuing from last issue, we need to remember that when we’re posting some of 

your audience is already your current students or current student’s parents, but they 

are still a much smaller number than your true potential market for your area. 

Let’s say if you have 300 students, those 300 students are really 

a very small number compared with say the 50,000, or 500,000 

people in the region. Those are the kind of reach that generates a 

continuous funnel of leads. 

So again there’s a big difference between regular social media 

posting and social media advertisement. Social media marketing 

requires utilizing the proper channels. For example, many kids 

are watching YouTube short videos and TikTok, and Snapchat 

platforms. But as far as I know, those new social media channels 

like TikTok or Snapchat don’t have enough databases to focus on 

demographics. They only know where the prospects 

are who are real people utilizing their device. 

So for example, I’m in Orlando and if I open up 

and start watching social media on my phone, it 

will see me as a potential prospect. They know 

where my location is, but the social media 

platform doesn’t have any other information 

like my age group, if I have children, if I had I’m 

married, or other pinpointed demographics like 

income or education level. This still makes the 

marketing swing have a greater chance of missing 

the target. 

Only Facebook and Instagram 

have that kind of pertinent data 

because they’ve been collecting it 

for the last decade. They’ve been 

asking for information like: your 

age, school, where you graduated 

from, and your employer, 

and your interests. They 

tracked all the likes, all the data, and they stacked it up for a decade. 

They have plenty of targeted data and since Facebook took 

over Instagram several years ago, they are sharing the data which 

provides them with information for both an older and younger 

generation of users. So even without utilizing a Facebook account 

they are linked through their Instagram account. 

The numbers that I’m getting from the last several months when 

we run an advertisement, have shown most of the prospects, like 

72 - 75% are from Instagram. They were reached through the Facebook 

advertisement and Instagram advertisement, and they opted 

in from there. So even if you are making a lot of videos, which is 

great, but you need to get people to watch it and they need to be 

people in your area. This is important because as you know, the 

Martial Arts school business is a local community business. 

So of course, social media platforms reach are global and can 

go nationwide at the push of a button. But your prospect and your 

students are coming from maybe a five mile radius. Sometimes if 

you are in a suburban area, your viable market could be like seven 

miles. So sure you can still make a video for your brand and follows, 

but you don’t want you to spend too much time on it. 

Again those platforms like TikTok or any of the other short video 

social media channels that do not have ability to utilize data to 

pinpoint your post reach specifically for prospects in your area. So 

I know many are trying to utilize social media advertisement, but 

they are not getting the results because there has to be some sort 

of a mechanism along with data or possessing enough knowledge 

and experience to manage the advertisement. So if you need more 

ideas, you can always reach out to me anytime by email, social 

media channel, or phone call. I would love to discuss with you to 

help you improve your social media advertisement. 

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. 


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 

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Share Stories About: 

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• 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

NINJA BUSINESS TACTICS 

“Only A Ninja Can Kill 

Another Ninja…” 

by An-Shu Stephen Hayes 

My friend Luca Paniconi, head of our Ancona, Italy, To-Shin Do 

training group, got his first article published in the Italian media. 

Luca’s essay so impressed Kevin Keitoshi Casey, co-owner 

of our SKH Quest Center in Boulder, Colorado, that he worked to 

translate it into English for all to read. Here are Luca’s thoughts 

condensed and brought into English by Kevin: 

“Only a Ninja can kill another Ninja…” 

Anyone who was a kid in the 1980s remembers this dramatic 

phrase from the B-movies that were part of “ninja-mania”. 

The world was fascinated with the Japanese shadow warriors 

and plunged into this new market with a river of films, comics 

and books. 

Today the terms “Ninja” and “Ninjutsu” are 

so compromised that they conjure images of 

ruthless killers or friendly turtles. Yet the “art 

of winning” is alive, real, tested through 

centuries of history, and has enormous 

potential for the modern Western person’s 

well-being and happiness. 

Stephen K. Hayes’ pioneering work 

opened the doors to the ninja martial 

arts in the West, and made his teacher a 

celebrity in Japan. Imagine this ordinary guy 

from Ohio in the 1970s who decided to sell 

everything and move to Japan to find the last 

Ninja alive, Soke Masaaki Hatsumi. 

An idea like this would be like 

someone leaving Italy for 

America in hopes of 

becoming assistant 

ranger to (Italy’s 

legendary comic 

book American 

hero) Tex Willer. 

An-Shu Hayes 

became a Ninja, 

but if you hope for a dark man made of stone and ice, you will be 

disappointed. He is open and cheerful, able to accept everyone 

with a smile and make all feel at ease. His charismatic presence 

communicates something beyond words. His lessons, designed to 

change your life every day, are based on pragmatism, understanding, 

and a strong heart. 

An-shu’s ninja-based To-Shin Do brings to life cultural technologies 

for defense and development from a people very different 

from Italians (or any Westerners). After all, if a technique requires 

a 13th century enemy wearing Japanese armor, how many of us 

can immerse ourselves in the mechanics, energy and psychology 

of this situation? On the other hand, how many of us can relate to 

Paul, the clerk who was beaten during an attempted robbery, or 

Christina, who was assaulted during a date gone wrong? 

The context is the difference. What is real today? I have never 

been attacked by a spearman while parking the car, but it is very 

likely that a drunk, with no martial arts experience, throws a hook 

punch in the disco. Of course, advanced study addresses rare 

problems like combatting an Olympic Judo competitor or an International 

Vale Tudo fighter. The course of study is a simple matter 

of reality and statistics. 

This is why meditation and the natural health of the body are 

also part of self-defense. To-Shin Do proposes a way of moving 

and being that feels natural to everyone from professional athletes 

to housewives, and provides inner development to overcome 

obstacles, demoralization, and oppression. 

Classical training, such as stealth and shuriken, is reserved for 

advanced students, not to make it exclusive, but because it takes 

more time for these to become natural. The goal of Stephen K. 

Hayes’ To-Shin Do is real personal improvement and a genuine 

understanding of the art of the Ninja, not to enchant with exotic 

weapons. 

Ultimately, An-Shu Hayes’ work is a “translation” rather than a 

“modernization” of Ninjutsu, because no principles are changed. 

The course fits the time without cutting its roots and its history. The 

true art lives and is lived. 

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 


Photo (right) by JackF

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AFTER SCHOOL EXCELLENCE 

Prosper While You Prepare 

Tomorrow’s Leaders 

By Grandmaster Mike Bugg 

An unknown author once said “Children make up 30% of our population and 100% of 

our future. “ 

Many martial arts school owners like to say, “I’m not in this for 

the money. I want to help make a difference in people’s lives.” Who 

ever said that making money and making a difference in the lives 

of others can’t happen at the same time was wrong! Face it, if your 

school doors are closed because of poor finances you won’t be 

able to help anybody. 

You’re probably wondering, “How can I prosper and make a 

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the philosophical goals that easily combine with 

any style of martial arts. 

You may be saying, “That sounds good, but 

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Wonder how you’re gonna prosper with the program? In a word, 

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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. 


Photo (right) by AndreyKaderov

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PILLARS OF SUCCESS 

Network Like Successful People! 

by Grandmaster Y. K. Kim 

You cannot see behind your back, unless you have a mirror. You need another’s point 

of view to see yourself much clearer. 

A network is the best resource to help you solve a 

problem, as long as they are positive and counsel you with 

wisdom. Invest your time and energy to build a 

winning team,and listen well to their advice, 

to help you reach your dream. 

Successful People Have a 

Network Mindset! 

Successful life begins with a successful 

network; the purpose of social 

media is building a successful network. 

Building a successful network 

means creating a successful future. 

Network positively: Choose positive 

and intelligent people. Motivate, recognize, 

and support one another to build a 

successful network. Positive networking 

creates a productive future. 

Network wisely: Choose confident 

and wise people. Treat other people 

fairly, not equally, depending 

on their abilities, strengths, 

talents, skills, and education. 

On top of that, recognize and 

admire others with respect, 

understanding, and true 

care. You will have reliable 

relationships. 

Failures Have a 

Destroying Mindset 

Network negatively: 

Associate with pessimistic 

people, criticize and discourage 

others, and you will 

destroy many relationships and make lots of enemies. 

Network carelessly: Associate with stupid and careless people, 

and you will do stupid things together. You can’t have any reliable 

relationships. 

Can you network like successful people? 

1) Invest your time to find positive and wise people and treat 

them fairly. Think twice about the consequences before speaking 

or acting, and put yourself in other people’s shoes. You will be 

surprised. You will have many reliable relationships. 

2) Recognize others genuinely, care for them deeply, and treat 

them fairly until it becomes second nature. 

3) Practice The 5 Pillars of True Success. It will guide you to 

network positively and wisely. 

*This is an excerpt from the book The Five Pillars of True Success 

in the section on The Top 10 Successful Habits 

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. 


Photo (right) by Jun

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THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI 

Combative Weapons Q & A (Part 5) 

by Shihan Danna Abbott 

The Japanese Art of Chanbara 

Promises Safe Sparring for All 

Martial Artists 

Q: Is sparring composed of mostly 

offense, or is there also a lot of 

defense? 

It is very difficult to block a 

weapon. Therefore, it is best to get 

out of the way and not get hit at all. 

Just imagine getting hit in a head on 

collision by a car when you are in a 

big truck. No matter how safe the 

bigger vehicle is you will be put into 

difficulty. If one has a very strong 

offensive technique all opponents will have to evade. 

Here in the United States many schools teach 

an abundance of blocking and counters 

which takes twice as much time to move 

correctly. With weaponry especially, the 

sword all combatants 

are taught to come 

in hard and fast. ( 

A smoker down 

the middle like a 

fast 100 mile an hour 

pitch in baseball). In 

chanbara we also teach 

blocking, but in many 

cases it is easier and wiser 

to evade the strike and 

keep from getting hit. 

Q: What are some 

common mistakes? 

Know you’re body 

and its abilities and 

limitations. For example: 

If you do not have a 

weapon in hand most 

all hand and foot technique will not 

help the average martial artist. One 

has to be very very good to disarm a 

qualified swordsman without his own 

sword. Other common mistakes are 

allowing your legs to telegraph your 

intended movements. In the art of 

the sword it’s your feet that get you 

to the battle and your stride, feet, 

legs, hips etc. even your toes can 

show your weak spots. That is why 

most all swordsmen in Japan wear 

hakama.(that type of Japanese skirt 

one wears in kendo) 

Q: What are effective combinations? 

Most all combinations are effective at one point or another. 

There are hundreds of combinations. Therefore, one must also 

practice at least a dozen combinations to perfection in order to 

put your advisory into difficulty. Fakes work well with beginners 

and sometimes they work on advanced combatants, but only one 

time! After that there is not a second chance for making a point 

with a proficient swords person or chanbara man. Otherwise it 

basically wastes time and one loses strength and energy in “the 

spirit of the thing”. 

Striking high and then low always keeps them guessing. This 

also allows the swordsman to take advantage of the whole body. 

Just as in tennis and or many other sports go from a long to a short 

shot, or left to right. That way an opening will occur and you can 

go in for the strike. Moreover, it is easier and one telegraphs less 

when you are working with gravity instead of against it. Always 

work your shot downward since an upward shot usually does not 

have the speed, strength and stealth required for a good score or 

kill depending what era you grew up in. 

Q: Any basic strategies? 

Yes, the basic 5 strokes honed to perfection allow all to fight 

well. Always keep the sword in front and keep a basic stance 

posture. And never, ever do fancy stuff you see on TV because it 

will put you into difficulty. 

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. 


Photo (right) by master1305

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EXTRAORDINARY MARKETING 

Wealth vs. Lifestyle (Part 2) 

by Grandmaster Stephen Oliver 

You know what I’d like to hear about? 

1. What’s the quality of your lifestyle? Do you enjoy life? Are 

you doing what you enjoy? Do you take time for hobbies, travel, 

family and entertainment? 

If you don’t have time for these things because of your 

incredibly long hours, then, really, what good is the money?It’s 

easy to get caught up in working and striving for more and more 

money, but money is only good for two things: 

First, insuring that you can do and have the things you want 

RIGHT NOW. Are you able to afford those “toys” that are important 

to you? Do you refrain from spending money on things that 

won’t contribute substantially to the quality of your life. Do you 

have expensive STUFF to impress others, or because you appreciate 

them personally? 

Second, so that you can build security for your 

future — and I don’t necessarily just mean for 

your retirement. What if your school has a 

downturn (remember all kinds of unexpected 

things can happen)? Are you 

financially strong enough to weather 

the storm? What if one of your kids has 

unexpected medical expenses, or if you 

have a medical emergency? 

2. What’s your NET Income? How 

much money do you have left over from 

your business after EVERYONE 

ELSE gets paid? If your 

expenses are in line and 

your gross is adequate 

or excellent, you could 

have 15%, 25% or maybe 

even 45% or 50% left 

over. Do $30,000 per 

month with $15,000 left 

over, and I’ll think you are 

incredible. Do $180,000 

per month with $3,000 

left over — well nothing 

personal, but who cares? 

3. How much Net Worth 

have you built, and how much do you save? Do you have equity 

in your home? Equity in the building that houses your school? 

How’s your IRA, savings, and investments? Does your SCHWAB 

account grow every month,or are you living week to week? Forget 

about the guy who boasts a huge student base — I want to 

be like a friend of mine who bought the building that houses his 

school, and ended up owning the whole city block, with positive 

cash-flow from rental income and huge equity. Not very glamorous 

in the “bragging rights” pool at the next karate tournament 

or business convention, but hey, he paid HIMSELF first! 

4. How much have you learned this week, month and year? If 

you are constantly learning, you will always be about to recover 

from setbacks as well as capitalize on new opportunities. Stuff: 

Your day-to-day lifestyle expenses must really be determined by 

what is really going to add enjoyment to your life, relative to the 

costs. 

A Personal Example Many years ago, many friends and employees 

laughed at me (remember when they laugh, it’s 

your money not theirs). Why did they laugh? Well, once a year, 

I would hold a Christmas party at my house — which is huge, 

beautiful, in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the 

Denver metro area and has tremendous views overlooking the 

city. At the same time, on a day-to-day basis, I drove an Audi 

4000, which was at about 150,000 

miles (I finally traded it when it failed the emissions inspection, 

got damaged by hail and needed more repairs than it 

was worth). During this period, my house appreciated over 

$300,000, and my car basically went from the $20,000 I paid for 

it new to a value of $0. 

Often, we are tempted to buy things based upon the image 

we hope to project to friends, neighbors, business associates 

and others. If you really want that expensive toy because it enhances 

your enjoyment on a day-by-day basis, 

then by all means, get it and enjoy it. Just decide, on a daily 

basis, not because of the “image” you hope to project, or because 

of an attempt to impress your friends. 

Remember, about the only thing that you can buy for yourself 

that has any real value after you buy it is your home. 

Everything else, with very few exceptions, begins to depreciate 

or have minimal value right after you’ve spent the money. 

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. 


www.ExtraOrdinaryMarketing.com

MASTERING MODERN BJJ 

Solitude with Fortitude 

By Master Carlos Machado 

A black belt asked me for advice on how to become a teacher. 

He mentioned that thru his busy schedule 

traveling around the world, he often finds himself 

visiting several places to keep his training 

going. Yet, in many of those places, especially 

abroad, he is constantly sought out for advice 

and asked to share his knowledge. He said 

he loves to teach and help out other students, 

from inexperienced to high level, 

indiscriminately. 

He, point blank, came 

to me and inquired what it 

takes or how to go about in 

terms of being an instructor. 

My immediate answer was to “reverse 

engineer”, teach the end and go backwards 

on a skill set. That, for me, gives immediate 

perspective to a student on what the end in 

sight is, and helps him connect the dots more 

easily as a technique is broken down. 

During that same conversation, I 

was showing two beginners 

how to finish an arm bar, 

pretty much at the very 

last stage, on the grip 

breaking part prior to 

extending the joint 

into submission. 

Then I told them to 

stay from the top 

mount position 

and showed 

them the setup. 

They did not 

miss a beat. As 

the prospect 

instructor black 

belt was watching, he suddenly had a spark in 

his eyes. He said he figured what the deal was 

in becoming an instructor, you cause people to 

feel how it is to complete a move, then teach 

them how to connect the dots from beginning 

to end. That it was not a matter of seeing or 

understanding, but feeling then realizing what 

it was all about. 

He said he always left with a smile every 

time he learned how to put a move together. 

Even if he did not succeed all the way but 

almost made it happen, it gave him a sense of 

accomplishment of competence. He understood 

jiu jitsu was a game of thresholds. 

We all make it count, not just every time we cross the finish 

line, but also when we get a few steps away from it. One more 

inch today is considered a victory. A small adjustment becomes 

an eureka moment. The biggest realizations in jiu jitsu happen 

in very subtle ways, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, but 

not to the person in the midst of the battle, figuring out a detail 

that can make all the difference. 

The black belt said that that aspect of jiu jitsu is what made 

him stick with it for many decades and still keep going. It is the 

fact that no matter how much he has learned, every time he 

comes across a small detail that makes a big difference, it acts 

like a domino effect on everything else that he does. A better 

choke somehow impacts his ability to do arm bars and vice 

versa. The body literally makes connections between muscles 

and nerves, and we find ourselves making moves in ways different 

than we had ever done in the past. 

In the end, jiu jitsu never ceases to amaze, to transform itself, 

and to become more and more intriguing. 

Start with the end in sight, and surely you will see things 

differently, and more importantly, make better connections with 

your moves, faster and better! 

Now, go do some training, the mat is waiting for you! 

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 by hanzl

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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! 

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• One of your students 

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NEXT LEVEL STRATEGY 

Teaching Commitment (Part 1) 

Taking from Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing by Rob Kiyosaki 

by Shihan Allie Alberigo 

There is something that I tell my students continuously “there is no try, just do.” 

It sounds as if Yoda was speaking to 

Luke Skywalker but it is not as esoteric as 

it may sound. This is simple to read and 

simple to say, but many of us fall short of 

actually doing it. If I had a dollar for every 

parent and student that 

has come to me and 

said “I want my 

child to develop 

self-confidence, 

self-esteem, selfdiscipline, 

self-control, 

focus and learn self-defense. My child 

really enjoyed their classes but I don’t want to 

commit for a year. I want my child to overcome 

their shyness or they need to 

listen more. I personally always 

wanted to learn the martial 

arts.” I would be a millionaire. 

A week goes by and 

the excitement is still 

there. A month goes 

by and the excitement 

is growing but 

the student is falling 

into the routine. A 

year goes by and it 

is becoming a routine 

and the newness is not 

their so the excitement is starting 

to fade slightly. 

Renewal time comes around 

and the student or the parent asks 

themselves “do I want to commit 

to another year, do I want 

to spend the money, maybe I need to do 

something else, that excites me like when 

I first started the martial arts.” Well, the 

hard true fact is that unless you develop 

a skill like self-discipline then everything 

you do in life will have the same results. 

As any married person can attest to, your 

relationships never have the fire of when 

everything is new. This does not mean 

that it is not great, does it. It just takes 

some adjustment and realization that life 

is not just about fun and excitement. You 

need to dig deep inside sometimes to find the benefits, why you 

started in the first place. Why did you get married? What you saw in 

the person in the first place? You cannot let your mind wander and 

look for a new fix every time the initial thrill wears off. This is your 

self-control and focus. 

How many of us have quit something that we regretted in the 

future? How many of us justify quitting by blaming it on something 

else? Our jobs, the organization, the spouse, your friend they are 

all responsible. It takes self-confidence to be able to look in the 

mirror and say what can I do to make this better? What can I do to 

stick this out? How can I achieve the goals I set for myself? 

For every parent that has told me I don’t force my children to do 

anything. Why should I make them go when they are not enjoying 

it? I don’t think that martial arts are like regular school. I have to 

disagree. Martial arts if taught properly is not about kicking and 

punching it is about life. For every child that has quit I feel bad. Not 

for the child but for all that the child loses. No one will ever know 

what they have lost, because they have not put a value on what 

they have given up. It is only the people that achieve that truly 

know what people lose. For every parent that says they do not 

force their child or encourage them to do things. I say when was 

the last time you let you stay up all night, not eat correctly, or stay 

out all night drinking. 

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. 


Photo (top middle) by Sergei Chuyko

CUTTING-EDGE 

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That Bring New Students Into Your School–Fast 

Finally, a Beautiful, High-Quality, Lead Generating Website for Your Martial Arts School 

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COMPLETE MARTIAL ARTS CONCEPTS 

10 Principles to Become Great 

at Sparring (Part 2) 

by Professor Willie “The Bam” Johnson 

6. Stay conscious of yourself at all times 

In many sparring matches there is an attacker and a counter 

attacker. After executing his technique, the attacker often is left 

open because his attention was totally focused on that one target 

technique and if he isn’t able to act and react spontaneously, he 

loses his advantages to the counter attacker. Remember, when 

you hit your opponent, don’t put all your attention on your target- 

-only as little attention as is needed to hit the target. Leave your 

mind free to respond and react instinctively to the situation. When 

you are able to flow as one with the universe you will have learned 

a valuable lesson of all great fighters. 

7. Stop and think 

Free sparring is a great way to develop a successful 

thinking pattern under pressure. Frequently 

in sparring sessions a student’s mind 

locks when his opponent is constantly throwing 

techniques at him or when he gets tired. An old 

saying is that ignorance will make cowards of 

us all! It is important to stay conscious of what 

is going on at all times, to be able 

to think fast on your feet, and 

above all to be able to think 

under pressure. 

8. Control your 

emotions 

Controlling your emotions 

is a necessity if you 

want to win your match. 

If you are being hit much 

more frequently than your 

opponent, anger flares 

up along with feelings of 

oppression, shame, and a 

loss of control. When your 

emotions take over, your ability to execute techniques gets worse 

because you are not in control of the match any more. That is why 

it is important to stay conscious of your emotions and think thoroughly 

about the right response. 

9. Be yourself 

When practicing, it is important not to become a clone of the 

other students but to continuously strive to develop your own 

individual expression, both verbally and physically, by combining 

the proper 

principles, techniques, and approaches. If you know something, 

you should be able to express it. If you understand something, you 

should be able to do it. In the martial arts, the degree to which you 

can describe a particular action, principle, or approach to someone 

else will parallel your ability to execute it. Check it out. The 

maneuvers you cannot describe are generally the ones you cannot 

do. Be yourself! 

10. Follow your natural instinct 

Following your natural instinct is the key to flowing in harmony 

with the universe. An Aikido expert calls it Ki. Others call it your 

sixth sense. This is expressed by being in tune with yourself both 

consciously and unconsciously. You must not try to feel or receive, 

but simply “be” the situation. Act on your “gut feelings” first an 

action then a reaction, an action and a reaction, back and forth. 

Focus on your successes. Follow your instincts. Go with the flow. 

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. 


Photo (right) by OSTILL

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THE MILLIONAIRE SMARTS COACH 

Free Yourself From 

Too Much Stuff (Part 3) 

By Lee Milteer 

Here’s the STUFF DIET (for your home and office)! 

This is the third part in our Free Yourself from Too Much Stuff 

Series. As promised in last week’s newsletter, here’s how to put 

your home and office on a “Stuff Diet.” You’ll want to take these 

suggestions and modify them to best fit your personality and style: 

• Create a holding place for things to be released. (I personally 

set up a place in my garage, although it can be a spare room 

or anyplace you can allow things to gather for a week or so. I like 

to do it this way because, if you are really not ready to part with 

something, you have a grace period and won’t regret letting it go.) 

• Subdivide your holding place for items you want to 

sell, donate to charity, give away, or trash. 

• Use big baskets, bins, or large strong 

boxes. 

• Label them STORAGE, SELL, DO- 

NATE, THROW AWAY, and RECYCLE. 

• It’s important to get everyone on 

board. Make a commitment to releasing 

things by deciding how many 

things per week everyone will commit 

to releasing. 

• Everyone should have a 

DAILY GOAL. For example, 

something has to 

go each day. It can be 

as little as a pen that 

no longer works, but 

everyone must play 

the game. 

Establish a 

Reward and Accountably 

System 

Set up a system 

where you can take 

things to sell to consignment shops, or donate to Charity, and have 

the old trash removed. This follow-up phase is especially important. 

Do not just let this old stuff hang around and become another 

burden. 

The goal is to find reasons to motivate your family or staff to 

release unwanted and unneeded things. 

For example: Kids love contests, so whoever can release the 

most gets a prize or special privilege. It could be anything from 

staying up later or a PJ party to horseback riding lessons. Try to 

reward with experiences, not more material things. 

Customize the reward so that it’s something that makes them 

want to let go of the unneeded stuff. Remember, we are all just big 

kids so find ways to reward and motivate every person who is on 

the “STUFF DIET!” 

If you want to find a great place to really get motivated, start by 

eliminating the things from your house and life that have EX- 

PIRED!!! You could give a prize to whoever finds the oldest item! 

You’ll be surprised at how many things like food, over the counter 

medications, and prescription drugs you have laying around that 

are past their sell-by dates. This will be an eye-opener for how 

unconscious you’ve been about the amount of time you’ve had 

things! 

There is nothing in this world that feels quite the same as looking 

around your home or office and seeing it in order. On the other 

hand, there’s nothing more energy-draining than living with clutter. 

I want you to live every day with the peace of mind that results 

from having your home OR office exactly the way you want it: 

where you are in control of your stuff, and not the other way 

around. Do you own it or does it own you? 

Your new motto: 

If It Doesn’t Serve a Purpose, have Meaning, or Monetary 

Value—OUT IT MUST GO! 

Up Next: Part 4 of Free Yourself from Too Much Stuff 

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. 

Vist www.milteer.com 


Photo (right) by Drazen Zigic

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BUDO PHILOSOPHY 

Reason and Magic (Part 1) 

by Shidoshi Alfredo Tucci 

Shizen culture had a very interesting insight into the elements that made up people. 

They talked about the three heritages: genetic heritage, 

which they obviously did not attribute to the genes, because 

such discovery had not taken place, but to the ancestors; cultural 

heritage, that is, those conditions that were directly related 

to the environment in which you were born and raised; and 

finally the informational or formative heritage, which refers to 

learning and ultimately to the profession or activity to which you 

are devoted. 

For them, most of the people traveled in their lives in helical 

paths with their highs and lows, their expansive and contractive 

periods, in exchanges of energy and tension with 

the environment. Life naturally possessed a 

set of ups and downs in all. Energy in spirals, 

had the beginning and end of tension by 

finding two points that connected and established 

a helical pattern, which remained 

as long as energy fed that relationship. 

Some people, however, spirits whose life 

was called to influence many people, were 

under the auspices of major forces and transited 

in another type of litter that had to do 

with destiny. Bruce Lee would be an example 

of this. Winston Churchill, Fleming, Stalin, 

Hitler, Fidel Castro, or Napoleon, for 

better or for worse, these people, 

even if they were immersed like everyone 

else in the clashes of the 

forces of energy and tension, to 

which no one is alien in this Universe, 

possessed the regency of 

destiny. 

Visible conditioners have 

the greatest importance, but 

the invisible ones are no less 

significant, as they allude to 

the spiritual aspects of the 

person. For the Shizen, we 

are all spirits living a material life. I know that this vision is out of 

tune nowadays, where we only have eyes and ears for scientific 

arguments, but we cannot forget that science is only a method to 

describe our surroundings, that is, the glasses that we put on. The 

advent of reason and science as a method has provided us with 

fantastic tools to which we are all debtors. 

The Greeks opened the door, Renaissance reopened it and 

the Century of the Lights raised it up, that’s why it is extraordinarily 

interesting to observe how, despite the imposition of this formula 

as dominant even to establish itself as the basis of modern single 

thought, it has not managed to cancel the cravings and curiosity of 

our brains. People continue to read newspaper horoscopes, seeking 

in the esoteric arts answers that transcend normality, and even 

surrender to the idea of ancient religions, whose rational foundation 

is void. 

You see, it turns out we have two sides to the brain and none of 

the two is more important than the other. Given the new paradigm, 

Freud created psychoanalysis, establishing the idea of the subconscious, 

which Jung culminated with that of the collective unconscious. 

These attempts to find rational connections in the irrational, 

on the magical side of our minds, led Jung himself to the doors of 

magic at the end of his life. 

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. 


Photo (pigeon) by natrot. Photo (hawk) by SteveMcsweeny.

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MASTER THE BASICS 

Regain the Adult Market 

by Master Tina Bane 

Over the past few years thousands of martial arts schools have closed in the U.S – 

most people say it’s because of the economy or the pandemic. Yet during the same 

period, the number of yoga schools in the U.S. has grown dramatically. Perhaps the 

excuses are not the real reason . . . 

What has happened to the image of martial arts over the past 

few years? For one thing, the popularity on TV of UFC-style fights 

have made the image of martial arts training appear more violent. 

How many executives or soccer moms want to get grounded and 

pounded, and then limp through their responsibilities the next 

day? How many baby-boomers, the largest and wealthiest subpopulation 

in America today, want to practice 

cage fighting? With many of them looking at 

hip or knee replacements in the near future, 

violent exercise is not very attractive. 

Instead, they have apparently 

chosen an exercise 

program that is gentle 

on their aging joints, yet 

helps them feel better about 

themselves… yoga. 

Fortunately, AMS has an 

answer ready for you: Life 

Fitness Class. Grandmaster 

Y. K. Kim’s U.S. National 

Exercise is like yoga, 

only better. It 

is a complete 

body 

exercise, 

from fingers 

to toes, and 

everything 

in between. The 

movements are gentle, 

good for the joints, and 

incorporate Power Breathing 

to increase the health benefits. Because of the Power Breathing, 

we say it’s like Power Yoga. 

There are standing postures, seated postures, lying postures, 

partner exercises, and a whole group of exercises you can do 

throughout the day. It is the perfect response to this growing need, 

ready and available to you today. 

You can add these exercises to your 

regular classes, but we recommend 

that you open a place in your 

schedule for a class where you 

teach only the U.S. National 

Exercise. Morning or lunchtime 

would be good for these 

classes, as well as Saturdays. 

To get a copy of the exercises, 

just call your marketing consultant at 

1-800-275-1600 and order the New 

American Dream Package, which 

includes the U.S. National Exercise 

video. We also have several instruction 

packs: The Power Exercise Instruction 

Pack (a previous version of the U.S. 

National Exercise), the Power Breathing 

Instruction Pack, and the Power 

Meditation Instruction Pack. Any or all of 

these resources will help you start a great 

class to bring back some of the adults who 

wandered over to the yoga school down 

the street. 

U.S. National Exercise is like teaching 

Power Yoga and it’s Easy to Learn, Easy to 

Teach and Satisfying for Students. 

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. 


Photo (right) by JackF

Lee Milteer is an Internationally known and celebrated 

Entrepreneur, Visionary, Best Selling Author, Award winning 

Professional Speaker, TV Personality, and Intuitive Business Mentor. 

Lee provides business and success advice and resources to nearly 

250,000 people around the world. 

Reclaim the Magic 

will evoke a consciousness 

shift and an awakening 

within you to manifest your 

heart’s true desires. is 

book will give you the tools 

and concepts to claim your 

natural birthright power as 

a manifestor. 

Success is an 

Inside Job 

will empower 

ANYONE to 

achieve new levels 

of self-clarity and 

control over their 

destiny.

INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE 

The Value of Mat Chats 

by Grandmaster Tim McCarthy 

What is a Mat Chat? 

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it’s a wrap-up of the 

lessons at the end of class. Some schools, especially in children’s 

classes, call everyone together in a huddle (in a circle on one knee) 

on the MAT, while the instructor summarizes what they learned today 

in a short CHAT. Other schools have the students sit or lie down 

in meditation while the instructor summarizes what they learned today. 

It’s a simple way to use the old formula for education: Tell them 

what you are going to say, say it, then tell them what you said. 

I recommend that you use this formula in your martial arts classes 

by first choosing a principle or theme of your class. Then, explain 

to your students the principle or theme during warm-up. During the 

action part of class, most of the drills should revolve around that 

principle or theme, and then at the end, in a Mat Chat or meditation, 

review not only the principle or theme, but explain how they can 

use it in their daily lives outside the martial arts classroom. 

If your school is designed so that the parents can hear 

what you are saying, not only will it convince them 

of the continuing value you are providing to their 

children, it may also convince them they could start 

taking classes, too. 

Practical Example 

Let’s say I decide my principle or theme of the 

day is self-control. During warm-up, I would introduce 

the theme of today’s class as self-control. Then, 

I might illustrate the theme of self-control during 

stretching by asking the students to notice 

the pain they feel as they stretch their 

muscles. I would point out that if they 

want to kick higher, they need to 

stretch, and although it hurts, if they 

can control their fear of pain, they 

can stretch a little farther or a little 

longer, and practice self-control. 

During the action part of class 

we can practice self-control 

during partner exercises. For 

striking arts, we can practice 

punching or kicking at our partner, learning to focus our technique 

close to, but not touching his body. Students can first punch or kick 

six inches away from their partner’s body, then five inches, etc, until 

they can control their technique to land with full power and focus 

one inch away from his body. I would direct them to practice different 

strikes or kicks in the same way. 

For grappling arts, I might teach a technique that includes a joint 

lock, and have the 

students practice very 

slowly, feeling the joint 

lock as they apply it to 

their partner, noticing 

how it feels just before 

he taps out. Then, they 

would incrementally 

increase the speed 

and power of their 

application up to the point of pain, stopping before they hurt their 

partner. They would be learning self-control in the proper application 

of the technique, as well as self-control not to hurt their partner. 

I could choose several similar joint locks to practice the same way. 

At the end, whether it’s a mat chat or meditation, I would review 

the self-control we practiced during stretching and point out that 

learning to sacrifice a little today can bring big rewards in the future. 

Just like the pain of stretching leads to more flexibility and higher 

kicks, studying tonight leads to better grades on your test tomorrow, 

and better chances to become a doctor, teacher, or whatever 

you want to be when you grow up. I might even ask different children 

what they want to be when they grow up, and then ask them 

what they can do today and tomorrow to achieve that goal. If there 

are adults present in a family class, I will throw in one sentence like: 

And for adults, that might mean working a little longer or harder 

to earn a promotion, or not arguing over everything to preserve a 

relationship. 

If you need inspiration for themes, check out the AMSnews in 

the MA Biz Academy, which is available as part of the complete 

ATLAS martial arts software package. Each month has a theme with 

a motivational poster, and they offer weekly supporting philosophical 

themes to spark your creativity. 

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. 


Touch The Future 

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• Send automated 

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• Create unlimited 

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slamming your 

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REPORT 

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• You don’t even 

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schedule any of the 

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whenever you wish. 

MARKETING 

AUTOMATION 

• Generate new 

leads with a 

website that 

will find new 

prospects, 

collect their 

information, and 

funnel them into 

your school. 

• Guide new 

prospects and 

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with automated 

sequential email 

and SMS text 

messages. 

FORMER STUDENT 

AUTOMATION 

• Reactivate lost 

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students with 

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events and special 

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school. 

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• Automatically push, pre-scheduled 

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BUSINESS BUZZ 

First Impressions: 

Steps to Success 

by Grandmaster Lawrence Arthur 

Your Face, Body, and School Must look Referable 

They need to Love your Program, Like you, and Be Impressed 

with your school. 

1. Correct anything that you feel is wrong with you. 

Teeth, overweight, etc. 

2. Always dress in uniform or dress clothes 

with polished dress shoes. Dress neatly all the 

time, clean, and pressed. 

3. Limit jewelry to a watch, wedding 

rings and professional ring, or a 

college ring. 

4. No earrings for 

men, conservative earrings 

for women. 

5. Fingernails should 

be clean, trimmed, rounded, and 

one neutral color. 

6. Glasses should be small 

lenses, contact lenses, or better 

yet, get your eyes fixed. 

7. Look like you are in shape. 

8. No facial hair. Keep your eyebrows trimmed. Ladies 

use natural color makeup, less is better. 

9. Dental hygiene. Keep your breath fresh. No chewing 

gum. Braces if necessary. 

10. Hair should not be over your collar and look 

like you just got a haircut. No shaved heads. Conservative 

haircuts. Women’s hair should be pulled 

back off face. 

11. A new uniform with a new belt looks more 

professional to the general public. 

12. Shoes should look new. Never 

wear worn or dirty looking shoes of 

any type. 

13. No baggy pants or tight fitting 

leotards for women. 

14. Cell phones should not be worn on your 

belt, it looks unprofessional. Don’t wear an earpiece, 

it looks amateur. 

IF THEY DON’T ENROLL, IT’S NOT BE- 

CAUSE OF WHAT YOU SAID, IT’S BECAUSE 

OF WHAT YOU SHOWED THEM. 

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. 


Photograph by SUNG YOON JO

MARTIAL ARTS PHILOSOPHY 

My Journey With The A.O.K and 

Golden Greek (Part 3) 

By Sensei Gary Lee 

In the early 90s, three powerful Producers; George Minshew, 

Jose Santa Maria, and Tony Lopez broke away from the A.O.K 

and created T.N.T. The Texas National Tour. If you fought in this 

league, you could work your way to NBL Super 

Grands which at the time was the largest 

Sport Karate event in America. 

Mr. Minshew formed a National Texas Sport 

Karate Team, which consisted of Jennifer Robles, 

Danielle Dixon, Chris Pfannenstiel Minshew, Tony 

Lopez, and myself. Then I thought about it deeply 

and what being labeled a Texas Fighter was 

about. I thought about bringing 

my son Garett Lee and 

exposing him to Texas Sport 

Karate. He was only 7 years old at 

the time. I thought about it deeply and 

I decided to travel with Wade Kirkpatrick. 

So I took my Son 

along and tried it one more time on the 

Texas Sport Karate Circuit. 

In 1997, including A.O.K. Texas events 

plus all the other events I fought in over 

70 events and earned the A.O.K “Golden 

Greek MVP of Texas” in the senior division. 

It had taken me 17 years, however I had 

become a “Golden Greek” winner. To me 

it was overwhelming and very humbling 

and made me very proud. 

Finally I had conquered 

that demon which was 

nagging me those 17 

years when I had 

quit. Whether I was 

frustrated or not 

because I had 

quit something 

and it bothered me every single day. The years of fighting all 

across America from 1979-1997 I kept a diary and I retired in 1998 

and started the Sport Karate Museum in Sugarland, Texas. 

I was being interviewed by this Television Reporter from ABC, 

Mr. Bob Allen who asked to see my diary that I had brought with 

me for the interview. He brought up what he had read about this 

disqualification rule. He was curious why I recorded in the diary 

about being disqualified 237 times in various 

tournaments from 1981-1997. He wondered why 

and what the circumstances were. I just said, Osu, Texas. 

Texas changed my journey. The A.O.K. group deserves a Black 

Belt Hall of Fame to be able to recognize so many people that 

have worked so hard to keep Texas Sport Karate alive. I support 

Mr David Chambers, the President of the A.O.K. and his introduction 

of a A.O.K. Black Belt Hall of Fame and to recognize promoters, 

fighters, and individuals who have contributed over the past 

43 years to Sport Karate in Texas. 

The History Generals, the Ambassadors and Myself, and the 

Sport Karate Museum proudly supports this idea to create a 

A.O.K. Texas Black Belt Hall of Fame and are excited to watch 

it’s growth. 

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. 


Photo (right) by Burak Ceyhan

MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE 

Give Prospects An Online 

Response Option 

by Grandmaster Kirk Pelt 

It’s great when you have connections with influential people, 

like the mother who heads up the PTA for one of your children’s 

programs. When this type of person pushes your after school or 

summer camp, you’re bound to get significant numbers of prospects 

to follow. Word of mouth is very powerful, but every one will 

not respond the same way, so you have to have options for greater 

success. 

For example, another parent hears how great one of your 

programs is through the enthusiastic PTA member and she 

tells them to call the school. My experience has shown me that 

half may call, but the other half do not want to pick up 

the phone and talk with someone to express their 

interest. So they’re intrigued, but they don’t want 

to call. 

For these kind of prospects you must be 

sure that you’ve got an alternate response 

mechanism for them. They would much rather 

make a more convenient and impersonal response 

online. So you need to have a website 

set up with the appropriate functionality to get 

the lead into what might be called a funnel. 

Another way to say it is that you drive them 

to a website with a lead capture tool. The 

lead capture is a form on the website 

that enables the prospect to give 

pertinent information to show 

their interest and take up an offer. 

Sometimes this is referred 

to as an opt-in form. It needs 

to be well crafted and thought 

out so you get the information 

you actually need to 

capture the lead. 

Next with the information 

about the prospect 

demonstrating their 

interest in your offers or one of your programs, you have to connect 

back. This is where what is called a lead funnel mechanism 

comes into play because you’re not just sitting around waiting 

to send a personalized email to a prospect or at least you 

shouldn’t be. The funnel needs to be equipped with email follow 

up sequences to reel the prospect into the doors of your school. 

The funneled email sequence must be automated and appropriate 

in response. That means, timely and with the right 

content, so it actually addresses the prospect and what they 

are looking for. Basically, a well crafted lead funnel will draw 

the person further and further in the direction that you wish for 

them to go which is into your school. 

With this option as a response mechanism, you won’t lose 

the other fifty percent that doesn’t wish to make a phone call or 

talk to someone. The momentum you gain from the influential 

word of mouth of the PTA mom will lead to pings on your phone 

of one, two, three people who’ve opted-in for your offer or program 

because you gave them an alternative option to respond. 

You’ll have a waiting list in no time, just like I did. 

GRANDMASTER KIRK PELT is an 8th degree black belt and is the President of a multimillion 

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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AdventuresOfHarryAndFriends.com ................23 

Amazing Martial Arts Websites 

AmazingMartialArtsWebsites.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 81 

AMS Billing 

OurAMS.com ............................. 25, 70, 108 

AMSkids 

OurAMS.com/AfterSchool ......................35, 85 

Break Like a Champ 

TeamChipTKD.com ................................79 

Budo International Magazine 

BudoInternational.com .............................50 

Extraordinary Marketing 

ExtraordinaryMarketing.com ........................75 

Master Karen Eden 

CenturyMartialArts.com ............................15 


ElitePublications.org ...........................17, 107 

Kick Start Kids 

KickStartKids.org ..................................19 

Kids Point MMA 

PointMMA.com ....................................87 

Kovar Systems 

KovarSystems.com ................................49 

Learn the Sword 

LearnTheSword.com ...............................27 

Lee Milteer 

Milteer.com ........................................91 

MA Biz Academy 

MABizAcademy.com .......................... 55, 101 


MaBusinessInstitute.com ......................29, 105 

Martial Arts History Museum 

MAMuseum.com ..................................95 

Ninja Fighting Techniques 

tuttlepublishing.com ...............................31 

Otomix 

Otomix.com .......................................13 

Sport Karate Museum 

SportKarateMuseumArchives.com ..................97 

An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes 

NinjaSelfDefense.com .............................47 


4d-2d.com ........................................86 


TomPatire.com ....................................34 

Warrior Defence Lab 

TheEvolutionOfKrav.com ...........................77 


YkKim.com ....................................45, 68 


Lulu.com ..........................................26 


THE WARRIOR WAY 

Pressure and Choice In 

Motivation 

by Grandmaster Bill Clark 

By asking yourself a series of questions, you not only discover what your true 

motivation is in life, but you can use it to create pressure on yourself to perform. Wait a 

minute! Aren’t we trying to get rid of pressure? Well, it all depends… 

Not all pressure is bad; some pressure is good. Good can motivate 

you into taking positive action on things that are important to 

do. The physical definition of pressure is: A force that pushes or 

urges… but we also define the word through the emotions we 

assign to it in our lives. So the emotional definition of pressure can 

mean a constant state of worry and urgency. 

As my dear friend, Dr. Jenny Susser - an extraordinary 

sport psychologist specializing in human 

performance, says: Pressure is just pressure! How 

you feel about it is what makes the difference – 

to empower you or defeat you. Choose! 

The Power To Choose 

We have the power to choose. We all 

feel pressure in our life, personally, 

professionally, spiritually, with 

our health, wealth, family, 

pets, responsibilities, community, 

success, failure… 

but some of us deal 

with it much better 

than others. So I’m 

going to propose 

to you that your 

response is heavily 

influenced by 

your relationship 

to your goals and 

motivations in life. 

If you are on track, it’s almost impossible to be knocked over 

when pressures mount. Instead it can make you even more determined 

and can take your motivation to a whole new level. I think 

about world leaders and business icons who were unstoppable, 

came back from bankruptcy or unspeakable events in the world. 

And I think about people and friends who’s bout with life-threatening 

illness totally reframed their sense of self and motivation to live 

fulfilled lives. 

When life is relatively comfortable, your motivation is lower – 

you’re not as hungry as when you were younger, fitter, healthier, 

poorer. Motivation is also low when you don’t have a compelling 

reason or reward to do it. 

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 multi-school owners in the world. 


Photo (right) by anutr tosirikul

TACTICAL SELF-DEFENSE 

Each Situation Dictates 

Its Own Response (Part 1) 

By Tom Patire 

Looking at today’s volatile, unpredictable world one can see that real-world selfdefense, 

total situational awareness, and personal preservation are needed more 

than ever. 

People are being victimized not only on the streets 

but in their homes, schools, places of worship and 

businesses, which all have proved to be vulnerable 

targets. Most attacks are random with the 

underlying majority being hate crimes, activeshooter 

with media intent, robberies, car-jackings 

or wrong-place wrong-time scenarios. The 

collateral damage being extensive physical 

harm or death to the innocent victim(s), making 

major headlines on the news and social media 

platforms. Certain types of crimes focus just on 

the monetary value of what they can steal or rob 

and how quickly. Many of those types 

of crimes do not have a fatal 

ending for the victim. 

I personally don’t 

believe that any material 

possession is worth 

risking your life on 

and yet there are 

some instructors that 

teach self-defense 

type systems that 

disagree with 

me. Whether you 

believe in the adage 

judged by 12 

or carried by six, 

that should be your 

own personal choice 

since it is your life. Influencing students or trainees that attend 

your course or classes because of your belief is not being a 

responsible Instructor. Explaining all sides, the good, the bad 

and the ugly is what teaching is all about. That’s why in defense 

you have a choice, and that choice should be considered if you 

are alone (not protecting a loved one) and you are only gambling 

with your life risking your own personal harm. Never forget that 

training in classrooms (no matter how hard you go at it) still has 

control variables like rules and guidelines. It must be that way 

otherwise people would be severely hurt. maybe even killed, 

while training in a martial arts classroom. Not good for business 

to say the least. 

In today’s world rules, guidelines and laws go out the window 

when it comes to malicious based attacks. Criminals or physical 

abusers don’t respect your personal welfare or the laws that 

govern it, and the lack of care allows them to be more ruthless and 

vicious because they fear nothing. With that in play it all comes 

down to each situation dictating its own response. Proficient selfdefense 

skills are a tool in your toolbox of personalized protection. 

That along with total situational awareness, readability, de-escalation 

techniques plus a variety of physical defensive and offensive 

martial arts-based skills that can aid or save you or a loved ones 

from possible injury or death. Many variables can dictate the 

survival outcome of an altercation in one’s life as long as the mind 

and body are a cohesive unit and are an undeniable, unbreakable 

team. Judgment or lack thereof of what to do and when to do it 

along with proficiency and accuracy helps or hinder surviving the 

situation that presents itself. 

Continued Next Issue 

GRANDMASTER TOM PATIRE, is known as “America’s Leading Personal Safety Expert” and has appeared 

on Good Morning America, The CBS Morning Show, The Colbert Report, Montel, plus in mainstream publications such as 

Family Circle, Redbook, Fortune Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. He has written several books and has personal 

safety programs that can be incorporated into your martial arts school, available at TomPatire.com. 


TOOL 

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Appreciation Day. It is a 

wonderful retention event 

that can help you recruit for 

years to come. 

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To receive this Special Gift, visit 

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Tools & Tactics 

Do You Spend or 

Invest Your Time? 

by Ms. Chris Lee 

Motivational speaker Brian Tracy is fond of citing the Pareto Principle, which is 

basically the 80/20 rule. 

In a martial arts school, the rule can be applied to tuition billing 

in that 20% of your students will take up 80% of your time with billing 

problems. In any group, there is always that bottom 

20% who cause trouble – some may actually be 

troublemakers, but most are suffering from an 

accident or bad circumstance. Regardless of 

the reason, they have problems, 

and therefore you 

have problems. 

What if I told 

you that you could 

change the 80/20 

rule and reduce that 

20% to ZERO? 

You can, with 

AMS billing. AMS 

will handle all 

of your tuition billing, including 

that dreaded 20% of problem 

students, so you can invest 100% 

of your time in better instruction 

and promotion of your school. 

It just makes sense to separate 

tuition billing from instruction. 

The master should focus 

his attention on helping his (or 

her) students improve, not on 

being a bill collector. Students 

who have a financial problem 

should speak to a financial 

counselor, not their master 

instructor. 

A lot of schools assign a 

member of the school staff to take on the role of bill collection, to 

insulate the master. However, this situation still creates an adversarial 

relationship between the student 

and the school. It is far better to have a 

middle man to absorb the abuse, and 

keep a positive relationship between 

the student and the school. 

Now, some people will say that hiring 

a middle man is too expensive. In reality, 

hiring a professional saves you money. The 

AMS account representatives are trained in the 

latest programs and techniques to achieve the 

highest rate of collection in the industry. They will 

get you more money than your staff would because 

they have the knowledge and experience that your 

staff does not have. Plus, they follow the guidelines of the 

Fair Debt Collection Act so that you and your school will not be 

subject to lawsuits for unfair practices. 

Even more important is the fact that AMS is not just a tuition 

billing company. They are also a marketing and management company, 

helping you enroll more students, keep them longer, and 

manage better. Think about it – if you took the time you and your 

staff spend dealing with those problem accounts and turned that 

into time recruiting new students, how much more income would 

you make? Now, add to that programs and promotions that have 

proven effective all over the country to add 10 or more new students 

a month and thousands of dollars in income, and you have a 

service that doesn’t COST you money, it MAKES you money. 

So the question remains: do you SPEND your time chasing 

after students for money, or do you INVEST your time in acquiring 

new students? 

AMS can save you time and make you money. Invest five minutes 

in a phone call at 1-800-275-1600 to find out more. 

MS. CHRIS LEE is a martial arts business development consultant with a background in online and 

social media marketing. 


Image (right) by z_wei

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Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 23 | Issue 3

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