Martial Arts Business Coaching And Preserving Traditional Values
For nearly all my adult life, I’ve taught martial arts professionally and operated full-time martial arts schools… so I know EXACTLY what challenges you face, day in an, I told you that the only way to preserve traditional martial arts values in this industry is for like-minded instructors band together.
I’d like you to know exactly what I’m doing for martial arts instructors through Martial Art Business U.
But before I tell you how we’re doing that, I feel it’s important to explain to you how I ended up launching this huge project (which has taken me the better part of a year to realize) and how exactly that can benefit you as a school owner.
“Oh No… Not Another Damned Consulting Company!”
Back when I was just running my schools, do you know how tired I got of people in the industry trying to get into my wallet?
Sure you do – because you probably feel the same way. And that’s why, ten years ago, I could have never, ever imagined myself doing what I do now… running a popular martial arts business blog, providing online coaching to hundreds of school owners, and helping new school owners find their way through a minefield of conflicting information and advice.
The thing is, I didn’t get in this for the money… in fact, I never meant to get in this thing at all. This all started out with me writing a martial arts business manual about doing business honestly and with common-sense fiscal values. But, it ended up with me becoming a weekly advice columnist for thousands of martial arts school owners and instructors.
Why Martial Arts Business U?
Not that I’m complaining… and to tell you the truth, I really don’t mind it at all. While I never intended to become a business coach, I have to say I enjoy helping school owners succeed.
But I never intended to do this full-time, even after it took off. So once I started getting a lot of requests for advice and business guidance, I knew I’d have to find a way to deliver information on a mass scale soon… else I’d be spending all my time working with individual clients and I’d never have a life.
Funny thing about that… did you know that there’s a lot more money in doing one-on-one consulting?
Sure, I could make a killing charging people for “consulting packages” (what I call prolonging your pain – consultants make a lot more money when they take a roundabout route to helping you solve your problems).
So, why don’t I do that?
Number one – and I’m being perfectly honest here – I don’t believe that it’s an efficient use of my time. Second, I value my time dearly, and quite frankly most school owners who need solid business advice can’t afford to pay my hourly rates.
So, I figure it’s better for both me and the school owners I help each month to deliver information on a mass scale at a very reasonable price. They get what is very nearly personalized coaching at a fraction of the cost, and I get to go hang out at the bookstore or with my wife any day and time of the week I please. It’s a win-win, all the way around.
So, now you can see why I created the MA Biz U site, and why I felt it was worth investing the several months of my life to realize.
Was It Worth It?
Heck yes. I’d have to say that this project has been as rewarding as promoting one of my students to black belt, if not more so.
And truthfully, I am darn proud of the results. As of today we have over 17 hours of step-by-step videos, over 100 information-packed articles, and dozens upon dozens of ad templates and resource documents on the site. In addition, I spend considerable time answering questions in my private coaching group, and frequently respond with new content and webinars that specifically answers the most pressing questions our members have.
The great thing is, our members are also more than willing to help each other out by sharing advice and information on the boards. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to answer a member’s request for advice only to find three or four of our members have beat me to the punch.
They’re a great group of people, and it just goes to show what a strong community we’re building through this coaching group.
Future Plans – Where This Is Headed
One of the issues that’s been bothering me for the last few years is my concern with where the martial arts industry is headed. It seems like every year, we get further and further away from our traditional values, and move more and more toward becoming an industry without a soul or conscience.
“It seems like every year, we get further and further away from our traditional values, and move more and more toward becoming an industry without a soul or conscience.”
Well, I’m not okay with that – at all. And, after reading your responses from last week’s poll, I can’t just stand idly by without doing something about it.
That’s why I’m making it a point to make MA Biz U a haven for instructors who want to preserve their traditional values while still embracing the future.
You see, there’s just no way we can ignore the sweeping social, economic, and technological trends that are going on around us at breakneck speeds each day. To do that would kill the industry just as surely as abandoning our traditional values would.
Even so, I still strongly believe we need to preserve the heritage of traditional values in the martial arts. And, I believe that the best way to do that is to help like-minded martial arts instructors to be financially successful by providing the highest quality of martial arts business advice possible.
“The best way to do (preserve traditional martial arts values) is to help like-minded martial arts instructors to be financially successful by providing the highest quality of martial arts business advice possible.”
And that’s where this is is headed.
We’re Not “Anti-MMA” – We’re Just “Pro-Tradition”
Don’t be mistaken, I’m not “anti-MMA.” In fact, I there’s a lot I like about it and I openly encourage MMA instructors to get coaching through Martial Arts Business U. Besides, like it or not, MMA is here to stay.
Moreover, there are a lot of instructors out there who actually want to teach MMA with traditional values; if anything, I want to see more of that, and to support those instructors.
On the other hand, we’re not going to be abandoning our member’s core values just to make a buck; that’s because we’re here to serve our members and to help them preserve the integrity of the industry.
My ultimate goal is to run a martial arts business coaching program that is progressive enough to stay ahead of trends, while still staying true to the martial arts industry’s traditional roots.
Of course, I don’t have any delusions about how big this thing can get…
However, even 40 or 50 like-minded martial artists banded together can accomplish a great deal with regards to preserving a legacy for generations to come.
Now That You Know How This Coaching Program Came About…
Interested? I hope so, because with every school that joins we grow stronger, and better able to serve our members.
And in case you’re curious, I’m not asking for much with regards to membership fees. And that’s despite the fact that I’ve been told over and over again that other coaching programs are four or five times as much.
But, I want the site to be accessible to all martial arts instructors, even those who are just starting out. And let me be honest about this – we can still deliver quite a lot with regards to business guidance and information, marketing and advertising assistance, and ongoing daily support without charging an arm and a leg for membership.
The Bottom Line…
The bottom line is, this isn’t about me – it’s about you and what your values are. So, I hope you become involved, and also invite others to join in order to help us grow.
Because one thing is certain; if martial arts instructors don’t band together to preserve the traditional values of the martial arts, this industry is going to look entirely different in five or ten years…
…and I have a strong suspicion neither one of us will like how it looks.
I agree 100%. You can count on my support.
Sport is what is destroying martial arts. We must turn back to the traditional values of it. Self defence, developing of the true fighter spirit and better health is the way. Social elements ,respect and honour will follow. Who will save that if we do not? For Our children and for Our hearts
Miroslav, thanks for your vote of support!
I look forward to learning more about MASAI. While I am a fan of MMA, I prefer the traditional approach. It my opinion that MMA belongs in the sports realm like Boxing or Olympic wrestling. While traditional martial arts need to be just that.
Thank you Massie Sensei for looking ahead.
I agree with the values of traditional martial arts even though I am a MMA instructor and school owner. The fact that MMA schools rely on effective, practical training over the theoretical side of martial arts does not mean that MMA coaches and practicioners are lacking in values. A lot of that misconception comes from the way the media portrays MMA.
Ryan, I appreciate your chiming in. And, I’m glad to hear from more MMA instructors who teach traditional martial arts values in their schools.
I really don’t think MMA coaches on the whole are lacking in values. Most people of character have some sort of value system they’ve developed over the years (something I learned while studying moral philosophy in college).
However, as you said the way MMA is portrayed in the media (certain reality shows) unfortunately paints a black eye on MMA instructors and schools as a whole.
So, in my opinion the more MMA instructors out there who get out in their local areas and talk about teaching good values along with good MMA, so much the better. Glad to know you’re one of them!
Contact me anytime for more information, Mr. Fogal. And, while I appreciate the honorific, feel free to refer to me by first name outside of the training hall.
Hey Mike,
You have my full support. I hate meatheads. I really do. And it’s too bad that MMA seems to attract way too many.
Most of our students do BJJ/Judo as a hobby…a way to unwind after work. MMA has brought in a whole new genre of thrill seekers that don’t realize we have to go to work tomorrow without a black eye or limp.
That being said, I don’t think MAs should move away from sport completely. When that happens we have 8yr old blackbelts running around with crazy proud parents that lack reality.
Great idea. Especially for the young cats who thinks that traditional values doesn’t fit in today’s society. I spoke with one of my associates and we discussed the subject of mixed martial arts in society. We answered the questions and had many pro-con discussions. Like anything else, something needs principles and values to make it substantiated and solid. He named a few MMA fighters who were successful because they had traditional training (i.e. karate, taekwondo, and etc). Many of our young cats are enchanted of what the see on t.v.’s reality shows.
Don’t mean to babble. You’re on the right track Mike.
God Bless, remember Haiti, and Semper Fi.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Freddy!
By the way, here a link where folks can give to the Red Cross Haiti fund:
http://www.redcross.org/
Thanks Jason!
In some ways though, MMA’s popularity has led to BJJ schools having a better handle on keeping classes mellow. With all the professionals and execs going to BJJ schools to learn the art, it has forced school owners to examine whether their amateur and pro fighters were driving away their meat and potatoes students.
I have some friends who teach MMA that just don’t get that, and their enrollments and checking accounts bear witness to it.
Tradition is called tradition for a reason. Old, strong values and techniques that have been preserved for a reason. “Because it works!!!!!!!”. There can be variation in style however the foundation has brought us all to where we are today.We need to continue these traditions for our future students and teachers.
Thanks,
Chuck Burns
You can count on me as well for support. I like the bottom line which says “this isn’t about me – it’s about you and what your values are”