🥋 The Black Eye of the Martial Arts Industry: What No One Wants to Talk About

The martial arts industry has a problem—and it’s one no one wants to address.

Yes, McDojo Life has done a great job raising awareness, but there’s a deeper issue being swept under the mat: predatory individuals are slipping through the cracks and being hired to work with children in martial arts schools. And the scary part? We’re letting it happen.

Let’s talk about the ugly truth no one in the industry wants to face.

1. The Silence from Industry “Leaders”

Years ago, I had a call with a well-known consultant in the martial arts world. I asked a direct question:
"What can we do to better train and vet instructors to prevent abuse and keep students safe?"

Their response?
"People know what to do. We don’t need to talk about it."

That’s the problem. Everyone thinks they know what to do, but no one wants to actually do the work—or have the uncomfortable conversation.

2. The Background Check Illusion

Many school owners do basic background checks and think they’re covered. But did you know that most Tier 2 background checks (often considered the standard for public school teachers) only go back two years and don’t check for aliases?

Here’s what else they won’t tell you:
✅ Sex offenders can legally change their names after conviction.
✅ Those new identities often bypass these basic checks.

You need a deeper, more comprehensive check. And you need to update it regularly. This is non-negotiable when you’re responsible for the safety of children.

3. No Training = No Accountability

How many schools have a structured system for teaching staff what’s appropriate and what’s not?

Your team should be trained on:

• Proper physical correction boundaries (where hands should and shouldn't go)

• Asking permission before physically correcting a student

• Policies that prevent staff from ever being alone with a student

• Clear rules about staff never transporting students or meeting them outside of school events

If your team isn’t trained, you’re gambling with your reputation—and your students' safety.

4. Install Cameras. Everywhere.

(Except bathrooms—obviously.)

Every room, every angle. Period. Not because you don’t trust your team, but because:
✅ Accountability protects everyone
✅ Cameras remove ambiguity
✅ They protect your business and your students

Only YOU should have access to the backend camera system. No one else should have the ability to delete or alter footage.

5. Write It Down. Train It Often. Enforce It Without Hesitation.

Have a written employee manual that lays all of this out. Every rule. Every policy. Every non-negotiable.

At our school, there is zero tolerance for violations.
🚫 Alone with a student? Fired.
🚫 Staff-only area with a student? Fired.
🚫 Bathroom incident? Fired.

Parents are trusting us with their kids. We don’t mess around with that. And neither should you.

👊 Final Word: Raise Your Standards

If you’ve read this and feel uncomfortable—that’s a good thing. It means you care.

You don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your standards.

Want to go deeper on this? Watch this full sit-down where we get into the details of why this matters and what needs to change:
🎥 Watch Here

Let’s do better. Not just for our schools, but for the families who trust us every single day.

This week’s social lineup is all about ownership, clarity, and leadership that actually makes a difference. These aren’t just quotes—they’re calls to action for school owners ready to lead at a higher level.

🔥 Andy Frisella – Analysis Paralysis is Killing Your Momentum
Overthinking? Overplanning? Andy breaks down why taking imperfect action beats sitting still every time.
👉 Read Here (Facebook Post)

🔥 Taylor Welch – Don’t Betray Yourself
If you know what needs to be done but keep putting it off, you’re not avoiding the task—you’re avoiding who you’re supposed to become.
👉 Read Here (Facebook Post)

🔥 Bedros Keuilian – Invest in What Can’t Be Taken From You
Skills. Discipline. Character. Bedros reminds us that the most valuable assets in business and life are the ones no one can steal.
👉 Read Here (Facebook Post)

🔥 Adam Kifer – Want a Safer School? Start With Yourself
From mat culture to instructor accountability, creating a safe and respectful school starts with the example you set as the owner.
👉 Watch Here (Facebook Reel)

🔥 Kelly Murray – You Don’t Have a Manager… You Have an Expensive Assistant
If your manager can’t run a shift without you, you don’t have a manager—you have another person on payroll waiting for direction.
👉 Read Here (Facebook Post)

💥 Apply what hits, share it with your team, and keep raising the standard in your school. 

😂 Martial Memes

These memes hit home for all of us martial artists and gave us a good chuckle. Click on the image to view the original account that posted each meme. Enjoy!

Have a MEME that you want featured? Send them to us at [email protected] or tag our instagram account @thekicknewsletter.