In this special episode Matthew Brenner flies out to Pittsburgh to interview Taekwon Lee, the CEO of the ATA, during one of their large tournaments. This is a live recording, so please give us some grace with the audio. They delve into the intricacies of event management, financial planning for tournaments, and the evolution of the ATA to meet modern needs. The conversation also highlights the importance of creating safe environments, effective marketing strategies, and the role of leadership in supporting school owners. Personal growth and overcoming adversity are emphasized as key themes, along with a vision for the future of the ATA.

Courtney Eardley is a Taekwondo enthusiast and social media mentor. In this episode, we explore the challenges and triumphs of inspiring the next generation of female martial artists. Discover how Courtney's journey from TKD olympic athlete to mentor is paving the way for young women to break barriers and find their place in the martial arts community. Whether you're a seasoned instructor or a newcomer, this conversation offers valuable insights into fostering inclusivity and empowerment in martial arts. Tune in to learn how you can make a difference.

If you wanna learn how to enroll new students from birthday parties, this episode is for you.

Matthew Brenner interviews Jason Purcell, a successful martial arts school owner in Seattle, who shares insights on how to effectively use birthday parties as a marketing tool to enroll new students. It's the main marketing strategy Jason used to scale to $135K per month in recurring gross revenue.

He provides detailed strategies for creating engaging birthday party experiences that not only entertain children but also promote the school's values and programs to parents, so the guests turn into new students.

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner and social media expert Lizzy Friedman, founder of Iconic, dive into the essentials of crafting a compelling social media presence for martial arts schools.

Listeners will learn:

Effective Social Media Strategies: Discover how to create engaging content that attracts new students without overwhelming your schedule.

You'll also see live audits and insights: Gain valuable insights from live audits of real martial arts school Instagram accounts, highlighting what works and what doesn't.

Building Community and Engagement: Learn the importance of community involvement and how to leverage social media to foster connections and drive business growth.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your social media game.

Stop waiting weeks to enroll new students. Here's how to enroll new students faster.

Matthew Brenner interviews Jesse Isaacs, the owner of Integrity Martial Arts, with 6 locations grossing $4M/ year.

If you want to learn how to scale your schools past 1 location or create one HIGHLY profitable school, this episode is for you.

They discuss their strategy for instructor pay, how to keep business and family relationships healthy without killing each other, and what to think about BEFORE opening your 2nd location.

In this episode, Matthew Brenner interviews Stan Lee, a martial arts instructor and business owner, about the importance of character development in martial arts schools. He shares what martial arts school owners do wrong, specifically with younger students, and what they should do instead so character development sticks. Stan spends 6 months yachting, and 6 months at his school. Pretty cool, huh? If you

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner interviews Chris, a seasoned martial arts instructor turned corporate speaker and coach. Chris shares his journey from running martial arts schools to engaging with corporate audiences and youth groups. He shares his strategies from turning instructors into leaders.

From Chris's Desk..

🥋 ATTENTION MARTIAL ARTS COMMUNITY!We’re inviting all of our students, instructors, and school owners to an unforgettable celebration honoring one of the most iconic figures in martial arts history — Bill “Superfoot” Wallace turns 80!🎉 Join us for the Superfoot 80th Birthday Bash🗓️ November 7–8, 2025📍 Indianapolis, Indiana✅ Friday Night Meet & Greet with martial arts legends✅ Saturday Training Spectacular with world-class instructors✅ Saturday Evening Dinner Celebration honoring Superfoot’s legacy🎟️ Early Bird Tickets are available now through September 30th 🔗 https://bit.ly/4nPTElQ

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, host Matthew Brenner interviews martial arts master Greg Silva, who shares his extensive experience in the martial arts industry. Silva discusses his journey from opening his first school in 1972, closing 5 successful locations, to becoming a successful consultant. He reflects on the evolution of the martial arts industry, the importance of location and marketing, and the challenges of managing personnel. The conversation also touches on the impact of MMA on traditional martial arts.

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner interviews Zulfi Ahmed, founder of Bushi Ban international. Zulfi shares his journey from Pakistan to the United States, detailing his experiences in building a successful martial arts empire. He discusses the importance of leadership, systems, and mentorship in the martial arts business, as well as the various types of school models he employs. The conversation also touches on student recruitment strategies, the impact of technology, and how to maintain healthy relationships with your instructors.