Black Belt Business

In this conversation, Matthew Brenner meets with Adam Kifer, founder of Muv Martial Arts, Relentless Media Agency, and Relentless Mastermind. They also delve into the importance of updating martial arts curriculum and removing traditional elements to create a more effective and engaging experience for students. If you are shackled by tradition, this episode is not for you. The conversation highlights the challenges of managing people and the financial aspects of running multiple businesses. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and staying ahead of industry trends. Adam also discusses the importance of asset protection and working with an estate planning attorney. He emphasizes the need to be educated on legal matters and understand the why behind certain decisions. Matthew also shares his approach to tax savings and financial planning, highlighting strategies such as the Augusta rule and paying children and investing in IRAs. Adam provides insights into maintaining a healthy relationship with family while managing multiple business ventures. He discusses his favorite luxury item, his travel experiences, and his plans for new ventures and kickboxing. Finally, he shares the books that have had the most significant impact on his career. Find Adam on instagram @adamkifer Checkout his website here: https://www.relentlessmediaagency.com/ Want to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools? Follow Matthew on Instagram here: @blackbeltbrenner1 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

Matthew interview Cris Rodriguez the founder and CEO of Grow Pro Agency, a digital marketing agency for martial arts schools. She started as a martial arts student and eventually became the first female head instructor of a Taekwondo school. After falling in love with Jiu-Jitsu, she opened her own martial arts school, Gracie Pak MMA. Later, she partnered with the Martial Arts Industry Association to offer digital marketing services to martial arts school owners, leading to the creation of Grow Pro Agency. Cris emphasizes the importance of customer service and building a strong U.S. based local team. She also discusses the significance of setting goals and practicing gratitude. They discuss various topics, including financial literacy, the power of AI, and their goals for the future. You can find Cris here: Grow Pro Agency website: https://growproagency.com/ Want to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools? Follow Matthew on Instagram here: @blackbeltbrenner1 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

In this episode of the Black Belt Business podcast, Matthew Brenner shares a compelling story about how he generated 47 new adult leads for his martial arts school through organic marketing strategies. He discusses the importance of diversifying marketing efforts beyond paid ads, recounts a heroic act by one of his instructors that garnered significant media attention, and details the challenges faced in bringing a talented instructor from South Africa to the U.S. The conversation highlights the power of community engagement and the impact of personal stories in marketing. In this conversation, Matthew Brenner shares his journey of leveraging community stories and local engagement to enhance marketing strategies for his martial arts school. He discusses the importance of capturing authentic narratives, utilizing social media effectively, and creating strategic partnerships to drive student enrollment. Through a compelling story about a community member's experience, he illustrates how organic marketing can lead to significant media coverage and sustainable growth.Follow @blackbeltbrenner1

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.

Matthew Brenner interviews Tim Hartman, a prominent figure in Filipino martial arts and a martial arts influencer. They discuss Tim's journey in martial arts, the importance of engaging youth, and the marketing strategies that can help martial arts schools thrive. Tim Hartman discusses his experiences in martial arts training, particularly focusing on situational awareness, training law enforcement and military personnel, and the real-world applications of martial arts techniques. He shares insights on the emotional weight of self-defense, the impact of violence on mental health, and the injuries sustained during training. The discussion also touches on the evolving perspectives on martial arts, the McDojo debate, and the significance of social media in growing his presence and business. Tim reflects on unexpected viral success and the recognition he has received in the martial arts community.

In this engaging conversation, Matthew Brenner and Adam Kifer explore the intersections of martial arts, fitness, and business. They discuss the differences in focus between martial arts schools and fitness studios. Adam shares insights on personal growth, God, spirituality, and how these elements influence business decisions. The conversation also delves into the use of AI in business strategies and effective organic lead generation techniques.

This episode is part 3 of the series on the 4 Phases Of Martial Arts Schools. This episode is focusing on the transition to the CEO phase ($83K+ / month). They emphasize the importance of hiring and developing leaders, understanding the challenges of management, and creating a team vision. The conversation also covers the significance of metrics tracking for success and the potential profit centers that can enhance revenue. Throughout the discussion, they highlight the need for continuous improvement and adaptation in the martial arts industry.

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner interviews Donovan Rider, owner of Charleston Taekwondo, who shares his journey from a competitive martial artist to a successful school owner with multiple locations.Donovan discusses the challenges and strategies involved in scaling his business, including instructor recruitment, operational management, and real estate considerations. The conversation provides valuable insights for anyone looking to grow a martial arts school or similar business.

Before joining the Double Your Dojo program, Master Michael Mertens was already at the top of the martial arts industry.His five Taekwondo schools in Western New York were serving over 1,700 active students, with a proven team, decades of experience, and a reputation as one of the region’s most established operators. But despite that, Michael knew there was more potential, especially with organic marketing. “We were doing pretty well… but I knew there was still more juice in the lemon,” he said.Although his schools had tried school and daycare programs before, they never found a consistent, scalable system that worked across all five locations without burning out the staff.Yes, he got new students from doing school programs, and working with some daycares, but he knew there was more potential. It’s not about changing everything, it’s about small adjustments. Small hinges swing big doors. That’s when Michael scheduled a discovery call to learn more about the Triangle Codex.Together, we helped his team:✅ Build a fresh “Hit List” of overlooked daycares, afterschool programs, and third-party providers ✅ Simplify his outreach and program setup to avoid exhausting his team ✅ Refine his white belt graduation flow to increase conversions ✅ Train his staff (across all five schools) to enroll students consistently, without relying on leads from adsThe result?📈 400+ new leads (worth $20,000+ in ad spend value) 📈 61 new students enrolled and counting 📈 $146,000+ in projected new revenue THIS YEAR 📈 26 school programs set up through a single third-party partnership 📈 51 New Strategic Partnerships in the education system. And they’re just getting started.If you're tired of hearing “we're doing the best we can with the leads we have,” this is your sign to start giving your team the tools to create their own.Should you run ads for your school? Yes, but that shouldn’t be your only source of new students. A strong team knows how to go out and recruit new students, even if the pipeline is dry. 

This episode is a continuation from the Part 1 episode with the same name. In this episode, Matthew and Solomon Brenner discuss the journey of scaling martial arts schools, focusing on the transition from the Builder Phase to the Scaler Phase. Revenue Range: $30K–$50K/monthFocus: Build the machine. Stop being the machine.Key Responsibilities:Full-time team roles (head instructor, program director, admin)Dialing in retention and pricing for profitabilityWeekly team meetings and accountability systemsMust Master:Staff developmentMetrics tracking (conversion rates, attrition rates, per-student value)Leading vs. doingWe'll have a follow up episode for... Level 4: The CEO PhaseRevenue Range: $50K–$83K/monthStay tuned..

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner is joined by his brother and Action Karate founder, Solomon Brenner, to reveal the 4 phases every martial arts school owner must go through to scale from $0 to $1M in annual revenue. Whether you're just starting out or you're already making over $50K/month, you'll walk away with actionable strategies tailored to your school’s growth stage.From the Hustler Phase ($0–$10K/month) to the CEO Phase ($50K–$83K+/month), they break down the exact skills, systems, and mindset shifts required to grow a 7-figure martial arts business. They share personal stories from their journey scaling Action Karate to over 30 locations and $12M/year, plus what mistakes to avoid and what to focus on at each level of growth.Perfect for school owners looking to:Increase student enrollment without relying on Facebook adsImprove retention with better systems and staff developmentBuild a leadership team that runs your school when you're not thereStop feeling stuck at 100–150 students and finally break throughTurn a small martial arts school into a million-dollar lifestyle businessIf you're serious about growing your school and want to know how top-performing school owners are doing it without gimmicks, listen to this episode.👉 Subscribe for more episodes on martial arts business coaching, student retention, marketing, team building, and leadership development.This episode is part 1, part 2 will be released later for $30K+ schools and $50K+ schools.

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner interviews his brother, Solomon Brenner, the founder of Action Karate. They discuss the impact of the current economic climate on the martial arts industry, the benefits of pop-up locations, and strategies for negotiating leases. Solomon shares insights on build-out costs and the importance of organic marketing in attracting new students. The conversation emphasizes empowering teams to actively recruit and engage with the community to ensure the success of martial arts schools. In this conversation, Matthew and Solomon Brenner discuss strategies for growing martial arts schools, emphasizing the importance of compounding enrollments, embracing rejection, and understanding fixed expenses. They explore the impact of economic changes on business and the necessity of controlling one's own financial situation. The discussion also highlights the value of investing in oneself and the importance of human connections in a technology-driven world.

Matthew Brenner interviews Jewelianna Ramos Ortiz, a martial artist, stunt actor, and aspiring film producer. They discuss Jewels' lifelong journey in martial arts, the challenges faced by female martial artists, and the importance of building a personal brand on social media. Jewels shares her insights on encouraging more women to become martial arts instructors and the value of martial arts in education. The conversation also touches on the transition from competitor to stunt actor and the impact of social media on the martial arts community. In this conversation, Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz shares her journey from a unique martial arts enthusiast to a successful stunt performer and actress. She emphasizes the importance of individuality, the connection between martial arts and stunt work, and the storytelling aspect of stunts. Jewelianna discusses her experiences with high-risk stunts, the challenges of navigating the acting world, and the significance of personal branding versus business branding. She also highlights the necessity of taking action in social media growth and the mindset required to succeed in the entertainment industry.Follow Jewelianna @karate.jewelsFollow Matthew @blackbeltbrenner1

Matthew Brenner interviews Adam Kovacs, a former martial arts athlete turned entrepreneur, who shares his journey from a young karate practitioner in Hungary to becoming a successful fighter and later the co-creator of Karate Combat. Adam discusses the evolution of karate, the challenges of transitioning to a professional fighter, and the cultural shifts in how karate is perceived today. He also delves into the innovative approach of integrating cryptocurrency into fight promotions, the challenges faced in the industry, and the future of karate in the digital age. In this conversation, Adam S. Kovacs shares his journey through the world of martial arts and event production, discussing the challenges and lessons learned from his experiences with Karate Combat and his new venture, Dirty Boxing Championship. He reflects on the emotional toll of leaving a legacy, the importance of understanding the unique needs of fighters and fight promotions, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives him to create scalable solutions for the fight industry. The discussion also touches on the significance of branding, identity, and the role of ego in personal and professional growth.Follow Adam @adam_skovacs Follow Matthew @blackbeltbrenner1

Host Matthew Brenner interviews Cody Brien, a super fan and content creator for Cobra Kai. Cody shares his journey from being a passionate fan to becoming a YouTube creator, discussing his experiences on set, interactions with the show's creators, and the impact of Cobra Kai on martial arts culture. The conversation also delves into Cody's future plans for content creation, monetization strategies, and advice for aspiring creators.Find him on @strike1stmedia

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner interviews Adam Snyder, the owner of the Fight Science Collective, who specializes in sports performance for martial artists. Adam shares his journey from a young martial artist to a professional coach, emphasizing the importance of recovery, nutrition, and a scientific approach to training. He discusses the unique challenges martial artists face compared to athletes in other sports, particularly regarding recovery and nutrition. Adam provides insights into common misconceptions about recovery practices and nutrition strategies for martial arts school owners and instructors, highlighting the need for planning and prioritizing health to enhance performance.Follow Adam @fightsciencecollectiveWant to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools? Follow Matthew on Instagram here:  ⁠@blackbeltbrenner1⁠If you want to grow your martial arts school organically- WITHOUT relying on paid ads, and bring in 60 new students in 16 weeks, ⁠schedule a call with Matthew HERE to see if we’re a good fit for your goals: https://calendar.app.google/4iebpmfcm547p5Bu6Want to see an 8 minute explainer video on how it all works? ⁠https://www.doubleyourdojo.com/⁠⁠