The premier school owner and martial arts instructors’ association for 20+ years.
Since launching in 2003, the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association (MATA) has been a proven resource for martial arts school owners, instructors, and martial arts entrepreneurs seeking education and inspiration to grow their schools.
No Styles. No Baggage.
MATA represents school owners from every discipline — from Karate, Kung Fu and Taekwondo to Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.
As a member, you will get access to everything to accelerate your growth, security, and long-term success.
How We Support Your Success
From insurance to marketing, we provide the resources and advocacy martial arts school owners need.
Managing Your Martial Arts School
Strengthen your leadership with MANAGING YOUR MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL, covering operations, staff, systems, and growth strategies. Join the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association today!
Marketing Your Martial Arts School
MARKET YOUR MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL with proven strategies to attract students and grow your school. Join the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association (MATA) today!
Martial Arts Instructors' Training
Knowing how to PERFORM A SKILL IS DIFFERENT FROM KNOWING HOW TO TEACH IT. Strong pedagogy helps students progress faster, improves retention, maintains high standards, and creates confident, capable instructors.
Financial Control for Martial Arts schools
Learn about FINANCIAL CONTROL FOR MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS—boost profits, stabilize cash flow, reduce stress, and grow your school. Join today!
Selling Martial Arts Classes
Learn How to SELL MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES with ethical enrollment strategies, clear communication, and proven systems that increase conversions and retention. Join today!
Summer Camps & After-School
Learn how run SUMMER CAMPS & AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS—which often the most profitable programs in a school. Join the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association today!
Martial Arts Instructor Courses
Strengthen your school with MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR AND OWNER COURSES focused on practical teaching skills, leadership, and proven business systems. Join the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association today!
Webinars/Video to Grow Your Martial Arts School
Access WEBINARS and VIDEO TO GROW YOUR MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL with practical strategies, real-world insights, and step-by-step guidance to increase enrollment and improve operations. Join the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association today!
Special Events for Your Martial Arts School
Plan profitable SPECIAL EVENTS FOR YOUR MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL that boost revenue, build community, and increase student retention. Join the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association today!
Proven Systems to help your martial arts school to grow
Join thousands of martial arts school owners who have used MATA membership to grow their schools.
- LEARN PROVEN SYSTEMS TO GROW YOUR SCHOOL.
- ENROLL MORE STUDENTS INTO YOUR SCHOOL.
- BECOME A BLACK BELT IN BUSINESS.
- GET YOUR STAFF TO SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE AND WORK IN SYNC
- Enroll and renew more students.
- GIVE YOUR STUDENTS AN EXPERIENCE THEY CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK TO.
- GET ACCESS TO ON-DEMAND TRAINING IN OUR MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR'S LIBRARY
What Our Members Say
Just a few of thousands of school owners who have transformed their businesses with a MATA membership
★★★★★
“I can honestly say that John Graden over-delivered on his promise to provide a comprehensive and impactful program.“
Buster Hash
Order Of Isshinryu Martial Arts
★★★★★
I highly recommend this program!!! MATA is the whole package and then some. There is no better way to make your martial arts school top tier. The team at MATA has put together an incredible system that leaves no stone unturned.
Mike Baig
Submission Factory MMA
Los Angeles, CA
★★★★★
“Empower Kickboxing is a great system that is easy to teach and easy for your students to learn.The techniques are practical and real Martial Arts skills.“
Mike Hartman
Black Belt Karate Center
Orlando, Fl
John Graden rocked the martial arts business by creating the industries’ first professional association, NAPMA, and then the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association (MATA).
“John Graden has created some of the most successful organizations in the martial arts.” — Black Belt Magazine
Martial Arts World magazine dubbed Graden as, The “Teacher of Teachers.”
Mr. Graden’s leadership was recognized in many mainstream media outlets including a cover story on the Wall Street Journal, documentaries on A&E Network, and as a guest on the Dr. Oz Show.
Membership Options
MATA-BASIC - FREE
√ Basic MATA Courses
√ 1,500+ Articles on Growing a Martial Arts School
√ Discounts from our Partners
√ Email questions to John Graden for help
MATA-Pro - $9/mth
√ All MATA Courses
√ 1,000+ Videos including How to Videos on Business, Teaching, and Skill Development, Webinars, and Podcasts
√ 1,200+ Ads, Flyers, Templates for Marketing, Managing and Branding Your School
√ 1,500+ Articles on Growing a Martial Arts School
√ Discounts from our Partners
√ Email questions to John Graden for help
Empower Kickboxing
Single-page website ($97-month) or 5-7 page website ($147-month) with Cloud Hosting, SSL, and On-Page SEO.
√ Four Year Empower Kickboxing Rotating Curriculum
(Easy to teach and easy to learn.)
Month 1. Martial Arts (Open hand strikes)
Month 2. Kickboxing (Joe Lewis System)
Month 3. COBRA-Self-Defense (Law Enforcement Based)
√ Rapid Confidence Course (Social Skills, Verbal Defense, Strategic Decision Making)
√ MATA Certification (One Instructor can complete the course for free annually)
√ MATA Life Skills Subscription for Social Media
√ MATA Pro-Membership
√ Joe Lewis Fighting System (John Graden is a protege of Joe Lewis)
√ COBRA Self-Defense Integration
√ John Graden Coaching YOUR TEAM!