When most people take a course on leadership, they may picture the instructor as a seasoned veteran of Corporate America, a man or woman wearing a power suit, or perhaps even a guru like Brian Tracy or John Maxwell.
Most wouldn’t picture a 23-year old in a karate uniform.
But that’s the reality every evening at a martial arts academy in Charlotte, NC. Sam Wegert, owner of SuperKicks Karate, and the other instructors on his team dedicate their careers to teaching families leadership skills fused with martial arts.
“Martial Arts and leadership are a perfect match. Since ancient times, martial arts has been used by young and old to develop character traits like discipline, confidence, and respect. And what’s better is that martial arts is both physical and mental, so our students not only become leaders in their schools or jobs, but leaders of their own bodies.”
Wegert isn’t the only one who believes this. Peak-performance coach Tony Robbins, who holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, agrees. “Using your body as a way to change your mental and emotional state is the single most powerful and the fastest factor you can access.” This is seen in Robbins’ seminars, which incorporate martial arts techniques. “To demonstrate it, I would do board breaking, brick breaking and then breaking with my head.”
Ever since the days of the “Karate Kid” with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, the general public has been aware of the life skills taught in traditional martial arts. But Wegert’s students aren’t painting fences or waxing cars.
“American Karate has been developed to take the best benefits of traditional martial arts training, and presenting it to the modern American family. Traditional teaching methods were designed for a different generation of society. Today, we are dealing with Millennials – the Facebook and iPad generation. Classes need to be high energy and fast paced to match the learning styles of today’s youth.”
What is perhaps most amazing is how Master Wegert – as his students address him – has accomplished so much at a young age.
Wegert owns two martial arts academies – one in Charlotte, NC as well as a second in Charlottesville, VA. While most millennials his age are just starting their careers, or going to grad school, he has been in the trenches of his business for years.
“I was homeschooled. So when I finished high school when I was 16, my parents asked me what I wanted to do. I told them I wanted to go to college, and so I did. But after about a year my heart really knew it I wasn’t in the right place… and so when my instructor encouraged me to follow my passion, I opened my first school.”
Seven years later he has a million-dollar-a-year business.
“The best thing is that I get to help other young men and women follow their passions, just like my instructor did for me.”
To find out more about how Wegert teaches martial arts and leadership, go to: http://www.superkickskarate.org.