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On the Spirit of Giving

December 14, 2023 by KMMA

I am really proud of the present we had made for our students this year.

These beautiful gifts serve not only as beautiful ornaments, but also awesome Vision tools for students to keep their eyes on their Blackbelt Leader Goal date!

Special thanks to the great Mrs. Rebecca Bar-Av for helping me bring this Vision to life with her mad skills!

If you haven’t gotten yours yet, make sure you pick it up this week in class!

 

Speaking of gifts, and the spirit of giving, we also designed beautiful gift certificates for our students to gift their friends.

These are a real $300 value, and worth so much more than that.

Thank you to my son, the great Shihan Harley Del Castillo, for his help in me bringing this idea to life with his skills.

Students, be sure to get a couple to give your best friends.

If you are reading this and don’t have a friend at KMMA yet, I’ve got one for you too! 

And speaking of skills, the best gifts really are those that keep on giving.

It’s why I love our Blackbelt Leadership Program and believe every family should have it.

Unlike most gifts, that tarnish, tatter, are outgrown, or otherwise rendered useless relatively quickly and usually within the year,

the training of our Blackbelt Leadership Program equips people for life.

It is an investment that yields the greatest dividends, because it prepares students to survive and thrive the inevitable challenges of life, while also empowering them with the gifts of leadership, public speaking and other success skills, along with the Blackbelt Superpowers of Focus, Respect, Discipline, Confidence, Gratitude and Vision, the principles of courtesy, modesty, integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit, the qualities of speed, focus, power, accuracy, intensity and excellence, and the peace that comes from knowing one can defend oneself and one’s family too…

 

Maybe I am a little biased.

After all, I have been a martial artist for over 40 years and, more importantly, have been building our program at Krav Maga Martial Arts for over 23, I’ve watched my kids and now grandson grow up in it, as well as so many other confident and competent Blackbelt Leaders along the way- many who have gone on to leadership position in the military, industry, ministry and are making a positive difference in others’ lives around the world, and many who are still around and helping us do so through the Mission and Vision of KMMA today.

I know first hand what my program can do.

So yes, I am biased a little, I have to be candid with you.

And, so long as I am being so transparent, that’s my greatest gift of all.

As sure as I am that an investment in my KMMA Blackbelt Leadership Program is the greatest gift anyone could ever give themself or their family, it’s also true that watching the kids (and adults) that are my tribe grow in their skills, attitudes, aptitudes and leadership is an amazing gift for me.

There is no greater feeling than promoting Blackbelt Leaders and watching them win at life! 

 

Thank you.

Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!

Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com         StephenDelCastillo.com

A Testimonial from Retired LTC Sonya D. Ferreira
   (Ephraim’s mom)
Recently, I was on travel and started my day at 2:30 am to catch a morning flight back to Tampa so I could attend my son’s KMMA Blackbelt Leadership School ceremony. I am inspired every time I go. As a retired military officer, I had numerous leadership classes and training opportunities over the past three decades with the majority of my professional career focused on leading others. However, those leadership programs start later in life when most character traits and mindsets have been formed. There are too few places parents can enroll their children that instill true leadership values with character development while practicing standards of excellence for personal and professional growth; Tampa KMMA is one of those places!
The leadership principles taught in the KMMA Blackbelt Leadership School aligns with principles taught to adult leaders in professional programs like the ones I attended. Students learn to be leaders first then protectors when necessary. While KMMA is a practical self-defense and good exercise, the leadership program and character development is what makes it stand out from other activities. To be surrounded with adults and students of all ages who encourage core values is a treasure, not to mention the safe environment that is created within the KMMA tribe – they take care of each other. The disciplines taught in KMMA leadership school are refreshing and reinforce time-tested virtues like self-discipline, persistence, integrity, focus, respect, work ethic and motivation in addition to self-defense.
As parents, we make investments into our children every day one way or another. I decided I wanted to invest in my son’s potential rather than deal with potential issues later. Leadership and character development are lessons, once learned, no one can take away; they are assets that keep giving over the course of a lifetime. I am truly grateful for the vision of Grandmaster Stephen Del Castillo and Grandmaster Jeff Smith for making KMMA more than a business; it is a community that cares. They have committed a lifetime of service to others that is making a positive impact in families.
My son’s life has not been the same since joining KMMA. We tried various activities to include Scouts and sports but nothing else resonated with him like this leadership program. In the past year, he has transformed into a stronger student who is more motivated with a positive attitude. He is demonstrating new leadership skills, making better decisions, and his confidence is growing. More importantly, he understands he is accountable for his growth and has a responsibility to be a good student at school, home, and KMMA.
I sincerely appreciate everything KMMA leaders have invested into children in the Tampa Bay community. Their partnership with parents is making a difference and producing the future leaders of leaders in the next generation.
Respectfully,
Sonya D. Ferreira

TampaKravMaga.com and Krav Maga Martial Arts have been empowering lives through the martial arts in the Tampa Bay area for 20 years!

Founded in 2000 by Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo, a 7th degree Black Belt and Sr. Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts and Karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need – specialized for their age group – for school excellence and later success in life.

Krav Maga Martial Arts Adult Krav Maga training is a complete adult self defense, fitness, and conditioning program for adults who want to learn real world self defense, lose weight, and/or get (and stay in shape).

If you have any questions about our program, or would like to go ahead redeem your 2 weeks FREE, you can call us anytime at 813-547-6368 or visit our Krav Maga Martial Arts website.

About Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo: Grandmaster Del Castillo is the founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts and has been empowering lives in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties since October of 2000. He is a 7th degree Blackbelt, MBA, author, mentor and success coach, a US Army Veteran and a proud father and grandfather. He is married to Ms. Barbara Del Castillo who helps him run the school. Grand Master Del Castillo began his training in the early 80’s and has high level blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Premier Martial Arts and Krav Maga Martial Arts as well as experience in kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Jiujitsu. He has high level instructor certifications from BBSI, IKMF, and KMG and has been featured in numerous Martial Arts publications and also Success magazine. He was a competitive sport karate and American Kickboxing instructor until he enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he won an Army Green to Gold scholarship and proceeded to ROTC and the University of Tampa. He was commisioned in 1992 and went on to serve in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division and then in several other posts in the US until he left military service to pursue his dream of creating KMMA in 2000.

The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., 33549. Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and surrounding areas.

Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com