What Makes Us Unique?
When someone asks me what makes Krav Maga Martial Arts unique, it’s hard to isolate one thing.
It’s hard to keep it even to three.
But that’s what I am going to do for you today.
1. We are a leadership development academy that also happens to teach the most practical self defense.
I was a martial artist for over 22 years when I first found Krav Maga. I realized, in my thirties and having already opened the school at that time, that this self protection system had much I was missing. It truly was the most practical self defense. So I went back to school and studied with multiple teachers and organizations to learn. From the decade or so of progressive training and certifications, I developed the particular Krav Maga self defense curriculum that we teach at Krav Maga Martial Arts.
But I didn’t throw away all I had gained from the decades of traditional martial arts training before. My current system has multiple elements incorporated from my training in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kickboxing and Kali too.
Today I continue to train, learn, sow and grow under the mentorship of World Champion and 10th Degree Grandmaster Jeff Smith, who regularly visits the academy to help sow into my teams and students as well.
As importantly, the philosophy, pedagogy and psychology that makes my program unique was created not just through education in each, but over 34 years of progressive leadership experience, and the 24 years evolving our program at KMMA.
The result is an amazing Blackbelt Leadership Program that prepares students to survive and thrive in any situation; and empowers them to lead, where they’re at and into their future.
2. We focus on the family.
There was a period of time when I taught Krav Maga only to the adults, and martial arts only to the kids.
We also followed the normal process in the industry, wherein the kids train at one time and the adults at another.
Neither of these things is true anymore.
All of my classes are family classes, and the whole class gets to train together.
Now, because we have multiple certified instructors on the floor at any time, the adults train with the adults in one group, and then kids train with kids and teens with teens; but it all happens in the same class time.
And families get the bonding and satisfaction of growing together, moving towards Blackbelt together, celebrating together.
It’s a powerful thing when they earn their Blackbelt together.
Parents love the character development and leadership training for their children, and many of the adult professionals in the tribe have also shared how much the training helps them in their leadership at work as well.
3. The value of the tribe.
Our tribe at Krav Maga Martial Arts is truly one of the best I have ever had the honor of associating with.
I have served in the 82nd Airborne and 3rd Infantry Divisions.
I have earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from prestigious universities.
And I have been in and around a lot of martial arts schools, organizations and communities over my 40 plus years as a martial artist.
Besides all that, and probably most significant of all, I have led this particular tribe for over 24 years, since I opened the school in October of 2000.
What I can tell you with certainty is that I have never felt a greater bond of camaraderie, fellowship, empowerment and encouragement that amongst the students, Sensei and greater tribe and community at our Blackbelt Leadership Academy today.
I am truly proud and grateful that God has blessed us in this way.
I planted the seed and many have helped us sow.
And God sent the rain.
I am proud and grateful.
Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com StephenDelCastillo.com
Start Your Family’s Blackbelt Leadership Journey with Us This Summer!
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 commissioned 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.
See stephendelcastillo.com for more information and to order my book, Developing Your Superpower, Meditations on Mastery, Volume 1.
Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com