Testimonials
See what others are saying about Leadership Martial Arts

I get a lot of my stress out and learn new skills. "It’s given me a lot more confidence with my job. My wife actually attends here as well, so it’s been something we could both do together, which is really good. It's been great for our marriage. She does fitness kickboxing, and we have a blast doing it! I’ve been eating a lot healthier since I’ve been here. I feel like I’m in a lot better shape since I’ve been here. I’ve probably lost 7 to 8 pounds, but I’ve gained back a lot of muscle, which after getting married and getting a full-time job, had started to dwindle. The people are awesome and so it’s really good to have a place we can come to and train to get better. We can compete in competitions and make one another better. It’s really awesome! The people here are one of the things that keep me coming back. Sensei is an awesome guy. I’ve never see anyone that can handle 23 or 25 kids in one class the way he can. The extra confidence is really awesome. I can get a lot of my stress out and learn skills that I hope to never have to use, but it’s nice to know. Individually, it’s been great. Physically it’s been great. It’s been great for my appearance. Leadership is such a great place. I highly recommend everyone come here."

Chris Thayer, Residential Homebuilder Agent

I’m 30 pounds lighter. I am a better manager at my company with the skills from the Leadership Team. "For me personally, I think I am a better manager at my company with a lot of the skills from the Leadership Team here. I’m 30 pounds lighter, even though I still have a long way to go. I feel a lot better. I get up and move, which is huge for those of us approaching 40. This is a place I enjoy coming to. As far as my son, his grades have improved, as well as his behavior in school. He won a gold medal at a jiu-jitsu competition in January. I’ve just seen awesome results out of him. So for both of us, it’s been a great experience. When you come here, it’s all positive. When you walk in the door, it’s a positive atmosphere. I enjoy coming. As it gets later in my day, I look forward to coming here and working out. I understand what Sensei’s expectations are of our black belts here. I’ve been very proud just to have the knowledge and friendship of this school, along with that token of what I’ve learned. It’s extremely fun. I feel guilty when I don’t work out and when I don’t come here to train. There is no pressure to come here. I’ve made some of the best friends of my life here. Even though we throw and tumble and roll around; we still have a good time. This is just a great place."

Chuck Cunningham, Office Manager

It has improved self-esteem for my son. "We [my son and I] were both looking for some sort of physical activity for both of us to participate in together. Also with work schedules and everything-he’s participated in football and basketball and we really just wanted to find something we could do together; something that would foster not only teamwork, but self-esteem and self-defense. We looked and looked at places. We found Leadership Martial Arts through a birthday party that some of our kids came to and that’s how we got linked up. We’ve done the Ropes Course as well. We’ve worked on grappling and self-defense. Most of all, it’s a shared experience for us. We talk about martial arts and it leads to other conversations. It just feels like our time. It has improved self- esteem for my son. It has improved athletic ability, which has all been a piece of that. He’s advanced very quickly. He talks about martial arts, leadership, and self-control. I think it’s been a very professional experience here. He’s participated in football and basketball since the age of 5, but out of everything he’s done, this by far is the most professionally run. It’s met all of our needs; from an athletic standpoint and an emotional aspect. It really is leadership that is the focus. It’s great here."

Derek Bullard, Business Owner

He’s done much better in school. His behavior in school has improved greatly. He‘s definitely learned more respect and he loves martial arts! "(Mom) We signed up when he won 3 months of free classes from them at a school function they did. He started at the end of October, first of November after the 3 months; there was no talking him out of it-he loved it. (Dylan) I’ve learned attitude, courage, and staying with stuff. (Mom) I’ve seen a change in his behavior as far as attention and focusing. He’s done much better in school. His behavior in school has improved greatly. He‘s definitely learned more respect and he loves martial arts! Sensei makes sure they are safe and protected in everything they do. We’re here about 5 days a week and he loves it. (Dylan) Leadership Martial Arts is one of the greatest martial arts places you can go."

Dylan & Mom, Student & Nurse

I’ve learned a lot of techniques from the Leadership Team to take back to work and home. "The first 2 weeks I was here, I didn’t know if I was going to make it. I was exhausted after class. I could barely keep my head up, but then in another week, it got a little bit better and in a couple more weeks, it got even better. I started feeling that my cardio was getting really good, so where I could only do half a class without losing my breath, I could do 3 classes without losing my breath. That gives you a lot of confidence, so that if you are out on the street and your life is threatened, you aren’t going to gas out. I’m a body shop manager, so I manage people. Being a part of the Leadership Team has definitely given me some good techniques to take back to work. I also have 2 children, so you definitely have to manage them as well. I’ve learned a lot of techniques from the Leadership Team to take back to work and home. The response I get from my employees, as well as my kids, is a lot more positive. This is a family-type atmosphere. Nobody is stuck up. Nobody has a chip on their shoulder. Everybody is welcoming and very supportive. Sensei is just a dynamic person with a great personality. He is here to teach you everything he knows. He is a super leader and I feel very fortunate to be training with him."

Jason Blalock, Body Shop Manager

It’s by far the best work out and everybody here is really friendly. "This place was an answered prayer. I needed some place very close that I could train, but not in the same thing that I’ve been doing for 20 years. Lo and behold, Sensei showed up at church one day and through a chance visit I came into to check out the place and I signed up within a week! I’ve done martial arts for 20 years now and this is by far the most well-organized and best run place I’ve ever trained at; everything from the facilities to the instructors to the attention to detail. The coolest thing is that I wanted to study mixed martial arts. I wanted to study ground fighting. I’d done traditional stand up for 20 years and had never done any Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, submissions and stuff like that. Here that’s worked into the curriculum, but they also work on the stand up too, so I didn’t have to start over from scratch. It’s by far the best work out and everybody here is really friendly. It’s the first place I’ve trained that everyone is legitimately friends. I’ve probably dropped 8 to 10 pounds of much needed to be dropped weight. My cardio has definitely improved. Physically overall my body fat has dropped, cardio is up, and muscles are toned. I’m in much better shape. I’ve said it before, but being able to train with people you like, you enjoy coming to class, you give each other a hard time, but it’s a genuine friendship. I encourage people to come and train here."

James-Michael Smith, Pastor

I've lost 40 pounds! In 36 years I've never enjoyed working out, but I enjoy coming here. "This place is fun! I've talked to a lot of people who have done martial arts and they never really talk about it being fun at the places they've been to they say its a lot of work its a lot of exercise and we learn some stuff. Here its all that, but we have fun. I'm in shape now. I'm 36 years old, but for the past 15 years I've been sitting on my butt working on a computer. Since I've been in here I've lost 40 lbs and my cardio is through the roof. I'm able to run and do things I wasnt able to do before. A friend of mine James-Michael who comes here he's been training in Martial Arts for years and I've absolutely never done it, but he'd been talking to me about it and about 7 months ago he convinced me, I came with him to a couple classes and I just started coming. I have my sights set on getting a Black Belt in mixed martial arts eventually. I dont know how many years that will take, but it's something that I definitely have a target to do and I think that with a lot of training and the great people here I'll be able to do that. I enjoy coming here. In 36 years I've never enjoyed working out, but I enjoy coming here and getting a workout and learning stuff. It's great."

Mark Blanco, Business Professional

It's just fun! "I wanted to try something new and get out and do something. It's pretty cool just the different curriculum. I've learned new things like how to stretch and kick and move you body that I didn't know how to do. They are nice people. Kohai and Sensei they work with you. The major thing about Leadership Martial Arts is that they dont try to bring you down or show you what your doing wrong they show you ways to improve without making you feel bad. It's just fun!"

Nick Lovelace, Student

I love the fact that they teach not just Martial Arts but leadership skills "I have three children here in Martial Arts. My little one who is six he comes four times a week. Derek laughed when I came in because I had my spreadsheet and I had prices down and all the pros and cons of the other places I had checked. What I liked about this place was the free trial class they took and loved it. Some of the things that really sold me on this place the pricing, the boys loved it. They are very very good with them. I love the fact that they teach not just Martial Arts but leadership skills I love the fact that he rewards them for what they do at home and what they do at school We're very happy here. Because of the responsibility sheets they provide here they are held accountable for a lot of the things that they do. So that they know if they dont do something that I want them to do I can ask them is that a Black Belt attitude or What would Sensei say about this? Their character building is what means most to me. I love it. I wouldn't go anywhere else and I would recomend that anybody come up here and try it. I'm telling anybody that I can. I love it I just love it!."

Rhonda Yager, Housewife

Any man, woman, or child will walk away from class a better martial artist and person "I am a father of five, a family doctor, and a martial arts instructor of fifteen years. I have been working out with Sensei Richardson now for four years, and he has instructed my children, as well as hundreds of others, over this time period. I have never witnessed a better children's instructor. His technical expertise is tops and he is able to instill discipline within the children while boosting them with encouragement and self-esteem. His enthusiasm and love for both the children and the martial arts he practices are obvious and contagious. Any man, woman, or child will walk away from Sensei Richardson's class a better martial artist and person."

Randy S. Lentz, MD; Family Physician and Black Belt Judo Instructor

Leadership Martial Arts has impressed me far above all the other programs "In all my years working with daycares, public schools, private schools, church schools, gymnastic, baseball, soccer and martial arts programs, Leadership Martial Arts has impressed me far above all the other programs. Sensei Richardson’s ability to motivate children is phenomenal, motivating the children of multiple ages, attention spans and skill levels at the same time. For example, in June of 2005 I watched Sensei Richardson teach 40 plus students from age 4 to 10 for eight hours, breaking only for lunch, without the children losing interest. Sensei Richardson has demonstrated extraordinary talent time after time correcting adverse behavior without using discipline. He's a master at diverting attention, positive reinforcement techniques and other motivational methods turning poor attitudes into pleasant ones."

Debbie Rucker, Housewife

'Leadership' Martial Arts is a well suited name for an academy under Sensei Richardson's instruction "Over the past four years, Locust Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has hosted several tournaments and many seminars. We have had the priviledge to bring in multiple world champions, national champions, and world class MMA fighters. The greatest response I have ever gotten from my students was after I asked Sensei Richardson to come in and conduct a seminar for us. The overwelming theme was "Bring him back"! Sensei Richardson is a well rounded fighter, but, more importantly, a well rounded person. 'Leadership' Martial Arts is a well suited name for an Academy working under his instruction. A top-notch fighter, a first class instructor, and a world class person."

Dave Mansel - Instructor Locust BJJ

they learn more and enjoy class more than they ever did at their previous karate school "My 3 children and I have been working with Leadership Martial Arts instructor Sensei Richardson for over a year. His kids’ instruction program impresses on them a strong sense of mutual respect and accountability without losing a sense of fun, and has been able to merge elements of work and play for them in such a way that they learn more and enjoy class more than they ever did at their previous karate school. When he teaches the actual moves, he breaks them down into manageable pieces and uses metaphors and queues that kids can relate to that help them remember what they've learned. I believe that the content of the martial arts instruction and the way it is taught has helped inspire in my kids a sense of calmness, security, accomplishment, and accountability, and general shift toward breaking down tasks in other parts of their lives the same way they do in class. Needless to say, the program has been a positive influence in many ways. From an adult martial arts perspective, Leadership Martial Arts brings a strong emphasis on fitness and developing strength and flexibility, and much the same approach as the kids program in terms of breaking things down into easily understood movements. The program also allows for a wide range of student interest and intensity levels, from those interested exclusively in fitness and self defense to those who intend to compete in grappling and martial arts. Sensei Richardson has worked with me and coached me to multiple grappling victories in local tournaments and been a great help in my overall martial arts development to date."

Sylvester DiGiovanna, Vice President/DBTS/Bank of America

You can tell Sensei Richardson has fun with those kids, and they have fun with him "The energy level of the mat with Sensei Richardson and his kids' class could hold its own against that of the "big guys'" any day. I know from experience how difficult it can be to lead a large group of juniors; Sensei Richardson makes it look easy. Like a big brother, he knows how to explain things in the right way, and give the right amount of attention to his students. You can tell he has fun with those kids, and they have fun with him, and that he loves what he does, and before they know it, the kids are loving it too!."

Yumi Blackwell, Student

The teaching style was unique and high energy, which made it fun to train every session "Leadership Martial Arts has been a great life experience. The teaching style was unique and high energy, which made it fun to train every session. I always felt invigorated and confident after every class, training at Leadership Martial Arts greatly affected all aspects of my life and health and I would never trade it for anything in the world."

Aubrey Bailey, Graduating Dietetics Student at the University of Northern Colorado

the teacher has made several comments about my son's improved focus and good behavior "When my 5 year old started Kindergarten he was a very active child with a lot of energy but no where to focus it. He is a very smart boy but was not performing as well as he should have been in school because he was having difficulty sitting still and paying attention. At first I was concerned that it was possibly an ADD or ADHD problem so I had a conference with his teacher to try and find solutions or recommendations for doctors. The teacher advised that my son was really no different than most of the other boys, he just needed a more structured and permanent physical activity. My husband and I looked for sports that our son could get involved in but many do not take 5 year olds or if they do it is once a week and last just a couple of months. My husband thought Sensei’s Richardson’s academy might be a better option since kids can begin the hands-on activities right away.. My son wanted to try it and my husband signed him up after making the agreement that my son was only allowed to go if he did well in school that day. My son has really taken to the sport and very much enjoys going three times a week. Since my son began, over 11 weeks ago, the teacher has made several comments about his improved focus and good behavior."

Roslyn Maglione, Captain - Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department

The learning process is fun and extremely effective "Leadership Martial Arts, under the direction of Sensei Richardson, has been instrumental in allowing my family to develop as martial artists. The atmosphere at the school is guaranteed to bring out the best in the quietest to the most boisterous child. The learning process is fun and extremely effective. The friendly atmosphere encourages every member of the family to strive towards their goals as a team. It is an incredible way to bond with your kids or for kids to bond with their parents. Too often we have nothing in common. Leadership Martial Arts can change that in a dramatic way. My children and I began training with Sensei Richardson in 2001. Since then he has become not only our respected teacher but also our friend. I would recommend the Leadership Martial Arts academy over any other family oriented academy in North Carolina. My personal development as a martial artist has been significantly impacted by the teachings, both physically and mentally, of Leadership Martial Arts."

Chris Toher, CPA

I am delighted to recommend the Leadership Martial Arts Academy to any parent "I am delighted to recommend the Leadership Martial Arts Academy to any parent. As a school teacher of twenty-seven years, I have had many students enrolled in different marital arts schools, and they are not all created equal. The Leadership Martial Arts has the unique distinction of caring about the entire well-being of children: mind, body, and soul. They believe in commitment to family, community, and school. A child enrolled at this school receives positive reinforcement, focus, success, and self-confidence. All of these are important to any child’s growth. Not just physically, but emotionally, socially, and academically. I have personally known students who had difficulty concentrating at school, or experienced behavioral problems, who have benefited enormously from a martial arts program that involved the academic teacher. Sensei Richardson is one of those instructors who is excellent with students of all ages and can truly help them live up to their “leadership” potential. Learning self-defense is important for anybody, but only at this academy can students learn their true potential in all areas."

Pamela Lee Smith, 2nd Grade School Teacher

We have found them to be reliable, and willing to go 'the extra mile' for us "We have been working with the Staff of Leadership Martial Arts for the past year. We have found them to be reliable, and willing to go 'the extra mile' for us. They seem to look for ways to help others. What you see is what you get, and with Leadership Martial Arts that is a great thing!"

Bonnie Caskey, Events Coordinator CGR