Master Macy sits down with three remarkable moms—Miss Kris, Miss Crystal, and Miss Chirstina—who are not only dedicated parents but also committed martial artists. Each shares her unique journey of stepping onto the mat alongside her children, discovering unexpected strength, battling self-doubt, and embracing the shared challenges of training. From postpartum struggles to sparring seminars, these moms reveal how martial arts has strengthened their families, inspired personal growth, and turned everyday parenting into a black belt-worthy pursuit. A must-listen for any parent wondering if it’s too late—or too hard—to join the journey.

In this special Mother’s Day edition of the Ripple Effect Martial Arts Podcast, Mr and Mrs Master Macy sit down with the two most influential women in their lives—their mothers, Master Jan Lappin and Clara Macy. Together, they explore the often-unsung but crucial role moms play in a martial artist’s journey, from childhood discipline to black belt perseverance.

Master Rachael Macy welcomes Ms Sophia Latino, a martial artist and instructor with a rich background in Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. They discuss her journey from training and teaching in Florida to moving to Italy, where she continued her martial arts education, and her upcoming role as head instructor at the Fort Collins location.

This episode of the Ripple Effect Martial Arts Podcast dives into the transformative journey of students preparing for their black belt tests. Mr and Mrs Master Macy and our prep cycle coordinators discuss the impact of martial arts training beyond physical skills, emphasizing teamwork, leadership, and resilience.

On this episode of the Ripple Effect Martial Arts Podcast, we sit down with Justin Ortiz, a world-class martial artist, stunt performer, and coach. He shares his journey to earning a 5th-degree black belt, his experiences in Cobra Kai, Black Adam, and Blue Beetle, and how martial arts shaped his career. Justin talks about training, competition mindset, and overcoming challenges—both in martial arts and life. He also shares insights on coaching and his work with the NexLevel Competition Team, helping students grow and succeed.

Ms Maya Walton, a 3rd-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and instructor with Ripple Effect Martial Arts Middleburg, shares her thoughts on beginning and progressing in the martial arts. She's gone from mirroring her brother's moves on the mat to joining him out there, earning multiple black belt degrees, instructing, and becoming a member of Tang Soo Do's demonstration Team Phoenix. This is all while earning high marks in high school and college, overcoming life challenges, and having fun along the way. Find out what motivates Ms Walton to continue teaching, training and inspiring the next generation of black belt students.

On the 44th episode of the Ripple Effect Martial Arts podcast, 2nd-degree Black Belt Mr Ada Yasar talks about how martial arts has impacted his life at home, at school and in life at large. He's just 16 years old, but has accomplishments and ambitions well beyond his years. These include music, math and AI programming, as well as travel and full-time Black Belt instruction in his future college career. Thank you Mr Yasar for exploring the potential of the Black Belt journey!

Black Belt instructor Lionel Lariviere (or Mr L, as he's better known) has been studying and teaching martial arts for "like, a hundred years" [his words]. His experience translates to the training of hundreds of Black Belt students over the course of more than two decades, with more Black Belt generations to come. He's fascinated by everything from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the etymology of last names, and here he shares his passion for his own Black Belt journey, student growth and more.

Karate. Community. Pyrotechnics. Master Devin Arkfeld was our first podcast guest back in 2021, and he’s been very busy since. He shares his thoughts on being a martial artist, an Eagle Scout, a teacher, and a national and international tournament champion. For Master Arkfeld, martial arts and all its rewards and challenges is a long-term investment in yourself, your students and your community. Hear about his black belt journey; we hope it inspires your own.

Second-degree black belt Mr. Caleb White has been training at Ripple Effect Martial Arts since he was five years old. He has always had a hunger to learn and teach, and just finished instructing a white belt series for adults with traumatic brain injury. His father is one of his students, and Caleb and his grandmother Sandy talk about the impact martial arts has had on their relationship, Caleb’s growth as an individual and member of his community, and the prospects for his future. Listen in for a very inspiring story of family connection and black belt leadership.