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Let me hit you with some hard truth: if you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re not ready to take care of anyone else. As a leader, you’re responsible for your team, your family, your students—and the only way you can be there for them is by showing up for yourself first. Martial arts school owners, this is your wake-up call because what I’m about to tell you is something you need to live and breathe if you’re going to thrive in this chaotic world.
Challenges are coming. They always do. Life’s a never-ending storm of problems, obstacles, and unpredictability. But that’s where leaders are born. It’s in the fire that you find out what you’re made of. I’m not here to sugarcoat things for you. I’m here to tell you the hard truth because that’s what brotherhood is about. We don’t blow smoke up each other’s asses. We face facts. And right now, the fact is that you need to be stronger than ever.
Let me tell you something about adversity: it doesn’t come at you nicely. It doesn’t say, “Hey, do you mind if I make things a little harder for you today?” It hits you like a freight train, unannounced, and suddenly, you’re in the thick of it. You want to know how to get through that? Embrace it. When life throws you more problems, ask for more. Don’t shy away. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Run towards it. That’s how we win.
Why You Have to Be Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually Ready
Nobody’s walking around at a level 10 in all areas of life all the time. Anyone who says they are is lying to you. There’s sickness, family problems, and business hurdles—none of us are immune. But here’s the thing: the ones who succeed are those who keep pushing forward, even when it feels impossible.
That’s why I’m telling you this: get your mental, physical, and spiritual game on point. If you’re mentally weak, you’re done. If you’re physically out of shape, you’re done. And if you’re spiritually disconnected, life will drag you down. Start now, right now. Hit the gym. Eat right. Meditate, pray—whatever you need to do to get that connection with something bigger than yourself. Build the foundation now, so when adversity strikes, you’re not just standing—you’re leading.
Problems Are Coming—Prepare for Them Now
In the next 30 days, expect more problems. More chaos, more unpredictability. It’s coming, like clockwork, and if you’re not preparing, you’re setting yourself up for failure. This isn’t about being pessimistic—it’s about being realistic. Whether it’s supply chain disruptions, economic downturns, or even personal struggles, the question remains: Are you ready?
I’m telling you to anticipate these problems. Don’t cross your fingers and hope everything stays smooth. That’s fantasy thinking. You’re a leader—you don’t live in fantasies. You live in reality. And the reality is this: things will get harder before they get easier.
Here’s what you need to do: have a plan. Have food, water, and resources ready for the unexpected. If you’re running a martial arts school, be the example. Lead your students, their families, and your team—all of them—through this chaos. Because no one is coming to save you. No politician, no hero on TV, no one. It’s up to you.
How to Implement the COMMUNITY SAFETY SYMPOSIUM
You might be asking, “Nick, how do I take these ideas and actually make them happen?” Good question. I’m all about action, and here’s the step-by-step breakdown on how you can implement a Community Safety Symposium in your community.
- Start Priming Your Community Now Don’t wait until the week of the event to start talking about it. You need to prime your audience in advance. Begin by creating conversations on social media, in your email lists, and with your students. Ask questions like: “What happens if the supply chain breaks again? Are you ready?” or “How safe is your home during a power outage?” Plant those seeds of curiosity and concern. Let people know this event isn’t just another seminar—it’s a real-world preparation for what’s coming.
- Partner with Local Leaders You’re not in this alone. Partner with your local police department, fire department, school systems, and even city officials. This isn’t just a marketing opportunity—it’s about stepping up as a community leader. Go visit them in person. Shake hands, look them in the eye, and tell them what your plan is. Let them know you're there to support the community’s safety. Ask them to promote the event to their networks. People trust local leaders, and their support will bring even more attention to your symposium.
- Plan the Event Around Real-World Scenarios Your Community Safety Symposium needs to be more than just theory. You need to focus on real-world scenarios that people could face: blackouts, food shortages, civil unrest. Have a session on how to secure a home during a blackout. Teach them how to gather food and water in emergencies. Talk about self-defense tactics for home invasions. This isn’t just about martial arts—it’s about survival.
- Create Content to Build Anticipation Every piece of content you create—whether it’s a Facebook post, email, or flyer—should lead back to the symposium. Use images, videos, and stories that get people thinking. “What would you do if the grocery shelves were empty?” or “Is your family prepared for a power outage?” Engage your audience’s emotions. Fear is a powerful motivator—use it to make them understand the importance of attending. But don’t stop at fear—offer them the solution: the Community Safety Symposium is where they’ll get answers.
- Maximize the Event’s Reach The day of the event, document everything. Record it, take photos, gather testimonials. This is your content for weeks, maybe months. After the event, follow up with everyone who attended. Send them the recording if they missed anything. Turn it into a digital course, a workshop, a video series—whatever it takes to keep the momentum going. This is how you stay top-of-mind with your community. The goal isn’t just a one-time event. The goal is to create an ongoing relationship where people see you as the go-to leader in times of crisis.
- Follow Up and Follow Through Most people fail here. They think, “I did the event. My work is done.” Wrong. The genius is in the follow-up and follow-through. After the event, ask attendees for feedback. Engage them further: “What did you learn? How will you apply it?” Then, offer them a way to continue learning with your martial arts program. This isn’t just about prepping for disasters—it’s about building a stronger, more resilient community, and you’re at the center of it.
The Opportunity in Chaos
While other businesses are scrambling and falling apart, you have an opportunity. When things get tough, most people panic. They shrink. But not you. You’re going to rise. You’re going to be the leader your community needs. While others are falling apart, you’ll be gathering people together. You’ll be providing solutions when others are too scared to act.
This is your moment. Step into the fire and lead. Don’t wait for the chaos to hit before you take action. Start now. Prime your community. Start the conversations. Offer solutions. And when things get crazy—and trust me, they will—you’ll already have people looking to you for guidance.
Why Accountability is Everything
None of this works if you’re not holding yourself accountable. We’ve talked about this before, but it bears repeating: Accountability is the key to leadership. If you’re not following through on what you say you’re going to do, how can you expect anyone to follow you?
Set the example. Start with your own personal routines—whether it’s your workouts, your nutrition, or your spiritual practices. Then, extend that accountability to your business and your community. Host the events you say you’re going to host. Lead the initiatives you’ve promised to lead. Be the rock that people can count on.
FAQs: From the Call
Here are some of the most important questions from our recent call, along with the answers I gave. These will give you more insight into how to tackle these challenges head-on.
Can we push the Community Safety Symposium in November?
Yes, absolutely. While I believe more chaos is coming in the next 30 days, this uncertainty will likely continue for several months. Do what’s best for your audience and your resources. Timing is important, but doing it right is more important than rushing. However, the priming should start now to create engagement and interest.
Should we wait for Black Friday to launch our sales?
No. Don’t wait for Black Friday. People don’t wait for Black Friday anymore because they’re often already broke by December. You should start earlier. Black November is a better approach​.
Can we push the Kid Warrior Bootcamp or the symposium to a later time?
Timing doesn’t matter as much as making sure the event is right for your audience. If you can’t do it one week, push it back. What matters is the consistency in content creation, engagement, and being present for your community
What should we do to prepare for election tensions or potential unrest?
Be prepared to go virtual if things shut down. Make sure you have contingency plans in place to keep running your martial arts school online if needed. Don’t get caught off guard—prepare now so you’re ready to continue engaging with your students.
What’s the biggest risk if we don’t take action now?
If you’re not preparing mentally, physically, and spiritually for what’s coming, you’re going to get overwhelmed. The biggest risk is complacency—thinking that everything will go back to normal. It won’t. This is your chance to step up and be the leader.
Should we rely on marketing automation right now?
Marketing automation is great, but it’s not the most important thing right now. What’s more important is connection. Connect with your community on a real level. Offer them value that goes beyond your usual promotions. Lead with solutions, not just offers.
How can I prepare my school for more chaos?
Be ready to go virtual if needed. We’ve seen how quickly things can shut down, and that’s always a possibility. Have a plan for online classes, and make sure you’re communicating with your community regularly. Let them know you’re thinking ahead.
What’s the biggest takeaway from this?
The biggest takeaway is that leadership is about stepping up when others won’t. This isn’t about politics or personal gain—it’s about taking responsibility for your community and leading them through adversity. The crazier things get, the more people will look to you for guidance. Be ready.
