08/20/2026
THROWBACK THURSDAY!🥋
As we get ready to begin another tournament season, this felt like a good one to bring back.
In 2023, Sensei Jimmy was named the Positive Coaching Alliance Regional Double-Goal Coach® Award Winner — an honor recognizing coaches who not only strive to win, but who use sports to teach lessons that reach far beyond competition.
When people hear the word coach, they probably picture a football field, baseball diamond, or basketball court. Karate isn't always the first thing that comes to mind.
Anyone who has watched a great martial arts coach work with an athlete knows just how much coaching happens beyond teaching a kata or fighting strategy.
It's knowing when to push.
When to encourage.
When an athlete needs confidence — and when they need accountability.
It's teaching them how to win with humility, lose without making excuses, handle pressure, work through disappointment, trust themselves and come back stronger the next time.
It's seeing something in someone before they see it in themselves.
As we start talking about training for a new season, of course we have goals. We want to improve. We want to compete. And yes — we want to win.
But trophies have never been the only goal.
The bigger goal is who these kids become while they're chasing them.
That's coaching.
Here's to another season of big goals, hard work, great memories and lessons that will last much longer than any medals. Positive Coaching Alliance - Tampa Bay
Our next Regional Winner is Coach aka Sensei Jimmy Stevens. One of his references said, "Jimmy doesn’t just teach karate, or teach them what they need for their next belt. He is teaching them responsibility, self-respect, and self-pride." We love this! Teaching life lessons all along the way.
