Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Gave.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am the owner of Fit 2 Defend Academy.
Like most kids growing up in the 80-90’s and having 10 siblings, I was very active and loved being outside with friends. In school, I was not on track with all of the other kids because I had a learning disability, so in each class, I would have an assistant teacher, that I would need to meet with to make sure I was on track (they helped tremendously). I started feeling low self-esteem and confidence. I let it affect me enough that I would make up stories to my parents about wanting to miss school, which only work for about a week! It bothered me so much that I created a stomach ulcer. At this point, my parents told me, I should talk to the school counselor
“Miss Coveratti”.
Miss Coveratti suggested that I attend a Martial Arts class (Taekwondo) because it builds self-confidence and self-respect. So, I convinced my twin brother Paul to attend class with me and we went in the week.
The Journey:
I started Martial Arts at the age of 12 years old in Tae-Kwon-Do at Chicago Karate.
After my first day of class, I know that these ways going to be part of my life forever. I attended every class, every day that they were open. After about a year of training and just earning my blue belt in TKD, I competed in my first tournament. Also, at this time I was asked to start helping with classes from my instructor Mr. Colin.
I remember my first experience of teaching and my instructor said “Hey Scott, do you see that student over there go teach him the basics.” At that moment, I was confident I know nothing about how to teach and really didn’t understand how that one experience, would allow me to realize the gift of giving back and how that is what I wanted to do for a living.
After assisting with classes for about a year, I would start becoming more of a leader in the school by running Intro classes. My instructor Colin offered me a position and training on how to perfect my ability to empower.
On my 15th birthday, I took my first flight on a plane, to a martial arts conference by my Instructor and other team members. This conference was held in Florida by one of the biggest martial arts business owner/instructors. At this conference, he invited other very successful/inspiring speakers & instructors. I had the honor of training with Master Dave Kovar at this conference. Master Kovar stood me up at this conference at the age of 15 yrs. old in front of a couple hundred people and told everyone “Remember this kid, he will be great one day”, Master Kovar gave me confirmation that this was my mission to empower people of the benefits of the martial arts lifestyle.
At the age of 17 years old, I was asked to take over my current martial arts school (Chicago Karate) after my old instructor Colin decided to step down. I was very sad for his departure because he was some one I looked up to and respected.
I was very nervous about the opportunity but know that this was the opportunity that needs to be taken to get to the next level. After running the school for 3 years, it was time for me to take the next step in my career but more importantly my Martial arts skills and knowledge.
After only about 2 days, I was already looking for another opportunity to be involved in a martial arts academy. I was introduced to Marc Halleck owner of Northshore Academy of Martial Arts by a friend. After assisting the kid’s classes for a few months, I was asked to help develop and run the Youth Program. The best part of this opportunity was to have the ability to design a program and also have a wide knowledge base of martial arts skill sets and concepts. I also got to be a student and train in several different styles of martial arts. This experience was so eye opening and humbling. In the 10 years, I spent at NSA I developed a stellar Youth self-defense & character development program that trained thousands of students. I earned a 3rd-degree black belt in Sifu Mark Halleck blended style and rank in other world class martial arts such as Dan Inosanto, Ron Balicki, Hoch Hocheim and many others. I also began my search for more martial arts knowledge, ground fighting or grappling more specifically. I began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu about 12 years ago and trained under Andre Maneco, then, to Scott Goddard and now Jeff Serafin. After several years of training, competing and teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I earned my BJJ Black Belt in December 2017 under Jeff Serafin & Jackson McVicker.
After leaving Northshore Academy of Martial Arts, I decided to search for an opportunity to help other academies become successful and to increase my experience in the martial arts business realm, but this time I wanted to establish my own Brand Name: (Fit 2 Defend Academy).
After working with 2 martial art/ self-defense academies and building their trust and helping their current programs, I was offered the opportunity that I was working hard to get. Fit 2 Defend Academy was born and we partnered up with a TKD school (Core Martial Arts & Fitness) and a Krav Maga school (Krav Maga Illinois).
Fit 2 Defend would be provided with different types of martial arts programs at these partner schools. We offered Youth, Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Youth Self defense and leadership training classes.
After training in the Martial arts for over 20 + years, earning 4 Black Belts in 4 different disciplines and having all of the great opportunities to train and work with such great friends/role models/ Instructors/students,
It was time for Fit 2 Defend Academy to open our own Academy.
Fit 2 Defend Academy is a Professional Martial Arts academy that has a mission to empower our community and members of the benefits of the Martial Arts lifestyle. In order to develop our members to reach their fullest potential, we focus on developing 5 Pillars of Fit 2 Defend programs. Pillars consist of:
Physical development: Knowing the importance of daily exercise and always striving to improve yourself!
Mental development: Knowing that Knowledge is Power and No one can take away your knowledge!
Character Development: To develop a character that NO one can pressure to change for their own selfies gains or to make you question your actions!
Leadership Development: To be a leader in society and encourage others to be at their best!
Self Defense: To have the necessary skills to defend yourself and loved ones!
Fit 2 Defend Academy Mission: Creating Future Champions for the Game of Life!
To Reinforce the importance of our mission and strengthen our community we have charity events quarterly.
At this time, we have our Fit 2 Defend Academy Headquarters in Lake Bluff, IL. 60044
We also have programs offered in our Highland Park, IL branch school (inside Krav Maga Illinois).
Has it been a smooth road?
I feel there is NO reward with achieving with some struggles or test of commitment. There have been some struggles in all aspects of the journey.
At times there are mental struggles of the questioning of yourself and your purpose (doubt). This is the time that you can weed out the ideas that you can’t justify and strengthen your real purpose.
Physical struggles: As we get older, we must become wiser and understand limitations, which is important for life in all aspects of life.
Timing: When is the best time? There is no perfect time once you have the idea/product development then it is until you want to know if you can fly or not fly. You must take the leap to see if you can fly,” Steve Harvey.
Relationship struggles: There will be times that you must understand that it’s your vision but you have others around that can help you achieve and greater your vision.
Time Management struggles: Knowing the importance of the necessary amount of time for yourself, family, friends and NOT work time.
Money struggles: Learning what is priorities and accessories.
Let’s be real, these are life struggles but to do what you love with a real purpose is the keys to real success.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Fit 2 Defend Academy story. Tell us more about the business.
Fit 2 Defend Academy is a Professional Martial Arts academy that has a mission to empower our community and members of the benefits of the Martial Arts lifestyle. In order to develop our members to reach their fullest potential, we focus on developing 5 Pillars of Fit 2 Defend programs. Our pillars consist of:
Physical development: Knowing the importance of daily exercise and always striving to improve yourself!
Mental development: Knowing that Knowledge is Power and No one can take away your knowledge!
Character Development: To develop a character that NO one can pressure to change for their own selfies gains or to make you question your actions!
Leadership Development: To be a leader in society and encourage others to be at their best!
Self Defense: To have the necessary skills to defend yourself and loved ones!
We offer classes for Men, Women, and children 6 yrs. old and older in the following:
Brazilian Jiujitsu
F2D Combative Blend
Submission wrestling
Leadership training
Boxing/Kickboxing
Our programs consist of influences for the following disciplines:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Submission wrestling
Muay Thai Kickboxing
Boxing
Kali/Eskrima
Jeet Kune Do
Hand to hand Combative (Kapap/Krav Maga)
Taekwondo
We are very proud that we have an academy, that is welcoming and can provide training for all skill levels. We are very proud of the presents we make in our community to help support charity and outreach programs.
We want to make a real difference in our community by providing a great service that will give our members the tools to reach their fullest potential and also be able to defend themselves and loved ones in a family-friendly atmosphere.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The industry will continue to grow due to the need for personal, physical, character and mental growth that proper martial arts training can provide. We hope that in the next 5-10 years that there will be more of the principles and benefits of the martial arts will be implemented into school district curriculum and into society. We foresee the trend of martial arts will continue to change on the surface in regards to the art/style that is most popular at the time but the true principles/concepts/benefits will always be the foundation.
Contact Info:
- Address: 29870 Skokie Hwy. Lake Bluff, IL 60044
- Website: www.fit-to-defend.com
- Phone: 847-445-7247
- Email: f2dbjj@gmail.com
- Instagram: fit2defendacademy
- Facebook: Fit 2 Defend Academy
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