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John Graden and his brothers are all world kickboxing champions, which proves that everyone and his brother can earn a world champion martial arts title.
However, not everyone can create the first professional association, trade journal, and universal instructor certification program like John Graden did in the early 1990s.
Widely credited with leading the martial arts school business into the modern age, John was first called a visionary by MASuccess editor, John Corcoran and dubbed the martial arts Teacher of Teachers by Martial Arts World magazine.
John is also the author of many of the best-selling books on martial arts business and personal development.
Now the Executive Director of the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association (MATA), John’s renegade leadership style has landed him on the Dr. Oz Show, the Wall Street Journal, the A&E Network and many more international media platforms along with many small podcasts that only his wife listened to.
A Tampa Bay, FL resident, John Graden is married with two children.
"I've worked with all the top professionals in this field. John Graden reputation stands alone as the leader above all others. I'm asking all of my black belts to join MATA." Joe Lewis
"When I wanted help with my school, John Graden is the guy I flew in. MATA is great for school owners."
-- Frank Shamrock, MMA Legend MATA Board of Advisors Member
Mr. Graden is Not a Paper Tiger
For those of you who think he is all about the business, his WAKO World Championships with the USA Team and legacy as a Joe Lewis protege might change your mind.
In fact, Black Belt magazine did a cover story on Mr. Graden and his brother Jim’s relationship with the late legend. The story was called, “Passing the Torch” and it was Joe Lewis saying that when he passes on, he was passing the torch to the Gradens.
The letter below was submitted by Joe Lewis
nominating John Graden to the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
To the Official Martial Arts Hall of Fame Members of the Martial Arts History Museum
Dear Fellow Members,
It is with great pleasure I ask for your support and endorse the nomination of a great martial artist who I believe will make an exceptional addition to the Hall of Fame.
He has made historical contributions to the martial arts industry during his internationally acclaimed career and provided professional martial artists from around the world with the necessary tools to provide high teaching standards. He is widely known as “the teacher of teachers,” Mr. John Graden.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could please select John Graden as nominee for appointment to the Hall of Fame.
Cum Corde Et Animis,
Joe Lewis
John Graden’s Career Timeline
February 12, 1974 – Takes first White belt class at Florida Karate Academy under Walt Bone and Hank Farrah
1980 – Earns Black Belt
1981 – Assists Walt Bone in teaching accredited college karate class at St. Pete Junior College (SPJC).
1982 – Walt Bone dies in plane crash.
1983 – Joe Lewis moves to town and starts training John Graden and his brother Jim
1983 – Chosen to represent USA on the WAKO USA Team to compete at the WAKO World Championships in London, England.
1985 – Chosen to represent USA on the WAKO USA Team to compete at the WAKO World Championships in London, England
1986 Opened USA Karate – Prior Fighter, Coach, and Official for many World Champion WAKO USA Teams
1987 – Host and Producer of the USA Karate TV show in Tampa Bay, FL
1987 – Chosen to represent USA WAKO USA Coach at the WAKO World Championships in Munich, Germany
1993 Founder – National Association of Professional Martial Artists
1993 – Official at the WAKO World Championships in Budapest, Hungary
1995 Founder – Martial Arts Professional Magazine
1996 Founder, The American Council on Martial Arts (ACMA)
1998 Author, How to Open and Operate a Successful Martial Arts School
2001 Author, The Truth About the Martial Arts Business
2003 Founder Martial Arts Teachers’ Association (MATA)
2008 Nominated for Martial Arts Hall of Fame by Joe Lewis and Ed Parker, Jr.
2011 Author, The Art of Marketing Without Marketing
2014 Founder, Empower Kickboxing
2014 Authors memoir, Blood and Guts Dojo
2015 Authors "The Impostor Syndrome"
2015 Featured guest on the Dr. Oz Show for his book. "The Impostor Syndrome"
2017 Launches The Truth About the Martial Arts Business Podcast
2018 Launches the Martial Arts Teacher's Association Certification Program
2022 Keynote Speaker, Texas State University
2023 Launches BlackBeltCoach.com as platform to Rapid Confidence Course (RCC).
2024 Teaches workshops for Pasco County Economic Council: Public Speaking Skills, Active Shooter Response, Employee Safety
A prolific writer, Graden’s books reflect both martial arts insights and broader self-development themes:
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Black Belt Management (1993) – managing martial arts schools effectively member.afsfitness.com.
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The Truth About the Martial Arts Business (2003) – common pitfalls and business advice member.afsfitness.com.
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The Impostor Syndrome (2008) – exploring self-doubt; notably featured on Publishers Weekly's cover Barnes & Noble member.afsfitness.com.
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Near‑Death Experiences of Scientists and Doctors (2013), Near‑Death Experiences of Suicide Survivors(2014), and Who Killed Walt Bone? (2015) member.afsfitness.com.
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Blood and Guts Dojo (2022) – a mesmerizing coming‑of‑age biography of the teenage Graden, rich with drama—murder, drug smuggling, real-life secrets—praised as “an excellent read even for people who never give martial arts a thought” Barnes & Noble.
He’s an inductee into the Self‑Publishing Hall of Fame and Million Dollar Author Club, underlining his literary and entrepreneurial success Barnes & NobleIMDb.