The Principles of Black Belt Leadership : Integrity, Courtesy, Respect, Self Control, Perseverance, Modesty Though the fundamental fighting techniques of Isshinryu are certainly taught at Mike Storms Karate, and the students are indeed taught to defend themselves, the lessons students and families encounter here go much deeper. The consistent student mantra of "yes I can," along with the positive reinforcement, encouragement, and inspiration provided by Mike, Chase, Peter, Jennifer and the entire staff have been an immense blessing to our family since our daughter Chloe joined the program some two years ago. Not only has Chloe overcome a NON KARATE RELATED knee injury to work her way through the ranks to recently earn her brown belt, but she also voluntarily tested for and enrolled in a gifted studies program at school, which challenges her with a curriculum that requires writing from sources, algebra, public speaking, and intensive study- all in the 7th grade. She rises to these challenges (sometimes by 4:00 AM) and devotes the time necessary each day to ensure she is successful in her studies. She took the ACT this past February 9th, the day before her 13th birthday, and having set a goal and dedicated herself to preparing beforehand with practice tests and study guides, she was able to complete all parts of the test in the allotted time and feel confident in her performance, though we are still awaiting her official test scores. At school she is known for encouraging others, has demonstrated a penchant for problem solving and creative thinking, and gets complimented often on her oral presentations and power points. We are certain that her involvement with Mike Storms Karate and the goal setting and principle centered tenets of the Black Belt Leadership program have played an integral role in her dedication to her studies and the development of the traits she has acquired to achieve success. We as parents have also learned much from the experiences at Mike Storms Karate. Through the encouraging (and sometimes humorous) emails and videos Mike sends out to the parents, we are able to reflect on our parenting and make adjustments in those areas with which we sometimes struggle. Having been inspired through Chloe's involvement in these classes to eat better and become more healthy, our family diet has improved. I, myself have lost almost 40 pounds and nearly 6 inches in the waist since November, primarily as a result of cutting out sugar, increasing water intake, consuming spinach as a diet staple, and walking 2 miles each morning. Each of these lifestyle changes was a tip I adopted from from Mike. Thanks in part to this motivation and these new habits, I look and feel better than I have in years, and am striving each day to become an even better and more effective father and life coach for my daughter. Mike Storms Karate truly helps parents ensure that our children can defend themselves but also that they can advance themselves. The staff is truly committed to the children and families they serve, and we are thankful for the time they have invested in Chloe and the difference they have made in our lives. If you are considering a martial arts school for your child, or simply looking for an extracurricular activity in which you can be confident that those involved are truly dedicated to helping your child and your family reach their fullest potential, we would highly recommend signing your child up for a month or two to try out the Storms Karate program. Once your child and your family begin to experience positive results, you will be as thankful as we are for this very special place. Considering the results, Chloe's Karate tuition is one of the best investments we have ever made as a family. Sincerely, Aaron Brackett, Mary Beth, and Chloe read more

Our 5 year old son, Brandon, has been a student of Mike Storms Karate for 2 months now, and if we could rate our experience better than "excellent", we would. As parents, it's amazing to witness the physical, mental and social growth he has undergone in just two months from only 2-30 minute sessions a week. The physical training has been much more than learning how to kick and punch in self-defense situations. It has noticeably improved his brain to muscle coordination, balance, listening skills and self-control. From a disciplinary perspective, he has become more attentive, confident, goal oriented and determined. The overall training provided at Mike Storms Karate, has reinforced our ability as parents in helping our son develop into a stronger, more principled and well-mannered young boy. We'd also like to point out that in just these past two months, Sensei Chase has become a highly regarded role model to Brandon. His teaching technique keeps the students focused and on point, provides clear instruction, and motivates them to want to learn more. Our son looks forward each session to not only learning new skills, but knowing that his hard work will earn him another stripe and get him one step closer to the next belt. In just this short amount of time, Brandon has come a long way and we are very proud of him! More importantly, he is proud of himself and learning more and more, the value and benefit of hard work, respect and discipline! In summary, Mike Storm Karate truly provides both students and their parents a life changing journey, and we would highly recommend the experience! read more

My daughter has been at Mike Storms Karate for almost a year and a half, after much prodding by Sensei, I started classes about 6 months ago. I can honestly say, it has been a decision that has had a positive effect on every aspect of my life. I have been a competitive athlete all my life, from baseball all-star teams to track and cross country in High School, to Marathon and triathlon races as an adult, I was in good shape until degenerative arthritis no longer allowed me to be as active, which in turn, caused me to gain a lot of weight due to over eating and self-pity. It was at this point that Sensei encouraged me to get on the mat. Since starting classes, I have lost 15 lbs, 3 inches off my waist, and strengthen my legs and core muscles back to what they were in my "glory days." But is it the increase is self-esteem, confidence, and positive self talk that has really changed me. From the way I talk to and treat my children to the way I lead in my business, everything has been effected by my time in the dojo. I find my self saying things like "if it's meant to be, it's up to me!" on difficult days at the office, days I would rather not finish a necessary task, or asking myself if the candy or unhealthy food is something a black belt would have. The example that it gives me for both my daughters is worth every minute and dollar spent. They know that it is sometimes painfully for me to work out in the dojo, but they also know the value of preserving through those times and reaping the reward. read more

Our 4 year old daughter has been attending classes at Mike Storms Karate for two months now, and I have been extremely impressed and surprised. Last year I was a "dance dad" and thought that my daughter was learning discipline and respect... I now know she was simply behaving to get her "sucker and sticker" at the end of class. Karate has taught her respect and discipline and that we do these things because we know they are the right thing to do. We now routinely get responded to with "yes ma'am" and "yes sir" at home and see examples of her showing compassion with her brother. She is also eager to practice her karate moves at home and is very proud to be earning her Gold Belt this week! Perhaps more importantly as a parent I was immediately impressed with the first lessons - how to deal with bullies and what to do if you get lost from mom or dad. It's wonderful to have your child in an environment where they are exposed to a consistently positive message. I have full confidence that my daughter will learn the skills needed to be a strong, confident, and productive adult through her classes at MSK as well as the skills to set goals and persevere to accomplish them. read more

I can't stress enough how great Mike Storms Karate is for our family. The staff is helpful, welcoming and take great joy in teaching their skills to my son. He started not too long ago and every time we walk in the door the staff make us feel like longtime members. The other students are also extremely encouraging to him. Even the black belts seem to recognize that everyone begins their journey as a white belt. The communication via their app and social media is exceptional and keeps us well informed about the program. Finally, the thing I love most as a parent is the emphasis on character development. For the last month, my son has focused on "Honesty." Not only does he bow and say this word when he enters and exits the dojo, but it is also emphasized through coaching talks with Sensei Chase. In the short time we have been there, I have seen my son develop a growing maturity, greater confidence and an understanding of his personal responsibility that is filtering into other areas, such as his chores around the house and schoolwork. We recommend this program to anyone who is looking for a quality karate program for their child. read more

After a fair amount of research into martial art schools for my 9 year old daughter we decided on Mike Storm's Karate. As soon as you walk through the door you instantly feel this mood altering positive energy. The facility is impeccable and the people are warm and welcoming. Not just the staff but all of the families as well. It's amazing what a room full of smiles can do! My daughter has gained confidence here. She is not only learning martial art techniques and life skills but is also practicing how to be disciplined, patient, respectful and focused. Sensei Chase and Sensei Veronica, to name only a few, are well rounded and honestly happy young adults that have trained with Master Storm since they were young. They are more than just martial artists and instructors. These guys love what they do and they manage to infuse that enthusiasm into the kids who train here. I believe this dojo is special because Master Storm truly treats every family as an extension of his own. He is definitely creating future leaders and I am proud to know my daughter will be one of them. read more

I know this is really unorthodox, but I just had to swing by to say that Master Storms is the BEST BOSS EVER!!!! 1. I am a 23-year-old who is allowed to spearhead my own business ideas from start to finish. If I come up with an idea, Master Storms encourages me to go for it. And he's letting me do all this experimentation with his business. He supervises, of course. But still! It's awesome. 2. When I mess up, he NEVER makes me feel bad or stupid about it. As a matter of fact, the first time I did something wrong, he just looked at me and said, "Ok. Thanks for letting me know." When I didn't know how to respond to his obvious non-irritation, he said, "What? Do you want me to yell at you for doing one thing wrong out of the hundreds of things you do right?" I am still flabbergasted by that. Master Storms' character is of a caliber that I find to be very rare, especially in the business world. His positive attitude and integrity shine through all that he does, and I am so grateful to be part of such an amazing team!!! Happy 51st Birthday, Sensei! :) read more

My daughter started karate here just a few months ago. In those few months I have seen many improvements in her attitude, school work and focus. She enjoys coming and feels lifted up daily by the staff. Sensai Chase is amazing with children and has a real talent for teaching as well as making the children feel individually important and smart. Mike storms himself is a great leader and you can tell he truly enjoys what he does. Lauren at the front desk, seems to hold it all together and does so with a smile! She is always very knowledgeable about everything and anything you have a question about. The classes are great and are very flexible to accommodate any schedule. You are able to make up any classes with no problem or shift things around hence something changes. They also have birthday parties where I am expected to do nothing besides show up! (That's a huge plus in my book) We can't say enough about how great this place is! It is worth every penny and more! You will not go wrong with picking Mike Storms as your choice for karate! read more

I've been with Mike Storms Karate since November of 2016. Despite a few non-karate related injuries, one of which required knee surgery, I have stayed with the program. During classes, they have taught us that perseverance is one of five virtues that we should show in our everyday lives. In the last two or three months, I have matured to a great extent thanks to what they teach. I have gained more self-confidence through the system and I am even more respectful to everyone around me. I enjoy not only the training, but also the leadership attributes that are taught in the Black Belt Leadership Program. I have become more focused and gained a longer attention span, which helps me in school. I am now more aware of what I eat, drink, and how many hours I sleep thanks to Mike Storms himself. While I am only twelve, I think that I can separate the good from the bad fairly well. Mike Storms karate is most definitely one of the best things in my life. Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your amazing school! Chloe Brackett read more

I want to pass on to anyone considering Mike Storms Karate the exceptionally positive experience my family has had. Our youngest son was a quiet, introverted, studious young man when he started, with goals of improving his self confidence, becoming more physically proficient, and improving his general social skills. Over the three years Jason has been at MSK we have seen him grow in all of these. The shy kid on the left is now the confident, more socially adept young man having fun on the right. My wife and I have sat in on many of the sessions over the past few years. It was and still is exciting for us to see the positive messages and hear the encouragement coming from the Sensei's as kids much like Jason was years ago go through the learning and personal growth process we have delighted in. Our thanks to the entire Mike Storms family for helping make Jason the young man he is today read more

Mike Storms Karate is the best. It takes a village to raise a child. Karate Storms is a must for being part of that village. Karate is so much more than kicking and breaking a board at Mike Storms . Mike Storms teaches life skills in a caring atmosphere. Not too many places can tell your child hi the second time they see them and remember their name. Not too many places send you a text stating when they will see your child again (using your child's name in the text) if you happen to miss a class. Mike Storms goes above and Beyond in everything they do. My child has learned manners, self discipline, self control, facing fears, facing strangers , as well as learning what to do if they ever get lost and so much more. I as a parent exhausted myself teaching all these things to my child. Mike Storms has made this so much easier. Thank You Mike Storms. read more

Enrolling our son at Mike Storms Karate has been such a blessing to our family. We have watched in just a short time, our son Cooper(age 5), become a more self-confident well rounded child. He is a more vocal in school and at home. His school teacher has loved seeing the changes carried over from karate. He is always excited to go to karate and loves to show off his new moves to anyone willing to watch! It is worth a mention in this review just how incredible the staff is at Mike Storms Karate. Everyone seems to genuinely care for our son and his progress in class. He was over the moon when he received a postcard from Sensei Chase praising him for his hard work in class. He's hooked and speaks often of becoming a black belt! We look forward to seeing our son continue to grow and use what he has learned at Mike Storms Karate. read more

As being a MSK student myself as a young child, I knew what was expected from my own children as a student. So 16 months ago i signed up my oldest son, he had a lack of confidence in himself in everyway, not that many friends and was failing school. 16 months later my son is now on the honor roll, has the confidence to do and try anything once, he isnt afraid to go out and make friends anymore. His manners have gotten so much better. You dont just learn from being in class, you start learning from the time you walk in the door. You are always greeted as you walk in the door from an awesome Storms team member. Everyone is always felt welcomed, when watching your child's progress in clasd you aren't their only cheerleader, other parents are cheering for them too. It is one big happy family there. We love it!!! read more

I cannot say enough good things about this place. My 4-year old daughter started with a 6 week trial, and we immediately knew that we loved it. She is excited about every class, learns valuable skills, and most importantly - has fun!! Sensei Chase makes each class different and inspiring - and he is instilling such great confidence in each of these little pupils. My daughter is taking away such great listening skills (she loves "Sensei Says" and insists that we play it almost daily), but she also learns coordination, gets important exercise and talks about important social and safety skills that every individual can benefit from. Thank you Sensei Storms and the entire staff for helping us find a place that is truly instilling some core values into these precious kids!! read more

Our oldest son has been attending Mike Storms for 18 months and we've seen some noticeable changes in his self-esteem and behavior. Four months ago, our youngest started Karate and loves it. Two months ago, me (the mom) signed up, and last month my husband and daughter did too. There are now 5 of us in Karate school and have a terrific time doing something together as a family -a rarity in today's "busy" society. And you know what? We are having a blast! We can't recommend it enough to other families. The instructors are caring and you can tell (as a parent) that they are vested in your child's success. They notice when things are a little "off" -so I know my child isn't just a number. We can't wait to continue our black belt journey as a family for years to come. read more

I stumbled across Mike Storms Karate on Facebook a little over a year ago and decided to try it out. I'm so glad we did, my daughter loves it! When we first signed her up you think ok yes she will learn karate but at this school they teach the children so much more, manners, life values, goals, and all about how to stay safe. Every month they have a new lesson that they teach to the kids and I love that they do this. I know my daughter will take all of the things she learns here and will use them in her everyday life. As soon as you walk in the door you are greeted with smiles. I can tell my daughter feels awesome when she comes to the dojo, they're always uplifting telling her what a great job she is doing. Highly recommend Mike Storms to everyone! read more

Honestly, we never really thought of enrolling our son, Hunter, in karate. He happened to be hanging out with his friend who attends Mike Storms Karate and went with him to a class then he actually tried some of the moves afterwards--So of course, we did the trial month and have been going ever since! Hunter loves to be challenged and thoroughly enjoys learning new skills. From calling to get info from Miss Jennifer to class with Sensei Chase, and all the in between everyone is so helpful, encouraging, and a breath of fresh air in today's world. We love seeing him excited to push himself to be better :-) Chad & Nichole Keating read more

My son, Josh, has been with Storms Karate since 2016. We went to a school friend's birthday party and he had a fun time so we gave it a try. We tried soccer and baseball but he didn't really find his groove. Since day one, he has loved going to karate class. As he has progressed in the program, he is becoming stronger, more focused and realizes he can do more than he thought when he works hard and practices. As the mother of an 11 year old boy, I try to surround him with people to help mold him by their words and actions. I am thankful that Storms Karate is part of our team. To think it all started with a party :) read more

Our 5 year old son, Bentley, started karate about 4 months ago. We started as trial members and after our trial period we decided to sign him up. We were very excited about his willingness to go and excitement for karate days. We have not seen that in other activities that he has been a part of. His attention, manners, and self confidence has improved tremendously. Our whole family admires Sensei Chase, Jennifer, and Robert. We could not ask for better role models for our son. We are so glad we took the karate leap of faith. Thank you for all that you do! P.S We love steak :) read more