Conversations with Sensei Matt Zahand

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sensei Matt Zahand.

Hi Sensei Matt, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began martial arts kicking in the womb lol. My father, and the founder of our business, Zahand’s Martial Arts, was 1987 Olympic Sportsman of the Year and a 2-time Pan American Champion in karate.
I grew up doing it and began teaching at the age of 8, assisting with preschool classes and working specifically with behavioral students; autistic, ODD, and ADHD mainly.
My dream was to go into the Navy and become a Navy SEAL. I enlisted at 20. While in my BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training pipeline, I broke my back. I stayed on it until I could not walk. I am not a Navy SEAL. I am far from it.
The Navy duped me pretty bad as they did not want to compensate me in any way (no medical, GI bill, etc). I did not want compensation. I wanted to stay in. I fought tooth and nail to stay in so I could return to BUD/S after getting my back healed up, but the Navy denied me my second opinion, which I had a right to and should not be denied, as not to let me go over the 180-day marker in the military. If they could get me out before that, they would not have to compensate me in any fashion. They also lied and claimed I had 40-degree curve scoliosis. I would not have made it through all of my medical physicals to get in had I had this curvature. Unbeknownst to me, I did not know what scoliosis was nor that I had it, and my damage was not caused from a curve in my spine.
Long story short, they discharged me at 5 months and 2 days, and I tried everything to get back in. I attempted to go to other branches, went to my senators, and even hired an attorney to battle it out. Of course none of the things the Navy said were true about my back, but its a losing battle to go against big brother. I do not quit – especially on my dream. After hitting the cut off age to join the naval special forces, spine surgery, over 20 doctors and specialists, doing RFA (radio frequency ablations) yearly on my back, and much more consistent therapy on my own, I have been able to thrive, compete, and give back to what matters most – the kids.
As stated above, losing my dream brought me back home to my students at the dojo – the place I always needed to be.
Upon returning, I began my Bully Buster Program. I volunteer in 4 school districts teaching a 12-step program for kids to handle bullies without fighting. It was invented decades ago from a psychologist named Dr Terrence Webster-Doyle. I revamped and modernized it to help kids work as a team and do the program for all grade levels. I have done this program for about ten years now in the surrounding school districts and may finally be getting into Akron this year after a decades-long battle.
My main focus is giving back to my community through our dojo. I took over roughly 5 years ago. We have a little over 300 students. The aim for martial arts is much more than self-defense. It is about life skills building and creating a safe place for everyone to be themselves and build one another up. It teaches the confidence, discipline, and other qualities people need to endure the hardships that life can throw their way while giving a positive physical outlet that teaches protecting one’s self.
I was a point-fighter like my father growing up, but now do what is called Kyokushin Karate: a bare-knuckle full-contact karate where you attempt to win by knocking out your opponent. My father and are fortunate to have travelled all over the world and earned numerous national and international titles. Most of all, we are most delighted to give back to the kids of our community.
My students (especially the kiddos) saved my life when I was at my lowest when I lost my dream in the Navy. Everything happen for a reason, and I was put back here to support the kids of our community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Read prior slide to know struggles.

There are always the basic struggles of entrepreneurship, managing time, efficiency, etc. We have been in business over 30 years but there is always much to learn and grow from

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We teach 3 styles of martial arts – Karate, Judo, and Ju-Jitsu.
As for myself, I have trained in martial arts for roughly 28 years. I am fortunate, traveling to over 15 countries in my life, competing all over the world. I am a 6-time international Shotokan Karate champion, 12-time national Shotokan Champion, 2-time national Kyokushin Karate champion, and a 2-time international Kyokushin Karate champion.
I am a former sailor for the United States Navy, along with working a variety of jobs ranging from bartending to retail.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zahands.com
• Instagram: zahandsmartialarts
• Facebook: Zahand’s Martial Arts
• Youtube: Zahand’s Martial Arts