Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Powers
Hi Ed, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started martial arts training in 1988 in Isshinryu Karate with the City of North Ridgeville. My wife Melissa and I took that program over and formed Powers Martial Arts in 1996. We grew the academy into a Commercial school in 2004 in the city of North Ridgeville. My wife and I are currently 7th degree black belts in Isshinryu Karate.
I am the Chief of Police in a city in Ohio. I was certified as a subject control instructor for the state of Ohio in 2002. I teach subject control at my police department and in a local police academy.
In 2004 my wife and I started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I currently hold the rank of a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and my wife is a brown belt.
In 2020 with the advent of Covid 19 we moved our school to its current location 28951 Lorain Rd North Olmsted OH 44070
We have a family member who was diagnosed wit Autism. Melissa and I created a therapeutic martial arts program as an alternative to traditional therapy. We taught clients with Autism and several other disabilities. We also created a peer based program to help our students assimilate into regular martial arts class. We have taught this program not only at our academy but in a couple of local school systems and aftercare facilities.
Melissa and I have bee inducted into the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame. Our two oldest children our black belts in Isshinryu Karate and purple belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our youngest daughter trains and is working her way through the rank system.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No. We grew our school from a parks and recreation program to a commercial school. Working with our therapeutic martial arts students is very challenging. We created Pec’s systems for martial arts, used sign language for communications, formulated martial arts based IEP’s for clients all while having a family member who was autistic and nonverbal at the time.
I worked night shift at the police station and then would teach in the afternoon. During the time that we were not teaching, we were taking our autistic family member to traditional therapies. Most of the care that autistic individuals need is not covered by insurance or only partially covered. We became an advocate in the community. We train students that would otherwise not have a program to train in. We took those students and mixed them into a peer based program along side our other clientele.
in 2020 Covid 19 hit and like any other business we had to shut our door. During this time we almost lost the school. We were able to reopen in a new location but this was a financial burden, Currently with the state of the economy all of our expenses are at an all time high. (Same as any other business. )
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been running a martial arts school with my wife Melissa since 1996. I have been a police officer since 1998 and I am currently a Chief of Police in an Ohio City.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My wife Melissa Powers who I run a the martial arts school with, My instructors, my family, my parents, and all of my students.
Without my wife, we would not have a school. I could not have done it alone. My instructors taught me the arts of Isshinryu Karate and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our parents helped us start the school. My kids grew up there and one day I hope to leave them the school.
My Students support the school, help teach. They all have been there threw 3 moves and kept the school going.
Pricing:
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu $130
- Isshinryu Karate $99
- Muay Thai $99
- Youth Martial Arts $99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://powersbjj.com
- Instagram: @powers_martialarts
- Twitter: @powerskarate
