Boxing Archives - Kaizen Tactical Combatives

Martial Arts Reedsburg Nathan Grey Kaizen

Nov172022

A Trainer with Passion

My name is Nathan Grey. Thank you for visiting my Kaizen website. I began studying martial arts when I was 12, and I’ve been actively teaching since I was 16. I’ve studied a wide array of styles and formerly held many ranks and titles. I say formerly, since many years ago, I abandoned all acknowledgement of these (in my opinion) worthless titles.

My experiences taught me Rank, Style, and Title had nothing to do with the quality of martial arts training so many people receive. I will NEVER sacrifice the quality of my training, in exchange for massive amounts of students. I teach martial arts out of a passion to share my knowledge with others and give them the quality they desire and deserve. I bring the very best of my passion, skill, creativity, and ambition to every class I teach.

My training in France and Tahiti over the course of several years exposed me to an entirely new concept in martial arts. For me, there was no going back to any other method of training other than what I provide now. Rather than memorizing forms, competing for trophies, or bragging about titles… I inspire my students to discover their own signature style, to develop instinctive skills, and understand concept application rather than memorization. I provide a dynamic and motivating environment, while focusing on personal one-on-one attention for every student I train. My passion is martial arts and teaching, and my commitment is to my students and their families.

To contact me, visit this link: KAIZEN

In addition to Kaizen, you’ll see two other very important facets of my life on this site; One being “Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center”, and the other being “I Am Cinema”. Feel free to visit these links to learn more about my other business and volunteer work.

Thanks for visiting!

Nathan Grey

Mauston Martial Arts Studio (Juneau County)

Oct162021

Kaizen Tactical Combatives based out of Reedsburg (Sauk County) is now offering classes in Mauston, WI (Juneau County). Since May 2018, Kaizen has become a recognized studio offering legitimate and practical, reality based martial arts studio offering non-traditional martial arts training.

My name is Nathan, and I’m the owner/trainer at Kaizen. I founded Kaizen Tactical Combatives on the principle of offering a truly unique approach to learning martial arts. At Kaizen, I don’t waste my students time or money learning meaningless form after form after form (katas). We don’t compete for trophies or practice “point sparring”, which is a horrible approach to learning actual fighting and self-defense. And most of all, we don’t focus on belt ranks, titles, or fancy kicks and poses. I did all that nonsense when I was kid, and I earned Black Belt after Black Belt… None of that did any good in actually knowing how to fight or defend myself, despite what I believed at the time. Being a black belt does NOT mean you know how to fight.

I realize my outright and open discussion on my opinions of traditional martial arts may insult or offend those who still believe their black belt holds any value or will keep them safe in an actual fight or assault… but quite honestly… I just don’t care. I’m not afraid to say, if belt rank, trophies, fancy uniforms and Hollywood style kicks are what you’re looking for, then Kaizen is NOT the studio for you.

At Kaizen, we train as we fight, and fight as we train. Students learn the ability to adapt, improvise, and overcome. Rather than memorizing forms and doing fancy poses, we simply learn reality based martial arts, focusing more on the quality of skill and the understanding to utilize their training in an actual conflict. I develop my student’s muscle memory and instincts to adapt, improvise, and overcome.

WHY MAUSTON?

I opened my Reedsburg Studio in May, 2018. I returned to Wisconsin after living in Florida for five years, and settled in this area due to my involvement at Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue. My goal was to be as close to them as possible, and still run my business Kaizen, as well as my other business “I Am Cinema”. My Reedsburg Studio has proven not everyone cares about black belts, trophies, or fancy kicks. The type of students who train with me are only interested in their ability to actually fight and defend themselves. An attacker doesn’t care what belt you have, or what style you study… neither do we. As an instructor I refuse to ever sell out or water down my curriculum in exchange for massive classes so large, that students no longer received individual attention. I was once a part of a studio like that many, many years ago, and it disgusted me. The word “McDojo” is an understatement to describe that place. Fast forward to present day… I now only teach skills and concepts I truly believe in, because they are simplistic in design, and provide absolute freedom for each individual to discover their own fist. My reason for opening a sub-studio in Mauston is based upon two facts… the need for a business to earn income, and my need as an instructor to offer quality instruction and personal attention. Let me offer an explanation of the two:

BUSINESS NEEDS: As a business owner, I need to earn a living just like everyone else. As a martial arts instructor, the way I survive is by the number of memberships enrolled at my studio. Now, if my only goal was money, then I would focus on making each of my classes as large as possible. The more members I have, the more my business earns. But here-in lies the downfall. A class full of 30, 40, or 50 students means my students don’t receive personal attention, and the quality of my instruction declines, as well my reputation. Sure, the business would be making great money, but it would also be producing “cookie cutter” students unable to actually defend themselves. While some instructors crave money more than quality, it is something I refuse to do.

QUALITY INSTRUCTION: Offering classes at a different location allows my business to earn additional income, without sacrificing the quality of training I provide. I purposefully maintain a limited enrollment, so that each and every student receives the very best of my attention and guidance. I honestly don’t care if another group or organization has more students than me. Good for them. They may even brag about how good the instructor is with their kids, but being a nice guy doesn’t mean you’re teaching anything of value in actual self defense application.

My only concern is maintaining quality over quantity. My reputation is far more important than the numbers of students I have. I’d rather be the studio with a few amazing students, versus hundreds of unqualified and mislead black belts. Sadly for them, it’s not the students fault. It’s like Mr. Miyagi said “No such thing as bad student… only bad teacher”. Yes, I realize he’s a fictional character, but the statement is very true.

While I love being so very close to the Big Cat Rescue, I wanted to offer Mauston residents a quality martial arts program that isn’t focused on draining their bank accounts selling them worthless black belts. Since opening in Reedsburg, there have been dozens of families contacting me from the Mauston area seeking the training I provide, however the distance and winding back roads have made this option an unrealistic approach for them.

Just as I continue to offer the best instruction I can provide for people in the Reedsburg area, I wanted to offer the same for individuals and families in the Mauston area. By offering classes in both towns, I can maintain smaller class sizes with limited enrollment, while allowing my business to sustain the income needed to things we all need to do, like pay bills, pay rent, buy food, and everything else. With Kaizen now offering classes in Mauston, these individuals and families will receive the same benefits and quality instruction as I offer to my current studio.

This is additionally why I have another business “I Am Cinema”. My passion for film and acting lead to years of experience working on actual Hollywood Films, to later becoming a professional photographer and cinematographer myself. By following my passion as an artist, I generate an income while doing what I love. This other business allows me to justify and maintain smaller class sizes, and still offer the quality I insist on, which verifies my reputation. I’m very excited to finally offer classes in Mauston. Reedsburg will always be my main location, and I love being a part of this community, and now I can offer Mauston residents the same exceptional training I offer here.

To contact me, visit this link: KAIZEN

Thanks for visiting!

Nathan Grey

Aug192016

No Titles, No Rank

This is no “McDojo”… I provide passionate, expert instruction. One of the first questions I’m often asked is “What style do you teach?” The best answer I can provide is “None of them…”. I realize this is difficult to understand, at least until you begin training with me. When asked “Well, how would defend against a punch?”, I can only say “I have no idea… Punch me and let’s find out”. Its our ability to adapt, improvise, and manipulate our opponent(s) on the spot with each unique situation which dictates our ability to fight… not Belt Titles or Memorized Forms. The truth is; Rank, Style, and Title have no value or purpose in quality martial arts training, let alone ones own ability to defend themselves or others. At Kaizen, students will develop skills in striking, kicking, grappling, throwing, disarms, and even against multiple attackers, along with self-defense against weapons. I don’t have my students memorize forms, compete in tournaments, enroll in expensive “Black Belt Clubs”, and I don’t hide behind my own titles. Instead, I utilize a method of training focused on “Concept Application”, which develops instinctive skills and intuition. My curriculum is my own design and structured in a way where students experience the result of “knowing without knowing”. It’s very similar to understanding a language and how we learn it, speak it, read it, and communicate with it. An attacker doesn’t care if you’ve achieved enlightenment, or have a Black Belt, or what style you’ve studied… they want your money, your body, or your life. It’s not the style that will keep a student safe, it’s the quality and degree of their training, and how hard they’ve applied themselves to it. Your Belt Titles, Memorized Forms, and Style are worthless. All that matters is YOU. While I utilize a ranking system for my youth students, which greatly assists them visually to challenge themselves, set goals, experience success, and see results… I do not use rank as a competition or race, or a method of judging one’s own capabilities. My adults do not utilize a ranking system and training is informal. I don’t want adults calling me “Sir”, and answering to me like I’m their boss. Nor do I make them perform dangerous techniques not suited for their age or fitness level. Let’s keep our feet on the ground, not twirling through the air. We train as we fight, and fight as we train. My reputation is everything to me. I’m not here to waste your time or drain your bank account while forcing you to learn ridiculous poses and rehearsed skills which only work when your partner cooperates with whatever Â you were supposed to do. I am here to train, and I am here to teach. The rest is up to you, and how hard you apply the method of training I provide.

To contact me, visit this link: KAIZEN In addition to Kaizen, you’ll see two other very important facets of my life on this site; One being “Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center”, and the other being “I Am Cinema”. Feel free to visit these links to learn more about my other business and volunteer work. Thanks for visiting! Nathan Grey

Quality Martial Arts over Quantity $$$

Aug192016

Quality Martial Arts instruction is my primary goal. I refuse to ever “sell out” or “water down” the quality of my training, in exchange for massive amounts of students. This is not a belt factory… it’s a martial arts studio. Sadly, I see this happen all too often. It even happened to the first studio I was a student at, and I left because I refused to sacrifice the quality of my training for pretty trophies, over-crowded classes, and deep pockets. While we all need to earn a living, there are better ways to successfully run a business while not compromsing integrity and self-respect. Simply stated, my studio exists only because I have students and families who allow it to thrive. Without them, I have nothing. So in exchange, I provide the best training I can possibly offer, and guarantee limited class sizes and affordable rates. My rates NEVER increase, and I offer many discount incentives for my memberships. I work for my students. Essentially, they are my boss. If I fail to do my job, my reputation suffers and eventually I’d have to close my doors. My work in Film, Video Productions, and Photography allow me to offer this guarantee to my students and their families. Since my income isn’t entirely reliant on Kaizen, and I’m able to generate a living for myself with my other business “I Am Cinema”. While some may argue “How can I truly be committed to teaching martial arts, if I’m also out there shooting videos and photos”… I simply say, “Look at the quality of my students, and their level of satisfaction.” I’m passionate about teaching, I’ve done it nearly my entire life. You’ll see this passion and enthusiasm every time you step foot into Kaizen, and when you see me interact with my students. My commitment is to them and their families.

Tag: Boxing

WHY MAUSTON?