• Stephen Oliver, MBA

    10th Degree Black Belt. Founder of Mile High Karate and Martial Arts Wealth Mastery. The leading business coach for martial arts schools, BJJ academies, and MMA gyms — coaching school owners since 1985.

    Martial Arts Wealth MasteryGet the Free Book
    Grand Master Stephen Oliver in a blue Mile High Karate uniform
Mic Mic

Coach & Speaker Since 1985.

Begins coaching, consulting, and speaking for the martial arts industry. Keynote and lead speaker at industry conventions and training seminars across the United States.

EFC Board — Founding Member.

Stephen Oliver served as a founding and long-standing member of the Educational Funding Company (EFC) Board of Directors.

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CEO, NAPMA and MAPRO.

CEO of  NAPMA (National Association of Professional Martial Artists) and publisher of Martial Arts Professional — both roles held to the present.

Biography – Career Highlights

Stephen Oliver opened his first martial arts school in 1975, became the youngest-ever branch manager for the Jhoon Rhee Institute in Washington, DC in the early 1980s, and went on to build Mile High Karate into an international multi-school organization — with locations throughout the United States as well as British Columbia (Canada), Australia, and New Zealand — running every aspect of the business and teaching thousands of students along the way.

Since 1985 he has been an internationally known coach, consultant, and speaker for the martial arts industry: a founding member of the EFC Board of Directors (formed April 1987), NASKA World Tour promoter from 1989 to 1999, and a keynote or lead speaker at conventions and training seminars throughout the United States. Since 2007 he has served as CEO and Chairman of NAPMA (the National Association of Professional Martial Artists) and publisher of Martial Arts Professional. He holds an MBA and a 10th Degree Black Belt.

Today, as founder and CEO of Martial Arts Wealth Mastery, Stephen personally coaches professional school owners — traditional martial arts schools, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies, and MMA gyms — on marketing, enrollment, pricing, retention, staff development, and operations. His coaching team includes Grand Master Jeff Smith, Chief Master Greg Moody, Ph.D., and Bob Dunne. Members are frequently $500,000-to-$1,000,000+ per year operations and strong multi-school owners.

He also applies the same marketing and business systems as a coach to financial advisors and wealth managers through Advisor Wealth Mastery.

  • 1975

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    Opens his first martial arts school.

  • Early 1980’s

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    Youngest-ever branch manager

    Youngest-ever branch manager for the Jhoon Rhee Institute, Washington, DC.

  • 1983

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    Grows Mile High Karate

    Founded Mile High Karate in August 1983. Grows Mile High Karate into a multi-location organization based in Denver, Colorado: more than 2,500 active students by 1985 (age 25), more than 3,500 by the late 1980s, and continued growth beyond that through franchise locations in British Columbia (Canada), Australia, and New Zealand.

  • 1985

    Mic Mic

    Begins coaching, consulting, and speaking

    Begins coaching, consulting, and speaking for the martial arts industry; from April 1987, founding member of the EFC Board of Directors; keynote and lead speaker at industry conventions and training seminars across the United States

  • 1989–99

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    NASKA World Tour promoter.

  • 2000

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    Founds Stephen Oliver’s Inner Circle.

    Formally founds his coaching organization as Stephen Oliver’s Inner Circle, later rebranded Martial Arts Wealth Mastery, and begins franchising Mile High Karate internationally. Also founds Advisor Wealth Mastery, coaching financial advisors on sales and marketing.

  • 2007

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    Becomes CEO and Chairman of NAPMA and MAPro

    Becomes CEO and Chairman of NAPMA (National Association of Professional Martial Artists) and publisher of Martial Arts Professional — both roles held to the present.

  • Today

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    Founder & CEO of Martial Arts Wealth Mastery

    Founder & CEO of Martial Arts Wealth Mastery, coaching the top professional martial arts schools, BJJ academies, and MMA gyms in North America; author of The Way of the Mile High Maverick, Extraordinary Teaching (with Jeff Smith), Everything I Wish I Knew When I Was 22, and the free book Six Simple Steps to Add 100 Students (FillYourSchool.com); host of an active YouTube channel on martial arts business growth.

 

Magazine Covers.

Martial Arts Professional Magazine, Mastering The Martial Arts Business, Martial Arts World, Martial Arts World News, Go2Karate, EFC Eagle Express, Martial Arts Business, Martial Arts Business Information, Martial Arts Extraordinaire, EFC Allstars

Stephen Oliver’s Books.

Cover of Extraordinary Teaching, Volume 1 by Stephen Oliver and Jeff Smith

Extraordinary Teaching, Volume 1

Transform Your Martial Arts School Into a Leadership Academy

Cover of Add 100 New Students to Your School by Stephen Oliver

Six Simple Steps to Add 100 Students

Never Stress About Where You Are Going To Get New Students Ever Again!

Cover of Summer Is Your Secret Weapon by Stephen Oliver

Summer Is Your Secret Weapon

Martial Arts School Owner’s Complete Guide to Dominating April through September

Cover of The AI Revolution in Martial Arts School Marketing by Stephen Oliver

THE AI REVOLUTION IN MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL MARKETING

A 90-Day Step-By-Step Field Guide

Cover of The Way of the Mile High Maverick by Stephen Oliver

The Way of the Mile High Maverick

The Ultimate High-Level Business, Management, and Marketing Manual

Cover of Everything I Wish I Knew When I Was 22 by Stephen Oliver

Everything I Wish I Knew When I Was 22

How to AVOID the MOST COSTLY Mistakes in Your Business

Cover of the Extraordinary Teaching Implementation Workbook by Stephen Oliver and Jeff Smith

Extraordinary Teaching Implementation Workbook

A 90-Day Step-By-Step Field Guide

Cover of Guide For Explosive Martial Arts School Growth by Stephen Oliver

Guide For Explosive Martial Arts School Growth

Cover of the report Who Is Grand Master Stephen Oliver, 10th Degree Black Belt

Who is Grand Master Stephen Oliver, 10th Degree Black Belt

Learn about Grand Master Stephen Oliver, and why you should listen to him.

Stay connected and up to date.

Follow and subscribe to our channels across all major platforms for the latest martial arts marketing, promotions and management information.

Media & Speaking

Stephen has been a keynote or lead speaker at martial arts industry conventions and business training seminars throughout the United States since 1985, promoted the NASKA World Tour from 1989 to 1999, and has published Martial Arts Professional since 2007. His YouTube channel features member results, marketing systems, and interviews with martial arts legends including Jhoon Rhee, Jeff Smith, and Joe Lewis.

Watch more on the Stephen Oliver — Martial Arts Wealth channel: member results, BJJ & MMA gym growth, pricing, marketing, retention, staff development, and the Martial Arts Legends series.

For interview, podcast, or speaking requests: call/text 1-720-256-0208.

Thoughts From Industry Leaders!

What martial arts champions, school owners, authors and industry founders say about Grand Master Stephen Oliver. Read more on the Feedback page.

Andrew Wood, Author of over 70 books, consultant, professional speaker and world traveler: “Stephen Oliver is still there leading the industry.”
Dan Kennedy, Marketing strategist, entrepreneur, author of the No B.S. book series: “he has brought a tested, proven, thorough business growth blueprint.”
Dave Dee, Speaker and marketing expert: “Stephen Oliver is a legend in marketing circles.”
Dave Kovar, Founder and Chief Training Officer, Kovar's Martial Arts: “Stephen Oliver and Jeff Smith understand every aspect of the martial arts business.”
Frank Silverman, MAIA and MA Success Magazine; owner of five schools: “As for the school owner in me, the knowledge was priceless.”
Greg Silva, Black Belt Schools International: “They exemplify what it means to be true martial arts professionals.”
Grand Master Jhoon Rhee, Father of American Tae Kwon Do: “My student, Stephen Oliver is the new generation of leaders in the martial arts industry.”
Joe Corley, PKA CEO and founder: “Stephen Oliver is a unique force in our field of martial arts.”
John Chung, Legendary world forms champion: “With this man's expertise and help, I know I am well on my way to joining him in the top 1%.”
John Graden, Founder, NAPMA and the Martial Arts Teachers' Association: “Long recognized as one of the sharpest marketers in the industry.”
John Worley, National Karate Schools; co-promoter, Diamond Nationals: “One of the nation's most respected authorities on the ownership, management and promotion of martial arts schools.”
Lee Milteer, Performance and productivity coach: “I am always still very impressed with the quality of knowledge, usable strategies, mindset, and practical skills he shares.”
Matthew Brenner, Host, Black Belt Business Podcast; CEO, Double Your Dojo: “If you're in the martial arts world, you know Stephen Oliver's name.”
Mike Massie, Author, Small Dojo Big Profits: “You could do much worse than to have Stephen Oliver giving you advice.”
Mike McCoy, Co-promoter, the U.S. Open; NASKA President: “I believe Steve to be the premier martial arts school business adviser in the world today.”
Pat Worley, 10th Degree Black Belt; founder, USA Karate: “I've known Stephen Oliver for over 40 years.”
Tom Callos, Ultimate Black Belt Test: “There are few people in our industry today that have the educational background and the practical experience that Steve does.”
Tracy Lee Thomas, 8th Degree; founder, GO2 Karate: “He has profoundly impacted the lives of numerous school owners.”
Troy Dorsey, 8-time world kickboxing and boxing champion: “Extraordinary Teaching shows exactly how true mastery on the mat translates into mastery in the classroom and the business.”
Grand Master Y.K. Kim, 9th Degree Black Belt: “Stephen Oliver is an exceptional human being.”
Master Toby Milroy, Atlas Software: “Stephen Oliver has built the longest-running, most successful martial arts business coaching program of its kind in the industry.”
Don “The Dragon” Wilson, World kickboxing champion, actor and producer: “I know of no other martial arts professional who has more business experience and knowledge of how to maximize profits in the martial arts.”
Richard Hackworth, Owner, American Dragon Martial Arts: “Master Oliver has been at the top of this industry for decades and has really given everyone a way to succeed.”
Clara E. Minor, CEO, MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness: “His expertise and knowledge about martial arts businesses is by far the best in the industry. Highest recommendation!”

Current and Former Member Feedback!

In their own words: school owners who are working, or have worked, with Grand Master Stephen Oliver and Martial Arts Wealth Mastery.

Lloyd Irvin, Jr.: “If it wasn’t for Master Oliver, I’m not sure where my business would be.”
Jon Penny, Jon Penny’s Black Belt Academy: “Master Oliver and his crew are lightyears ahead of them all.”
Greg Macy, Ripple Effect Martial Arts: “Joining right after opening our school was probably one of the best decisions we made.”
Amanda Christensen, Owner-Operator, Mile High Karate, Thornton, CO: “If you want your students to receive the best possible service you can offer while growing your own financial wealth, this is where you want to be.”
Joseph Preira, Success Martial Arts: “You’ll earn back whatever his fee is exponentially.”
Geoff Cielo, King Tiger Martial Arts, Virginia Beach, VA: “A person of unwavering integrity.”
Jason Purcell, Family Black Belt Academy, Seattle, WA: “We went from facing closure at $7,500 to building a sustainable $100,000/month business.”
Duane Brumitt, Tri-Star Martial Arts Academy, Bradley, IL: “My normal gross was about $19,000, and that June, the month I actually implemented everything, I did $47,000.”
Heidi Gilbert, Elevate Martial Arts, Woodinville, WA: “Now I’m at $80,000 to $82,000 most months, with about 170 students.”
Jeff Kash, Laguna Beach Dojo, Laguna Beach, CA: “It’s been an absolute game changer.”
Steve Seme, USA Karate, Rosemount, MN: “We did almost $750,000 last year, up from about $120,000 when we started.”
William Wong, Lincoln Family Martial Arts, Lincoln, CA: “I got flooded with new students.”

Dan Kennedy, author of the No B.S. book series“I have known and worked with Stephen Oliver for many years and personally witnessed the profound impact he has on individual Martial Arts School owners, and on the industry as a whole. Maybe viewed by some as heretic, and by others as the deliverer of inconvenient, uncomfortable truths, it is undeniable that, with the school owners who have been mindset ready, he has brought a tested, proven, thorough business growth blueprint. And not just revenue growth, but growth in the owner’s pride and satisfaction with the way the greater income is created.”

“Stephen Oliver has built the longest-running, most successful martial arts business coaching program of its kind in the industry. He coaches some of the highest-grossing and highest-net-profit martial arts schools in the industry.”

“Stephen Oliver is a leader in the industry — a legend when it comes to coaching martial arts schools.”

“It is the best mastermind group a martial arts school owner can be a part of.”

“The guys really know their stuff on how to implement systems in the school — I highly recommend it to anybody

“I am learning and growing so much as a martial arts professional and am grateful to Grand Masters Oliver and Smith, and all the team.”

“Stephen Oliver is simply THE BEST when it comes to teaching the most effective and simplified way to create a successful martial arts academy. My academy is having back-to-back record months and our internal structure and culture has never been better. I haven’t been this motivated in years and I can’t wait to see where we will be in the next 5 years! Thanks for leading the way Master Oliver.”

$1.3M gross

Scott & Brandi Sullivan, Bam Bam Martial Arts (Houston, TX) — a 2,400 sq ft BJJ & Muay Thai school

$16K → $59K/mo

in 6 months — Ben Brown, PHAS3 Martial Arts (Santa Rosa, CA)

+$250,000 in one year

Eric Williams & Hai Nguyen, Elite MMA (Houston, TX) — two locations, 850+ members

4.9★ / 52 reviews

Google rating, Martial Arts Wealth Mastery

Official Profiles And Media!

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Users Users FILL YOUR SCHOOL PROGRAM
Amazon Amazon AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
Gplus Gplus GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE
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