For more than three decades Grand Master Stephen Oliver has written for, appeared in and published the martial arts industry’s business press. This page brings together his magazine covers, his columns and the publications he has led.
Publisher of Martial Arts Professional
Oliver has served as Publisher of Martial Arts Professional magazine since 2007, when the title came to him with the acquisition of NAPMA, the National Association of Professional Martial Artists. NAPMA was founded in 1994 by John Graden; Oliver has led it as CEO and Chairman since 2007. Martial Arts Professional is the industry’s business and management trade publication, read by some 23,000 martial arts professionals. His long-running back-page column there is The Final Word.
As NAPMA’s CEO he also published Mastering the Martial Arts Business, NAPMA’s monthly member magazine and companion to Martial Arts Professional. Archived issues from 2010 and 2011 remain online, including the May 2010 transitional issue, Martial Arts Professional Presents: Mastering Martial Arts Business, and an interview feature with Brian Tracy and Tom Hopkins.
Cover appearances
Oliver has appeared on the covers of the industry’s business and trade publications, including:
- Martial Arts Professional Magazine
- Mastering the Martial Arts Business
- Martial Arts World
- Martial Arts World News — including a cover shared with Grand Master Jeff Smith
- Martial Arts Business
- Martial Arts Business Information
- Martial Arts Extraordinaire — including Issue 13, with Grand Master Jeff Smith
- Go2Karate — Issue #4 (June 2024) cover story
- EFC Eagle Express
- EFC All Stars
During Mile High Karate’s years of rapid growth he was also featured in Black Belt Magazine and Tae Kwon Do Times.
Columnist for six publications
Oliver writes for six industry publications: Martial Arts Extraordinaire, Martial Arts Professional, Mastering the Martial Arts Business, GoTo Karate, Rev Marketing and Martial Arts World.
Selected Martial Arts Professional columns
- How I Opened Five Schools in 18 Months
- The Non-Compete Clause
- The Pulse of a School
- Is Martial Arts Instruction a Real Job?
Selected Martial Arts World News columns
- The 10 Things You MUST Do to Thrive (Vol. 20 #1)
- Does Your School Have the X Factor? (Vol. 21 #4)
- Is Everyone in Your Boat Rowing in the Same Direction? (Vol. 22 #1)
- Just Sell Something (Vol. 22 #4)
- Wealth vs. Lifestyle (Vol. 23 #2)
- Everything Is Negotiable (Vol. 23 #4)
- Fire Those Who Suck the Life from Your School (Vol. 23 #6)
- Constructing Your Marketing Parthenon (Vol. 25 #5)
Go2 Karate
- Issue #1 (March–May 2023): Success Tips by Stephen Oliver
- Issue #2 (September 2023): Heighten Your Expectations
- Issue #4 (June 2024): cover story
- Issue #6 (March 2025): The First Rule of Marketing Your School Is Simple — Hustle
Television and newspapers
During Mile High Karate’s multi-school and franchise expansion, Oliver’s schools and events were covered by daily newspapers in Denver, Orlando, Maryland, Utah and British Columbia, including the Rocky Mountain News (January 5, 2004); by Denver’s CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX affiliates, including Chuck Norris’s visits to Mile High Karate, which also appeared on Entertainment Tonight; and nationally on The Montel Williams Show.
Books
He is the author of twelve books on direct-response marketing, school operations, leadership and character development, starting with one of the first books on internet marketing for martial arts schools in 1999. See Books by Stephen Oliver.
For editors and producers
Approved bios, photos and booking details are in the speaking and media kit. Please style his name as Grand Master Stephen Oliver and his rank as 10th Degree Black Belt.
Read next: Full biography · Achievements and awards · Read Martial Arts Professional
Last updated: October 2026