We recently connected with Alvin Brown and have shared our conversation below.

Alvin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Our Mission is to use martial arts as a vehicle to create leverage in every area of life! Martial Arts has become a very significant part of the American culture. Unfortunately, it has also gained much infamy due to pre-conceived ideas and media influences. My goal is to change that. We are living in the Information Age. Because of that, martial arts knowledge is accessible 24/7, which can create a huge impact, good AND bad. We want to use martial arts as a way to influence positive life choices that allow our students to be the best versions of themselves, whether on OR off the mat!

Alvin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In 1995, I got married twice. Me and my fiancé Jacquie got married, and I attended my first martial arts class! In both cases, I haven’t looked back! I’ve been practicing martial arts for almost 30 years and I am currently a 7th degree black-belt in Taekwondo. I also hold a 3rd degree black-belt in Tang Soo Do, a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as over 20 years experience in kickboxing, Escrima stick fighting, gun and knife self defense and various weapons training. I’ve been teaching Martial arts for over 20 years. In 2020, I moved to San Diego and founded Ignition Martial Arts in 2022.

Ignition Martial Arts provides martial arts classes comprised of different styles from all over the world. The goal is to use Martial Arts as a vehicle to create leverage in all areas of life! We also do self defense seminars, school talks, demonstrations, as well as private lessons and day camps. It’s a challenge to find a program that dynamically teaches life skills that are applicable beyond that skillset, and can help students be the best version of themselves in other extracurricular activities as well. Ignition Martial Arts does just that!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In September of 2019, I decided 2 things: I was going to move from Arkansas to San Diego AND I was going to start my own martial arts School. I knew nothing about owning a business, let alone owning one in California, but I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was going to happen! January of 2020, I came to San Diego to set things up before moving my wife and son. For 2 weeks, I lived in my car, but I eventually found an apartment and drove back across the country and got my family. I asked my bank if they knew any organizations that could help me start my business. Spring of 2020, I hit the ground running, and so did COVID! Though the pandemic, bad credit and and many unforeseen hoops to jump through, I got a grant, that helped me get a small business loan, that helped me start my School! I had a small, but amazing team to help me get going! I could go on about what I did to get here, but honestly, it’s what I didn’t do… quit.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In Jonesboro Arkansas, I was a full-time martial arts instructor for my best friend’s school. I was living the dream! One day, he sat the team down and said he would have to cut all of our pay in half! Needless to say, I found a day job as quickly as I could! I got an interview for a huge food plant that was known for keeping employees until retirement. I told myself that if I got this job, I would leave the martial arts business and never look back. I didn’t get that job. From there I started driving for FedEx, and listening to self help books while delivering packages. It was during that time that I decided to move to San Diego and start my own martial arts school!

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @ignition_martial_arts
• Facebook: Ignition Martial Arts
• Twitter: @arts_ignition
• Youtube: @IgnitionMartialArts
• Yelp: Ignition Martial Arts
• Other: TikTok: @igniton_ma