We recently connected with Cody Brooks and have shared our conversation below.

Cody, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was betting on myself—turning a tough setback into the start of something entirely new.

I started martial arts as a kid, and it quickly became more than just a hobby—it was a way of life. As I grew older, I dove deep into multiple styles, eventually becoming an instructor. Alongside that, I worked in the medical field, where I gained a strong foundation in health, wellness, and how the body works. Those two worlds—martial arts and healthcare—shaped how I saw strength, discipline, and helping others.

For a while, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be, teaching martial arts and continuing to grow. But then, unexpectedly, I was let go from my job as an instructor. It hit hard. I had built so much of my identity around that role, and suddenly it was gone. I had a choice—play it safe and go back to a traditional job, or take everything I’d learned and build something of my own.

I chose the latter. I launched my own fitness and self-defense business—not just to keep doing what I love, but to do it on my terms, with a mission to help people reach their full potential, inside and out. It was scary. There were no guarantees, no steady paycheck, and a lot of learning on the fly. But I believed in the vision and the value I could offer.

Since then, it’s been a grind, but also incredibly rewarding. I get to empower others through fitness, self-defense, and mindset coaching—things that changed my life, and now change theirs too. That risk turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Cody, 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?

I’m Cody Brooks, the proud owner and lead trainer of NTSCF—a program built on resilience, empowerment, and transformation. I’ve served as the chief instructor at three martial arts schools and bring experience in Taekwondo, TangSooDo, Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I’m currently expanding my knowledge through Kempo and Judo.

NTSCF stands for Never The Same Combat & Fitness, because in life, certain moments shift us forever. I’ve had many of those moments myself, and through martial arts, I learned to channel pain into power and fear into focus. My mission is to be that same light for others—to help people transform through adversity and come out stronger.

At NTSCF, we do more than train bodies—we weaponize the mind. We believe true strength is built from the inside out. It’s within struggle and adversity that we discover who we truly are—and it’s there we find our greatest strength. Our goal is to empower, motivate, and energize you to become the best version of yourself through confidence building, mentorship, and self-value.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

“A lesson I had to unlearn was that showing emotion or vulnerability was a sign of weakness. Growing up, and even early in my martial arts journey, I was taught—directly or indirectly—that strength meant staying stoic, keeping everything in, and pushing through pain without ever showing it. I wore that mindset like armor. But over time, especially through personal struggles and life-altering events, I realized that kind of thinking only holds you back. Real strength comes from being honest with yourself, facing your pain, and using it as fuel to grow.

Another big lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that success has to follow a set path—that I had to do things the way others did to be valid or respected. Society teaches us to follow blueprints, to copy what “works,” but I learned that true impact and fulfillment come when you start paving your own road. My journey doesn’t look like everyone else’s—and it’s not supposed to. I had to stop measuring my steps by someone else’s milestones and start embracing the unique path that was meant for me. That shift in mindset changed everything.

Now at NTSCF, I help others do the same. We teach that your power comes from owning your story, not hiding it. That your strength is forged through adversity, not in avoiding it. And that becoming ‘Never The Same’ means embracing what makes you different—and turning that into your greatest weapon.”

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, I believe the most important thing for succeeding in this field is a deep sense of empathy and the ability to connect with people on a personal level. Training someone goes beyond teaching techniques—it’s about understanding their unique challenges, their fears, and what drives them. When you’re able to relate to someone’s journey and create an environment where they feel heard, valued, and motivated, that’s when real growth happens.

Success in this field isn’t just about being a great coach or instructor; it’s about being a mentor, a motivator, and a guide. You need to have the patience and understanding to help others see their potential, especially when they don’t see it in themselves. But most importantly, it’s about building a community. A strong, supportive network of people who are all striving toward the same goals, where individuals can lean on each other, celebrate wins together, and push through struggles as one. Creating that sense of belonging and support is just as crucial as any technique you could teach.”

Contact Info:

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