We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful James McPheeters. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with James below.
James, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?
There are several! One I have recently come across and have been reading about is St. Joan of Arc. At age 17, this illiterate shepherdess was appointed commander-in-chief of the armies of France, second only to the King! She led the armies of France to victory during the Hundred Years War and helped free France from English rule. She is an exemplary model of all virtues, but especially those of prudence and Christian faith—two virtues which many today would consider contradictory. Prudence is “wisdom in action.” It means to live in reality, with what is, and to deliberate, decide, and act, without changing course, giving up, or giving into doubt, indecision, or recklessness. The prudent man or woman never alters course unless new and relevant information comes up. Countless times in Joan’s story (as related in Mark Twain’s novel, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc), she is pressured to give up or use caution when caution is not called for. At one point in particular, Charles VII’s court officials have convinced him to lose time and delay marching to Rheims for him to be coronated as king. Joan argues against this, but is rebuffed. Still, she does not give up, and continues to beg Charles VII to follow her to Rheims. She shows that the reasoning of the court officials was flawed: They advised caution because of the English fortresses along the way, but their delay only resulted in the fortresses being strengthened, and Joan’s army being reduced (since men had to disband since they couldn’t be paid to wait around). The cowardly court officials acknowledge that perhaps they should have gone earlier, but now it is surely foolish to march to Rheims. Joan counters: Nothing has changed, except it will now be harder, and if they wait longer, it will be even more difficult. Joan knows that difficulty is not new and relevant information. Her mission from God was to bring the King to Rheims, and the “sunk cost” (to use an economics term) that makes it more difficult, doesn’t change that it is a good idea, since there is no other real option. I struggle with indecision, doubt, and regret. But Joan inspires me to push forward, even when things are not going my way, and even when it is going to be more difficult than I’d planned. Moreover, Joan is not reckless: She is clever, and constantly shows that she has thought through her decisions and weighed her options.
But all of Joan’s actions are motivated by love of God, and are inspired by faith that He will accomplish what He has promised to her through visions and visits by St. Michael the Archangel and God’s saints. She is not prideful and self-reliant. She uses her gifts and talents as best she can, but always in total reliance on the King of Heaven. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37) Joan has true humility: She knows the truth about herself: That she is a mere creature made by the Almighty, that He has given her certain gifts, and that He expects her to develop and use them for His glory and the good of others while relying on Him for everything. When I am afraid that my business will fail, or wonder if I should attempt something “safer,” or experience doubt when we have a bad month, or am anxious about the future—I remember St. Joan of Arc, and ask her for her help to be brave and trust in God.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started training in Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense) in July of 2016 at Premier Martial Arts in Lawrence, KS where I attained my black belt in Krav Maga and became certified as an instructor. I opened up my own school in Lee’s Summit, MO last year, and Imelda Martial Arts & Krav Maga had its first classes on August 14th, 2023!
We are a martial arts school that teaches Krav Maga, which is Israeli self-defense and is still used by the Israeli Defense Forces today. All of our classes are Krav Maga (although I also teach bo staff, nunchaku, and Escrima to the youth classes), and there are only a handful of schools I know of in Kansas City that teach it. Other schools might teach elements of Krav and adapt them to their martial arts style. But what sets Krav apart is that it has no rules, only principles that make it suited for self-defense. Some of these include the following:
It must work for the athlete and the unathletic person (my oldest students are in their 60s).
It must work under stress and in real, live, dynamic situations.
It must be able to be learned quickly and remembered easily.
It should be an integrated system where what you learn in one area of Krav helps you learn another area (hence the importance of not mixing it with traditional martial arts).
All of this makes it especially suited for children and women. If a technique I teach doesn’t work for your body or against a bigger opponent, I’ll show you a different way. We also test our techniques, which allow students to practice safely but with elements of real life (such as being caught off guard or defending while exhausted). My students work hard, but they walk away with more confidence for it.
Krav Maga isn’t the “best martial art” (there is no such thing), but I think it is the best or one of the best for self-defense. I’m glad there are so many martial arts schools in the area, and we have different strengths. One of my strengths is the level of training I have. My instructor, Mark Taylor, earned his 2nd-degree black belt in Krav Maga under Ernie Kirk. Mr. Kirk is the head of Krav Maga Universal and is the US representative for Krav Maga from Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel (the birthplace of Krav Maga); he is the only American instructor recognized by Wingate with the authority to certify others using the Wingate curriculum. When things are handed down too far, without ever going back to some of the best instructors, sometimes techniques get muddied and can be altered for the worse. I still train with my instructor, learn from his expertise, and pass that on to my students. Part of that expertise is the tactical knowledge I teach. My teens and adults learn about scanning rooms, the elements of self-defense (versus retribution), how predators choose their victims, and more. My kids also learn some of these—to the extent that it is relevant or digestible for them. The kids (ages 5-12) also have monthly homework and learn in class not just about self-defense and fighting but virtues like humility, prudence, justice, courage, temperance, goal-setting, and responsibility. All of this—the techniques themselves, the knowledge, the stress-testing, and the lessons learned through failure and getting back up—provides a unique environment for kids and adults to grow through their challenges on the mat, and become braver, more confident, and more peaceful.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
From my own experience and what I’ve gathered from others in the martial arts industry, the best source for new clients is those you have. They have friends and family, and they spread the word about you to others. You can offer rewards and credits if they do so, as well. But you can never beat them as a means of advertising, because they are more credible than you are. They’ve experienced your good product, and if they really believe in it they’ll be sincere and excited when sharing it with others. In my business, my students also have a vested interested in classes getting bigger, because bigger classes are more exciting!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I got the job as Head Instructor for Premier Martial Arts in Lee’s Summit, MO in November 2021, and I loved it! I began forming relationships with my students and their families and realized that I not only got to work with these amazing people and be part of their lives but also challenge them, encourage them, and help them walk in peace and go home safe. But then in July of 2023 we learned that the school was suddenly closing. My immediate thought was: I have unfinished work—so how can I keep teaching these students? By God’s Providence, I opened up my school within three weeks, and Imelda Martial Arts & Krav Maga had its first classes on August 14th!
It hasn’t been easy—but no good things come easily. Most business owners have months to plan, prepare, and set up their business. I had three weeks to learn what an LLC was, obtain one, learn how taxes work for the self-employed, get insurance, find a location we could use, and more. I called/emailed over 40 locations to find one that would work. I have anxiety, so the stress of this, the uncertainty of whether it would work and if I should even try it, has been a lot! There have been a lot of ups and downs with thinking a sublease or lease would work out, and then it doesn’t, investing in some marketing strategy with little to no results, and getting my hopes up only to learn how expensive certain things are. I’m also an introvert, and I don’t like calling people or taking the initiative in a business situation. It’s been a great challenge for me and has gotten me out of my comfort zone. God worked it out, primarily through the people who have helped me along the way: My instructor, Mark Taylor, and another instructor (Brian Meyers at Catalyst Krav Maga), who gave me their advice and insurance contact; family members who have been in the business world a long time; Michelle, the owner of Kidz Kabana Childcare, who has been excellent for us to rent from and where we have been training; the mom of one of my students, who is a CPA and helped me understand the above tax shenanigans; and then the students who followed me from Premier after it closed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.imeldakravmaga.com
- Instagram: @imeldamartialarts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550468483669&sk=about_contact_and_basic_info
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-mcpheeters