Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melody Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Melody, 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?
My mission as the CEO of SKILLZ is to revolutionize the way we teach and mentor children by merging martial arts, education, and developmental science. I believe that helping children reach their full potential requires more than just teaching physical skills—it demands a deep understanding of how they think, learn, and grow. My goal is to bridge the gap between traditional coaching methods and modern developmental research to create programs that empower not only kids but also the instructors and parents guiding them.
My journey began in the martial arts industry, where I saw firsthand how structured training builds discipline, confidence, and resilience. However, I also recognized that traditional coaching often lacked age-specific, science-backed methods to support children in a way that fosters both skill development and personal growth. That realization led me to create SKILLZ, a program that integrates neuroscience, psychology, and educational strategies to help children thrive not just in martial arts but in all aspects of life.
The foundation of SKILLZ is built on a comprehensive set of courses designed to elevate the standard of teaching and child development. These include Brain Biology, Brain Connectivity, Emotional Intelligence SKILLZ, Mentor SKILLZ, Parenting Styles, and Parent SKILLZ, which provide tools for cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Additionally, SKILLZ University offers specialized training in Class Management SKILLZ, Teaching SKILLZ, Brain SKILLZ, and Stages of Development to help instructors refine their approach, create engaging learning environments, and effectively guide children through their developmental journey. By translating complex scientific concepts into practical, easy-to-apply teaching methods, SKILLZ ensures that every child receives developmentally appropriate guidance tailored to their specific needs.
Beyond skill-building, I am deeply committed to addressing real-world challenges children face today, including bullying and social confidence. The Bully Management Course and Confidence SKILLZ program provide kids with the tools to navigate difficult situations, stand up for themselves, and develop emotional resilience. This work is about more than just self-defense; it’s about equipping children with the mindset and emotional intelligence to handle adversity with strength and self-belief.
Ultimately, my vision is to elevate the way we teach and mentor children by merging martial arts, education, and developmental science. My mission is to empower instructors to be more than just teachers—they become role models who instill confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning in their students. Through this work, I aim to create a global movement that changes the way we support children’s growth, ensuring they have the skills, knowledge, and belief in themselves to succeed in all aspects of life.
Melody, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My journey into the world of child development, education, and martial arts began in 1987 when I first stepped onto the training floor as an 11-year-old. Back then, kids and adults trained together, following the same curriculum, and unsurprisingly, most children dropped out before making real progress. I, however, was an anomaly—I stayed. But when I became a school owner at just 19 years old, I saw an opportunity to do things differently. I started by separating kids from adult classes, incorporating elements of entertainment and engagement from my experience working at Disney, and diving deep into how children learn and grow. What I discovered not only reshaped my teaching but led to the birth of SKILLZ, a revolutionary, science-backed approach to martial arts and child development.
At SKILLZ, we provide age-specific training based on well-researched developmental milestones, ensuring that children learn in ways that match their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social capabilities. Our methodology isn’t just about teaching martial arts—it’s about leveraging structured training to foster confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence in children. Our curriculum follows a “reverse training concept,” where instead of forcing martial arts techniques onto kids, we identify the key developmental SKILLZ for each age group and build training around them. This approach not only helps children excel in martial arts but also enhances their problem-solving skills, self-discipline, and ability to handle real-world challenges.
Beyond the curriculum, SKILLZ University offers specialized training in Class Management SKILLZ, Teaching SKILLZ, Brain SKILLZ, and Stages of Development, giving instructors the tools to create engaging, supportive, and highly effective learning environments. The Certified Pediatric Ninja Specialist program dives even deeper, covering Brain Biology, Brain Connectivity, Emotional Intelligence SKILLZ, Mentor SKILLZ, Parenting Styles, and Parent SKILLZ to equip educators, coaches, and parents with the knowledge to maximize a child’s potential.
What sets SKILLZ apart is our commitment to integrating neuroscience, psychology, and education into everything we do. We’re not just teaching techniques; we’re shaping the way children learn, build confidence, and interact with the world. The science behind our programs shows that martial arts, when taught using an age-specific, brain-based approach, can be one of the most powerful tools for child development. From fostering emotional resilience to enhancing cognitive function, our training maximizes learning through active engagement, game-based drills, and skill progression designed to create neural growth and long-term retention.
I am most proud of how SKILLZ has transformed the martial arts industry and reached thousands of children worldwide. Today, our curriculum is used in over 1,000 schools across more than two dozen countries, and it continues to evolve based on cutting-edge research in childhood development. Through SKILLZ, my mission is to empower instructors to be more than just teachers—they become mentors who shape the next generation with confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning. My work is about revolutionizing how we approach child development in martial arts, ensuring that children leave our programs not just as better martial artists, but as stronger, smarter, and more emotionally intelligent individuals ready to take on the world.
In addition to curriculum development, I have had the privilege of sharing my expertise through speaking engagements worldwide. Over the past two decades, I have presented at numerous conferences and summits, providing insights into child development, coaching, and business growth for martial arts school owners. My speaking experience includes:
– Speaker at NAPMA Conferences: 1999 – 2003
– Speaker & Seminar Host for SKILLZ Live Conferences: 2004 – present
– Speaker at Martial Arts Supershow: 2011 – 2020
– Speaker at Martial Arts Business Summit: 2013 – 2015
– Speaker at CozTalks: 2015 – 2020
– Speaker at MPower Summit: 2015 – 2019
– Speaker at My Studio Summit at Harvard University: 2018
– Speaker at ATA World’s, Fall, and Sprint National Events 2022 – 2024
– Speaker at Success Team’s Business Summit: 2019 – present
– International Speaker in Australia, Spain, UK, & Canada
– Presenter at over 50 freelance seminars and workshops
Through SKILLZ and my speaking engagements, my goal remains the same: to revolutionize the way we approach child development through martial arts, education, and mentorship. I believe that by equipping instructors, coaches, and parents with the right tools and knowledge, we can create positive, lasting change in the lives of children everywhere.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
One of the most effective strategies for growing my clientele has been leveraging speaking engagements, content shared on social media, and now, my podcast, The Melody Johnson Podcast. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at numerous industry events, conferences, and seminars, both nationally and internationally. These opportunities have allowed me to connect with martial arts school owners, educators, and coaches who are passionate about improving their programs and making a greater impact on children’s development. By sharing insights on child psychology, brain-based learning, and effective teaching methodologies, I’ve been able to position SKILLZ as a leader in age-specific training and childhood development within the martial arts industry.
In addition to live events, social media has been a game-changer for expanding my reach and engaging with a global audience. By consistently sharing valuable content—whether it’s a quick teaching tip, a deep dive into child development research, or behind-the-scenes looks at our programs—I’ve been able to build trust and establish credibility with instructors and parents alike. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram have given me a space to educate, inspire, and connect with my audience on a personal level.
Most recently, launching The Melody Johnson Podcast has provided another avenue to share knowledge and connect with a wider audience. Through the podcast, I explore topics like childhood development, teaching strategies, and leadership skills that help instructors and parents create impactful learning environments. It’s a platform where I can dive deeper into the science behind SKILLZ and share practical tools that anyone can apply, whether they’re teaching in a martial arts school, coaching a sports team, or parenting at home.
One of the biggest benefits of this approach is that it allows potential clients to experience the value of SKILLZ before they ever make a commitment. Whether they attend a conference session, watch a video, listen to a podcast episode, or engage with a post, they’re able to see firsthand how our methods can transform the way they teach and impact the lives of their students. This creates an organic growth strategy where instructors seek out our training because they already believe in our mission before they even enroll.
Ultimately, educating through speaking, social media, and The Melody Johnson Podcast has helped SKILLZ grow not just as a business, but as a movement. It has allowed me to reach the right people—those who are eager to elevate their programs and truly make a difference in the lives of the children they teach.
How did you build your audience on social media?
When I first started using social media to grow my audience, my main focus wasn’t on selling anything—it was on helping people. I spent the first part of my social media journey answering questions and sharing free content that would benefit martial arts instructors, coaches, and educators who work with kids. I knew from my own experience as a school owner that there was a huge need for better teaching strategies, so I started posting free drills, skill-based games, and instructor training tips to help schools improve their programs.
At the time, I wasn’t thinking about conversions or algorithms—I was just showing up consistently, providing real value, and engaging in conversations. If someone had a question about how to handle a difficult student or make their kids’ classes more exciting, I would take the time to answer. If an instructor struggled with class management or student retention, I would post a video or write a detailed explanation of what worked in my experience. I made it a priority to be a resource first and build relationships with people who shared my passion for teaching.
This approach naturally led to growth. As more instructors started following and implementing my ideas, they shared their results and tagged me in their posts. Their excitement turned into word-of-mouth marketing that spread organically. Before I knew it, martial arts school owners from all over the world were reaching out for advice, which eventually led to the creation of SKILLZ—an age-specific curriculum designed to optimize child development through martial arts.
For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my biggest advice is this: show up consistently and focus on helping people first. Instead of worrying about likes or sales, think about what you can offer that truly benefits your audience. Give them something useful—tips, insights, solutions to their challenges—and they will naturally start to follow, engage, and share your content.
Also, don’t be afraid to start small. You don’t need fancy equipment or perfect production value—just start posting, answering questions, and engaging with your audience. The more you show up, the more trust you build. Over time, your audience will grow, and when you do offer something for sale, people will already believe in you because they’ve experienced the value of your content firsthand.
This mindset shift—from promotion to contribution—was the key to building my audience, and it’s something I still prioritize today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.skillzworldwide.com
- Instagram: @melodyleejohnson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melody.shuman.9
- Youtube: @MelodyLeeJohnson
- Other: https://www.themelodyjohnsonpodcast.com
