how to make a living in martial arts

[ddrive]

Actually.

How about a psychology degree?

As MA starts to work it's way in sports, most martial artist should double major in physical therapy, and psychology. While their partner handles the financial affairs of the dojo with his/her business degree.

[danfaggella]

i have been thinking on the same lines of whoever started this thread. i am a good student and a good athlete and have always had interest in artial arts but never got into them because MA in Rhode Island around my area is allot of BS (lame "karate" that is really just a place for yuppies to daycare thier fat kids). However, i have been gettingmore and more into it, watching fights, grappling with my friends all the time, going to Tim Burrill's up in prov (awsome....) ect... I really want to see if i can get a job in this field. I don't plan to run my own buisness, or to be a MMA fighter (though i will of course spar allt he time, i jut doubt it will be professional fro me), i would muc rather work as a trainer/teacer in a large MMA school/acadame, and train officers and military personel. Must i become a MMA fighter and gain a name to do so? Because i dont know too many guys who work in MA that have done such a thing, unless it is in smaller championships, ones that i am not familiar with (the ones i respect as the most "grade A" are pride and the UFC). I am currently just startingin college and just about to turn 18. i am trying out all kinds of free classesin RI where i can see different styles/people, i am always learning and grappling in my yard, and plan to get into wrestling and a JJ club at my university ASAP. but i still have many questions....

-what should i think about taking in college?
-what other ways can i see if such a vocation is right for me?
-can i learn about the lives of people with jobs training officers or working in big MA gyms anywhere? (online maybe)

comments/critisizm/whatever is very apprecated.

[danfaggella]

hate to be impatien, i just hate wasting time, is there any advise that can be given?

[ddrive]

You gotta compete bro!

I really want to see if i can get a job in this field. I don't plan to run my own buisness, or to be a MMA fighter (though i will of course spar allt he time, i jut doubt it will be professional fro me), i would muc rather work as a trainer/teacer in a large MMA school/acadame, and train officers and military personel. Must i become a MMA fighter and gain a name to do so?

The best teachers have a good amount of experience in the field or else it would be the blind leading the blind.

[danfaggella]

just because you havent been in the pro MMA cercuit doesnt mean you arent proficient in martial arts. that is absurd.

[ddrive]

Competition

just because you havent been in the pro MMA cercuit doesnt mean you arent proficient in martial arts. that is absurd.

I'm not saying that you have to be an MMA circuit fighter to be proficient in martial arts. All I'm saying is that in order to be a better teacher, and gain students quicker, make sure you have gained experience through competitions/tournaments.

[eXcessiveForce]

Actually many of the great athletic trainers did not learn on the field. Most boxing coaches were not pro fighters.

Some people fight, some people teach, there are a few that can do both.

[danfaggella]

can someone please respond to my long post, these questions and issues lurk around my mind and i really do want to do something with them.

can anyone comment on my long post?

thanks!

(also, yes im sure that competition gains respect/publicity, but it doesnt necissarily validate a teacher. i plan to enter in plenty of tournaments, but not be a pro fighter.)

[Jon Masaya]

Awesome thread! I'm in a similar situation as EmptyneSs and danfaggella. I'm 19 and finishing up my bachelors. I was personally thinking of making a living off of MA as a long-term goal (when I'm middle-aged, haha), but your posts are very encouraging to go for it sooner. I got a ways to go, but it's great hearing from everyone! Keep it comin.