Hey guys, just quickly wanted to tell you about my day and the situation that presented itself. It is a FRAT, but you all know me by now... that's what I do :)
As many of you already know, I have two daughters, ages 6 & 7.
Last Thursday, we passed by the window of a Martial Arts Academy, and my girls stopped to look at the gear, belts, and throphies in the window display. My daughters have wanted to train in Martial Arts since the first time they ever watched a fight with me.
When Melody (now age 6) was four-years-old, we watched Bendo vs. Melendez together. This was the first MMA fight she ever saw. Now, Melody has a unique ability to grasp the bigger picture. She's incredibly quick-witted & intelligent. As I explained what was happening on-screen, she was watching very closely. When I asked who she wanted to win, she said Bendo. I was rooting for Bendo at the time, as well.
To give you an example of how well she gets things, and how good her visual perspective is: by the end of the fight, she said "Daddy, I think the other man (Melendez) won." So did I, and so did half The UG from what I can recall. Lol.
Point being- she understood what was going on in that cage, pretty fucking unbelievably well for a four-year-old girl that had never seen an MMA fight before.
Her sister, Lilah (age 7; they were born exactly one year apart), has always been a great visual-perceptive learner- and is incredibly athletic to boot. Her first fight was watching Ronda Rousey vs. Meisha Tate. Now, they've both seen all of Ronda's fights... and have wanted to train in Martial Arts for awhile now, as their Mother & I went searching for a decent school for them.
As we're standing in front of Lifestyle Martial Arts in Boca Raton, FL, I'm approached by a man named Nick. He just recently started coaching at Lifestyle Martial Arts Academy. The school is owned and operated by blackbelt Jeff Wilson.
They have what appears on the surface to be a wonderful kids program. The primary focus is to instill the everlasting values of traditional Martial Arts into the children from a young age. They teach a combination of styles: Muay Thai, BJJ, Judo, Hapkido, and Kempo. We met with Sensei Wilson today at 4PM, and he & I had a great conversation. He believes deeply that living a positive lifestyle through the respect, patience, humility, sportsmanship, and discipline taught properly through Martial Arts is invaluable- and myself and their Mother agree.
They work with the kids on every level possible, teaching them lessons they take home with them, every day that they practice. For example- after our short session with Sensei Wilson, the wheels of change were already turning. When we left, after going over the costs in the paperwork, I asked my girls "Are you sure you want to do this, honey?" And for the first time in their lives, without being corrected or without being asked, responded "Yes sir." They both understand the respect that Sensei Wilson had just instilled in them. My daughters have never answered me so politely before... and they are fantastic, well-behaved little girls.
The place seems legitimate, clean, welcoming, positive, and very well kept/run/maintained. However, for two daughters, I'm sure you can imagine this program would be quite pricey. With gear and all, the package for both my girls would be around $1,500 for the year. Or $175/mo. per child... with a six month commitment.
I was just wondering if any local UG'ers have heard of this place and/or this Sensei. My daughters had a great time, and I have wanted to get them involved in the right TMA Academy for over a year. They are so excited to go back, and I am so proud of what I saw them do today. Lilah is a natural athlete, Melody is a little chunky monkey, and could definitely use the exercise- but has watched UFC fights with me religiously since she was four, and has wanted to do Martial Arts ever since. They both look-up to Ronda Rousey and the other female fighters. They're extremely excited and motivated.
I have gone through some rough times recovering from my accident in 2012, and am not currently making much money. I own a home, my car is paid-off, and I can pay my bills and get groceries. But I am living paycheck-to-paycheck at the moment. Their Mother lives with her Dad in Boca, we are seperated but remain best friends, and do the parenting work together, always. However, she does not have a car, so when I have the chance to see my kids, I drive up from Ft. Lauderdale a couple times a week, and have them over on weekends for sleepovers. She also is not employed; I pay her $100 a week to support our children's needs.
This is something we're very passionate about. Their Mom knows how much Martial Arts mean to me. And now she sees exactly how much it means to our daughters. We both really like this place, but with start-up costs included, it would be a little over $2K for the year.
So my question is: has anyone heard anything good about Sensei Jeff Wilson of Lifestyle Martial Arts Academy in Boca Raton, FL? Would I be making a two-thousand-dollar mistake? Everything I've seen so far has me believing this place is a great place for my children to learn the fundamentals of life through Martial Arts, and build a steady foundation of values & self-defense. At this age, I feel the time is right.
Any and all thoughts and opinions are welcome. Thank you very much for reading, and my apologies for the FRAT. Hope you all have a great week, and take care. 
Read it all I think it's good your trying to get your kids into something like this. You could ask about the instructors qualifications. That seems very expensive. How many classes per week can they attend and how long? Also what are the start up fees include? Are you getting gear and everything?
Short version - does anyone have any experience with Lifestyle Martial Arts in Boca Raton, FL 
The 2k price tag kind of wreaks of McDojo.
Solly97 - so basically you just wanted to boast about your daughtersNot really. Like I said, I feel that now is the time to instill these values in them and get them involved in something positive. They have things they need to work on, as all children their age do. All I said was that they're quick learners and well-behaved children...
Guy on the right is the owner. Thanks for the info and I will be doing more research. VU.
Is there a wrestling program at their school? I believe there are some clubs in Boca with kids programs, like http://flswat.com/
Galanis -Thanks for the input, Galanis. I will be taking your opinion into considerstion.
http://www.lifestylemartialarts.com
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if you want your daughter's to learn BJJ for real, and how to truly defend themselves, you are better taking that $2,000 and bringing them to a legit school with a real BJJ instructor.
Sure the guy is nice and talks a cool game, but imagine your daughter's get in a situation where they really did need to defend themselves later in life. Would you rather that they actually can do so from legit training, or would you rather they try silly side kicks and "hapkido" techniques like this?
I see nothing on their site about BJJ.
I have a feeling this guy isn't exactly a BJJ phenom
And yes, that price does include all necessary gear, and it's all RevGear brand.
I may be off on the $2K mark. It's actually $825 per child per year. Just read that in the packet.
I want my girls to learn how to defend themselves, yes- but not specifically just BJJ, and nothing else... I appreciate the input, VU's to all of you.
And you have the option of going 6 days a week. All gear is included.
I really do appreciate the respectful insight, Galanis. Thank you for your responses.
Sorry I can't help you with Lifestyle Martial Arts, but I have to suggest that you look into Tomodachi Judo in Boca Raton.
http://www.judous.com
It may no be exactly what you want, but since you seem to be concerned about start up costs, it may be an option.
Galanis -Oh boy...
http://www.lifestylemartialarts.com
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if you want your daughter's to learn BJJ for real, and how to truly defend themselves, you are better taking that $2,000 and bringing them to a legit school with a real BJJ instructor.
Sure the guy is nice and talks a cool game, but imagine your daughter's get in a situation where they really did need to defend themselves later in life. Would you rather that they actually can do so from legit training, or would you rather they try silly side kicks and "hapkido" techniques like this?
I see nothing on their site about BJJ.
I have a feeling this guy isn't exactly a BJJ phenom
That seems like a high price but I dont know how different it is in Florida compared to San Diego. I signed my kid up with a gym out here with Liz Carmouche as the kids instructor and a legit bjj practitioner working with them on the ground. Cost me less than $75 per month when I paid for 6 months in advance.
Galanis, I just read your other posts after responding to the first few. And all I can say is, um... yeah, you're right. No further research necessary.
The guy's a nice dude, but I caught some bullshit while we were talking... which is why I posted the story.
You're right, it's McDojo, and a waste of time. I will find a better school for sure. Thank you all, and especially you, Galanis.
I sincerely appreciate the responses and advice. Thanks again, guys.
LOL @ this. Props to you, Ryan. You're a good father.
VU to counter it, Galanis.
Galanis -
And whoever is voting me down, suck a dick, I guess you'd rather have the guy bring his kids to a shit school when there are better options in the area. The UG is retarded sometimes
Voted you up.
alley - VU to counter it, Galanis.
.
Get them involved in wrestling.
Thanks very much for the advice, everyone. You all get VU's from me. I value your opinions and would definitely NOT jump head-first into a program like that.
Again, I sincerely appreciate the advice. I'm just trying to do the best thing possible for my children, both of whom are very excited to begin Martial Arts. Once the guy broke-out the paperwork and the sales-pitch, it started feeling fishy.
Thank you all for your support, again. It means the world to me to come to a place where I can get honest, legitimate answers from friendly people. Your input & advice means far more to me and my children's future, than anything this guy was selling me. Trust me on that...