Stephen Thompson – World Karate Champion and founder of Kicx Academy, where students learn authentic martial arts with the added bonus of life skills[/caption]
At Kicx Academy in Gloucester, we teach children the 7 Habits alongside martial arts — giving them the confidence, focus, and life skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. But why do we combine our martial arts school with the 7 Habits? How did this journey begin?
Back in 1998, I retired from competing after winning the World Karate Championships in the USA. At that stage, my life was all about competition — training hard, teaching classes, and chasing medals.
When Gloucester Rugby took back the Kingsholm Fitness Centre, I moved to Bristol Road above Fraziers Motorcycles. That’s where things shifted. I realised martial arts could be so much more than tournaments — it could be a path to personal development and life skills.
Over the next decade, I qualified as a gym instructor and life coach. I studied with Tony Robbins and knew deep down this was the direction I wanted for my school. In 2011, myself and Master Smith became qualified to teach material from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers. That opened our eyes to how powerful these principles could be for young people.
Fast forward to 2020, right in the middle of Covid, we were officially accepted to teach the 7 Habits through The Leader in Me programme. This was a breakthrough. We could finally weave these life-changing lessons into our martial arts teaching.
And so, Champions Character was born. Why that name?
Champions, because myself and Master Smith were world champions.
Character, because it’s not just about what people see, but the strength beneath the surface — your character is like the hidden part of an iceberg.
At Kicx Academy, our students kick and punch, yes — but every strike, every drill, every class is also teaching focus, confidence, resilience, and responsibility. They’re having fun while building real-life skills that will stay with them long after they leave the dojo.
FAQs Parents Often Ask
Q: Isn’t martial arts just about fighting?
A: Not at all. At Kicx, martial arts is the vehicle. While kids are kicking and punching, they’re also learning focus, discipline, and life habits that shape their character.
Q: How do the 7 Habits fit into martial arts?
A: The 7 Habits teach timeless principles like being proactive, setting goals, and putting first things first. We weave these lessons into every class, so children learn leadership skills while staying active.
Q: What makes Kicx different from other activities?
A: Most sports focus only on skills for the game. At Kicx, children gain skills for life — confidence, resilience, and respect — alongside their martial arts training.
For more details, visit kidsmartialartsgloucester.com
— The Karate Kid Teacher
One More Thing
Character Comes First
Your child becomes like the people they spend time with.
Choose the tribe that builds them up.