Leveling Up Together: What Our Team Learned at the Impakt Mastermind in Scottsdale
At Max Academy, one of our core values is continuous improvement — not just for our students, but for our instructors and leadership team as well. This November, our team had the opportunity to put that value into action by attending the Impakt Mastermind event in Scottsdale, Arizona. Hosted by Adam Kifer and the Impakt Mastermind community, the event brought together martial arts school owners and instructors from across the nation, all committed to elevating their schools and the communities they serve.
Learning From the Best
From the opening session, the focus of the weekend was clear: people come first. The itinerary featured leaders such as Brian Bogert, Kelly Murray, Donovan Rider, and Matthew Brenner, each emphasizing community-building, authentic marketing, retention strategies, and creating meaningful student experiences.
Every session — from community marketing, to retention systems, to mission-driven sales, to innovative ways to use AI in daily workflows — pointed back to the same central idea:
A successful martial arts school is built on connection, not convenience.
That message resonated deeply with our team.
Key Insights We’re Bringing Back to Our Max Community
Throughout the weekend, our instructors reflected deeply on ways to continue strengthening the culture at Max Academy. Some of the major insights included:
1. Creating More Opportunities for Adults
Adults often need community just as much as (if not more than) young students. We came away inspired to add more adult-centered events — opportunities to interact together, or train together; to connect socially and build lasting friendships.
2. Leveraging AI to Better Serve Students
Several sessions highlighted how schools can use AI intentionally to save time, improve organization, and communicate more effectively. By simplifying our internal workflows, we can focus even more on the students right in front of us.
3. Building Community Requires Intention
Strong communities happen by design, not accident. Whether it's crafting better experiences, communicating more meaningfully, or creating social touchpoints inside and outside the dojo, we were reminded that every detail matters.
The weekend reinforced what we already believe at Max Academy: our school is more than a place to train — it’s a place to belong.
A Surprise Plot Twist: The Journey Home
Just as we were preparing to head home, we learned that our flight had been cancelled due to the government shutdown. No alternative routing would get us back in time for Monday’s classes.
So we made a decision worthy of a martial arts movie montage:
If we couldn’t fly home… we’d drive home.
Late that night, our team piled into a car and began an overnight trek across the desert, determined to be back in time to open the academy the next day.
There were laughs, long stretches of highway, questionable gas station coffee, and a shared sense of “we’re going to remember this forever.”
And when we rolled into town — tired, rumpled, but absolutely committed — we arrived just in time to teach the very classes we promised to be there for.
It wasn’t the smoothest journey, but it represented exactly who we are:
a team that shows up for our community, no matter what.
Bringing New Energy Home
Despite the long drive, our team returned from Scottsdale energized and inspired. The lessons we learned, the people we connected with, and the ideas we gathered are already shaping the next steps for Max Academy.
In the coming months, you’ll see:
more adult-focused events and community gatherings
improved communication systems
fresh programming ideas
smarter workflows that give instructors more time with students
Every improvement comes back to one goal: providing the best martial arts experience possible for our Max Community.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
We are grateful for the opportunity to keep learning and growing — and even more grateful for the students and families who inspire us to do so.
Thank you for believing in Max Academy, for showing up with enthusiasm, and for helping us build a community that feels like home.
Here’s to growth, connection, and a stronger Max Community — together.
Some photos of the Impakt group and their speakers are below, including speaker and podcaster Brian Bogert and Brady Edwards who worked on Mr. Beast’s YouTube channel. And there’s a bonus photo with Miss Mary, a Max Academy instructor from several years back.
