OUR STORY
We believe that instructors and students are always on a path of learning.
Max Academy is a local family-owned business. Our instructors teach children, teens, and adults. We teach Krav Maga, Max Fitness, and a blend of Martial Arts. As a diversely trained set of instructors, we have backgrounds in Taekwondo, Krav Maga, Karate, Kali, Judo, Escrima, Jujitsu, Muay Thai, and Kenpo. Our instructors began teaching martial arts as early as 1999 and have since educated thousands of students during our careers. Renshi Matt established Max Martial Arts in 2010; his vision was to create an academy where students could learn more than just martial arts techniques to compete in tournaments. At Max, we strive to empower individuals and families to change their lives through martial arts — to maximize the benefit martial arts could bring to them and the world around them.
We are proud to be a place of community that learns and thrives together.
We started as a martial arts club in Brentwood at Pioneer Elementary School in 2010. We have since had the opportunity to better serve students and families by moving to CORE under Head Instructor Nick Rosalez at 390 W Country Club Dr, Suite D, in Brentwood, expanded to our second location EDGE under Head Instructor Daniel Froisland at 4857 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, and our third location FORGE under Head Instructor Adam Gee at 994 Laurel Road, Suite A
in Oakley.
The Max Academy is a premier martial arts academy, not just because we continue to train daily to expand our knowledge but because we remain personal and community oriented. We encourage each other and grow stronger together. That’s what makes us different.
Train Alongside the Best
Max Academy instructors train regularly under internationally recognized experts, including:
Tuhon Apolo Ladra, Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame "Weapons Instructor of the Year"
Dave Kovar, renowned martial arts educator
John Whitman, founder of Krav Maga Alliance and author of its core curriculum
Tony Blauer, founder of the SPEAR system
Shane Fazen, founder of FIGHTTIPS and MAGVUS Summit
Grand Master Chip Townsend, world record holder in board breaking
Our team has trained at Combat Sports Academy under Kirian Fitzgibbons, known for coaching elite UFC
and Bellator fighters. We are also affiliated with the Ascend Mastermind and currently active in the Impakt
Mastermind group led by Adam Kifer. Our CORE location has hosted multiple seminars with visiting masters,
including Tuhon Ladra and Grand Master Townsend.
Meet the Team
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Renshi Matt
Renshi Matt is a founder and owner of Max Academy and has served as its Managing Director and Instructor since 1999. He holds a 4th Degree Satori Ryu Black Belt, as well as Black Belts in American Taekwondo and Uechi Ryu. Additionally, he is a Satori Alliance Certified Instructor, a Brown Belt in Krav Maga, and a Level 5 Certified Instructor with the Krav Maga Alliance. Renshi Matt is also an iKali Certified Instructor and a SPEAR (Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response) Personal Defense Readiness Trainer, certified through Blauer Tactical Systems. He is a SPEAR Evidence-Based Scenario Trainer and possesses a Bachelor's degree in Business from the San Francisco State School of Business. He was a speaker at ProMAC International 2019. Notably, Renshi Matt was a contestant on Netflix's "Floor is Lava." He is recognized as one of the first four Satori Alliance Certified Instructors and has been a longstanding member of the Professional Martial Arts College.
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Sensei Daniel
Meet the Head Instructor of Max Academy Edge, Sensei Daniel. He's no ordinary instructor—he's a tough but steadfast force in the world of martial arts. With a 2nd Degree Black Belt and a Level 5 Instructor certification from the Krav Maga Alliance, he’s the real deal. His expertise isn’t just theoretical; it’s forged in the relentless heat of training and experience. Daniel doesn’t just instruct; he carries the weight of certifications in Active Shooter and Civilian Law Enforcement Instruction. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, East Bay, Daniel is fiercely committed to sharing the invaluable insights he has gained through his relentless journey.
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Sensei Charis
Charis holds multiple esteemed positions, including Program Director, Sensei, and Senior Instructor. She is a 2nd Degree Black Belt and a Satori Alliance Certified Instructor. Additionally, Charis is a Level 3 Certified Instructor with the Krav Maga Alliance and serves as a Facilitator for Spark Leadership Training.
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree.
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Sensei Delaney
Miss Delaney serves as an instructor and holds a Black Belt, in addition to being a Satori Alliance Certified Instructor. She is concurrently pursuing Kali certifications, a StrikeFit certification, and an associate degree.
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Sensei Gabe
Sensei Gabriel is a Senior Instructor holding an impressive 2nd Degree Black Belt. Gabe is the Max Academy Community Liaison and is currently helping manage the EDGE location. He is a Level 5 Certified Instructor with the Krav Maga Alliance, a Spark Leadership Training Facilitator, an inspiring public speaker, and a contestant on Netflix’s “Floor is Lava.”
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Sensei Nick
Sensei Nick serves as the Head Instructor of Max Academy Core in Brentwood, bringing a wealth of experience and qualifications to our organization. He has been an instructor since 2002 and holds impressive credentials, including a 3rd Degree Satori Ryu Black Belt and a 2nd Degree American Taekwondo Black Belt. Additionally, he is a Satori Alliance Certified Instructor, possesses a Brown Belt in Krav Maga, and is a Level 4 Certified Instructor with the Krav Maga Alliance. His expertise is further augmented by his certifications as a Program Director, Spark Leadership Training Facilitator, Certified Personal Trainer, Animal Flow Certified Instructor, StrikeFit Certified Instructor, and Stick Mobility Level 2 Instructor. Sensei Nick also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the Academy of Arts in San Francisco and gained broader social recognition as a contestant on Netflix’s “Floor is Lava.”
As one of our most accomplished and multifaceted instructors, Sensei Nick is a Professional Martial Arts College member. He oversees operations at our primary location and manages our MAX Fit program.
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Sensei Adam
Sensei Adam is the Head Instructor at FORGE. Adam is an accomplished Senior instructor holding a 2nd Degree Black Belt. He is a certified instructor with the Satori Alliance and a Level 3 Certified Instructor in Krav Maga through the Krav Maga Alliance. Additionally, he serves as an Inspire Student Mentor and a Spark Leadership Training Facilitator. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business.
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Sandy
Sandy is an owner and Director of Brand Strategy and Organizational Development at Max Academy. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree from the School of Letters and Science.
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Sensei Angelina
Angelina is a Black Belt instructor, is certified in level 2 Krav Maga and is Krav Maga Alliance Level 1 Teacher Certified. She is currently working towards her 2nd Degree Black Belt and is also pursuing certification from the Satori Alliance.
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Sensei Danny
Danny is a Satori Alliance certified Black Belt instructor pursuing his 2nd degree Black Belt.
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Mr. Landen
Landen is a Satori Alliance Certified Black Belt Instructor. He is currently in training for the assistant manager role.
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Sensei Cristian
Cristian is a Satori Alliance Certified Black Belt Instructor as well as a Krav Maga Level 1 Certified Instructor. He is in the process of obtaining his 2nd degree Black Belt, Krav Level 2 instructor certification, and Kali certification. Currently, he is pursuing a bachelor's degree to further his education.
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Mr. Jake
Jake holds a Black Belt and serves as an instructor. He is currently pursuing a Level 1 certification in Krav Maga and aims to become a certified instructor through Satori Alliance.
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Mr. Josh
Josh is a Black Belt Instructor currently pursuing his Krav Maga Level 1 teaching certification as well as working towards becoming a certified instructor with the Satori Alliance.
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Mr. Gio
Gio is a Black Belt Instructor
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Ms. Hailey
Hailey is an instructor at Core.
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Ms. Paige
(Photo unavailable)
Paige is a Black Belt Instructor at Core.
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Ms. Aryanna
Aryanna is an instructor at Core (photo coming soon)
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Jennelle
Jennelle is a Member Experience Associate at Core (photo coming soon).
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Ashley
Ashley is a Sales Associate at Edge (photo coming soon).
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Coach Julie
Julie is a Krav Maga coach at Edge and Core.
Max Academy
CONTACT
matt@themaxacademy.com
925-390-9097
Find us on Social Media!
Youtube: @maxacademyofmartialarts2039
Instagram: @MaxMartialArts
Facebook: @MaxMartialArts
Choose a location:
FORGE
994 Laurel Road, Suite A Oakley, CA 94561
EDGE
4857 Lone Tree Way Antioch, CA 94531
CORE
390 W Country Club Dr, Suite D
Brentwood, CA 94513