September: Martial Arts Appreciation Month
Want to listen first? Catch the full episode here: Tri-Star Podcast Hub
September is Martial Arts Appreciation Month, and around Tri-Star, that’s a bigger deal than most people realize.
Sure, it’s easy to think martial arts is “an activity” your child does a couple nights a week. However, if you’ve been in our studio for any length of time, you’ve probably felt it: martial arts has a way of shaping confidence, character, and community in a way that sticks.
In Episode 36 of The Tri-Star Podcast, Professor Brumitt & Professor Beane share why they’re genuinely grateful for the martial arts—and why September is a perfect time to pause, reflect, and celebrate what training is really doing for our kids and families here in Bradley, Bourbonnais, and the Kankakee area.
What Martial Arts Appreciation Month Really Means
If you break down the phrase, it sounds simple: appreciate martial arts.
But appreciation isn’t just “liking” something. Appreciation is recognizing the value of something—especially the value you might miss if you’re not paying attention.
That’s what Martial Arts Appreciation Month is for.
It’s a reminder to look beyond the uniforms, stripes, and belt colors and notice the deeper wins:
- A shy child raising their hand in class
- A kid learning to recover after a mistake instead of melting down
- A parent realizing, “Oh… I can use that same coaching approach at home.”
From “Something I Do” to “Who I Am”
One of the strongest themes in this episode is the shift that happens over time.
At first, most students start with the mindset of:
- “I’m doing karate.”
Then, as they train, something changes.
They start to carry themselves differently. They learn how to take correction. They build friendships with people who are working hard right beside them. Eventually, they don’t just do martial arts—they become a martial artist.
Professor Beane put it in a way that’s hard to forget: it goes beyond the four walls of the studio. When you step off the mat, you don’t stop being a martial artist. You take the mindset with you to school, work, sports, and life.
Why the Studio Community Matters So Much
Parents often come to Tri-Star for confidence, discipline, and self-defense—and those are great goals.
Still, there’s another benefit that sneaks up on families in the best way: community.
Martial arts has a unique way of connecting people. Training partners become friends. Instructors become mentors. Kids learn they’re not alone in the struggle of learning something hard.
Even outside the studio, martial artists tend to recognize each other. There’s an unspoken respect because everyone knows what it takes: the effort, the bumps and bruises, the hard days, and the decision to keep showing up.
The Black Belt Truth: It’s a New Beginning
A lot of people think black belt is the finish line.
In reality, black belt is the start of a new phase.
Professor Beane explains it like this: everything from white belt to black belt is building a foundation. Then, once that foundation is solid, you can start using it in new and creative ways.
Professor Brumitt adds a powerful reminder that applies to kids and adults:
A black belt is a white belt that never gave up.
That’s why we talk so much about a beginner mindset. Each new belt level makes you a beginner again—just with different material. That humility is part of what makes martial arts such a strong character builder.
A Simple Parenting Communication Trick (But → And)
This episode includes one of those “you can use this today” moments.
Professor Brumitt shares a teaching concept we use often:
PCP — Praise, Correct, Praise.
When you’re coaching a child (or honestly, anyone), it’s easy to say:
- “I love how you did that… but you need to fix this.”
The problem is that “but” is a hard conjunction. Psychologically, it tends to put people on defense.
Instead, try:
- “I love how you did that… and if you do this next part, it’ll be even better.”
It’s a small shift. Nevertheless, it can change the whole tone of correction—at home, at school, and in the studio.
Catch Your Child Doing It Right (And Say It Out Loud)
Another standout moment is a simple parenting picture:
Most of us are great at noticing the “nail sticking up”—the behavior that needs correction.
However, what if we also trained ourselves to notice when the “nail is holding tight”? In other words, when your child is doing the right thing.
When you catch your child being respectful, responsible, or helpful, say it out loud.
Behavior that’s rewarded will be repeated.
That’s not just a martial arts lesson—it’s a family leadership lesson.
Stories from Martial Arts Legends (And Why They Matter)
This episode is also packed with stories that remind you how wide and interesting the martial arts world is.
Professor Brumitt & Professor Beane talk about experiences like:
- Seeing Chuck Norris receive a Lifetime Achievement Award
- The Gene LaBelle “get choked out” line at a convention
- Getting lightly kicked by Superfoot Wallace (and being proud of it)
- Training connections with high-level fighters and coaches
These stories are funny, memorable, and honestly inspiring—because they highlight something deeper: martial arts opens doors to relationships, mentorship, and experiences you wouldn’t have otherwise.
How Tri-Star Families Can Celebrate This Month
At the end of the episode, Professor Brumitt previews the next conversation: how Martial Arts Appreciation Month impacts you as a student, and as a parent.
One of the coolest parts of September at Tri-Star is that students often get a chance to bring friends into class.
It’s a simple idea, but it matters:
- Kids get to demonstrate what they’re learning
- Friends get a real taste of the studio
- Families get to share something meaningful with people they care about
Prefer to watch instead of listen? Check out the podcast playlist on YouTube: Tri-Star Podcast Playlist
A Simple Challenge for This Week
If you want to participate in Martial Arts Appreciation Month right now, here’s a simple challenge:
- Ask your child: “What’s one thing you appreciate about martial arts?”
- Share your own answer too (even if you’ve never trained).
- Pick one “studio lesson” to practice at home this week—PCP, “do it the first time,” or swapping “but” for “and.”
Small changes, repeated consistently, are how character is built.
Ready to hear the full conversation? Listen to Episode 36 here: Tri-Star Podcast Hub
Help More Families Find the Show
Martial arts isn’t just about kicks and punches. It’s about becoming the kind of person who keeps showing up, stays teachable, and learns how to lead—on the mat and off.
If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend. Also, leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps more families find the show.
We’re grateful for you.
— Professor Brumitt & Professor Beane The Tri-Star Podcast