Meet A MOM with an Incredible Story of Triumph…
How I Found A “One-Of-A-Kind” Secret Weapon
For SOARING CONFIDENCE, EMOTIONAL CONTROL,
Amazing Social Growth & Physical Strength
That Is Worth My Son’s Weight In Gold!
Dear Fellow Parent,
My name is Zoe Roberts, mother of 3 lovable and “energetic” boys. I’m here to tell you how a martial arts school–Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy–literally changed my oldest son Chance’s life from being a boy who was weak and victimized into a positive, skilled and happy young boy. And, how Mr. Scornavacco’s school can do the same for YOU!
Let Me Share “Chance’s Story” With You
We were on a road trip passing through Nebraska and stopped for a much needed break at a McDonalds. My hubby Scott and I took seats indoors (in the air-conditioning!) and watched the kiddos on the outdoor playground through the window.
We then witnessed a very disturbing sight…Two children were forcing a third child to go through the door of a playhouse.
The first bully grabbed the skinny awkward looking child by the front of his shirt while the other bully shoved the child from behind.
The skinny child ineffectually tried to pry the bully’s hands off of him but was helplessly tossed into “jail” where he promptly sat down, stuck his thumb in his mouth and dissolved into tears.
The victim?
Our 5-year-old son Chance.
The bullies?
His still-in-diapers 3 year old and 2 year old younger brothers Bryce & Ayden!
A Shocking Realization…
At this point Scott and I realized this was a situation that couldn’t continue, we needed help both for the bullied and the bullies! After research and talking with friends we decided that karate was probably the cure we were looking for. We knew we needed a very understanding instructor as Chance had some very special needs.
Academically Chance was years ahead (he’d been reading since he was 2 ½ and already was phenomenal at math), but socially and physically he was 2 years behind.
Chance literally had no hand strength; he couldn’t even hold a pencil when he started karate.
Chance also had alternate body problems and at this point still couldn’t pump his legs on a swing and still had training wheels on his bike.
Academically ahead, thumb-sucking, no strength, awkward, sensitive and prone to crying…basically a RECIPE FOR DISASTER!
But Where To Find A School?
Even more importantly, where to find someone that could help Chance without scaring or scarring him?
We needed an instructor that wouldn’t frighten him, would be able to see his potential for growth and yet push him to attain that growth.
Most of all we wanted someone whom would truly care about Chance.
After more research followed by some in-person interviews, I finally found Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy and Mr. Brad. Just by observing one class and watching him interact with his students I could tell Mr. Brad not only was skilled but really seemed to care about his students.
After talking with him for awhile about Chance, my various concerns and how Mr. Brad would work to meet Chances specific needs, I knew at Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy I had found the school for us.
As for the school itself I learned that Mr. Brad focuses on self defense, safety and technique/form rather than how hard you can slam someone into the ground or how fast you can “get” your next belt. I learned that Mr. Brad wants to make sure the child learns the basics first (and learns them CORRECTLY) before moving onto the next step.
His primary concern is that the child learns how to do the forms correctly now so they won’t injure themselves later. (He then told me multiple horror stories about other schools with adults breaking wrists by falling on them incorrectly, doing pushups incorrectly etc.)
Then he told me how he builds on that foundation of proper technique and teaches the next step, and the next, and so on and so on. (His philosophy fit in really well with those of us that believe in Sequential Building/Teaching and seek out Core Knowledge schools, which is probably why so many students at Scornavacco are from Flagstaff Charter Academy!)
Most of all,
By observation (and yes with now 5 years of hindsight) I learned that Mr. Brad teaches all this in a way that is fun, motivating and energizing for the child.
A Rare Perspective: 5 Years Later
Since then I’ve learned first hand, through observation of the last 5 years, that all of the above was true.
Mr. Brad’s a great judge of a child’s temperament and he’s great at tailoring his style to the individual child.
While he’s gentle with those that need it he can play rough and tumble with those that like a lot of physical contact.
Mr. Brad’s love of children is shown by the types of people he surrounds himself with: from his wonderful and supportive wife Karla (who has a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard!), to his Excellent Assistant Instructors.
They all care about each and every child and every parent’s needs.
Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy really deserves to have “Family” in its name because the entire family benefits from being there!
A Virtual Cornucopia Of Health and Fitness Choices
We love the variety of ways to learn at Scornavacco’s as well. Besides the regular karate classes Chance has benefited from:
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Bonus Workshops on everything from how to break boards to how to improve technique;
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Boot Camps on refocusing and on fun things like kettle bells (which again helps Chance with hand strength);
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Spar Wars (a fun opportunity to show off his skills and actually have a “friendly competition”),
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Master Club (to help Chance stay on track to meet his goals)
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Systema (to learn fun ways to keep someone on the ground),
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& Fitness Tests (so we can see how far he has come).
Not to mention everything I (Chance’s mom) have gotten out of:
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The Women’s Self Defense seminars (learned how to disarm someone with a gun, let’s hope I never need that info!),
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The Systema Workshops( still trying to learn how to ‘breathe’)
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Kickboxing (when I can get there, it’s a wonderful workout) and
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The Kettle Bell Boot Camp (one of the best and most fun ways to workout I’ve ever done!)
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Then there’s learning to “give back to the community” that’s instilled with the Kicks Across America Day each year.
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And let’s not forget the time to meet with other students in a relaxed social atmosphere like thenHalloween and Christmas parties… Endless opportunities for learning, community building and getting/keeping in shape.
But Back To My Story…
We were looking for something to help Chance to be both physically and mentally stronger; to build confidence. We were looking for LIFE CHANGES not a pretty belt display or sports competitions. We found our solution at Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy.
Unlike some schools that brag “you will get a new belt every 12 classes” or something similar (and yes, there are schools that make those types of “promises”!) at Scornavacco’s Chance had to earn his belts.
It took Chance 6 months to earn his blue belt because he was having difficulty keeping his wrist straight. (that “no hand muscles” thing again)
True to Mr. Brad’s philosophy he wasn’t going to just pass Chance onto the next level “because it was time”.
Mr. Brad sat down with Chance and explained to him that, “Blue Belt is half way to Black, I need you to hold your wrist straight NOW or you will break it later!”
Mr. Brad helped Chance each step of the way, from reminders (“Chance, WRIST”!) to exercises he could do at home to strengthen his arms and wrist.
Many tears, many melt downs, and many months of frustration later, (all handled expertly and compassionately by Mr. Brad and the other instructors) Chance finally passed his test and EARNED that blue belt!
One Of My Most Treasured Memories
Chance is currently a Brown Belt at Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy; a belt that again he struggled to earn, but earn it he did.
Again, it took several months to go up a belt level, this time from Advanced Green to Brown, as he had to coax his spaghetti limbs into more crisp movement…
But with determination and practice – and a LOT of help from Mr. Brad and the rest of the instructors, Chance finally earned his Brown and made that vital step into Phase Three. (The shock on Chance’s face and the way his jaw dropped and then the instant happiness shining out of his eyes will always be one of my most treasured memories.)
Now,
5 years after that McDonald’s incident, you rarely see Chance when he’s not using his hands and/or fingers for something (furiously scribbling down stories, designing DDR courses, drawing, playing Nintendo) and in the last Karate fitness test he beat out both of his brothers in the bent arm hang!
Just Some of the HUGE BENEFITS Chance Received
He’s sure come a long way from the child that couldn’t “hold a pencil”! – As for Chance’s alternate body trouble, it’s hard to believe there ever were any problems as you see him zoom off to the park on his bike and then swing so high you (or rather me, him mom is ) afraid he’s going to go right over the top!
He walks better and moves his body with confidence.
Walks?
Let’s say RUNS!
Let’s not forget the two Kid’s triathlons and two Turkey Trots that he’s competed in and finished!
As for self-confidence?
Since joining Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy, confidence is obviously not a problem for a child that has had 2 supporting starring roles at Jesters Dinner Theatre!
His emotional control and social growth has also been amazing and not only is he well liked at school and surrounded by friends but his success is demonstrated tangibly by his winning 1st place one year in the Science Fair and 2nd the other year at school!
Growth indeed!
Karate Is An INVALUABLE INVESTMENT In Both Time And Money
As a family we had to recently discuss whether we were ready to commit another 3 years time and money into Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy.
Three years is a long time for an elementary aged child; and money… particularly when you are taking the cost times three children, money is always a concern.
But,
After much deliberation and after asking all three boys if they were willing to commit another 3 years to becoming Black Belts and join the Master Club…
All three gave a resounding, “YES!”.
If you want to measure “worth” of an “activity”, by how much a child has grown and benefited from said activity, (although again, it’s hard to call karate an activity when it’s more “a way of life”) then…
Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy is WORTH CHANCE’S WEIGHT IN GOLD!
Most sincerely,
Zoë Roberts, Proud Mom
Oh, if you were wondering about the bullies in the story, they are now Blue and Green Belts respectively at Scornavacco’s and have turned into much nicer people whom have shown incredible growth as well, but that’s a different story!
So that is Chance’s Story…so far.
Joining Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy is the best thing I ever did for my kids.
If you are even remotely interested in the right martial arts school—you must be if you are reading this letter—I urge you to try Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy’s Introductory Program.
See for yourself what a profound change Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy can have on your child.
Go ahead and CLICK HERE to fill out the form.
OR
Call Michelle, his awesome Office Manager, at 303-485-5425 to set up your lessons.
Mr. Scornavacco even gave me a 90-day Trial to make sure his school was perfect for my son. With his “Black Belt’s Honor, Money-Back Guarantee” you have ZERO RISK to come on in and try Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy for yourself. It really can’t be any easier to try it out than that!
Trust me, a mom who has see my son’s life changed, it will be the best thing you ever did for your child as well.