Max Academy
Max Academy CORE, 390 W Country Club Dr, Suite D, Brentwood, CA 94513
About
Max Academy offers martial arts, Krav Maga, kickboxing, Max Fitness and Max Fit classes, and self-defense courses for kids and families. The program also runs summer camp sessions, anti-bullying school assemblies, parents night out events with activity-filled child care, and birthday parties that can include martial arts activities. Classes include a “lesson of the day” in every session that focuses on how to be a better person and make good decisions.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Price: $179 a month for a child; 21 day / $21 deal including a karate uniform
Max Academy was established in 2010 in Brentwood, California, starting as a martial arts club at Pioneer Elementary School under the name Max Martial Arts. The flagship CORE location currently has over 350 students training, and the program has received 5-star reviews from families across the East Bay. Max Academy FORGE focuses on youth self-protection and fitness for young athletes, while Max Academy EDGE specializes in adult programs and is described as the place where serious adults train.
The leadership team includes founder, owner, Managing Director and Instructor Renshi Matt; owner and Director of Operations Sandy; Operations Manager and Head Instructor of Max Academy Core Sensei Nick; Head Instructor of Max Academy Edge Sensei Daniel; Head Instructor at FORGE Sensei Adam; Program Director and Senior Instructor Sensei Charis; and Senior Instructor and Community Liaison Sensei Gabe. Instructors at Max Academy are described as world-class and highly educated, are part of the Professional Martial Arts College, and have thousands of hours of training with backgrounds in Taekwondo, Krav Maga, Karate, Kali, Judo, Escrima, Jujitsu, Muay Thai, and Kenpo. Many instructors are Satori Alliance Certified Instructors and hold multiple black belts and Krav Maga Alliance certifications, and they train regularly under internationally recognized experts such as Tuhon Apolo Ladra, Dave Kovar, John Whitman, Tony Blauer, Shane Fazen, and Grand Master Chip Townsend.
Renshi Matt has been a Managing Director and Instructor since 1999, holds a 4th Degree Satori Ryu Black Belt, black belts in American Taekwondo and Uechi Ryu, a Brown Belt in Krav Maga, Level 5 Certified Instructor status with the Krav Maga Alliance, and multiple instructor certifications including iKali and SPEAR programs, and he has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from San Francisco State. Other key instructors include Sensei Nick, who has been an instructor since 2002 and is a 3rd Degree Satori Ryu Black Belt and 2nd Degree American Taekwondo Black Belt; Sensei Daniel, who holds a Level 5 Krav Maga Alliance Instructor certification and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice; and several additional black belt instructors such as Sensei Charis, Sensei Delaney, Sensei Gabe, Sensei Adam, Sensei Angelina, Sensei Danny, Mr. Landen, and Sensei Cristian, many of whom are pursuing higher degree black belts and additional certifications. Sandy oversees operations, human resources, and social media and is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.
Max Academy states that its mission is to empower families to cultivate strength of character, body, and mind through high caliber martial arts and fitness training, and to be a place of community that learns and thrives together. The curriculum blends traditional foundations with modern self-defense, and black belts train and learn with MMA coaches and world renowned martial artists. The program offers leadership opportunities for kids and runs exclusive leadership development programs called Spark for kids and Inspire for teens.
Max Academy hosts a number of free self-defense courses and anti-bullying school assemblies for the local community each year and is described as a huge part of the community that gives back. Families describe Max Academy as providing a family environment and a close-knit community, and several testimonials mention that instructors know the kids by name, are knowledgeable, and are described as good role models. One parent notes that their child attends class up to six times per week, another mentions using the 21 day / $21 deal that includes a karate uniform, and others describe experiences with Max Fit classes, summer camp, parents night out events, and themed birthday parties run by the instructors.
Max Academy’s instructors train with visiting masters such as Tuhon Apolo Ladra, who has been named Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame “Weapons Instructor of the Year,” and Grand Master Chip Townsend, a world record holder in board breaking. The CORE location has hosted multiple seminars with visiting masters including Tuhon Ladra and Grand Master Townsend. The program also offers a free private lesson to get started, and some families mention special events such as “mommy’s day on the mat” as a bonding activity.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Price: $179 a month for a child; 21 day / $21 deal including a karate uniform
Max Academy was established in 2010 in Brentwood, California, starting as a martial arts club at Pioneer Elementary School under the name Max Martial Arts. The flagship CORE location currently has over 350 students training, and the program has received 5-star reviews from families across the East Bay. Max Academy FORGE focuses on youth self-protection and fitness for young athletes, while Max Academy EDGE specializes in adult programs and is described as the place where serious adults train.
The leadership team includes founder, owner, Managing Director and Instructor Renshi Matt; owner and Director of Operations Sandy; Operations Manager and Head Instructor of Max Academy Core Sensei Nick; Head Instructor of Max Academy Edge Sensei Daniel; Head Instructor at FORGE Sensei Adam; Program Director and Senior Instructor Sensei Charis; and Senior Instructor and Community Liaison Sensei Gabe. Instructors at Max Academy are described as world-class and highly educated, are part of the Professional Martial Arts College, and have thousands of hours of training with backgrounds in Taekwondo, Krav Maga, Karate, Kali, Judo, Escrima, Jujitsu, Muay Thai, and Kenpo. Many instructors are Satori Alliance Certified Instructors and hold multiple black belts and Krav Maga Alliance certifications, and they train regularly under internationally recognized experts such as Tuhon Apolo Ladra, Dave Kovar, John Whitman, Tony Blauer, Shane Fazen, and Grand Master Chip Townsend.
Renshi Matt has been a Managing Director and Instructor since 1999, holds a 4th Degree Satori Ryu Black Belt, black belts in American Taekwondo and Uechi Ryu, a Brown Belt in Krav Maga, Level 5 Certified Instructor status with the Krav Maga Alliance, and multiple instructor certifications including iKali and SPEAR programs, and he has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from San Francisco State. Other key instructors include Sensei Nick, who has been an instructor since 2002 and is a 3rd Degree Satori Ryu Black Belt and 2nd Degree American Taekwondo Black Belt; Sensei Daniel, who holds a Level 5 Krav Maga Alliance Instructor certification and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice; and several additional black belt instructors such as Sensei Charis, Sensei Delaney, Sensei Gabe, Sensei Adam, Sensei Angelina, Sensei Danny, Mr. Landen, and Sensei Cristian, many of whom are pursuing higher degree black belts and additional certifications. Sandy oversees operations, human resources, and social media and is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.
Max Academy states that its mission is to empower families to cultivate strength of character, body, and mind through high caliber martial arts and fitness training, and to be a place of community that learns and thrives together. The curriculum blends traditional foundations with modern self-defense, and black belts train and learn with MMA coaches and world renowned martial artists. The program offers leadership opportunities for kids and runs exclusive leadership development programs called Spark for kids and Inspire for teens.
Max Academy hosts a number of free self-defense courses and anti-bullying school assemblies for the local community each year and is described as a huge part of the community that gives back. Families describe Max Academy as providing a family environment and a close-knit community, and several testimonials mention that instructors know the kids by name, are knowledgeable, and are described as good role models. One parent notes that their child attends class up to six times per week, another mentions using the 21 day / $21 deal that includes a karate uniform, and others describe experiences with Max Fit classes, summer camp, parents night out events, and themed birthday parties run by the instructors.
Max Academy’s instructors train with visiting masters such as Tuhon Apolo Ladra, who has been named Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame “Weapons Instructor of the Year,” and Grand Master Chip Townsend, a world record holder in board breaking. The CORE location has hosted multiple seminars with visiting masters including Tuhon Ladra and Grand Master Townsend. The program also offers a free private lesson to get started, and some families mention special events such as “mommy’s day on the mat” as a bonding activity.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
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