About
Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense offers traditional karate, kickboxing, self-defense, competition team classes, women’s self-defense classes, weapons classes, and special events such as birthday parties, parents night out parties, and nerf battles. The program also offers a concealed carry class taught by a retired law enforcement officer.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Thursday in the late afternoon and evening
• Price: $49 for four classes and a T-Shirt
Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense opened its doors in 2014 with a mission to bring the life skills of self-protection, karate, kickboxing, and self improvement to children and adults in the Windsor, Greeley, Loveland, Timnath, Severance, Evans, and Milliken areas. Since 2016, the program has produced 126 Colorado Karate Association (CKA) State Champions and more than 240 State Finalists in sparring and kata with its competition team, including 28 State Championships in 2025. The studio is a three-time winner (2023, 2024, and 2025) of the CKA 5A School of the Year and is a member of the Colorado Karate Association.
The leadership team includes owner Shihan Matt Schildt (Shihan, 6th Degree Black Belt), Sensei Jackson (Jack) Marshall (Sensei, 3rd Degree Black Belt, lead instructor for kickboxing and weapons classes), Senpai Patrick Hinton (Senpai, full instructor), Senpai Harry Davis (Senpai, full instructor), Craig Miller (concealed carry class instructor, retired law enforcement officer of 32 years), Grandmaster Jerry Davis (9th Dan), Grandmaster Ben Ramsey, Master Todd Jonas, and Master Charles Orchard. The concealed carry class is taught by Craig Miller, who served 32 years in law enforcement in California and Colorado. “Kaizen” is the Japanese term for continuous improvement and is stated as what the studio is all about.
Owner Shihan Matt Schildt has been a martial artist for 28 years, first training in karate and Tae Kwon Do from 1984–1991, then resuming karate training in 2005 under Master Charles Orchard at Total Ryu Martial Arts. Schildt taught for three years under Orchard in the Total Ryu children’s karate class and trained for five years in Orchard’s Adrenalized Confrontation Training (ACT), which is regarded as one of the best practical self-defense programs available and has been taught to police and military personnel. In March 2021, Grandmaster Davis (9th Dan) promoted Schildt to 5th Degree Black Belt and Shihan (Master Instructor), Schildt was elected to the CKA Board of Directors in October 2023, and Grandmaster Davis promoted him to 6th Degree Black Belt in July 2024.
Sensei Jackson (Jack) Marshall started training at Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense in 2015 after four prior years of martial arts training, then became a Class Leader, Kohai (junior instructor), Senpai at 1st Degree Black Belt, and Sensei at 2nd Degree Black Belt. Shihan Matt promoted Sensei Jack to 3rd Degree Black Belt in July 2024. Senpai Patrick Hinton has been a flight instructor and hockey coach for 21 years, and Senpai Harry Davis is on his second career as a productivity coach in real estate after 40 years in the newspaper business.
Once students reach Black Belt Club level, they have the opportunity to compete in multiple tournaments throughout the year. Community involvement has included participation in events at Grandview Elementary. One parent described the environment as “absolutely awesome” for kids and mentioned “Mat Chat,” which has included anti-bullying talks, respect for parents, and integrity. Other parents and participants have noted that instructors take their time with children in age-appropriate classes, that there are many different class times, and that both kids’ karate and women’s self-defense classes have been positive experiences for their families.
Last updated March 5, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Thursday in the late afternoon and evening
• Price: $49 for four classes and a T-Shirt
Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense opened its doors in 2014 with a mission to bring the life skills of self-protection, karate, kickboxing, and self improvement to children and adults in the Windsor, Greeley, Loveland, Timnath, Severance, Evans, and Milliken areas. Since 2016, the program has produced 126 Colorado Karate Association (CKA) State Champions and more than 240 State Finalists in sparring and kata with its competition team, including 28 State Championships in 2025. The studio is a three-time winner (2023, 2024, and 2025) of the CKA 5A School of the Year and is a member of the Colorado Karate Association.
The leadership team includes owner Shihan Matt Schildt (Shihan, 6th Degree Black Belt), Sensei Jackson (Jack) Marshall (Sensei, 3rd Degree Black Belt, lead instructor for kickboxing and weapons classes), Senpai Patrick Hinton (Senpai, full instructor), Senpai Harry Davis (Senpai, full instructor), Craig Miller (concealed carry class instructor, retired law enforcement officer of 32 years), Grandmaster Jerry Davis (9th Dan), Grandmaster Ben Ramsey, Master Todd Jonas, and Master Charles Orchard. The concealed carry class is taught by Craig Miller, who served 32 years in law enforcement in California and Colorado. “Kaizen” is the Japanese term for continuous improvement and is stated as what the studio is all about.
Owner Shihan Matt Schildt has been a martial artist for 28 years, first training in karate and Tae Kwon Do from 1984–1991, then resuming karate training in 2005 under Master Charles Orchard at Total Ryu Martial Arts. Schildt taught for three years under Orchard in the Total Ryu children’s karate class and trained for five years in Orchard’s Adrenalized Confrontation Training (ACT), which is regarded as one of the best practical self-defense programs available and has been taught to police and military personnel. In March 2021, Grandmaster Davis (9th Dan) promoted Schildt to 5th Degree Black Belt and Shihan (Master Instructor), Schildt was elected to the CKA Board of Directors in October 2023, and Grandmaster Davis promoted him to 6th Degree Black Belt in July 2024.
Sensei Jackson (Jack) Marshall started training at Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense in 2015 after four prior years of martial arts training, then became a Class Leader, Kohai (junior instructor), Senpai at 1st Degree Black Belt, and Sensei at 2nd Degree Black Belt. Shihan Matt promoted Sensei Jack to 3rd Degree Black Belt in July 2024. Senpai Patrick Hinton has been a flight instructor and hockey coach for 21 years, and Senpai Harry Davis is on his second career as a productivity coach in real estate after 40 years in the newspaper business.
Once students reach Black Belt Club level, they have the opportunity to compete in multiple tournaments throughout the year. Community involvement has included participation in events at Grandview Elementary. One parent described the environment as “absolutely awesome” for kids and mentioned “Mat Chat,” which has included anti-bullying talks, respect for parents, and integrity. Other parents and participants have noted that instructors take their time with children in age-appropriate classes, that there are many different class times, and that both kids’ karate and women’s self-defense classes have been positive experiences for their families.
Last updated March 5, 2026.
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