Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense

Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense offers traditional karate, kickboxing, self-defense, and competition team classes, along with women's self-defense classes. The program also hosts birthday parties, parents night out parties, nerf battles, and a concealed carry class. Classes and activities are available for kids ages 3 and up, as well as for teens and adults in specific offerings such as kickboxing and women's self-defense.

• 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. The studio describes itself as a one-of-a-kind martial arts studio and a premier martial arts studio in Northern Colorado, and “Kaizen” is noted as the Japanese term for continuous improvement.

The leadership team includes owner Shihan Matt Schildt, a 6th Degree Black Belt and Shihan (Master Instructor), who has been a martial artist for 28 years and opened Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense in 2014. His background includes training in karate and Tae Kwon Do from 1984–91, resuming karate training in 2005 under Master Charles Orchard at Total Ryu Martial Arts, teaching for three years in the Total Ryu children's karate class, and five years of Adrenalized Confrontation Training (ACT), which has been taught to police and military personnel. Since 2016, he has trained under Grandmaster Jerry Davis (9th Dan), Grandmaster Ben Ramsey, and Master Todd Jonas through the Colorado Karate Association (CKA), was promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt and Shihan by Grandmaster Davis in March 2021, elected to the CKA Board of Directors in October 2023, and promoted to 6th Degree Black Belt in July 2024. Sensei Jackson (Jack) Marshall, the lead instructor for kickboxing and weapons classes, started training at Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense in 2015 after four prior years of martial arts training and progressed from Class Leader to Kohai (junior instructor), then Senpai at 1st Degree Black Belt, and Sensei at 2nd Degree Black Belt, with promotion to 3rd Degree Black Belt in July 2024. Senpai Patrick Hinton and Senpai Harry Davis are full instructors; Patrick has been a flight instructor and hockey coach for 21 years, and Harry is a productivity coach in real estate after 40 years in the newspaper business and has also coached little league and girls softball. The concealed carry class is taught by Craig Miller, a retired law enforcement officer of 32 years who served in California and Colorado.

Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense is a member of the Colorado Karate Association and has been recognized as the CKA 5A School of the Year in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Since 2016, the school has produced 126 CKA State Champions and more than 240 State Finalists (2nd or 3rd in their divisions) in sparring and kata with its competition team, including 28 State Championships in 2025. Once students reach Black Belt Club level, they have the opportunity to compete in multiple tournaments throughout the year.

Parent and participant testimonials describe the environment as “absolutely awesome” for kids, with mentions of “Mat Chat” that includes anti-bullying talks, respect for parents, and integrity, and note that the dojo is set up for all levels and that all kids are treated equal. Parents report that instructors “really take their time with the kiddos” and mention having 3- and 6-year-olds in age-appropriate classes, and one parent notes that the instructor has “so much patience with the kids” and offers “lots of different class times.” Other testimonials highlight experiences with women's self-defense classes and a “little samurai” class, as well as group self-defense sessions for high school senior girls.

Last updated June 4, 2026.