Today we’d like to introduce you to MATTHEW KILLIAN.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have a video on YouTube- 5PeaksWarriors/ 10th Anniversary video
in it you’ll see how 5 Peaks came to be.
In short, born in Florida. Picked on and had anger problems at 5yo. Karate kid came out summer of ’84. Mom saw how locked in on the previews i was. saw it opening day. She signed me up the next week and it changed everything.
Trained until i was a 2nd Degree Black Belt and started teaching. Loved it! Unfortunately moved to start college and couldn’t take class. Had to get back in, so i found a local martial arts school. Started training right away, 4 months later, the owner offered me the opportunity to open a 2nd school for him. i jumped on it. taught there for 5 Years. Got another offer here in Maryland and, 3 weeks later, moved up.
Worked here for 2 years and then joined the Marine Corps. Best 8 years of my life. During my deployment to Iraq, i vowed that when/ if i came back, i’d start my own school.
5 Peaks was born 2014 and now 12 years old. with 200 active students, a Nationally recognized Competition Team, and the best leadership Team i could ever have, it’s been an absolute blessing and i thank God for this opportunity.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been some mighty challenges along the way.
It was tough learning and dealing with Maryland Taxes and requirements as a new business owner.
COVID almost shut me down outright.
but thankfully, I’ve been able to successfully negotiate every obstacle and it’s made me stronger in the process of feeling that fire.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I teach NON-traditional martial arts. 5 Peaks is a modern mixed martial arts school and students are taught from the ground to standing. Self Confidence, Physical Fitness, Self Discipline, and Self Defense is what is taught here at 5 Peaks.
I don’t use contracts to keep students. Students train here at 5 Peaks because they want to be here and they believe in my program. It’s a blessing and a curse but sets us apart.
Not every student makes it Black Belt. the standards are far and above any other school in the area and i stand by every student that becomes a Black Belt.
How do you think about luck?
Good Luck has nothing to do. in fact, i’d say bad lack has been the biggest contributor. Like i said, Covid almost shut me down. that was absolute bad luck because we didn’t see it coming and had zero control over how we were forced to operate our businesses.
Pricing:
- 149 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://5peaksmartialartsacademy.com/
- Facebook: 5 Peaks Martial Arts Academy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@5PeaksWarriors
