Meet Steve DeArmond | Self-Defense Instructor | Gym Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve DeArmond and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I have been a lifelong student of martial arts with more than 20 years of training and teaching thus far. After earning a Black Belt in Mixed Martial Arts, including Taekwondo, Karate and Hapkido, I turned my attention to more realistic combative systems, such as Krav Maga and Kelly McCann’s Kembativz. After extensive training, I tested and obtained my Black Belt in Krav Maga. In addition to this, I was given the opportunity to train with Kelly McCann and was honored to receive an official recognition as a Certified Instructor in Kembativz. Currently, I am the only Certified Instructor in Kembativz in the state of Arizona. Because of this, I’ve enjoyed learning and training in various martial arts, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Muay Thai and Boxing, and I have always found it to be a great experience when learning from someone that is passionate about their discipline.

When I reached the point of beginning my own program, I wanted to teach classes and share something I was passionate about with others. My goal was to create a facility that not only taught quality classes in a family environment to see students reach their full potential, but was also a place to develop and build programs for passionate instructors. I decided that a great path to go was to take the business side out of the hands of coaches and just allow them to do what they do best. The way we have structured our facility has given us a unique way to not only keep the business running, but also to allow coaches to receive 100% commission on their programs. Ultimately, if we attract high quality, ego-free coaches that are passionate about their disciplines, we will in turn attract high quality, ego-free and passionate students.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Faction Combatives & Combat Sports is not a typical martial arts gym. It is a training facility that brings you the best of both self-defense and fighting sports. We are an ego-free and family-oriented environment that offers classes in various disciplines including: Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Judo. Often times, when some places claim to teach a discipline such as Krav Maga, it’s really just a marketing gimmick. For us, we specifically have coaches that are highly trained and proficient in their respective discipline that teaches the class. We have created not just a place for students to reach their full potential and to try out various class options, but we have also created a home for high quality instructors to work together and network with other high-quality instructors. After all, iron sharpens iron.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are three people that deserve a shoutout due to my story. First is my coach and mentor, Master Combatives Instructor Kelly McCann. Not only did he design our logo, but he has guided me and given me great insight, not just in my training, but in bringing together a business in this industry. Next would be my dad. He consistently gave me great guidance on how to run the business to see it become successful. Last, but not least, my wife. She has been exceptionally supportive through the ups and downs we navigated through to reach this point. She has not only been my sounding board and my assistant coach, but also my biggest supporter that has kept me positive even when things get rough.

Website: https://FactionCombat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FactionCombatives

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FactionCombatives

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgywYT3cfqUhQ6PBmKSiikw