Reviews of Corpus Christi Family Martial Arts Academy

If you're looking for a quality martial arts dojo, this is not the place. The drama began in December 2024 when the owner, Mark, abruptly fired his senior instructor—someone who had stood by him for over 20 years. When asked why, Mark simply said, “He cost the dojo money. ” That decision triggered a mass exodus. Nearly all of his black belts quit. The few who stayed did so only because they were on the payroll (spoiler alert!).

The fallout didn’t stop there. Mark began transforming CCFMA into a full-blown McDojo, with every executive decision focused solely on maximizing profits—even if it meant sacrificing training quality. With the experienced students gone, the level of instruction declined sharply. Combine that with a profits-over-people mindset, and it’s clear this dojo is crumbling.

To make matters worse, the owner has been displaying increasingly erratic behavior. He now spends more time ranting to parents about former staff than he does actually training students. He’s slandered loyal instructors with easily disproven lies and shown a complete lack of professionalism.

The final straw came just last week when Mark fired his business manager of seven years without warning. That same evening, he publicly disparaged her in front of a full class. It was a bridge too far. His last remaining instructor walked out, unwilling to continue supporting the deception.

And now? As of this writing, when 6:00 pm rolls around, the dojo sits empty. Mark—the so-called Grand Master—doesn’t even show up to fulfill his obligations. He’s left his students to fend for themselves.

DO. NOT. GO. HERE. UNDER. ANY. CIRCUMSTANCES.

There are a number of classes that you enter to learn more. The people running the place are high degree black belts so they definitely know what they are talking about. They also do not make the program easy so a 12-year old becomes a black belt in a year. From the beginning to a black belt is a long way. The instructors are very pleasant folks in and out of the dojo. Guess getting a black belt does not make you a jerk but a nice person.

The staff at this Dojo are amazing. They encourage, teach, laugh and have great fun with the students. Self respect, respect for others, self defense are all incorporated into the lessons. Our child's life is much richer for this experience!

If you are looking for a place to help your child grow and gain self confidence this is IT!

I have been a student for over two years now and will be for many more years to come. Starting with the first contact with Grandmaster Timmerman and continuing with every interaction I have had with all the students, Sensei Green, and parents of students has been truly respectful and honestly pleasant. "Home away from home" is more than a slogan, it is what this dojo is honestly striving toward and making strides in achieving. After visiting nearly every martial arts school of every style that I could find in the Corpus Christi area I chose Corpus Christi Family Martial Arts Academy. I was a serious martial arts student when I was a much younger man, and recently decided to return to training after a nearly 25 year hiatus. The style and techniques that are taught are both practical and relevant, and are taught with the students skill and maturity level always as a forethought of the lessons. The thing that has impressed the most about the dojo, and continues to do so, is the real feeling of community and genuine family.