Any USSD or Zultimate Instructors out there

[randyh123]

I also posted this under the welcome forum. My son has been taking USSD now Zultimate karate lessons for several years and currently a Jr blackbelt. He is graduating from HS this year and interested in pursuing the USSD academy instead of college. I would be interested in your opinion for someone pursuing this as a career. I am not interested so much in the sales talk, I get that from the instructors at his studio. I am looking for an objective feedback concerning the challenges and non guarantees of the business. If you had a son, would you hesitate directing him in this profession? Thanks Randy

[bassaiguy]

I'm not in the USSD/Zultimate system, however, I am a high school teacher and college instructor and have been practicing MA since my early teens. So, I see a lot of students and I've been in your son's shoes to some extent. My take on any instructor-grooming model is that they exist to benefit the business, not necessarily the trainee. Your son can ALWAYS join the business, but a college education will give him other opportunities and skills, as well. Furthermore, many young people are taken in by the idea of an uchi-deshi (live in training/apprenticeship) experience in the martial arts. These, in any practical sense, do not exist for most Westerners. There are some reputable residential programs in Japan and Korea that accept foreigners, but they are very expensive and do not garauntee employment upon matriculation. Being able to speak Korean or Japanese helps.

If your son wants to immerse himself in martial arts study while in college there are a number of accredited universities that offer formal programs in martial arts that can be combined with other majors. He may want to check out Naropa University, Univ California - San Diego or Indiana University. There are also very good club programs at colleges across the country. Finally, if he wants to train at the highest competitive level in America I have heard that the AAU sponsors summer programs in Tae Kwon Do and Judo to prepare competitors for the Olympic experience.

My opinion, your son should be prepared to focus on his education (which can include martial arts) rather than focus on becoming someone else's employee.

[Liver Punch]

I'd second that. I believe Bridgeport University also offers a martial arts major that they recommend pairing with their Human Security program as a major or minor. Going to actual college in a city with a gym that you really enjoy is hard to beat.

If it were my kid, I'd advise them to pursue a 2 year degree at the very least (and degrees beyond that if they're capable) during which time they can study martial arts to whatever end they desire. If they want to own a school, they can major in business, if they wanted to round-out their martial arts abilities they can train with the wrestling team in their school, take a fencing class, etc. There's a million options out there, but I think the first rule of dream-chasing should involve a legitimate plan b.

[bushido_man96]

Good advise. I think going to school and exploring options is better than something that tries to specialize in the MAs as a field of study. There are also the Health and Human Performance areas to consider majoring in, along with business, especially if one wants to pursue the Martial Arts afterwards.

[randyh123]

I appreciate the comments here and actually give me additional options to work with my son on. Thank you.

[Liver Punch]

Good advise. I think going to school and exploring options is better than something that tries to specialize in the MAs as a field of study. There are also the Health and Human Performance areas to consider majoring in, along with business, especially if one wants to pursue the Martial Arts afterwards.

Yeah, anything involving the human body as it relates to sports or injury is a good idea. I might not that among the most successful lifelong martial art instructors and school owners I've known they all had "day jobs." These included: Plumber, Barber, Chiropractor, Property Manager, Carpenter, and a Police officer or two.

[kempoangel]

Just saw your message and I hope this gets to you before you sign papers and make a huge financial commitment.

I am a former instructor for USSD - the company ZULTIMATE came from. ZULTIMATE is running the exact same scam as USSD was (and continues to run). After paying $15,000 for a supposed instructor training academy the instruction abruptly slowed down and the personal attention that came before I signed papers dried up.

The moment I started running my own studio I realized that I had signed away more than I realized. USSD (and ZULTIMATE) pay their instructors as 1099 independent contractors (which is illegal) and require instructors to work crazy hours with no over time pay, no lunch breaks. 6 to 7 days per week plus many additional required (but not compensated) events.

Not only was I injured in the special "instructor training", but I witnessed fellow instructors being viciously beaten for arriving late to a meeting or not keeping their student numbers up.

Luckily, I had already earned a business degree, which I drew on often as I was running a studio. The "business training" from USSD/ZULTIMATE is miniscule compared to an actual college education.

I now run my own successful studio independent of USSD and although the time I spent there has helped me, I can honestly say that it is my actual business degree that has heed me to keep my business afloat despite the many false accusations and physical threats from USSD.

So, my humble opinion is this: being a martial arts instructor as a career is awesome, but relying 100% on ZULTIMATE to educate your child assuming that they have his interests in mind is foolish. They have a history of burning through instructors and they don't care. Please be careful!!!!

[darksoul]

Just saw your message and I hope this gets to you before you sign papers and make a huge financial commitment.

I am a former instructor for USSD - the company ZULTIMATE came from. ZULTIMATE is running the exact same scam as USSD was (and continues to run). After paying $15,000 for a supposed instructor training academy the instruction abruptly slowed down and the personal attention that came before I signed papers dried up.

The moment I started running my own studio I realized that I had signed away more than I realized. USSD (and ZULTIMATE) pay their instructors as 1099 independent contractors (which is illegal) and require instructors to work crazy hours with no over time pay, no lunch breaks. 6 to 7 days per week plus many additional required (but not compensated) events.

Not only was I injured in the special "instructor training", but I witnessed fellow instructors being viciously beaten for arriving late to a meeting or not keeping their student numbers up.

Luckily, I had already earned a business degree, which I drew on often as I was running a studio. The "business training" from USSD/ZULTIMATE is miniscule compared to an actual college education.

I now run my own successful studio independent of USSD and although the time I spent there has helped me, I can honestly say that it is my actual business degree that has heed me to keep my business afloat despite the many false accusations and physical threats from USSD.

So, my humble opinion is this: being a martial arts instructor as a career is awesome, but relying 100% on ZULTIMATE to educate your child assuming that they have his interests in mind is foolish. They have a history of burning through instructors and they don't care. Please be careful!!!!

EDIT: ^exactly what I was going to say.

[Miss_Marilyn_811]

Just saw your message and I hope this gets to you before you sign papers and make a huge financial commitment.

I am a former instructor for USSD - the company ZULTIMATE came from. ZULTIMATE is running the exact same scam as USSD was (and continues to run). After paying $15,000 for a supposed instructor training academy the instruction abruptly slowed down and the personal attention that came before I signed papers dried up.

The moment I started running my own studio I realized that I had signed away more than I realized. USSD (and ZULTIMATE) pay their instructors as 1099 independent contractors (which is illegal) and require instructors to work crazy hours with no over time pay, no lunch breaks. 6 to 7 days per week plus many additional required (but not compensated) events.

Not only was I injured in the special "instructor training", but I witnessed fellow instructors being viciously beaten for arriving late to a meeting or not keeping their student numbers up.

Luckily, I had already earned a business degree, which I drew on often as I was running a studio. The "business training" from USSD/ZULTIMATE is miniscule compared to an actual college education.

I now run my own successful studio independent of USSD and although the time I spent there has helped me, I can honestly say that it is my actual business degree that has heed me to keep my business afloat despite the many false accusations and physical threats from USSD.

So, my humble opinion is this: being a martial arts instructor as a career is awesome, but relying 100% on ZULTIMATE to educate your child assuming that they have his interests in mind is foolish. They have a history of burning through instructors and they don't care. Please be careful!!!!

EDIT: ^exactly what I was going to say.

You have just put so many things into perspective for me. THANK YOU! I now understand why the instructors are the way they are.