#15: Michael and Mikey Dillard – Exist to Inspire

“Exist to Inspire, Martial arts is so much more than what people think.  If you live the way, and actually make martial arts part of your lifestyle it comes with these values and skillsets that no one can take away from you and can be used in all aspects of your life.” – Mr. Mikey Dillard

“I want kids to have confidence and discipline, self-respect and respect for others, I want kids to stand out, a place where they fit in, have achievable goals, we exist to inspire, and we are here to grow martial arts.” – Mr. Michael Dillard

My special guests this episode are Mr. Michael Dillard who is the CEO and Founder of Century Martial Arts and his son Mr. Mikey Dillard who is Century’s CFO.  Century Martial Arts was founded in 1976 by Michael Dillard as one man working out of his garage, it has grown into a worldwide leader and innovator off martial arts equipment, instruction, and transformed the professional martial arts industry.  Century’s success is due to the fact that it is owned and operated by Martial Artists, Michael Dillard is a multi-style black belt and is a 2 time National Karate Champion, his son Mikey Dillard is also a highly accomplished Tang Soo Do Black Belt, BJJ Brown Belt and has fought MMA. 

This episode is all about leadership and inspiration through the love of the martial arts lifestyle.  My key takeaway is that Martial Artists who are instructors in schools are catalysts to inspire change in people.  Martial arts instructors and school owners are the ones instilling the values of confidence, honor, and discipline inside their students, and make martial arts so much more than a physical activity like other sports.  We dive deep into the humble beginnings of Mr. Dillard’s career, his training with Chuck Norris, Roger Green, Bill Wallace, to the development of Century Martial Arts and their plans for the future.  We also take a look at how martial arts training directly transfers to leadership in business.  The Dillard’s truly live the martial arts lifestyle, they train in the morning, work, teach at lunch, work, and get back to training.  Tune in for a wonderful episode, the father and son stories are entertaining and inspiring, but above all the love, commitment and dedication to the martial arts values and the power they have to change lives is what makes this family and company thrive.