Proven Leadership.
Practical Coaching.
REAL RESULTS.
MA Pro University was created by Master Paul Garcia—school owner, consultant, and industry leader with over 30 years of experience. What started as an internal staff development system is now a complete curriculum used by martial arts professionals across the country.
We help school owners and instructors grow with purpose, not pressure. With MA Pro, you don’t just learn what to do—you get the coaching and systems to actually do it.
Built for Real Martial Arts Schools
MA Pro University wasn’t created in a boardroom—it was built on the mats. Every system we teach is used in live schools that serve thousands of students every week.
Curriculum That Grows With You
From sales and marketing to retention, staff training, and legacy planning, our curriculum is designed to support you at every stage of business growth.
Coaching That Cares
We believe mentorship is about more than strategies—it’s about relationships. Our goal is to help you lead with confidence, run your school with integrity, and make a bigger impact in your community.
Meet Master Paul Garcia
Martial arts school owner. Business coach. Industry pioneer.
Master Garcia began his martial arts journey in 1980 at the age of 12. By 18, he had earned a spot on the John Paul Mitchell National Karate Team and later competed for the U.S.A. Junior Kickboxing Team.
In 1989, he opened his first school in Rhode Island. Under the mentorship of leading martial arts professionals, he grew that school into one of the largest in New England. After selling the school, he moved to Florida and became a senior consultant and vice president at United Professionals, where he coached hundreds of schools across the U.S. and Canada.
In 1999, he returned to Massachusetts and founded America’s Best Defense. Today, ABD has grown to four thriving locations with over 2,000 students and a team of more than 14 staff members.
Built for Real Martial Arts Schools
Paul Garcia began training in martial arts in 1980 at the age of 12. He quickly found his calling not just as a student—but as a competitor, teammate, and instructor. At 18, he was selected to fight for the John Paul Mitchell National Karate Team and later represented the U.S.A. Jr. Kickboxing Team.
He has spent his entire adult life immersed in martial arts culture—refining his skills, learning from great mentors, and helping others reach their potential both on and off the mat.
Lifelong Entrepreneur
In 1989, at just 21 years old, Master Garcia opened his first martial arts school in Rhode Island. Though young and relatively inexperienced, he leaned into mentorship and built strong relationships with some of the industry’s most accomplished school owners. That school grew into one of the largest in New England.
After selling it, he accepted a position in Florida as a senior consultant and vice president of United Professionals, a coaching firm serving over 300 schools across North America. There, alongside industry legend Greg Silva, he helped develop many of the business systems and training concepts that are still in use today—including the widely adopted Rotating Curriculum and Instructor College model.
Founder of America's Best Defense
In 1999, Master Garcia returned to Massachusetts and opened a new school—America’s Best Defense. Over the next two decades, ABD grew from one small location to four thriving schools, teaching over 2,000 students and employing a staff of more than 14 instructors. In 2024, ABD celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The same staff training systems, curriculum tools, and retention strategies that power the ABD schools now form the foundation of MA Pro University.
The Vision Behind MA Pro
MA Pro University began as an internal training program to help staff across the ABD schools teach more effectively and grow as professionals. But as the systems took shape, Master Garcia realized they could help other schools, too.
Today, MA Pro University is a nationwide consulting and certification program used by martial arts school owners, instructors, and leadership teams who want to grow with purpose—not pressure.
MA Pro’s mission is simple: help good people build great schools.
What Drives Master Garcia?
Master Garcia believes in:
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Leading by example
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Investing in people
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Doing the right thing
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Building systems that last
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Growing without selling out
Whether he’s teaching a Krav Maga class, running a webinar, or coaching a young instructor through their first class plan, Master Garcia leads with integrity and purpose. He’s passionate about helping others succeed—and committed to growing the next generation of martial arts leaders.