Title: Professional Speaker and Trainer
Company: Seconds Out
Location: New Port Richey, Florida, United States
John Graden, Professional Speaker and Trainer at Seconds Out, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements and leadership in Verbal Defense, Situational Awareness and Strategic Decision Making.
With a career spanning over five decades, Mr. Graden has established himself as a transformative figure in martial arts education and business. His journey began at age 16 when a pivotal moment inspired him to pursue martial arts as a means of personal growth and empowerment. Facing financial constraints, Mr. Graden eagerly accepted the opportunity to demonstrate his determination by cleaning his training dojo in exchange for lessons, setting the tone for a lifetime defined by perseverance and commitment to the discipline.
Throughout his long and distinguished tenure in martial arts, education and entrepreneurship, Mr. Graden has become well-known for his expertise. In 1980, he became a trainer, author and keynote speaker at Seconds Out and briefly authored content for the company between 2009 and 2010. Now a renowned professional speaker and trainer, Mr. Graden applies proven techniques to help clients excel and become more confident and polished in delivering their messages. By sharing his expertise with audiences nationwide, he has cemented a reputation as an authority in self-defense and personal development.
Leveraging his success as a public speaker and trainer on self-defense and personal safety with USA Self Defense from 1990 to 2024, Mr. Graden also owned the business between 2006 and 2020, providing practical training solutions for individuals seeking personal protection skills. Additionally, in 2004, Mr. Graden founded the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association (MATA), where he served as the organization’s founder and executive director until 2024. For over 30 years, he led this web-based membership organization by producing educational videos, writing articles to enhance instructor effectiveness, and reviewing curricula to ensure quality instruction. Mr. Graden’s leadership helped countless instructors avoid common pitfalls in teaching children while elevating professional standards within the field.
Mr. Graden’s impact extended beyond the industry itself. From 2010 to 2024, he co-founded Generate More Leads, a digital agency dedicated to supporting business growth for martial arts professionals. During those same years, he also served as the executive director of EmpowerKickboxing.com. A significant milestone in Mr. Graden’s career was founding the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA), which he oversaw between 1993 and 2003. Through NAPMA, he established the first professional trade association for martial arts school owners, bringing them into mainstream recognition and providing vital resources for school operators striving to balance tradition with livelihood.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Graden taught as a co-instructor for an accredited karate course at St. Petersburg Junior College, now St. Petersburg College, in 1978. This role marked his transition from student to educator, remarkably soon after leaving high school, where he influenced students’ academic outcomes through martial arts instruction.
Mr. Graden’s expertise is underscored by his certifications. He holds an eighth-degree black belt, a rare achievement that speaks to his mastery, awarded by martial arts legend Joe Lewis. He also holds certified hypnotist credentials from Omni Hypnosis Center and more than 100 hours of professional hypnosis training. Moreover, Mr. Graden received a COBRA defense instructor certification.
As a member of the United States Kickboxing Team, Mr. Graden served as a fighter, coach, and official, roles that contributed significantly to his understanding of competitive martial arts at the highest level. Civic engagement has also been a hallmark of his career. He has volunteered as a self-defense instructor at The Chapel since 2017 and has dedicated time to helping foster children develop confidence through self-defense training and de-escalation drills.
Mr. Graden’s influence reaches beyond direct instruction through numerous creative projects and publications. He authored “How to Open and Operate a Successful Martial Arts School,” through Graden Media Group, Inc., in 1997, “Black Belt Management,” also through Graden Media Group, Inc., in 1999, “The Art of Marketing Without Marketing: How to Attract Clients Instead of Chasing Them” via ITBD International in 2012, and “The Truth About the Martial Arts Business-John Graden: The Inside Story by the Man Who Changed the Martial Arts School Business” by the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association in 2014.
Throughout his professional journey, Mr. Graden has distinguished himself not only as an instructor but also as an innovator and leader within the martial arts community. He is widely known as the “Instructor of Instructors” and has been called the “Teacher of Teachers” by industry publications. His conventions have drawn thousands of school owners from across the country to Clearwater Beach, Florida, fostering collaboration and professional growth within the field.
Mr. Graden’s achievements include being featured in television shows and movies, a testament to his broad appeal, as well as appearances on The Dr. OZ Show, on the cover of The Wall Street Journal, and numerous other interviews and articles, and receiving a Plaque of Appreciation for demonstrations performed before royalty in Dubai. His success can be attributed to his approach, shaped by valuable lessons learned throughout his journey, particularly the importance of maintaining an open mind and questioning assumptions within traditional instruction methods. With keen observation skills honed since childhood and a pragmatic outlook focused on substance over illusion, Mr. Graden continues to challenge norms within martial arts education while encouraging others entering the field to do likewise.
Looking ahead, Mr. Graden aims to expand his influence through media appearances, such as podcast tours, while developing resources like his forthcoming book “Choose Your Battles Wisely,” which targets teens and young adults with practical strategies for navigating confrontation in today’s digital landscape. Mr. Graden’s legacy is defined by resilience, innovation and an unwavering dedication to empowering others through martial arts education, a journey marked by world championships achieved alongside his brothers as well as mentorship under some of the most respected figures in the discipline’s history.
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