From a four-year-old Camo belt to a five-year-old purple belt, these families share how karate is shaping their sons into leaders.

At KarateBuilt, we measure progress in more than belt colors. We see it in the way kids carry themselves at home, at school, and in the world around them. Two of our families recently sat down to talk about that change on camera, and their stories capture what our program is really about.

Candace Brimie and Edward Pollock have watched their four-year-old son Dawson grow into a leader in class as he works toward his Camo belt. In their testimonial, they describe the confidence he has built and the character karate is helping shape in him. They share a lesson they hope stays with him for life: he doesn’t have to be perfect, just a little better each day. That mindset, they say, is already showing up in how he treats his classmates and how he handles setbacks.

Karthik Sanapa brings a slightly different perspective. A first-degree black belt himself, he trains alongside his five-year-old son Rishith, who recently earned his purple belt. Karthik speaks to something many parents in our program come to understand: training goes far beyond technique. It shapes how a child faces the outside world, treats other people, and carries himself with quiet confidence. Watching Rishith grow into that mindset has meant just as much to Karthik as any belt test.

Watch both families tell their stories below, then read the full conversations underneath each video.

Dawson Pollock

Edward Pollock:

“Really proud on where the leadership is helping him build his character and his personality, is adding to and growing with being able to lead the class and all that good stuff. So I feel like it’s building him to be his own person. Like you said, just want him to continue and make sure that he’s trying to do better each day. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just better each day kind of thing.”

Candace Brimie:

“Yeah. He has gained a lot of confidence and leadership skills.”

Rishith Sanapa

Karthik Sanapa:

“Karate has been a good thing for my family. It’s not just the martial arts thing. It is all about your personal training as well as you train your kids as well to know about how to be in the outside world, how to face the outside world and do respect others with confidence.”

If you’re looking for the same growth for your child, take the next step today.

Dr. Moody is also a licensed psychotherapist and maintains a practice at Integrated Mental Health Associates (IntegratedMHA.com) where he specializes in couples therapy and men’s issues.