09/23/2026
This was special, brought tears to my eyes...
Alexis Weiss's Post
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Alexis Weiss is with American Martial Arts / Krav Maga Force Florida and 3 others
at American Martial Arts / Krav Maga Force Florida.
6 days ago ·Edgewater ·
Ellie is officially a Little Dragon!
American Martial Arts Self Defense has been such a pivotal part of the boys’ moral compass not just teaching them how to defend themselves, but teaching them who they want to be.
Their dedication to being good friends, brothers, and sons. To help someone in need. To recognize danger and stay away from it. To be aware of their surroundings and see it before it sees you.
Watching those lessons become part of who we are has meant so much to us. We are forever grateful for Master H and Miss Michelle for shaping our family into the best we can be, for ourselves and our community
And now it’s Ellie’s turn. I can’t wait to watch her grow, learn, and become her own little force to be reckoned with
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Brittany Gaither Pepe
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Our kids were the 3rd generation of Pepe’s to train with or under Master H!
It was so important with Allison. A lot of people don’t realize the importance of a good foundation that American Martial Arts brings to the table, for girls too. It doesn’t have to be a lifetime goal.
With Allie being 12 now and a competitive gymnast, I see a lot of of the things Steve taught her show through in her competitions.
She started at 4-5 after watching Nick. Then worked her way up to a little dragon black belt. Woop woop. She gained SO much knowledge and power within herself.
For instance, when she’s on the beam, about to throw a front aerial(lvl 9 skill) in front of a stadium full of people, she still thinks to herself “gather my energy” the same way Master H used to teach her to do before she would break a board. She still comes back to her mind being in control of her body and the connection that they have. The power that they have over each other. She only thinks this way because she was taught that with the foundation of martial arts…
I firmly believe that the strong foundation she built in martial arts is part of the reason she is such an incredible gymnast today. 
I honestly tell other parents that ALL the time. lol.
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Alexis Weiss
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Brittany Gaither Pepe I’m literally crying reading your comment because I whole heartily agree. The foundation built at AMA, we use in their everyday life. From falling properly, to avoiding bullies and expressing when they don’t like something. Using thrust, focus, power in sports, remaining confident under pressure.
I’ve learned so much as well and don’t fell guilty when I expect something as simple as having them remember their homework because it’s their responsibility not mine. Letting them fail and reap the consequences!!
We originally started martial arts because we were dealing with behavioral issues, specifically with Hendrix! A few weeks into martial arts, Master H kicked henny off the mat for being disruptive and Nick went to console him and hendrix slapped him in the face in front of the room full of parents and students, of course we were mortified. I think hendrix thought we would never return because we were so embarrassed, but we stuck it out. He sat on the sidelines watching for a few weeks (because Hendrix refused to participate) before realizing we were not budging and that moment was pivotal for us. I remember writing Master H a letter asking him if we could transfer Henny’s Weeks to Current because I didn’t think we were gonna be able to get through it and he responded with a heartfelt message telling us this is exactly why he teaches and to stick it out and I’m so glad we did. I was at my wits end as a mother and was feeling like a failure, and he gave us the foundation and confidence to demand respect, laying the foundation for what I am now so proud of. 
If I could recommend one thing to better your family life, hands down American Martial Arts!!
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Teddi Champion Jon McGrew
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Alexis Weiss omg … this has me balling … Hendrix is a different child thanks to Master H, Miss Michele and his incredible parents
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American Martial Arts / Krav Maga Force Florida
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Wow... I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes reading these comments.
Teaching and sharing Mr. Norris' system through American Martial Arts has been one of the greatest honors of my life. But the truth is, the greatest blessing has never been the ranks, titles, tournaments, or accomplishments. The greatest blessing has been the trust that families like yours have placed in me over the years.
As parents, you entrust me with your most precious gift, your children. The fact that you choose to allow me to play even a small role in helping guide them toward confidence, discipline, respect, perseverance, accountability, and self-belief is something I have never taken for granted.
Miss Alexis, I remember those early days with Hendrix. Like so many families, there were challenges, frustrations, and moments when it would have been easy to quit. But you didn't. You stayed the course and trusted the process. Watching Hendrix and your entire family grow through those experiences is exactly why I teach. The success was never about a belt or a trophy. It was about the transformation, the confidence, the accountability, and the respect that developed along the way. Reading your words about that difficult period in your lives and how American Martial Arts helped provide a foundation for your family is incredibly humbling. Knowing that something we taught on the mat helped you as a mother find confidence and strength during one of the most challenging times of your life means more than I can express.
Miss Brittany, hearing that Allie still tells herself to "gather my energy" before stepping onto the beam and performing one of the most difficult skills in front of a stadium full of people absolutely touched my heart. Those lessons were never just about breaking boards. They were about learning how to focus under pressure, trust yourself, control your mind, and believe in your abilities. To know that years later she still carries those lessons with her as a high-level gymnast is one of the greatest compliments a teacher could ever receive.
The Weiss Family and the Pepe Family represent the best of what American Martial Arts has always been about. Not just earning belts, but building character. Not just learning self-defense, but developing confidence, responsibility, discipline, resilience, and respect that carry over into every aspect of life. Seeing those lessons continue to influence children years later is more rewarding than any trophy, recognition, or accomplishment I could ever receive.
To Miss Brittany, Alexis, and every parent who has ever trusted American Martial Arts with their child, thank you. Thank you for believing in the process, for supporting your children through the ups and downs, and for allowing us to be part of their journey. The lessons learned on the mat may begin in our school, but their true value is revealed in everyday life, years later, when those children become confident, resilient, and successful young men and women.
Your stories are a reminder that what we do matters. They remind us that while belts eventually get put away and trophies collect dust, the character, confidence, and life skills developed through American Martial Arts last forever. For that, I am deeply humbled, forever grateful, and truly honored to have been a part of your family’s journey.
Reading stories like these and hearing how those lessons continue to impact your children as athletes, students, family members, and young adults fills my heart with gratitude. It reminds me why I dedicated my life to teaching, and it gives me the strength, purpose, and inspiration to continue this journey.
Thank you for your friendship, your support, your faith in me, and most importantly, your trust. Families like the Weiss Family, the Pepe Family, and so many others have blessed my life far more than I could ever repay.
I am deeply humbled, forever grateful, and truly honored to have been a part of your journey.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“A teacher’s greatest reward is not what students accomplish on the mat, but what they become in life.”
Master H.
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Alexis Weiss
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American Martial Arts / Krav Maga Force Florida grateful for the community you have built
