Character Counts for Ares Martial Arts Instructors Karl and Michelle Eiker

Courtesy. Integrity. Perseverance. Self-Confidence. Indomitable Spirit. What do these five words mean to you? To Ares Athletic Club (home of CrossFit A-Game) Martial Arts Instructors Karl and Michelle Eiker they mean a virtual lifetime of training, practicing and teaching the importance of these tenets as building blocks to a successful and meaningful future for the youth of southern Ocean County.

Karl, who began his martial arts training at the age of 4 at Gold Hawk in Tuckerton, ‘moonlights’ as a math teacher at Southern Regional Middle School. His wife, Michelle, is also in the education field and currently substitutes in the Little Egg Harbor School District.

Though their tenure as Ares instructors might be seen as relatively new (the Eiker’s began teaching their own childrens’ martial arts classes at the club’s Manahawkin location in August 2013), their foray into training others began well over a decade ago while still at Gold Hawk. Karl, now 28, began his career at the ripe age of 13. Michelle, 25, took on her first class at 14.

While they both progressed through the ranks and gained individual accolades, their passion was and continues to be passing on their experience to others while monitoring the evolution of their students.

“In our careers as school teachers, we get to experience the progress students make for one year. What’s cool about instructing martial arts is you can really watch the kids learn and develop and blossom really through the entire youth if they stay with us,” Karl said.

While the couple agreed that fitness, focus and the obvious self-defense techniques were great advantages for children enrolled in their program benefitted from, what counts most for the Eikers was instilling and nurturing character among their young charges.

“For an indecisive parent seeking to enroll their child in a martial arts program we would tell them that what sets us apart is that we try to infuse as much character and self-confidence building into our training as possible,” Karl said. “For each belt rank a student earns they also much attain red, white and blue stripes. Blue is for character. We closely monitor their school grades and check in with parents to make sure they are carrying what they learned with us through other facets of their lives.”

The Eikers also reinforce focus into the lives of their students and the notion of ‘be where you are’.

“If they’re in school, we want to them to be fully present in the classroom. If they’re home with their families we want their minds to be fully aware in those moments. When they’re with us here at Ares, we want their full attention and focus to be what we’re covering with them. Focus and discipline are key teachings no matter what your personal pursuits are.”

Karl, Michelle and their gaggle of wide-eyed martial arts students currently convene Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. at Ares. If character, focus, fitness, confidence, discipline, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit are lessons your children could benefit from – and have fun doing it – click here to learn more.