As Eric McAllister was thinking about how to run a sustainable martial arts school, he began to notice a deep need for mental and spiritual resilience in young people.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, McAllister has read about a growing connection between excessive screen time and social problems, bullying, lack of confidence and poor self-image.
“When we started to look into it, we found an alarming number of young people experiencing depression, bullying and suicide rates under the age of 15,” McAllister said. “When we go back and read the white papers and case studies on screen time, we see that these kids are judging themselves based on what other people like and write online and succumbing to social bullying… When they train in martial arts, they feel more positive about themselves and their abilities.”
Over the past few years, McAllister has developed his martial arts academy with a focus on teaching independence, self-image, and self-defense.
The meaning behind “7-5-3” lies in the Code of Bushido, which describes the seven virtues of a warrior, the five keys to health, and the three states of mind. McAllister teaches the warrior way of life in his studio, which combines martial arts with purpose, ethics, and spiritual strength.
A holistic approach to fitness
At 7-5-3 Academy, founder and coach McAllister and assistant coach David Valko focus on offering small class sizes (15 or fewer participants). A low student-to-instructor ratio promotes high-quality instruction and helps you reach sustainable goals without getting injured.
From private martial arts lessons and Filipino martial arts classes to after-school programs and lightsaber academies, 7-5-3 offers a holistic approach to self-defense, ensuring clients of all ages leave well-trained, calm and confident. We guarantee that you will be satisfied. The ability to protect yourself in real-world situations.
McAllister is committed to fitness outside of the studio, emphasizing proper nutrition and meal planning. He also likes to build strong relationships with his students and their families, ensuring that youth apply what they learn in his 7-5-3 at home and at school.
“We want to teach our students, not just here but especially in schools, how to stay calm and how to effectively manage stress,” McAllister said. “Before kids take a test or stand in front of a classroom to give a presentation, they learn how to plan for that stress and reduce it by using positive imagery, meditating, slowing down their heart rate, focusing on their breathing… We want to help them see the whole picture, not just put a band-aid on it.”
7-5-3 Academy also offers free consultations for new clients to understand their fitness goals.
“I want to know where my clients are on their journey; what challenges, whether physical or mental, are holding them back,” he said. “We set goals to achieve that and then track their progress.”
Valko said small group classes and individualized goal setting have allowed 7-5-3 to maintain a consistent membership base with customers coming back year after year.
As part of the 7-5-3 membership, the academy offers monthly kids nights where parents drop off and pick up students for martial arts-themed activities, games and competitions, complete with snacks and drinks. can.
leadership
A small business owner and military veteran, McAllister's first encounter with martial arts began at the age of 10, and he has trained in all kinds of martial arts since childhood, including kung fu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Filipino martial arts, and aikido.
McAllister is a medically discharged Army veteran who spent 18 years in the Army serving in special operations, intelligence and global counterterrorism operations. He is no stranger to challenges, having undergone a lengthy battle with cancer.
“I've experienced complications, relapses and re-treatment and I still deal with the aftereffects,” McAllister said. “One of my personal beliefs is that when you feel like quitting or tell yourself you can't do it, that's when you need it most.”
McAllister currently serves as a master instructor of the Filipino martial arts style Pekiti Tirsia Kali. He is the highest ranked fighter of this style in the state of Arizona.
David Valko has a background in project management and software design. Valko brings business and planning expertise to 7-5-3 and serves as an assistant instructor with 10 years of martial arts experience, teaching classes throughout the week, including 7-5-3 kickboxing.
Mr. McAllister and Mr. Valko will be working with the Fountain Hills Unified School District to host a variety of club activities at the 7-5-3 Academy and to launch the newly expanded Summer Warrior Course for youth.
As 7-5-3 Academy expands its capacity in the community, McAllister and Valko aim to improve the physical and mental health of youth and adults through positive reinforcement, personalized training, and kindness to themselves and others. We are trying to improve the situation.
“We need to develop inner strength,” McAllister says. “Being able to overcome these mental challenges in a positive way is where warrior skills come from.”
7-5-3 Academy is located at 14835 E. Shea Blvd., Suite C104. For more information, visit 753academy.com, call 480-219-9253, or email info@7-5-3Academy.com.
Readers are invited to submit fair comments on this issue at AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Cyrus Guccione can be contacted at cguccione@iniusa.org.
