Kicking Through the Glass Ceiling
Let’s face it – it can be intimidating to get started in martial arts.
Especially if you don’t have someone you know that is already practicing…
Think back to the first time you stepped foot into a dojo.
Did you feel nervous? Excited?
Maybe everything you knew about martial arts leading up to that point, came from what you saw on TV. You might not have had an understanding of the obstacles you’d have to overcome to become a master of the craft. The beauty of the sport is that breaking barriers in martial arts prepares you to do so in other areas of your life.
Of the more than 11,176 martial arts instructors employed across the United States, 79.3% are men while 20.7% are women.
Now speculate why this is the case…
Why is there such a large discrepancy in the number of men that participate in martial arts vs. the number of women?
Have you ever felt like some people think martial arts are only for “the boys”? Or maybe that women and girls don’t enjoy the roughness of this highly physical sport? Well, it’s time to change our old ways of thinking.
But how do we start breaking barriers in the martial arts industry?
As a school owner, we want to welcome everyone to the life-changing experience of martial arts. Breaking barriers in martial arts is about creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for people of various backgrounds.
As members of this amazing community, sharing inspiring stories of people who are breaking barriers in martial arts can inspire and uplift others.
We want to create the sort of lasting impact that goes beyond what we could ever expect.
Let’s explore how we can all reap the benefits of breaking barriers in martial arts to create a more diverse and inclusive community for everyone.
Glass Ceilings & Why It Matters to Martial Arts Industry
The term “glass ceiling” refers to an invisible barrier that prevents individuals (especially women and people of color) from advancing in their careers or achieving certain positions despite their qualifications and skills.
The term highlights the challenges that some groups face in reaching their full potential and emphasizes the need to address the barriers holding certain people back or down, in order to create increased opportunities for all.
Why is breaking barriers important for school owners and entrepreneurs in the industry?
For the martial arts industry to continue to grow and thrive, it must become more accessible to people regardless of their background, race, or ethnicity.
When we begin to intentionally shift our mindset to look for opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to learn and participate in martial arts. The industry can benefit from new perspectives, skills, and talent.
Additionally, breaking barriers in the martial arts industry can help to increase participation, revenue, and support. When more people can access and enjoy martial arts, our industry can become more vibrant and sustainable.
Case Study: Women In the Industry
Cynthia Rothrock is a pioneer of breaking barriers in the martial arts industry. She has made significant contributions to the industry, first beginning her martial arts training at the age of 13 – at a time when women were still a rarity in the industry.
Rothrock didn’t accept the status quo, and despite the obstacles she faced, she still managed to carve out a successful career as both a competitive martial artist and a film star. But with a black belt in several disciplines, she wasn’t done.
In 1981, Rothrock made history as one of the first women to appear on the cover of a martial arts magazine. She continued breaking barriers by being one of the rare martial artists (regardless of gender) to be recognized in both the Kung Fu Hall of Fame and inducted into the prestigious Black Belt Hall of Fame. More recently, she was awarded the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Martial Arts Super Show.
Some argue that Rothrock’s biggest impact, however, was in the film industry. She was one of the first women to achieve mainstream success as an action movie star. She starred in more than 50 films, paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps. She is regarded as one of the greatest female martial arts movie stars of all time.
Cynthia Rothrock’s story serves as a reminder that barriers exist in many industries, including martial arts. Rothrock’s is a huge success story for breaking down barriers in the martial arts industry because her presence changed the way that women were portrayed in media.
She proved that women could be just as tough, skilled, and dynamic as their male counterparts, inspiring countless others to pursue their dreams in martial arts. Overall, her accomplishments in martial arts and film broke barriers and challenged stereotypes. By doing so, she paved the way for other women to follow in her footsteps. Talk about a trailblazer!
What can we learn from Rothrock’s story?
There are many barriers to entry for women in martial arts that you may not even realize. Here are some common ones:
Lack of role models: Women may have a difficult time finding female instructors or other female martial artists to look up to.
Stereotypes: Women may face stereotypes about their physical abilities or their place in the martial arts industry. Representation matters, and can give courage to those that may want to learn martial arts, but may be scared to do so.
Limited access: Women may have limited access to training facilities or classes that are geared towards their needs and abilities. Imagine what it would be like to be the only man in an all-female class. Now flip the genders. This is not an uncommon situation for women to experience when practicing martial arts.
Gender-based discrimination: Women may face discrimination or harassment from male martial artists or instructors. Women sometimes fear that they won’t be taken seriously in certain communities
Cultural barriers: In some cultures, women may be discouraged or prohibited from participating in martial arts.
What can you do to help?
Look for opportunities to empower and mentor your female students and instructors.
Make an effort to understand their experience and the challenges they face.
Offer support by creating a welcoming environment for women.
Breaking barriers in martial arts will not only benefit women but will also help to create a stronger and more vibrant martial arts community.
To learn about more women breaking barriers in the martial arts industry, check out our latest webinar: The Art of Breaking Glass Ceilings
Case Study: Minorities In the Industry
During the 1960s, martial arts became popular in the United States, but African Americans faced significant barriers to entry.
At the time, most martial arts schools were segregated and not accessible to people of color.
However, African Americans did not let these barriers stop them from pursuing their passion for martial arts. They created their own schools and communities, developing their unique styles and techniques.
One such example is Ron Van Clief, who trained in martial arts despite facing racial discrimination and prejudice. He went on to become a successful martial artist and actor, paving the way for others to follow in his footsteps.
The experiences of African Americans in the early martial arts industry illustrate the importance of breaking barriers in the martial arts industry. Without access to resources and opportunities, many talented individuals may be unable to pursue their passions or achieve their full potential. By working to create more diversity, the martial arts industry can reach more people, which means more innovation and a greater impact in the communities that need it.
Angela Hill is a modern-day case study of someone from an underrepresented group breaking barriers in the martial arts industry. Angela Hill made history on August 22, 2020, as the first Black woman to headline a UFC event. The event took place in Las Vegas and featured Hill in a match against Michelle Waterson. Hill had previously been released from the UFC in 2015 but worked her way back into the organization through sheer determination and a successful career in other promotions.
Hill has faced many challenges throughout her career, yet, she remains committed to breaking barriers in the martial arts industry and inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.
Hill is not only a talented fighter but also an artist, graphic designer, and podcast host. She uses her platform to promote diversity and inclusion in the sport and to share her experiences as a woman and person of color in the male-dominated world of MMA.
Despite facing setbacks and obstacles, Hill continues to push forward and make history in the sport of MMA. She serves as a role model for young women and aspiring fighters, showing them that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
Angela Hill: Overkill, Overcome
In a press conference, Hill was quoted saying:
“A lot of people would say, ‘Why does it matter?’ But if it doesn’t matter to you, that’s OK, but it does matter to the fans who see that and they’re like, ‘Finally, finally, we have some representation. Finally, we have a face in this sport that we love, and we’ve been waiting for so long.’”
Conclusion
Breaking glass ceilings in the martial arts industry is important for promoting diversity and inclusion, attracting more customers, and gaining a competitive advantage. By supporting diversity and inclusion, martial arts school owners and entrepreneurs can create a more successful industry that benefits everyone involved.
Ultimately, breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity in martial arts is not only beneficial for the industry, but it’s also the right thing to do according to the values many of us have learned through our practice.
