“As a positive psychology researcher I am impressed with Rodney King’s intuitive grasp of people’s strengths and hopes. Rather than building a martial art around fear of attack, testosterone-based competition, or external rewards, King introduces the best aspects of performance psychology to help people achieve their own goals.
In a field steeped in tradition, King artfully reimagines both the dojo and the martial arts business mentality. At long last, we have a perfect union of proven martial arts techniques with cutting edge approaches to teaching and personal development. As a martial artist myself, King’s methods are a breath of fresh air.”
Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener PhD, CMC, Author of Positive Psychology Coaching
About Rodney
Born into a poor family and brought up by a single parent in the rough neighbourhood’s of the South Side of Johannesburg, South Africa- Rodney was never seen as someone who would eventually excel in life. In fact both his mother and teachers told him he would never amount to anything.
Bullied severely by the kids growing up, Rodney first took up martial arts training to learn how to defend himself. Later on in life that martial arts training would enable him to become a leading expert in human performance.
Over the last decade Rodney has worked with Army Special Forces on developing a performance mindset for the battlefield. He has taught Law Enforcement Officers both in the United State and in Canada on how to protect themselves when all else fails. He has worked closely with corporate executives, emerging leaders and CEO’s to access their inner warrior and gain the winning edge both mentally and emotionally to enhance their careers.
Starting his first company at the age of 18, Rodney has gone on to develop coaching courses both for modern martial arts, leadership development and business success tools, that are now taught and used in over 15 countries around the world.
Author and father of 3 children, Rodney stands today as one of the leading experts in his field!
Not an expert in the hyper-competitive circles of modern martial arts, but rather as a modern day warrior, who teaches martial arts original intentions as a life performance tool.
What Others Are Saying About Rodney:
“Rodney King has a unique understanding of martial arts, synthesizing the best of modern MMA with the deepest knowledge of the connections of the mental game with the physical game. He has honed this somatic approach with the attitude and analysis of a modern scientist, lifting somatic martial arts from the realm of ritual and superstition and providing a coherent training path that all can follow to allow lessons learnt in training to have positive effects on daily life whilst retaining “effective” martial arts training.”
Fred Stevens PhD – Scientist
“If you are an executive or professional looking to get more out of your life and career, Rodney King is someone you need to meet. Rodney delivers a powerful personalized coaching experience that engages his clients physically, intellectually, creatively and emotionally. The result is a richer understanding of yourself and the world that will have a positive impact on everything you do.”
Jonathan Moore M.S., J.D. – Director Big 4 Accounting and Professional Services Firm
“Rodney’s coaching will prepare you for self-defense and equally, if not more importantly, for successful encounters in life and career through an individualized and client-centered approach to martial arts that combines progressive, coherent, and realistic physical self-defense skills in a nonthreatening and positive environment where learning is not impeded by the fear of injury, aggression, or embarrassment prevalent in many martial arts programs and gyms around the world.”
Richard G. Salamone, Ph.D. – Psychologist
“Rodney King is one of the most thoughtful and innovative martial artists in the world today. By focusing on the mental aspects of learning and performance, he is redefining the way that martial arts are viewed, taught, and experienced. He knows that success in any endeavor requires more than knowledge or physical ability – that the mental game will drive the outcome. With the acumen of an experienced and mindful coach, Rodney can help you shape your future, attain your goals and perform to your full potential.”
Professor, Dr. Randy Borum PsyD – Board Certified in Forensic Psychology (ABPP)
“Rodney King is a multi-faceted, multi-talented individual who possesses a great vision for the world of sport, business and life. He is a world-class athlete and coach and he is a thought leader in his field. That is a potent combination. He is one of the world’s leading edge sports thinkers and one of the most innovative coaches in the martial arts.”
Bill Cole MS, MA- Performance Psychologist & President of the International Mental Game Association
Personal Reflections On Rodney
“I’ve been a martial arts coach for over a decade. I have been involved in martial arts for nearly 30 years. Over the course of those years my understanding has changed, evolved as I have matured and gained more experience. Sometimes that change has been gradual, step-by-step, through the daily experience of training and development. But on occasion, I have encountered an approach, a way of thinking and teaching the martial arts, that shifts my entire paradigm. It has only happened a handful of times, for example, when I first read the Tao of Jeet kune Do which changed my entire way of thinking about what martial arts was and how to train it.
Well, encountering the work of Rodney King has been one of those paradigm shifting revolutions.
I actually came across his work by accident several years ago while looking up African martial arts on the internet. I immediately started reading the articles on his old Street Tough site. He spoke of concepts such as Aliveness and having a complete game (standup, clinch, ground). This was exactly what I was looking for. He took the concepts Bruce Lee had talked about and put them into context.
I wrote Rodney immediately with questions.
To my surprise he wrote back…at length! He took the time to answer in depth the questions of a stranger. I was impressed.
Over the years I have continued to benefit from his insight and experience. Though I have yet to meet him personally, I feel like I know him. It has been exciting to watch Rodney evolve; to watch his ideas manifest and expand. With each new DVD I purchase or each new article I read, I am impressed with the man’s depth and experience. And not just about the martial arts, but about coaching, about personal growth, about life. His knowledge has helped me immensely in the pursuit of my own goals as a trainer.
Really, what more can be said? I highly recommend all of his DVDs. Read his blogs, sign up for the CMD website, go to his seminars if you can…just don’t miss out on what he has to offer. It will change your approach to martial arts…guaranteed.”
Michael Agee (Cincinnati, USA)
“Growing up in San Francisco in the height of the Bruce Lee inspired Kung Fu craze of the seventies, with a brother who taught Wing Chun, I was a rapt fan and enthusiast of the asian martial arts. I have studied a bit of many arts, Judo, Wing Chun, Eagle Claw, Praying Mantis, Tae Kwon Do and SYSTEMA. I have found a great deal of use in all of these. Not being a combat professional however I do not have a huge amount of time. I have a real job and young children that I not only want to defend but teach to be confident, happy and capable.
Rodney King is just such a person, confident, happy and capable. He came to this place the most difficult way possible. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks and through difficult family circumstances. He was forced to learn to fight and over time became very good at it. Gaining several blackbelts from different disciplines. He became a body guard for government officials while serving in the South African Military. He earned a very highly lauded right to teach Muay Thai under the name of one of Thailands most revered traditional masters Apidej. He was a bouncer extraordinaire and learned what can only be learned by fighting. He began to boil his skills down to the most readily applicable, the most efficient -taking on all comers and almost as a game challenging himself to win with the least effort and the greatest degree of dominance. He has become a real master of the fight game…
…and then he transcended it all.
He became a master at life as well. A truly remarkable human being, reaching out to improve the lives of those around the world. Teaching to elite law enforcement and military special operators so that we all can enjoy the peace he fought his whole life to find. This teaching is available to all, he has posted much on Facebook and youtube for free. I learned things about my boxing game that helped me improve immediately, absolutely free. I can’t wait to see what’s on my first DVD, can you?”
Bill Sarpas (Sellersburg, USA)
“I have black belts in 5 totally different styles, ranging from 2nd degree through 5th degree. I can only strengthen the ideal of champion in life and career, and add champion to family and friends. In the true path of the Bushido Code, which we all live, whether we like it, know it, or not. Honor stands above all else. Having read the Blog, seen the writing, as well as comments, even commented myself, Rodney does what he loves, and through the writings, has proven he is a man of Honor, and lives the code. A Champion of Life and Career, and a motivator to many. That’s what WE do as martial arts “livers” vs practitioners.”
Robert Burch (Daytona Beach, USA)
“Meeting Rodney has made a big impact at my way of training and teaching martial arts, as well in life. He is a straightforward, yet humble man with a great knowledge. I recommend all my students and friends in martial arts to take part of his experiences by wisiting or joining the CMD program.”
Tobias Hederberg (Heisinborg, Sweden)
Krav Maga Instructor
Kettlebell RKC instructor
Black Belt Aikido
Blue Belt BJJ
“The CMD program truly creates an innovative, inspirational, and educational training experience in the martial arts. Rodney brings an unmatched quality to training and coaching and makes it FUN! Having been in the martial arts since I was three and cross trianing in several styles, I can honestly say that I have never come across anything like the CMD Program. Rodney’s passion and vision exude from everything he does which excites anyone who has come in contact with him. Rodney is a talented and committed martial artist and coach, an outstanding visionary and businessman and the CM Program is revolutionary to the martial arts industry. More importantly than creating outstanding practitioners in the martial arts, Rodney encourages us all to become champions in life as well, bringing all of the experiences and lessons we receive in training to our everyday lives.
I am very proud to be working with Rodney as a Trainer in the Crazy Monkey Defense Program.”
Brian Cowell, MBA (Escondido, USA)
SwiftKick Martial Arts
TnT CMD International
Third Degree Black Belt TKD
