The Kaizen Karate Team
"Kaizen" is the Japanese term for “continuous improvement,” and we believe that epitomizes what Karate and self-defense training is all about. We opened our doors in 2014 with a mission to bring the wonderful life skill of self-protection to children and adults alike in the Windsor area.
Shihan Matt Schildt
Shihan Matt Schildt, the owner of Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense, has been a martial artist for 27 years.
Before opening Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense in 2014, Schildt trained in Karate and Tae Kwon Do from 1984-91, then resumed his karate training in 2005 under Master Charles Orchard at Total Ryu Martial Arts. Schildt taught for three years under Orchard in the Total Ryu children's karate class, and also trained for five years in Orchard's Adrenalized Confrontation Training (ACT), which is regarded as one of the best practical self-defense programs available, and has been taught to police and military personnel.
In 2016, two years after opening his own school, Schildt joined the Colorado Karate Association (CKA). He began training under Grand Master Jerry Davis, Grand Master Ben Ramsey, and Master Todd Jonas. With their guidance, Schildt has grown Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense into one of the CKA’s premier martial arts studios — producing 67 CKA State Champions since 2016, including 23 State Championships in 2023 and earning the CKA's 5A School of the Year.
Grand Master Davis (9th Dan) promoted Schildt to 5th Degree Black Belt and Shihan (Master Instructor) in March 2021.
Shihan Matt Schildt was elected to the CKA Board in October 2023 and is a voting Board Member in 2024.
Sensei Jackson Marshall
Sensei Jackson Marshall started training at Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense in 2015 after four prior years of martial arts training. He quickly became a Class Leader, then a Kohai (junior instructor), then Senpai (chief assistant to the Sensei) at 1st Degree Black Belt.
In March 2021, Shihan Matt promoted Jack to 2nd Degree Black Belt and Sensei.
Senpai Mason Schildt
Senpai Mason started training in Karate when he was five years old, and he earned his Junior Black Belt in 2017. He became a Kohai (junior instructor) a year later. Mason earned his 1st Degree adult Black Belt in July 2022, and Shihan Matt promoted him to Senpai and full instructor. Senpai Mason is a 2023 Colorado Karate Association (CKA) State Champion in Clash Sparring.
Seijin Daven
Seijin Daven earned his Brown Belt at Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense in April 2023. Daven has an extensive background in the martial arts, including holding 2nd Degree Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido, and a 1st Degree Black Belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate. Seijin Daven assists and coaches in our Black Belt Club Classes and tournaments. His son, Alaric, is 2023 Colorado Karate Association State Champion in Sparring.
Seijin Harry
Seijin Harry earned his Purple Belt in August 2023. Harry is on his second career as a productivity coach in real estate, after 40 years in the newspaper business. He has also been a coach little league and girls softball. Harry brings that experience to our dojo, where he assists and coaches and in our karate classes and tournaments. Harry's grandson Reid is a multiple Colorado Karate Association State Champion, including winning State Championships in Forms and Sparring in 2023.
Seijin Patrick
Seijin Patrick earned his Brown Belt in August 2023. Patrick has been a flight instructor and hockey coach for 20 years, and brings that teaching and coaching experience to our dojo. Patrick assists and coaches in our Black Belt Club Classes and tournaments. His daughter, Ellie, is 2022 Colorado Karate Association State Champion in Forms.
Seijin Wendi
Seijin Wendi earned her Purple Belt in August 2023. Wendi has extensive experience in coaching and is also a massage therapist. Wendi assists with the Kids Karate, Black Belt Club, and Kickboxing classes. Wendi is a 2023 Colorado Karate Association State Champion in Sparring, along with her son, Alaric, who also won a Sparring State Championship.