Shihan Matt Schildt, the owner of Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense, has been a martial artist for 28 years.

Before opening Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense in 2014, Shihan Matt 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. Shihan Matt taught for three years under Master Orchard in the Total Ryu children's karate class, and also trained for five years in Master 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, Shihan Matt 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, Shihan Matt has grown Kaizen Karate & Self-Defense into one of the CKA’s premier martial arts studios — producing 126 CKA State Champions since 2016, including 28 State Championships in 2025 and earning the CKA's 5A School of the Year for the third year in a row.

Shihan Matt Schildt was elected to the CKA Board of Directors in October 2023, and Grandmaster Davis (9th Dan) promoted Shihan Matt to 6th Degree Black Belt in July 2024.