01-07-2025
Warrior Academy takes new approach to martial arts training in Dubai
Warrior Academy, a specialised training centre for martial arts, recently opened its first branch in Dubai.
Rooted in the Warrior Method, a revolutionary approach to child development created its founder and martial arts expert Sebastian Bates, the programme focuses not only on physical skills but also on fostering mental and emotional resilience.
Excerpts from an interview:
What inspired the launch of Warrior Academy in the UAE?
We saw a gap in the UAE for real character education. Not just teaching kids how to fight, but helping them build confidence, focus, and integrity. The UAE gave us the perfect space to scale our impact. It's a region that values leadership and growth, and we're here to develop that in the next generation.
How does the Warrior Method differ from traditional martial arts training?
Our method comes from my best-selling book The Warrior Method, which details our four-step system: Community, Inspire, Challenge, Lead. It's a structure that builds the three Cs in children—Confidence, Conduct, and Concentration. We use martial arts as a vehicle to give kids a black belt in character.
What age groups benefit most from your Confidence Accelerator Programme?
We train children from the age of 2 and up, and we've seen remarkable transformation at every stage. But between the ages of 7 and 13 is where growth becomes exponential. That's when identity locks in. We don't exclude younger or older students—we've simply built a programme that supports every age with the right challenge.
How do you measure personal growth in children?
We're the only martial arts academy in the world using software and AI to deeply track a child's development. We measure changes in Confidence, Conduct, and Concentration—and we show parents a clear before and after. On average, kids in our programme see an 82% boost in confidence in their first year. This data has earned us national media attention in four countries. No fluff. Just real, measurable growth.
What role does character development play in your curriculum?
It's everything. Skill without character is dangerous. Most academies teach techniques. We teach purpose. We don't just train fighters—we shape leaders. Too many places chase belts and trophies. We focus on lifelong values. It's a completely different philosophy, and it's why our students stand out on and off the mats.
Can you share a success story from one of your students?
We had one boy come in after experiencing some serious bullying— he was shut down and full of fear. Within a year, he stood on stage and gave a confident speech in front of hundreds of parents. Another student with autism struggled with communication. Martial arts gave him structure, a sense of belonging, and now he's mentoring younger students. That's transformation.
How is the academy contributing to global social impact?
For every paying member, we sponsor two vulnerable children in slums across the world. Right now, we teach over 6,000 children weekly across seven countries in five continents. By the end of this year, that number will hit 15,000. In the heart of the world's biggest slums, every child we support receives a hot meal—often the only one they'll eat that day—before they train. It's a full-circle programme that changes lives, not just habits.
What's next for Warrior Academy in the region?
Due to high demand, we're opening three new academies: Jumeirah Islands (Sept 2025), Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi (Jan 2026), and Silicon Oasis (Sept 2026). These dates are tentative, but interest is exploding—we already have paid waiting lists. After our Jumeirah launch, over 1,000 parents have applied to join. The demand is real, and we're building to meet it.
