TEO is our 501(c)3 nonprofit named after Coach Eric's oldest daughter Elysium, who sacrificed years of childhood time with her dad so KMAA could rise from extreme poverty and become a sanctuary for others. That personal sacrifice became the foundation of our mission: to ensure elite martial arts training — the kind that builds unbreakable confidence, discipline, resilience, and community — is never out of reach for anyone with a warrior’s heart. High-level training saves lives, but it’s expensive (tuition, gear, competition fees), and the people who need it most — survivors of domestic violence, at-risk youth, foster families, marginalized groups facing barriers — are too often priced out. TEO exists to remove those financial walls so courage, not cash, determines who gets to train.

Anyone with genuine heart and commitment who faces financial barriers to elite training. We prioritize those who need empowerment most: survivors of domestic violence rebuilding confidence and safety, at-risk youth and foster families finding structure and belonging, marginalized groups seeking safe spaces to grow, and veterans transitioning to civilian life with purpose. There’s no rigid checklist — we review applications case-by-case based on need, warrior spirit, and readiness to show up consistently. If you’re willing to bleed for growth, we’re willing to make sure money never stops you.

We remove every financial obstacle so training can happen without compromise. Full and partial scholarships cover tuition, professional-grade equipment is donated so no one trains without proper gear, and competition funding pays entry fees, travel, and related costs so deserving athletes can test themselves on bigger stages. It’s not token aid — it’s real, sustained support that lets recipients train at the same elite level as paying members. Recipients often say the biggest gift isn’t just the money; it’s the message: “You belong here. Your heart is enough.”

You don’t have to care about TEO to train here — it’s not a requirement, and we never push it on anyone. But once you’re part of KMAA, you’ll likely notice something special: the gym is full of warriors from all backgrounds training side-by-side with the same intensity and respect. Many of them benefit from TEO’s scholarships, gear donations, or competition funding without you ever knowing who they are — and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. TEO is funded through dedicated donations, seminars throughout the year, and targeted fundraising, so your tuition stays focused on your training while the mission quietly opens doors for those who need it most.

What you will care about is the result: a stronger, more diverse Whānau where everyone — survivors rebuilding confidence, at-risk youth finding purpose, marginalized groups gaining strength, veterans rediscovering drive — brings their best to the mats. That shared grit elevates every class, every roll, every conversation. Paying members often tell us they feel proud knowing their presence helps sustain a gym where courage, not cash, decides who belongs. It deepens the culture and makes every session feel like part of something bigger than yourself.

Genuine impact doesn’t come with a spotlight or a PR campaign — it comes from quiet actions that change lives. In our opinion, charity with strings attached isn’t real charity. TEO, then, is as real as it gets. Come train here, and you’ll see why that matters more than you think.

TEO is funded through a combination of dedicated donations, seminars held throughout the year, and targeted fundraising — it never increases prices for paying members. In fact, most families and fighters say the opposite: knowing their training helps remove barriers for others makes them feel even better about investing in KMAA. It’s not charity — it’s alignment. We believe the “new life” found on the mats should be accessible to anyone willing to bleed for it, and we back that belief with real resources every month.

TEO has changed lives in ways numbers can’t fully capture. We’ve awarded scholarships to survivors who’ve rebuilt confidence and reclaimed control, at-risk youth who’ve found discipline and positive role models, foster kids who’ve gained a stable second family, and veterans who’ve rediscovered purpose through the grind. Many recipients go on to compete, earn belts, or simply carry themselves with a quiet strength they didn’t have before. The ripple effect is real: stronger individuals become stronger families and communities. Every scholarship is proof that one act of sacrifice (my daughter’s) can create hundreds of transformations.

It’s simple and judgment-free. Go to the TEO section on our site or ask any coach/front desk. You'll then be directed to Coach Emilee King (TEO's Secretary) or Coach Taylor Turner (TEO's President) — they’ll give you a short application that asks about your situation, your goals, and why training matters to you. We review quickly and privately, focusing on need and commitment, not perfection. If approved, we work with you to cover tuition, provide gear, and fund competitions so you can train fully without financial stress. The process is designed to be welcoming and dignified — because we know asking for help takes courage, and we honor that.

Not even close. TEO recipients train in the exact same classes, with the same coaches, using the same elite Constraints-Led methodology and KMAA Process as everyone else. They earn their place through heart and consistency — not handouts. The quality is identical because we believe transformation doesn’t have a price tag; it has a commitment level. Paying members often say the gym feels stronger knowing everyone on the mats is there for the right reasons. TEO doesn’t dilute anything — it amplifies the culture by making sure no warrior is left behind.

Because her sacrifice is the reason KMAA exists at all. When we were in extreme poverty, Elysium gave up precious childhood time with her dad so I could build this place into a sanctuary for others. That act of love and courage became the cornerstone of everything we do. Naming TEO after her honors that gift and turns one family’s hardship into countless opportunities for others. Every scholarship, every donated gi, every competition entry funded is a way of saying thank you to her — and a promise that no one with a warrior’s heart will ever be priced out again.

You don’t have to support TEO to train at KMAA — it’s completely voluntary, and no one is ever asked or expected to contribute. Coach Eric is already personally committed to making sure every single person who truly needs support gets it, no matter what the current donation level is. Whether TEO has funds flowing in or not, the doors stay open for warriors who show up with heart and commitment. That promise is non-negotiable and has been kept from day one.

If you do want to help expand that reach and make the impact even bigger, there are straightforward ways to do it:

- Donate directly through the TEO page on our site (100% goes to scholarships, professional gear donations, or competition funding).

- Sponsor a specific student anonymously (we’ll connect you privately with someone whose story resonates).

- Join or host one of our targeted fundraising events or seminars throughout the year (many members have run small ones and seen immediate results).

- Spread the word — share TEO stories or refer people who might qualify.

The beauty is that you’ll never know exactly who benefits — and that’s intentional. Recipients stay private; no spotlights, no thank-you campaigns, no PR. One donation can mean the difference between someone quitting due to money or staying to transform their life — every extra dollar you give simply opens more doors for more warriors. If that kind of quiet, genuine impact speaks to you, start today. A small act can change someone’s entire path.