For youth like Lansdale's Gabe Fiore, the dojo has become a second home, where personal growth, emotional resilience, and social development are just as important as mastering a roundhouse
When Lansdale's Gabe Fiore first stepped onto the mat at Action Karate, he was excited — but admittedly nervous.
Like many trying something new, especially in a space where strength and discipline are front and center, it was a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
Fast-forward to today, and Gabe, a York Avenue Elementary fifth-grader, now a regular in classes, tournaments, and leadership activities, beams with confidence.
“It took a LOT of practice,” he said, “but it paid off very well.”
Gabe is one of many students thriving at Action Karate, a martial arts studio with multiple locations throughout the region, including North Wales Borough, that balances discipline with inclusion and personal growth.
The studio has earned a formidable reputation for being more than just a place to throw kicks and punches. For Gabe and his family, the impact has been transformational.
For youth and adolescents like Gabe — and families like his — the dojo has become a second home, where personal growth, emotional resilience, and social development are just as important as mastering a roundhouse or kata.
His parents credit karate with boosting his confidence, improving emotional regulation, and giving him a strong sense of belonging.
“Gabe has done other sports — soccer, track, baseball — but nothing clicked quite like karate,” said his mom Holly, who support his ambitions along with his dad Rob and Holly's partner Rachel. “We chose Action Karate because of the structure and how it focuses on individual growth. That structure gave him a positive outlet, especially as he navigated challenges like our divorce and fitting in socially. It’s made a huge difference.”
Gabe Fiore and his mom, Holly (Submitted photo)
Action Karate student Gabe Fiore (Submitted photo)The difference, according to Action Karate owner and head instructor Shawn Nichols, lies in their approach to teaching.
“He understands reward and consequence and has learned to take initiative and responsibility for himself,” said Holly. “Gabe does not give up.”
According to Nichols, at Action Karate, that’s exactly the point.
“We teach our students that you only need to strive to get 1% better every day,” Nichols said. “If you are seeing growth, then you should be proud of yourself.”
That philosophy — rooted in the Japanese concept of kaizen, or constant and never-ending improvement — guides every aspect of the program, from age-appropriate life lessons to leadership training for teens.
“We don’t believe any martial art is better than the other,” said Nichols, who owns Action Karate with wife and instructor Felicia. “What matters is how it’s taught. We invest heavily in instructor and leadership training because we believe martial arts, when done right, can positively impact every aspect of a student’s life.”
Action Karate bases its curriculum on kaizen —it is called C.A.N.I., or Constant and Never-Ending Improvement. Their program is developmentally-aligned, recognizing that a 3-year-old learns very differently than a 13-year-old.
Each class incorporates life lessons into martial arts practice, focusing on respect, self-discipline, and resilience in ways students can apply at school, at home, and in their relationships.
But this is not your average martial arts studio. Action Karate integrates elements of jiu jitsu, sport karate, kickboxing, and traditional Okinawan weapons — but it always comes back to character development.
“Specific disciplines don’t matter if personal growth isn’t occurring,” said Nichols.
Instead, the focus is on building a supportive culture where youth learn respect, resilience, and how to carry themselves with strength and humility.
“Kids don’t always listen to their parents,” said Nichols. “But when those same lessons come from a peer or instructor they look up to, they land differently. We try to be those role models, reinforcing the values parents are already working so hard to teach.”
What also sets Action Karate apart is its deep commitment to inclusivity and neurodiversity: The studio offers private lessons and small group options for students with special needs or physical disabilities.
All students are assessed individually, and a customized plan is created based on the family’s goals and the student’s learning style. Action Karate offers sensory-safe programs and flexible learning too.
“Just like school, not all students learn the same way,” Nichols said. “We strive to meet those needs every day.”
Gabe’s parents couldn’t agree more.
“We love that every child, no matter what challenges they face, can access this space. They’re seen, they’re supported, and they’re valued.”
They also note how much the community aspect matters.
“Mr. Nichols even knows every child’s name. That made a huge impression on Gabe—he felt welcomed, not intimidated,” Holly said.
The results speak for themselves. Gabe now trains three times a week, participates in tournaments, and has joined Action Karate’s leadership and demo teams and the HIT Team (High-Intensity Training). He has found a second family in the dojo, forming friendships that extend beyond his school circles — friends who support and challenge him in equal measure.
“They kind of help me get the chance to have different friends,” he said.
Karate has taught Gabe more than just self-defense — it has taught him how to face challenges head-on.
“I feel a lot more confident physically and mentally,” Gabe said. “When it gets hard, I think of how much stronger I will be.” And when someone tried to bother him recently? “I just brushed it off like I was told to.”
Nichols and his instructors have seen these transformations time and again. He recalled a student who came to the studio after being assaulted by a peer. Nervous and withdrawn at first, the child is now one of the studio’s youth leaders, guiding younger students with confidence and care.
Another former student, once a quiet teen unsure of his path, grew into a trusted instructor and later became a high school physics teacher — crediting Action Karate with showing him the power of mentorship and believing in his own potential.
Beyond the mat, Action Karate emphasizes skills that translate to every aspect of life: time management, goal-setting, perseverance, and leadership.
“Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or leading yourself through a tough day,” said Nichols, “those skills are essential. We just happen to teach them in a gi.”
As for Gabe? He’s not stopping anytime soon.
“It means I’ve accomplished a lot,” he said of his progress. “And it means I need to keep going to black belt!”
Action Karate has locations in New Britain Township, Doylestown, Horsham, Jamison, North Wales Borough, Quakertown, Skippack, and Telford, among others across the Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and New Jersey.
Summer is here and what better time than to keep youth active through exercise?
Check out other area martial arts, MMA, boxing, kickboxing and other studios below:
North Wales Boxing
100 N. 2nd St., Bottom Floor, North Wales
267-210-1620
https://northwalesboxing.com/
Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy
325 Madison St., Lansdale
267-641-8991
www.reddragontkdma.com
AmeriKick North Penn
1551 S. Valley Forge Road, Lansdale
215-393-5425
amerikicklansdale.com
Hellfish Mixed Martial Arts
4309 County Line Road, Chalfont
215-716-3554
https://hellfishmma.com/
East West Karate Lansdale
1215 Walnut St., Lansdale
215-774-9944
www.eastwestkarateandfitness.com
Yang’s Martial Arts School
200 Pennbrook Parkway, Lansdale
215-661-1884
www.yangsmartialart.com
Renzo Gracie PA
1627 Bethlehem Pike, Hatfield
215-822-5907
https://renzograciepa.com/
Real Thing Jiu Jitsu
646 E. Main St., Hillcrest Shopping Center, Lansdale
267-642-1535
www.realthingjj.com
King’s Corner Boxing
252 Bethlehem Pike, Colmar, Hatfield Township
215-740-8467
https://kingscornerboxing.com/
Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts
160 Bethlehem Pike, Colmar, Hatfield Township
215-297-6505
https://tsk.com/locations/pa/colmar/
Villari’s Self Defense
Marketplace Center, 411 Doylestown Road, Montgomeryville
215-997-2222
www.villariskaratepa.com
SKY Martial Arts Taekwondo
1200 Welsh Road, North Wales
267-222-8807
www.skytkdhq.com
North Penn Boxing and Kickboxing
1551 S. Valley Forge Road, Lansdale
215-393-5425
https://northpennboxingkickboxing.com/
American Tang Soo Do Karate
1801 N. Broad St., Lansdale
215-740-1336
atsdkarate.com
Kyokushin Fight Club: Full Contact Martial Arts
2278 North Penn Road, Hatfield
812-917-8146
www.kyoushinphilly.com
Magnificent Clay Boxing
203 N. Broad St., Lansdale
https://www.magnificentclayboxing.com/about-1
Amerikick
3322 Limekiln Pike, Chalfont
215-716-3623
https://amerikickchalfont.com/
Harleysville Jiu-Jitsu Academy
274 Hunsberger Lane, Harleysville
215-278-9137
https://www.harleysvillebjj.com/
Happy Life Kickboxing & Fitness
165 Witchwood Dr., North Wales
484-214-8333
https://happylifekickboxing.com/
BucksMont TaeKwonDo
2278 North Penn Road, Hatfield
610-756-7783
https://bucksmonttkd.com/
Mark Cashatt’s TaeKwonDo School
19 S. Main St., Hatfield (mailing)
Franconia Heritage Restaurant, Lower Level Banquet Room
508 Harleysville Pike, Telford
215-479-3440
https://cashatttkd.com/
Urban Fit Inc.
2294 North Penn Road, Hatfield
267-645-9139
https://urbanfitinc.com/
Stiner Sport MMA
252 Bethlehem Pike, Colmar
215-527-6439
https://www.stinersportmma.com/
Combat Fitness Martial Arts
4099 Landisville Road, Doylestown
215-821-8659
https://combatfitnessmartialarts.com/
The Fight for Tomorrow Martial Arts Academy
739 N. Easton Road, Doylestown
215-348-1333
https://www.thefightfortomorrow.com/
BUSHI Karate
69 W. Broad St., Souderton
484-601-2874
bushikarate.net
Shuto Karate Club-Hombu Dojo
821 Cassel Road, Collegeville
610-409-0197
http://knightflowermartialarts.com/Work/shutokarateclub.html
Precision Jiu-Jitsu Spring Mount
845 Gravel Pike, Collegeville
484-451-4100
https://precisionjjspringmount.com/
AmKor Karate Institutes
130 W. Main St., Collegeville
610-489-7786
https://www.amkorkaratec.com/
Elite TOMA Marital Arts
2828 Ridge Pike, Trooper
610-631-2310
https://elitetoma.com/
TRF Athletics
4006 Skippack Pike, Skippack
267-905-0421
https://www.trfathletics.net/
Asahikan Dojo Aikido
50 W. 3rd Ave., Lower Level, Collegeville
610-489-6281
https://www.asahidojo.com/
