OUR STORY
We believe that instructors and students are always on a path of learning.
Max Academy is a local family-owned business. Our instructors teach adults, teens, and children. We teach Krav Maga, Max Fitness, and a blend of Martial Arts. As a diversely trained set of instructors, we have backgrounds in self defense styles like Krav Maga, combat sport styles of like Jujitsu and Muay Thai, and traditional styles like Taekwondo, Karate, Kali, Judo, Escrima, and Kenpo. Our instructors began teaching martial arts as early as 1999 and have since educated thousands of students during our careers. Renshi Matt Rosalez established Max Martial Arts in 2010; his vision was to create an academy where students could learn more than just martial arts techniques to compete in tournaments. At Max, we strive to empower individuals and families to change their lives through martial arts — to maximize the benefit martial arts could bring to them and the world around them.
We are proud to be a place of community that learns and thrives together.
We started as a martial arts club in Brentwood at Pioneer Elementary School in 2010. We have since had the opportunity to better serve students and families by moving to our CORE facility at 390 W Country Club Dr, Suite D, in Brentwood, and expanded to our second location, EDGE at 4857 Lone Tree Way in Antioch.
The Max Academy is a premier martial arts academy, not just because we continue to train daily to expand our knowledge but because we remain personal and community oriented. We encourage each other and grow stronger together.
That’s what makes us different.
Train Alongside the Best.
Max Academy instructors train regularly under internationally recognized experts, including:
John Whitman, founder of Krav Maga Alliance and author of its core curriculum
Tony Blauer, founder of the SPEAR system
Shane Fazen, founder of FIGHTTIPS and MAGVUS Summit
Tuhon Apolo Ladra, Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame "Weapons Instructor of the Year"
Dave Kovar, renowned martial arts educator
Grand Master Chip Townsend, world record holder in board breaking
Our team has trained at Combat Sports Academy under Kirian Fitzgibbons, known for coaching elite UFC and Bellator fighters. We are also affiliated with the Ascend Mastermind and currently active in the Impakt
Mastermind group led by Adam Kifer. Our CORE location has hosted multiple seminars with visiting masters, including Tuhon Ladra and Grand Master Townsend.
Edge head instructor:
sensei daniel froisland
Meet the Head Instructor of Max Academy Edge, Sensei Daniel. He's no ordinary instructor—he's a tough but steadfast force in the world of martial arts. With a 2nd Degree Black Belt and a Level 5 Instructor certification from the Krav Maga Alliance, he’s the real deal. His expertise isn’t just theoretical; it’s forged in the relentless heat of training and experience. Daniel doesn’t just instruct; he carries the weight of certifications in Active Shooter and Civilian Law Enforcement Instruction. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, East Bay, Daniel is fiercely committed to sharing the invaluable insights he has gained through his relentless journey.
As one of Max Academy’s earliest black belts, Daniel literally grew up on our mats—training in the Max Academy system from childhood all the way to adulthood (as you can see in the video linked above). Over the years, he has become not only a skilled martial artist and logical thinker but also a mentor who actively shapes our teaching philosophy and curriculum.
Daniel embodies the values we strive to instill: discipline, respect, and excellence. We are incredibly proud to have him lead the opening of EDGE, bringing his passion, precision, and leadership to the next generation of students.
Max Academy Owners:
Renshi Matt Rosalez and Sandy Rosalez
Renshi Matt is a founder and owner of Max Academy and has served as its Managing Director and Instructor since 1999. He holds a 4th Degree Satori Ryu Black Belt, as well as Black Belts in American Taekwondo and Uechi Ryu. Additionally, he is a Satori Alliance Certified Instructor, a Brown Belt in Krav Maga, and a Level 5 Certified Instructor with the Krav Maga Alliance. Renshi Matt is also an iKali Certified Instructor and a SPEAR (Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response) Personal Defense Readiness Trainer, certified through Blauer Tactical Systems. He is a SPEAR Evidence-Based Scenario Trainer and possesses a Bachelor's degree in Business from the San Francisco State School of Business. He was a speaker at ProMAC International 2019. Notably, Renshi Matt was a contestant on Netflix's "Floor is Lava." He is recognized as one of the first four Satori Alliance Certified Instructors and has been a longstanding member of the Professional Martial Arts College.
Sandy is the owner of Max Academy, where she manages Human Resources, functions as an in-house Marketing Content Creator, and partners in expansion planning and execution. She holds a degree from the School of Letters and Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and is presently pursuing Program Director Certification.