AARON HENSLEY + RISE NATION
Build Leaders. Build Systems. Build Legacy.
RISE Nation is the ecosystem Aaron Hensley built to help coaches, martial arts school owners, faith-driven leaders, fitness leaders, and service-based entrepreneurs turn expertise into scalable businesses that develop leaders, serve communities, and create lasting impact.
Leadership Architect | Founder of RISE Nation | Built 24 locations across 6 states | Multimillion-dollar exit
Built from 30+ years of leadership, business building, and real-world operational experience.
⬤
real members. real results.
Find members success stories.
Every transformation you see here happened right here — at 53 South Washington Avenue, Bergenfield, New Jersey 07621, United States. Real stories from real members.
PHARMACISTS
NURSES
HEALTH COACHES
DOCTORS
PAS
CRNPS
life skills
LESSONS THAT LAST A LIFETIME
Students: Two Children · Program: Kids Martial Arts
Lisa wanted her children to gain skills that would benefit them beyond the training floor. Through consistent instruction, patient coaching, and a supportive community, they developed valuable life skills while genuinely enjoying the journey.
key milestones
📅 First Classes — Welcomed into a positive and encouraging community
📅 Early Training — Built confidence through patient instruction
📅 Ongoing Progress — Developed skills and habits that extend beyond martial arts
📅 Today — Continues training with enthusiasm while growing in confidence and character
"Both of my kids have benefitted greatly from their FKA experience. We are so grateful for this community. They obtain great skills that they will carry with them throughout their lives and enjoy the process. My husband and I believe we've done a great service to them by signing them up. Thank you Master Ace and Master Kris for your incredible skills, patience and care."
— Lisa R.
COMMUNITY
MORE THAN A MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL
Student: Boy · Program: Kids Martial Arts
Patrick wanted a program where his son would receive quality instruction while feeling supported and encouraged. He found an academy with multiple instructors in every class, giving students more individual attention and creating a welcoming community where every child is known and supported.
key milestones
📅 First Classes — Warmly welcomed by instructors and classmates
📅 Early Training — Benefited from personalized coaching and one-on-one guidance
📅 Ongoing Classes — Built confidence in a positive, supportive environment
📅 Today — Excited to attend class and proud to be part of the academy community
"My son absolutely loves Filipino Kali Academy. The instructors are awesome. Master Ace, Master Kris, and Master Julian all deserve a special shout-out for the way they teach and connect with the kids. Many classes have multiple instructors, which means lots of 1:1 interaction and personal attention. You really feel the difference in the quality of training. It’s not just about the skills. They’ve built a great community here. Everyone is welcoming and supportive, and you can tell the instructors truly care."
— Patrick S.
REAL-WORLD SELF-DEFENSE
TRAINING THAT GOES BEYOND THE DOJO
Student: Family · Programs: Filipino Martial Arts, Muay Thai & Taekwondo · Duration: Several Years
A family looking for more than traditional martial arts found a school that emphasized discipline alongside practical, real-world self-defense. Over several years of training, they experienced a supportive environment where instructors genuinely cared about their growth, safety, and well-being while delivering high-quality instruction.
key milestones
📅 First Classes — Welcomed by Master Ace and the coaching team
📅 Ongoing Training — Built discipline through consistent practice
📅 Continued Progress — Learned practical self-defense for real-world situations
📅 Today — Continues training with confidence and recommends the academy to others
"This is the best martial arts school in the area. Master Ace and his team of coaches, instructors, and leaders are the best at what they do. My kids and I have been training here for several years now... They train not only for discipline but for real-world application. They care about your well-being on top of the excellent martial arts training they provide."
— Len
CONFIDENCE
BUILDING SKILLS WHILE HONORING HERITAGE
Student: Girl · Program: Filipino Kali
Ammylou wanted her daughter to learn more than martial arts techniques. Through patient instruction and step-by-step coaching, she developed confidence while gaining a deeper appreciation for the history, culture, and traditions behind Filipino Martial Arts.
key milestones
📅 First Classes — Introduced to Filipino Kali in a welcoming environment
📅 Early Training — Learned techniques through clear, step-by-step instruction
📅 Ongoing Progress — Built confidence with every class and new skill
📅 Today — Feels more connected to her Filipino heritage while continuing to grow
"The instructors are super patient and really know their stuff—not just the movements, but the history, culture, and how everything has evolved over time. They break things down step by step, which has made it so much easier for my daughter to pick things up and remember them. It's helped her build confidence and connect more with her heritage, which has been amazing to see."
— Ammylou D.
your story could be next.
Join hundreds of families from
Bergenfield who found their personal Victory.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"We are very happy with our experience at this Filipino Kali, The instructors are absolutely respectful and very patient with kids, especially my 6-year-old son. They create a positive, structured, and encouraging environment that makes learning both fun and meaningful. The drills and techniques have helped him become more aware of his movements, improve his balance, and develop stronger motor skills — all while having a great time. Thank you Master Ace!"
Asheden C.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Where to even begin , am a martial artist myself and I have learn so much from Master Ace and Master Kris , incredible school so much variety , their technique is amazing and detail , They are very knowledgeable in multiple arts, Great with kids and teens, will turn them into future leaders! Their adult classes are amazing as well ! Real martial art training, very rare to find these days ! I highly recommended this school!"
Joshua R.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"My son absolutely loves his martial arts classes! Master Ace and Kris are amazing with kids. I’ve known them for a long time, but seeing them in action at their school really showed me how skilled and passionate they are as instructors. They make every class fun while teaching discipline, focus, and confidence. Highly recommend this school for any parent looking to get their child into martial arts!"
Joshua M.
Our Programs
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Families from Bergenfield area share their personal transformations.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"All of my children train here, and we’ve had such a wonderful experience! The instructors are amazing — patient, respectful, and great at explaining everything clearly. The Kali classes are well-organized, engaging, and always a good time. My kids are learning so much, not just about martial arts but also focus and discipline. The environment is positive, safe, and welcoming. I’m so glad we found this place! Highly recommend it to any family looking for quality martial arts training."
Diana C.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Great School, excellent Master's training my kids. Could not be happier with the staff, school location. Watching my kids learn & their progress has been remarkable. They are learning not just to defend themselves but also how to de-escalate and walk away. I have watched them learn confidence, focus, leadership, communication, responsibility, a 2nd language, mental & physical strength. My kiddos will stay at FKA where they Learn To Teach & Teach To Learn"
Chris T.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"My son absolutely loves Filipino Kali Academy. The instructors are awesome. Master Ace, Master Kris, and Master Julian all deserve a special shout-out for the way they teach and connect with the kids. Many classes have multiple instructors, which means lots of 1:1 interaction and personal attention. You really feel the difference in the quality of training.."
Patrick S.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"This is the best martial arts school in the area. Master Ace and his team of coaches/instructors and leaders are the best at what they do. My kids and I have been training here for several years now and they train not only for discipline but for real world application. They care about your well being on top of the excellent martial moduels modules and training that they have. If you want to train Filipino Martial Arts, Muay Thai or Taekwondo...look no further. Sign up now for free trial, you wont regret it"
Len
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"I was a bit nervous about joining, having never really done any Martial Arts before and not knowing much about Kali. But Master Ace, Guro Kris, and Lakan Guro Julian have all been so welcoming and encouraging from the very beginning. All three are amazing, knowledgeable teachers whose love for Kali is evident. I’ve only been training here for about 3 weeks and have already learned so much in such a short amount of time. Being Filipino, I especially love the connection back to my culture. Looking forward to continuing this journey with FKA!"
Allan G.
Stories FAQ · Bergenfield Families
Success Story Questions
Filipino Kali Academy — serving Bergenfield area & surrounding communities.
Are these real stories from students and families at Filipino Kali Academy?
Yes. Every testimonial on this page comes from real students or families who have trained at Filipino Kali Academy in Bergenfield, NJ. Their experiences reflect the supportive community, authentic instruction, and personal growth that define our academy.
How quickly do students begin seeing results?
Many students and parents notice positive changes within the first 30–90 days of consistent training. Whether it's greater confidence, improved focus, better discipline, or increased fitness, regular attendance leads to meaningful progress both on and off the training floor.
Can I or my child succeed even with no experience or low confidence?
Absolutely. Many of our students started with no martial arts background or little confidence. Our instructors create a welcoming, structured environment where every student is encouraged to learn at their own pace and celebrate steady progress.
No Experience Needed · No Long-Term Commitment
Your Story Starts Here.
Join hundreds of member who have already found their personal goals. Book your trial today.
Root-cause healing that restores the body through nervous system regulation, detox pathways, and metabolism. Not symptom-chasing. Not another bandaid.
Hi, I'm Dr. Kourtney
Three pillars of real,
lasting results
Energy & Fatigue Recovery
Nervous system and detox support that addresses why your body is stuck in survival mode — not just masking exhaustion with caffeine and supplements.
01
Metabolism & Weight Loss Resistance
If you're eating right and exercising but nothing moves, there's a deeper reason. We find it — and fix it — using functional labs and a personalized protocol.
02
Hormone Balance
Hormone issues are signals of something deeper — drainage, nervous system dysregulation, or metabolic burden. I help you address the root, not just the numbers.
03
MY APPROACH
Why clients get results when
nothing else worked
I combine 20+ years as a pharmacist with a root-cause, whole-body approach — bridging conventional medicine with the deeper healing most practitioners never address.
01
Regulate before you detox
Nervous system and drainage are the non-negotiable foundation. Skip this step and nothing else sticks.
02
Healing is low and slow
Real detox doesn't happen overnight. Sustainable results come from doing it right — at the pace your body can actually handle.
03
Symptoms are signals, not diagnoses
Hormone imbalances, weight gain, fatigue — your body is communicating. We listen, then address what they're pointing to.
"I get it, because I've been there — and I know exactly where conventional medicine stops and real healing begins."
● Pharmacist-level fluency in your labs, medications, and diagnostics
● Functional medicine lens that asks why , not just what
● Whole-body protocols — nervous system, detox, and metabolism together
● 1:1 consultations using the Root Cause Method, not cookie-cutter plans
● Internationally accredited certification teaching practitioners the same method
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business Advisory & Tenant Representation
These two services are conducted without geographic restriction. We advise and represent clients wherever the deal or operation requires — across the US.
track record
Clients & Partners
Past tenants and S&P 500 companies we've worked alongside.
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