Burn with Kearns: The authentic Karate Kid, with a UFC twist – helping your children – Kevin Kearns

How it can help your children

by Kevin Kearns, contributing writer, fitness and exercise

If it was not for martial arts after my father died when I was 12, I would not be who I am. On President’s Day this month it will be 46 years since he passed. I have worn his wedding ring on my right hand since I was 14. There is not a day that does not go by that I don’t think about him, or my mom, and what she went through. 

To be honest I am sure that if he did not pass when I was 12, I would not be the man I am today. Martial arts and fitness became part of my being and my soul when I was just 13. It took a child that had zero confidence in sports and instilled 3 important life concepts, COMMITMENT, CONSISTENCY, and DISCIPLINE.  In this age where screen time takes up our children’s time and our own we need to get back to basics.

As parents over 50, it’s natural to be concerned that today’s kids aren’t getting enough physical activity and that the traditional physical education programs in schools are failing to engage them in meaningful ways. This is an issue I hear frequently from parents—how can we ensure our children develop strong, healthy bodies when they are increasingly tethered to screens and sedentary lifestyles? The urgency of this concern grows as we see the effects of inactivity, including rising obesity rates and poor mental health among young people. It’s clear that we need to rethink the way we approach fitness, especially in a world where the pressures on kids are intensifying, both physically and emotionally.

The Role of Physical Education and Parental Involvement

While there’s a growing need for a complete overhaul of the physical education systems in many schools, parents can step in and help bridge the gap. One of the most significant impacts you can have as a parent is by creating an environment at home where fitness is not only encouraged but also celebrated. This means fostering a love for movement, strength-building, and fun physical activities—without making it feel like a chore.

I understand the challenges parents face, and that’s exactly why I’ve created a workout system that can be implemented in your home with minimal equipment, while keeping kids engaged and motivated. My MMA Fit Kids program, for instance, is designed to be fun, safe, and progressive. It’s not about lifting heavy weights that might harm developing bodies; instead, it’s about teaching kids strength through movement, using bodyweight exercises, medicine balls, sandbags, and even focus mitts. It’s a comprehensive fitness routine that builds strength, agility, and confidence, all while making fitness enjoyable for children aged six to 16.

The Influence of ‘Always Picked Last’

In my book, Always Picked Last, I delve into the powerful relationship between physical fitness and self-esteem, especially for those who have struggled with feeling overlooked, unimportant, or incapable. This is a topic that’s close to my heart because, like many of you, I’ve seen the impact that bullying, insecurity, and a lack of confidence can have on kids. My own experiences growing up shaped my perspective on fitness and how it can be a transformative tool—not just for physical strength, but for emotional and mental resilience as well.

In the book, I discuss the challenges of feeling left behind or out of place—whether it’s being the last person picked for a sports team or feeling weak in a world that values physical strength. It’s my belief that Always Picked Last can help kids develop a sense of pride and empowerment, not just from their appearance or achievements, but from their perseverance and hard work. Whether it’s through sports or any other discipline, the message is clear: no matter where you start, you can grow, and your strength comes from within.

I encourage parents to use the lessons in the book to empower their children to take charge of their physical fitness and self-worth. For kids, seeing how dedication and training can transform them physically also impacts their confidence, helping them feel more capable and resilient in other areas of their lives, including at school and in their social interactions.

Anti-Bullying and Building Confidence

As part of my ongoing work with schools and community organizations, I’ve been bringing my Always Picked Last message into local schools and Boys and Girls Clubs to help combat bullying. Through my anti-bullying/self-defense workshops, I’ve worked with kids from a variety of backgrounds, showing them how to build mental and physical strength to defend themselves against not only physical threats but emotional ones too.

The workshops are based on a self-defense philosophy that empowers kids to take control of their bodies and their environments. This approach not only teaches them effective techniques for protecting themselves but also gives them the tools to navigate social situations with confidence. Whether it’s how to stand up for themselves in a classroom or dealing with a bully on the playground, the program provides strategies that go beyond physical defense—it’s about teaching kids to stand tall mentally and emotionally.

One of the key things I emphasize in these workshops is that strength isn’t just about physical power—true strength comes from within. When kids feel confident in their bodies, they are less likely to be intimidated by others. This shift in mindset is critical, especially as they navigate their teenage years. The ability to protect themselves physically and emotionally helps them not only avoid bullying situations but also thrive in the face of adversity.

Why I’m Working on My Nomination for the President’s Council on Fitness

With the issues of youth inactivity and bullying weighing heavily on my heart, I decided to take the next step in advocating for children’s health and well-being by working on my nomination for the President’s Council on Fitness. The aim is to use this platform to influence change at a national level, particularly around the importance of physical education and mental wellness for kids. Schools can’t do it all on their own, and as parents, we need to be involved in helping guide our kids toward better fitness practices, stronger self-esteem, and a future free of bullying.

Being on the President’s Council would allow me to have a broader impact, pushing for policies and initiatives that support fitness and mental health programs in schools, as well as offering resources for parents who want to ensure their children are getting the support they need to grow up healthy and confident.

It’s not just about the physical benefits of fitness; it’s about building strong kids who can stand up for themselves, face the challenges of the modern world, and become the empowered adults they were always meant to be. That’s why this work, whether through my programs, my book, or my nomination, is so crucial.

In Conclusion

As parents, we have the power to make sure our kids are growing up with the strength, confidence, and resilience they need to thrive. It’s about giving them the tools to become not just physically strong, but emotionally powerful too. By supporting physical activity at home, reinforcing the messages of empowerment in Always Picked Last, and addressing bullying head-on, we can give our kids a foundation for lifelong health, happiness, and success.

Let’s take the next step together in ensuring that future generations are not only stronger physically but also more resilient mentally and emotionally. This is why I’m dedicated to creating lasting change in our schools and communities—and why I’m working to be part of the President’s Council on Fitness to make that vision a reality. My mission is help kids move and improve with confidence ! I would know because I am the true “ Karate Kid”  with a UFC twist.

Let’s All Move and Improve !

Coach Kearns

BurnWithKearns.com

PS – Anyone who wants a signed copy of my book I will invite the first 20 people to email and I will send you a complementary copy!  [email protected]

Here’s father and son workout with minimal equipment

PSS – As well here is the full playlist free for all on my YouTube channel

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Read ALL articles by Kevin Kearns here: BURN WITH KEARNS

Both of Coach Kearns books may be purchased on www.Amazon.com. For more information about Coach Kevin Kearns, including scheduling speaking engagements and classes (both online and in person), please contact him at 508-404-8503 or [email protected].Author of There’s Light In The Tunnel” How to Survive and Thrive with Depression, Always Picked Last, A guide to navigating bullies on Amazon and Audible youtube.com/user/burnwithkearns https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/burnwithkearns

Coach Kevin Kearns has been coaching in the world of fitness, nutrition, and tactical self defense for over 3 decades. As the former conditioning coach to 15 UFC Pro Fighters, and ranked in the Top 5 in the UFC , he is no stranger to the the importance of proper nutrition and proper mindset programming. He has long advocated to all his clients “athletes or the general population“ about the importance of programming mind, body and spirit. Coach Kevin Kearns BS FMS CPT Former conditioning coach to 15 UFC Pros Ranked in Top 5 by the UFC Personal Fitness Coach, Author, Columnist, Motivational Speaker, Corporate Wellness Consultant, Youth Wellness Program Provider, Certification Specialist, Personal Self Defense, and Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Specialist.BurnwithKearns.com