The sixth and final season of Netflix hit Cobra Kai will be released in July, and Alisha and Daniel Klapheke, local owners of Elite Martial Arts of Brentwood, count themselves lucky to be involved. Daniel trained William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) and Martin Kove (Sensei Kreese) for season 6. In addition to their careers in the martial arts, both are writers. Alisha is a USA Today Bestselling author of books featuring unique magic, far-flung fantasy settings, and romance, while Daniel writes historical fiction.
Tell us a little about yourselves and how you came to open Elite Martial Arts in Brentwood
AK: We met in Knoxville through mutual friends and got to know one another when I began taking his Krav Maga classes. I fell in love with martial arts and with Daniel. He was encouraging, kind, and inspiring with the children and adults he taught.
DK: The relationship with my business partner in Knoxville had deteriorated and I wanted to continue teaching martial arts. Alisha didn't hesitate when I asked her if she'd move to Nashville with me. She worked as an elementary school teacher and I worked at a veterinary clinic while we grew the new martial arts school in Brentwood. We lived pretty humbly for a while but we kept grinding until Elite Martial Arts grew into a thriving dojo.
How do you manage the day-to-day of the dojo?
AK: Daniel teaches the majority of the classes, which is exceptional. In most dojos, the head instructor/sensei/teacher normally only teaches a few classes now and then. I teach a class twice a week, assist new students, and help out during the teen and adult classes.
DK: As the business grew, I needed more help, and Alisha felt it was time to switch from teaching in school to teaching on the dojo mats. The business has had its ups and downs over the last 21 years, but it has provided our family with a great life. We have promoted more than 250 people to black belt. The success of Elite Martial Arts now affords Alisha free time to write dozens of books and for me to write several historical fiction novels, do DIY projects at home, hike in the park, and skateboard with my friends.
Tell our readers about your writing career, Alisha.
AK: Since childhood, I've been jotting down stories and sharing them with friends and family. I won writing contests as a kid, but then I gave it up, earned my Master's degree in Education, and taught elementary school. Teaching was amazing, but my creative side hated the limitations on how I was permitted to teach. In addition to that, I began writing when our first child was an infant because my brain needed a challenge beyond teaching martial arts—that was truly Daniel's passion. I wanted my own thing. My stories wanted to live. I snagged a lovely agent, but traditional publishing limited me. The schedule is so slow. I couldn't always write the stories that inspired me. And so, I dove into self-publishing and have adored it ever since. The freedom is intoxicating. I do exactly what I want almost every day, and I'm lucky indeed to have not one but two amazing careers. I have Daniel to thank for the support in getting my self-publishing career off the ground. There would be no dragons if he weren’t a real-life hero to me and my kids.
Tell our readers about your experience with Cobra Kai, Daniel.
DK: William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) from the 1984 The Karate Kid movie and Netflix's Cobra Kai series came to me for training. His goal was to prepare himself for the final season of the series. We did several hours of private training a week together. As our friendship grew, he'd hint that I should be on Cobra Kai with him. Eventually, the hints became invitations. On the set in Atlanta, I was "Sensei Daniel” and was treated like one of the stars. I was considered a heavily featured extra. My part in the show is mostly standing next to the actors and occasionally performing simple fight scenes in the background. My favorite part was consulting with my friend during his fight scenes. Alisha and our kids got to experience a day on the set. They will be in the background of the final episode!
What's next for you both?
DK: My time on the Cobra Kai set was an amazing and surreal privilege, but my true purpose in life is to empower people through martial arts. My focus is to continue teaching my craft while constantly improving myself. Alisha and I will indulge our love of traveling the world by heading to Spain this fall.
AK: I can't wait! Hopefully, we can keep on inspiring people through martial arts and through fiction. With our amazing teens at our side, as well as our extended family and our friends, we have an amazing support system to fulfill our dreams and aspirations.
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