Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayward Brown.
Hayward Brown Jr. is the owner/operator of the Hayward Kickboxing Center in Playa del Rey, CA. Hayward is an established, trusted, and respected fitness professional, accomplished martial artist, and personal trainer with more than 30 years of experience.
Hayward’s dream when he was a young man growing up in South Los Angeles was to open his own gym and martial arts studio. He was motivated to learn and teach martial arts to teenagers and young adults because of the positive impact his martial arts instructor had on his life – shaping him into a confident, capable, and skilled young man.
Not only has Hayward realized his childhood dream, he has made it his personal and professional mission to build healthier communities and bodies by inspiring his students and clients to be and do their best. Hayward’s studio is focused on service to others – teaching and training individuals of all ages and abilities to reach their personal fitness goals while building and maintaining discipline, character, confidence, self-control, and perseverance. In a very real way, Hayward is giving back to the community where he grew up.
In addition to being a Certified Personal Trainer and Kickboxing Aerobics Instructor, Hayward held Black Belts in Wing Chun, Lima Lama, and Ukidokan and was a professional K1 fighter, combining the most skillful and effective elements of martial arts and competing against the best athletes and fighters in the world.
Hayward’s trademark is Train Hard, Win Pretty. This communicates his personal and professional ethos and values – If you Train Hard (mind, body & spirit), you will not just Win; you will Win Pretty in life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building the Hayward Kickboxing Center was not easy at all.
After staring through the window of the martial arts school in Huntington Park a few times, the owner of the school approached me and asked me if I wanted to join the classes. I was not sure I could afford to attend, but he offered me a uniform and lessons, and in return, I could sweep and mop the studio. That was the arrangement, and I worked and trained at that studio until I graduated high school.
When I left high school, I went to college, trade school, and truck driving school in San Diego and worked several jobs in construction and driving gasoline trucks. After that, I worked in security and fought professionally in the K1 circuit to save money. Once I was licensed as a personal trainer, I worked as a trainer and manager at a couple of big box gyms in Los Angeles, where I trained clients and taught large groups in kickboxing aerobics. Eventually, I became a licensed Personal Investigator, and that job provided me with consistent and well-paying work that enabled me to save enough money to open my own kickboxing and martial arts school.
Once I raised the funding in August 2009, I got the keys to my studio in Playa del Rey, and I never looked back.
I’ve been open now for 15 years, and the stories are endless – both challenges and wins. I have the privilege of meeting and training some of the most incredible people – of all ages and abilities – and we have shaped each other’s lives through the work we do together. I have martial arts students return every year that I trained as kids and teenagers – they are now in their 20s – in college, working, and thriving, and they tell me how much I helped them and supported them in their life and growth. That is the most rewarding part of the journey and this work. These kids and young adults are really cool, and I get to be part of that.
The studio has made it through good and tough seasons and has survived by being present for the community and being innovative in how we provide services.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Hayward Kickboxing Center?
The Hayward Kickboxing Center was founded in 2009 in Playa del Rey, CA with the mission to inspire, teach, and support students to train their body and mind through martial arts and physical fitness. The Center offers Martial Arts, Kickboxing, Personal Training, and Aerobics Classes for all ages and abilities.
I specialize in a form of Marital Arts called Lima Lama (Kung Fu Boxing) and have both private and group classes focused on Kung Fu Boxing or personal training sessions that are specific to the student or client. I train people of all ages (clients from 6 – 80+) and also work with individuals with special needs.
I believe in creating an environment that teaches people to Never Give Up, Become Physically Fit, Learn to Defend Self & Others, Develop Confidence & Self Control, Gain Coping Skills, Experience Camaraderie, and Know that you are a winner in life. And of course, we want people to have a lot of fun.
Brand-wise, I’m proud of 100% being myself, bringing my expertise and personality to my work and succeeding in my niche (martial arts and fitness), and most importantly, working with young individuals of all ages and abilities – watching them gain confidence, discipline, and self-respect.
I fulfilled my childhood promise to myself by building a sustainable and successful business. The list of people who told me it was not possible and that I would not succeed when I first opened is long; however, the list of those that have encouraged me over the years and still encourage me today is longer.
When I opened in Playa del Rey, I was the only black-owned business in the area, and I’m proud that I’ve succeeded and become a trusted and respected member of this community.
I believe that when we create a positive community, we gain strength from one another to win in all aspects of our lives.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I read a lot of Bruce Lee’s books and poetry. “Striking Thoughts” and “The Art of Expressing the Human Body” come to mind as books I’ve read and go back to regularly for insight and inspiration and to continue to hone my martial arts skills and technique.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://haywardkickboxing.com/
- Instagram: @brownhayward
