Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Cotellese.
Hi Nick, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started training in Taekwondo in 1984 after seeing The Karate Kid in theaters. Like a lot of kids my age, I walked out of that movie ready to crane-kick my way into a dojo. My mom, however, thought karate sounded a little too violent and tried to steer me toward gymnastics instead. But after some very persistent begging, she finally brought me to a local Taekwondo studio.
Back then, most parents didn’t realize there were different styles like Karate, Taekwondo, and Jiu-Jitsu — to them it was all just “karate.” So to Taekwondo I went, determined to learn to “wax on, wax off” like Daniel-san.
In 1984 there weren’t specialized age-based classes. There was just class — adults, teens, and a few brave kids training together. At 4 years old, I was the youngest on the mat (besides the instructor’s teenage son). After a few months, I told my mom I wanted to quit. Instead of letting me, she joined the class herself to keep me motivated — and that decision changed both of our lives.
We trained together for about a year in Bensalem, Pennsylvania before moving to Wildwood, New Jersey, where we joined another Taekwondo school with my uncle. I reached blue belt, and my mom went on to earn her black belt — and even met my stepdad, one of the instructors there. In 1988, the three of us moved to Nashville, Tennessee and opened our first Taekwondo studio.
From 1988 through 2010, I watched my parents impact thousands of lives across Davidson and Rutherford Counties. I trained, taught, and competed alongside them, learning lessons far beyond kicking and punching — confidence, leadership, public speaking, perseverance, and the value of long-term commitment.
Those experiences shaped who I am today. I wanted to give back what martial arts gave me — especially to young people who need that same kind of guidance. After teaching in my parents’ studios and other schools in the area, I opened Phoenix Martial Arts in Murfreesboro in 2023.
In just two short years, Phoenix has grown into a thriving community where students and families come together to train, grow, and serve. We’re already making an impact in Murfreesboro — and we’re only just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
Funding was one of the first major hurdles. It takes a significant amount of capital to open a brick-and-mortar business, and there were moments when it felt like every step forward came with two new expenses.
Finding the right location was another challenge. We looked at several spots that weren’t quite the right fit — too small, too hidden, too expensive. Fortunately, we had a great realtor who kept us encouraged, kept searching, and ultimately helped us land the perfect space.
Then came the buildout — and that came with its own set of surprises. Unexpected fees, shifting deadlines, contractors who didn’t always deliver on time — all of it tested our patience and our problem-solving skills.
But those are the moments where the lessons of martial arts really come to life. The same principles I learned as a kid — perseverance, adaptability, and staying calm under pressure — helped me push through when things felt impossible.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Phoenix Martial Arts is a locally and family-owned martial arts studio in Murfreesboro dedicated to helping kids, teens, adults, and families grow — not just as martial artists, but as people. We’ve built a supportive, family-like environment where students can train safely, gain confidence, and develop the mindset to succeed in life both on and off the mat.
Everything we do is guided by our four core values: Safety, Service, Leadership, and Connection.
Safety comes first — always. We take pride in providing a clean, controlled, and injury-free training environment. Parents often tell us they appreciate how seriously we take both physical safety and emotional well-being.
Service is the heartbeat of our studio. Our small but mighty team is driven by a simple philosophy: Give, give, give — and expect nothing in return. Whether it’s helping a nervous beginner take their first step onto the mat or showing up for community causes, service is woven into our culture.
Leadership is at the center of our teaching. We don’t just train martial artists; we train leaders — people who set the tone, lead by example, and positively influence those around them.
And finally, Connection. Phoenix has become a place where people find their tribe. Students, parents, and instructors all share a genuine sense of belonging. It’s more than a martial arts studio — it’s a community that cheers for each other’s wins, inside and outside of class.
We’re incredibly proud of the brand we’ve built. Phoenix Martial Arts stands for excellence, humility, and heart. In just two years, we’ve become known as one of the cleanest, safest, and most welcoming training environments in Murfreesboro — and that’s something we don’t take lightly.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is simple — God, my wife, my family, and the next generation of leaders we’re raising through Phoenix Martial Arts.
That order matters. My faith grounds me, my wife and family give me strength and purpose, and together they make it possible for me to pour into others.
At Phoenix, our mission is to build strong leaders who can lead with love — even in a world that isn’t always filled with it. Every class, every lesson, every conversation is an opportunity to help someone grow into the kind of person who lifts others up.
I’m grateful every day that I get to do this work, but I never forget that it all starts with faith, family, and gratitude. Those three come first — and everything else flows from there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.martialarts4murfreesboro.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martialarts4murfreesboro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martialarts4murfreesboro
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@martialarts4murfreesboro
