More Than a Black Belt: How Chris Malarkey is Kicking Down Barriers
TBMC Staff
In a world that often celebrates the flash of overnight success, Master Chris Malarkey reminds us that true greatness is forged in discipline, patience, and purpose. A sixth-degree black belt in traditional Taekwondo, a United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2025), and the founder of Chris Malarkey Taekwondo (CMTKD) in Belleville, NJ Chris’s life is a masterclass in turning philosophy into action.
But before the titles, the accolades, and the legacy came a young man deeply curious about the self.
“Even in high school,” Chris reflects, “I always kind of looked at things from a philosophical, comprehensive approach. I wanted to understand who I was what my limits were, what my boundaries were. Martial arts gave me a space to explore that.”
That exploration began over 30 years ago and never stopped. While others were drawn to the crowd’s roar on the football field, Chris stayed rooted in the discipline of martial arts. He learned early on that true strength is internal and that mastery begins long before a black belt is ever tied.
From Campus to CEO
Chris honed not only his kicks and katas but also his entrepreneurial instincts while attending Montclair State University. There, he balanced full-time study with running classes for over 600 students as the lead instructor at a local Taekwondo academy.
“Teaching is different from running a business,” he says. “I had to learn the business side on the fly management, strategy, communication. That was my mobile classroom.”
Today, Chris is the President and CEO of CMTKD, where he leads with a rare blend of heart and hustle. His school is more than a dojo; it’s a sanctuary where life skills are cultivated through martial arts, and generations of students many Black and brown are empowered by seeing themselves in their teacher.
“Most of our students are Black or Hispanic,” Chris shares. “Parents have told me how much it means for their kids to see a positive Black male figure. That didn’t hit me fully until I became a father myself.”
A Father’s Legacy
Fatherhood, Chris says, changed him completely.
“I walked into that hospital one person and came out another,” he recalls. “You realize in that moment it’s not about you anymore. Your time, your energy, your choices… they’re not just yours now. They’re hers too.”
Chris speaks of his daughter, now six, with awe and devotion. She’s a student at his school and the inspiration behind his 2025 debut book, Journey from White to Black: Translating Martial Arts to Life a heartfelt, instructional, and philosophical guide for students, parents, and anyone seeking clarity in their life’s path.
“She told me she wanted to be an author. And I thought how can I ask her to chase her dreams if I haven’t done the same?”
His book became a bridge between his personal and professional values. It demystifies martial arts, delves into its life applications, and champions persistence in a world obsessed with shortcuts.
At its core, Journey from White to Black: Translating Martial Arts to Life is more than a guide to kicks and kata it’s a blueprint for growth, resilience, and inner mastery. Drawing from over three decades of lived experience, Chris weaves personal narrative with practical lessons to create a book that speaks to students, parents, and educators alike. “I wanted it to be accessible,” he explains. “Something anyone whether you’ve ever stepped on a mat or not could learn from and apply to their life.” From debunking myths about self-defense to teaching readers how to develop discipline in a world of instant gratification, the book distills martial philosophy into everyday wisdom. It’s not just a manual for martial artists it’s a tool for anyone striving to live with purpose, character, and focus.
Representing While Rewriting the Narrative
In a martial arts landscape that doesn’t always reflect his image, Chris’s rise is a beacon.
“Sometimes you walk into spaces and don’t see anyone who looks like you,” he admits. “But people like Wesley Snipes, Jim Kelly, and Billy Blanks showed me it was possible. Now I get to be that for others.”
His impact has been recognized locally and nationally from community awards in Belleville, Bloomfield, and Glen Ridge to a feature next to Wesley Snipes in Deadly Art of Survival, the world’s leading martial arts magazine.
Still, it’s the Hall of Fame honor that made Chris pause.
“I actually thought the email was spam,” he laughs. “When I realized it was real, I got really reflective. It meant I had done something meaningful—and that my life’s work was being seen.”
Beyond the mat, Chris is a devoted partner and soon-to-be husband. His fiancée whom he affectionately calls “the battery in my backpack” is not only his life partner but also his creative collaborator.
“She’s got this incredible way of helping me channel my energy. We were friends before we got serious, and that foundation helps everything especially parenting our blended family.”
Their shared vision and commitment to family have become a core part of Chris’s growth personally and professionally.
The Moral of the Story
For Chris Malarkey, martial arts is more than movement it’s a mindset. It’s about showing up, even when life gets hard. It’s about courtesy, integrity, and doing the work—on and off the mat.
“You can’t fake what I do. You’ve got to be healthy, capable, and principled. I’m only as good as what I can do today not what I did yesterday.”
As he continues to teach, lead, and parent, Chris sees each day as a test of integrity and each student as a future story being shaped.
“Kicks and punches are great,” he says, “but who are you? That’s what matters. That’s what I’m trying to build better people.”
And in doing so, Master Chris Malarkey is writing his own legacy one class, one book, one life lesson at a time.
📚 Journey from White to Black: Translating Martial Arts to Life is available now on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble nationwide. 🥋 Follow Chris on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mastermalarkey/ 📍 Visit CMTKD in Belleville, NJ to experience martial arts that moves both body and soul.
