By Sidekicks Karate
For many children, bullying can feel like an unavoidable part of growing up — but at Sidekicks Karate, owner Brian Seetge is on a mission to change that.
Having faced bullying himself as a child, Brian knows firsthand how deeply it can affect a child’s confidence. “I want to make sure my students — and my own kids — have the knowledge and power to face bullying head-on,” he says.
After hosting several anti-bullying workshops at his school, Brian wanted to reach beyond his local community. That mission inspired him to become a contributing author in the Amazon best-selling series Bullyproof: Unleash the Hero Inside Your Kid.
“The book is a way to reach out and touch more kids and impact their lives in a positive way,” Seetge said. “I can only have so many kids here on the mat.”
Turning Struggles into Strength
Brian’s journey in martial arts began as a child, when he was born with a physical disability that required therapy to improve his balance and coordination. His therapist recommended karate — and that advice changed his life.
“I felt better about myself and gained confidence through martial arts,” Seetge recalls. “Like I tell my students, you can’t earn a black belt if you don’t believe in yourself.”
As his confidence grew, so did the way others treated him. “Martial arts made me feel differently about myself — and then people started treating me differently,” he said.
Teaching Kids to Be Bullyproof
Through his Bullyproof seminars, Brian helps children understand what bullying really is — and how to handle it with confidence and respect.
He teaches four key principles during his sessions, focusing on self-respect, confidence, and positive communication.
“Bullying has been around for centuries — we can’t stop it completely,” Seetge says. “But we can educate and empower children to handle it the right way.”
That’s why his lessons go beyond punches and kicks. “Self-defense is more than fighting,” he explains. “It’s how we stand, how we make eye contact, and how we carry ourselves. It’s about showing respect for ourselves and for others.”
When children develop that kind of confidence, they naturally attract friends and positive relationships. “A bully won’t pick on a child who stands tall and isn’t alone,” Seetge says.
Building Confidence, One Child at a Time
Proceeds from the Bullyproof book will go toward supporting local schools — specifically the Rome Parent Teacher Group — as part of Brian’s ongoing effort to give back to the community.
“Not only will copies of the book help build children’s confidence,” Seetge says, “but they’ll also support our schools. We’re all in the same fight — helping kids grow stronger, more confident, and kinder.”
Bullyproof: Unleash the Hero Inside Your Kid is available now on Amazon, and copies ALSO available at Sidekicks Karate, in both locations Rome NY and Whitesboro NY.
Brian and his wife, Nicole, are proud to share this project — and even hope their son Kaiden, “WHEN HE WAS” age 5, appears on the cover.
“This book gives us another tool to help bring the issue of bullying to the forefront,” Seetge says. “Together, we can help kids believe in themselves and stand tall — both on and off the mat.”
Join the Movement
To learn more about Sidekicks Karate or how your child can become bullyproof, visit www.sidekickswellness.com or stop by the academy to meet the team. You can also register your child for a FREE trial on their website!
Because every child deserves to feel strong, confident, and unstoppable.
