Sensei Varricchio was only eight years old when he started training at Tiger Schulmann’s. Initially encouraged by his mother to join, he knew after his first class that he wanted to become an instructor and have his own school. “Some kids want to be firefighters, some kids want to be police officers, I wanted to be an instructor after one class. I felt like I was the absolute strongest person in the room after that class. It was simple stuff looking back, but I left feeling like I was six feet tall even though I was like the smallest guy in the room.” 

Head Instructor Varricchio loves competing, he’s 11-0 in amateur competition in both kickboxing and MMA, but helping people through martial arts is his passion. “For me to learn martial arts and attain the level of proficiency that I have, I know anyone can do it if they really try.” Having experience as a student at every level from a child to an adult, Head Instructor Varricchio can relate to his students. He understands what their goals are and potentially what is holding them back. “Most of the time, the biggest thing holding someone back, both for kids and adults, is confidence. But, with consistent training, the confidence in yourself will grow both on and off the mat.”