THIS IS me
Meet Aaron Hensley

From $50 and a Dream… to a Multimillion-Dollar Exit


Aaron Hensley started with nothing but grit, guts, and a passion for martial arts.


Armed with just $50 and a relentless drive to succeed, he launched a single martial arts school—and scaled it into a $7M empire with locations in 6 states. That journey ended with a multimillion-dollar exit… but it didn’t start at the top. It started at rock bottom. Twice.


⸻


The Story Behind the Stats


Aaron’s path wasn’t linear.

He’s gone broke, been burned out, rebuilt from the ground up—and learned every hard lesson that comes with trying to scale a business without the systems, support, and structure you need.


Along the way, he:


  • Opened and operated 20+ martial arts schools
  • Coached hundreds of school owners and leaders
  • Earned his 7th-degree black belt under Chuck Norris
  • Multi World Martial Arts Champion 
  • Promoted over 1000 students to Black Belt


The Timeline That Built the Brand


Age 3: Started martial arts with his father

Age 12: Black Belt under Chuck Norris

Age 30: Hit rock bottom for the 1st time—broke, burned out, and divorced

Age 37: Scaled from 1 to 11 schools in just 18 months

Age 41: Achieved a multimillion-dollar business exit

Age 42: Hit pivot point and refocused on life mission\

Now: Building a powerhouse network of elite entrepreneurs

Explore Framework

Why We Exist

“I created the platform and network I wish I had when I was stuck, stressed, and scaling wrong.”

— Aaron Hensley


RISE is NOT a coaching program or a consulting firm.

It’s a movement. A blueprint. A brotherhood and business accelerator built by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. We are leader builders.


We help:


✔ Martial arts school owners scale profitably without burning out

✔ Entrepreneurs build automated, cash-generating machines

✔ Leaders grow in business, life, and purpose

✔ High performers connect, collaborate, and rise together




Learn More About Rise4More
A group of people are posing for a picture on a football field.
Three men are posing for a picture and one has a tattoo on his arm that says relentless
Three people are posing for a picture in a stadium.
A man in a blue suit is holding a microphone in front of a business summit sign
Three people are posing for a picture in a stadium.
A man with a tattoo on his arm is pointing at the camera.

THE VISION

2030 VISION/MISSION DRIVEN

  • Promote 100,000 kids to Black Belt
  • Professionalize the martial arts industry
  • Collaborate with 100+ school owners to build wealth + legacy
  • 10K Black Belt Graduation Ceremony at NFL Stadium
  • $100K Average Income for Community Members
  • 1M Lives Positively Transformed


From the ashes… we RISE.

Follow Aaron on Instagram

THE RISE4MORE TEAM

Led by founder Aaron Hensley, our team brings decades of real-world experience in martial arts, business growth, and leadership development. We’re not gurus—we’re builders, coaches, and systems experts committed to helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs lead with clarity, scale with strategy, and rise with purpose.

Travis Thornton

Certified Coach


Travis Thornton brings decades of experience in martial arts instruction and studio ownership, combining battlefield-tested leadership with a deep understanding of student retention, team development, and community impact. As a Certified RISE Coach, Travis specializes in helping school owners scale with systems—without losing the heart of their mission. Whether you’re launching your first location or optimizing your fourth, Travis will push you to lead with clarity, culture, and confidence.

Learn more

Cam Smith

Certified RISE Coach, Experience Director, RISE COO


Cameron Smith is a Certified RISE Coach and the heartbeat of our coaching community. With a background in school operations, high-converting sales systems, and leadership training, Cameron helps entrepreneurs turn chaos into clarity. Known for his energy, empathy, and accountability, he works hands-on with martial arts school owners to build rock-solid foundations, scale revenue, and create a culture people want to be part of. He also serves as the Experience Director for RISE4MORE Brands.

Learn more

Travis Thornton

Certified Coach


Travis Thornton brings decades of experience in martial arts instruction and studio ownership, combining battlefield-tested leadership with a deep understanding of student retention, team development, and community impact. As a Certified RISE Coach, Travis specializes in helping school owners scale with systems—without losing the heart of their mission. Whether you’re launching your first location or optimizing your fourth, Travis will push you to lead with clarity, culture, and confidence.

Learn more

Cam Smith

Certified RISE Coach, Experience Director, RISE COO


Cameron Smith is a Certified RISE Coach and the heartbeat of our coaching community. With a background in school operations, high-converting sales systems, and leadership training, Cameron helps entrepreneurs turn chaos into clarity. Known for his energy, empathy, and accountability, he works hands-on with martial arts school owners to build rock-solid foundations, scale revenue, and create a culture people want to be part of. He also serves as the Experience Director for RISE4MORE Brands.

Learn more

Chase Depew

Spiritual Architect, Rise Wellness


Chase Depew is a seasoned church leader and communicator with over a decade of experience in multi-site ministry. As Campus Pastor at Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, he’s passionate about developing leaders, building teams, and helping people take bold steps in their faith. Spirit-led and purpose-driven, Chase brings clarity, connection, and conviction to every room he enters.


He also serves as a Spiritual Advisor and Leadership Mentor within Rise4More, helping entrepreneurs and coaches stay grounded in faith while rising in business and life.

Learn more

Joshua Norton

Certified RISE Coach


Joshua brings over 25 years of martial arts experience and 15 years of teaching to the Rise4More coaching team. He holds a 4th-degree black belt in Taekwondo, a 2nd-degree black belt in American Karate, and is a two-time National Champion. He also holds a Ph.D. in Physiology and Martial Science. Joshua owns and operates a successful martial arts school and is the founder of Max Solutions, helping schools grow through After School and Summer Camp programs. He’s a husband, father of four, and passionate about developing strong leaders in life and business.

Learn more