Never Settle Awards
2026 Never Settle Awards
VOTING HAS BEGUN
See each award below for more information about each of this year's nominees and for the direct links for voting!
VOTING CLOSES SEPTEMBER 30TH
Recognizing Deserving Martial Artists with the Never Settle Awards!
Emissary of the Arts Award
Highlighting those who have contributed to the arts and the community as well, making the world a better place. Ideal nominees would demonstrate the positive qualities of martial arts and martial artists in ways not directly tied to martial arts. Many martial arts schools use positive character traits as a benefit to be grown from continued training.
These nominees demonstrate these qualities routinely beyond the walls of their schools such that people know the nominee based on actions and deeds, not on martial arts rank, ability, or martial arts notoriety.
Lauren Cloutier
Lauren Cloutier, "Ms. Clou," exemplifies the spirit of the Emissary of the Arts Award by using the art of martial arts to positively impact individuals and families throughout the community. More than teaching physical techniques, Legacy Martial Arts instills values of respect, discipline, perseverance, humility, and leadership in students of all ages. She works with her instructors to create a welcoming and supportive environment where every student is encouraged to grow in confidence, develop resilience, and strive to become the best version of themselves. Her dedication to empowering others through the art of martial arts has created a lasting, meaningful impact, making them true ambassadors for the arts and an invaluable asset to the community. She helps students feel like they belong, gives them confidence, and with her humor and drive, she really helps to positively change her students
Tammy Crossman
Tammy Crossman embodies the spirit of the Emissary of the Arts Award through the joy, creativity, and positive energy she brings to the children in her community. As a Girl Scout co-leader and Cub Scout pack treasurer, she goes above and beyond to keep both groups thriving, creating fun experiences and inspiring kids to explore, participate, and feel a sense of belonging. Her enthusiasm and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of the children and families she serves. She has a meaningful impact on the lives of others and their martial arts journeys by always encouraging each person to believe in themself and keep pushing forward. Her positive energy, support, and dedication inspire others to work hard, stay committed, and remember that growth is about more than just learning techniques—it’s about becoming a stronger, more confident person.
Jessica Roberts
Jessica Roberts demonstrates the spirit of the Emissary of the Arts Award with her great spirit of justice and integrity. She stands up for what is right, both in the dojo and out. She has a great understanding of how impactful martial arts is in a community and what value it can add to someone's life journey at any stage. She shows kindness to all around. She doesn't talk down to others, but focuses on lifting them up. She is always willing to demonstrate something again, to explain it differently, and knows how to make challenges fun. Jessica is always happy to learn more, whether in a taekwondo school, kung fu school, or a seminar of many types of martial arts and artists. She is a lifelong learner, clearly loves the martial arts, and therefore is very deserving of the Emissary of the Arts Award.
Mark Warner
Mark Warner demonstrates the spirit of the Emissary of the Arts Award in a way that is uniquely him. His dedication and sense of humor help him to easily connect with others, especially when he is travelling across state lines to instruct and interact. There is not a day that goes by that Mark is not active in the community. People know to seek him out for help for themselves or their children. He is involved in food drives, fund raisers for non profits, scholarships, free tai chi and chi gong, and so much more. He supports everyone without judgement and knows how and when to offer just the right amount of help. He always encourages and his positive outlook rubs off on everyone he meets.
Vote Here
Flashlight Award
People who make a difference in the arts - no matter rank. While quietly making an impact in their community, they demonstrate that actions speak louder than words in the most positive of ways.
A nomination for this award represents that the nominee's actions were noticed, were appreciated, and are worthy of recognition beyond a simple “Thank You.”
This is the person who needs to be nominated because they would never nominate themselves.
Adam Beckley
Adam exemplifies The Flashlight Award by quietly building a thriving martial arts community in rural Vermont, providing local opportunities for kids to learn, grow and compete without seeking personal spotlight. In regular classes, Adam builds confidence, awareness, respect and joy in the children of Hardwick and the surrounding community. Through hosting welcoming, grassroots tournaments like the Conifer Clash and Holly Jolly Brawly (all proceeds go to local charities), he creates accessible competition spaces that bring surrounding towns together while constantly shining the light on his students and all competitors. By uniting martial artists across Vermont for a good cause and providing a welcoming space for youth, Adam consistently demonstrates how training extends far beyond the mat to strengthen the surrounding community.
Joshua Brouillette
Joshua Brouillette embodies the spirit of the Flashlight Award through his unwavering perseverance, quiet leadership, and commitment to serving others. His actions consistently demonstrate that true character is measured not by titles or recognition, but by how someone responds to challenges and lifts up those around them. Whether practicing karate daily outside of class, competing in baseball and wrestling, serving as captain of the dojo demonstration team, or earning the rank of Eagle Scout, Joshua has never shied away from hard work or personal growth. While preparing for his adult black belt at the age of ten, Joshua suffered a devastating skiing accident, resulting in broken bones and a need to relearn how to walk. Within two weeks, he was back in the dojo with his wheelchair. Within a few months, he was competing in tournaments. And within a year, he achieved his black belt. His actions have inspired an entire dojo and community, proving that one person's quiet determination can light the way for countless others.
Lauren Cloutier
Lauren Cloutier, "Ms. Clou," is amazing at combining martial arts with a fun and respectful environment. She welcomes all students and aims for each student to reach their goals. She yearns for all her students to push themselves to their limits but in a way where they feel empowered. She never lets her students give up and she focuses on what each student needs while also teaching a holistic class. Ms.Clou puts her students first and focuses on teaching martial arts but also her motive is to push her students to be respectful individuals that would make her proud outside of her school. Her patience, encouragement, and genuine belief in each student's potential inspires others to push through challenges and celebrate every achievement, no matter how small.
Emmaline Poland III
Emmaline "Emmy" Poland III demonstrates kindness in and out of martial arts. She works with youth in school helping them with their feelings and lives taking what she learns in martial arts to the outside world. She makes sure every person that has doubts about themselves remember their worth and that they are important in everyone's life. Emmy helps the youth in our community through therapy classes and self defense. She especially helps the young females understand how to deal with difficult situations and hard feelings.
Vote Here
Open Door Award
NEW THIS YEAR: The Open Door Award only accepted nominations for martial arts SCHOOLS and not INDIVIDUALS.
This award recognizes a school that has created a culture where students would refer to it as home, family. Everyone is welcome and wants to be there - with each other, even though they are all different.
These schools make everyone feel welcome, regardless of what they bring to the table. Past training or not, all ages, physical capacity, and more. These schools accept everyone, and make sure that their first few months is only the beginning of the journey.
CDR Taekwondo
CDR Taekwondo is a shining star in Galloway, New Jersey. Stephen Miller is a beacon of hope to children and their families. He does more than teach martial arts. He helps people navigate the challenges of living life with integrity and success. Stephen helps practitioners develop in both physical, mental and spiritual journey through life. Families are welcomed into the CDR Taekwondo family where they train together and are strengthened for addressing the challenges of family and community life. CDR Taekwondo serves as an example of how to live a fulfilling and gracious life through martial arts.
Legacy Martial Arts
The students of Legacy Martial Arts and Fitness know themselves as “Legacy Fam.” Everyone who shows interest in taking classes is welcomed with open arms and made to feel like they are already part of the team! For some students, they have never felt more accepted for who they truly are than when they are training at the dojo. Lauren Cloutier, the owner and chief instructor, pours her heart and soul into every single student’s success, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and appreciated. Legacy also collaborates with local places to extend self defense training to those that need it, but who may not be ready to officially train martial arts. They are a constant presence in their community and strive to make everyone feel included and accepted.
Team Chip Martial Arts
Team Chip Martial Arts is almost a household name in Abilene and it is easy to see why. Their Team works as a team to welcome newcomers to their school from the moment they walk in the door and are introduced to the instructors. Even the students extend their enthusiasm to help motivate each other and make everyone feel comfortable and supported. This extends past the walls of the school as can be seen when they are seen at events and conferences where they help others get acclimated to what can at times be intimidating and stressful. Their lessons on how to live well and how to impact the lives of others clearly resonate with their students who themselves go on to be leaders in their community and make a positive impact on those around them.
Vote Here
Enduring Footprint Award
Ideal nominees would stand out for their lasting impact on the martial arts community across a significant period of time. While the extent of the impact may be a result of direct, in person interactions, impact resulting through social media and other internet activity is also worthy of consideration.
Martial artists would not only say that they know who the nominee is but will also be able to discuss how the nominee influenced their training in some way.
John Hatfield
John Hatfield has been involved with martial arts for over five decades. Most of his time has been devoted to Chinese Kempo, he also actively competed in competitive boxing and kickboxing. Over the decades he has seen a shift in what students are training in martial arts and how instruction is accomplished. He focuses on making a safe environment for students to train, regardless of their individual challenges, where his understanding and experience allow him to help each student progress along their martial arts journey. John believes that everyone needs to be challenged, and challenged appropriately, in order to become the best versions of themselves. He uses martial arts to help students get back in touch with their bodies and overcome changes that result from technology and video games. John strives to build community through the martial arts and understands that martial arts instructors are a part of a legacy that includes not only martial arts techniques, but also a willingness to help students and others to understand and overcome the challenges that they face in their lives.
Benny Meng
Benny Meng has been an ardent student of the martial arts since he was 10, learning Judo in Hong Kong. When his family moved to Dayton, Ohio he continued his martial arts study in Taekwondo under Y.C. Kim. He saved up tips from working in his family's restaurant to self-fund a training trip back to Hong Kong and then into China, becoming part of the first group of outsiders to train in the Shaolin Temple back in 1981. From those humble, early days, Benny Meng has made a global impact on the art of Wing Chun, helped to get this system recognized by both the Northern and Southern Shaolin Temples in the modern era, as well as recognized by the International Wushu Federation as a traditional Southern Chinese martial art. He has been instrumental in developing Wing Chun for international competition and his school has produced local, state, regional, national, international and/or world champions every year since opening in 1987. In his community, he is the master instructor for the Dayton and Cincinnati Chinese school, helping to keep the younger generations connected to their historical roots. He also hosts a tournament in Dayton, and has supported tournaments in Cincinnati, OH and Columbus, OH.
Brendan Wilson
Brendan Wilson embodies the spirit of the Enduring Footprint Award through a lifetime dedicated to service, leadership, martial arts excellence, and the development of others. His enduring legacy is not measured solely by his impressive accomplishments, but by the lasting impact he has made on students, military personnel, fellow martial artists, and the international community. For more than four decades, GM Wilson served his country with distinction as a US Army Ranger, Paratrooper, and Lt Colonel before continuing his commitment to global security as a NATO diplomat and defense analyst. His service reflects a career devoted to protecting others while building partnerships founded on trust and cooperation. His contributions to martial arts are equally remarkable. Beginning his journey in 1974, he pursued lifelong learning across multiple disciplines, earning black belts in Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, and Aristos. Rather than focusing on personal advancement, he dedicated himself to teaching, coaching, officiating, and mentoring generations of practitioners. Brendan Wilson has made a lasting impact on his local community by using martial arts as a vehicle for leadership, education, and personal development. Throughout his career, he has consistently invested his time and knowledge into helping others become better martial artists, leaders, and citizens. His emphasis on integrity, lifelong learning, humility, and service has helped shape individuals whose positive influence continues to spread throughout their communities.
Ripples on Our Pond - In Memoriam
Every year, the martial arts community loses instructors, students, innovators, and family. We would like to recognize martial artists who left our families over the year beginning July 2025.
Nominate Here
Do you want to be a part of the 2026 Never Settle Awards?
We are continually looking for those willing to help us spread the word about the Never Settle Awards. If you support what the Never Settle Awards stands for and want to help, or if you would like reminders of when each nomination opens as well as when voting starts, please let us know.
Learn More
You can learn more about how we got here with this episode of Martial Arts Radio.
You can read the first-year announcement on the Martial Journal Website: here
Together with Martial Journal, whistlekick is proud to sponsor the Never Settle Awards. These awards are designed to recognize the martial artists who give back to their schools, their communities, and the martial arts world at large.
A huge thank you to everyone that voted this year. We're excited to say we received a record number of votes this year and we hope to carry that momentum forward into next year.
Congratulations to the
2025 Never Settle Award Recipients
Randy Kane - 2025 Flashlight Award
Teresa Dos - 2025 Emissary of the Arts Award
Great Bay Tai Chi - 2025 Open Door Award
Larry Isaac - 2025 Enduring Footprint Award