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About Us

Empowering Martial Artists Through Safety and Support

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A man in a white and black uniform executes a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu move on a training mat
A man demonstrates a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu maneuver, depicted in a dramatic black and white style

About Academy Safe

At Academy Safe, we are driven by a deep commitment to protecting martial artists from abuse, assault, and the inherent risks that exist in the absence of federal or state regulations. Founded to address the unsettling prevalence of sexual assault, abuse, and rape in martial arts, our mission is to create safe, supportive, and secure environments for students across the United States.
As a non-profit organization, our primary focus is the development of a national registry of martial arts academies. This registry will establish a new benchmark for safety, holding academies to strict standards designed to protect both students and staff.

Our Core Safety Standards

To ensure the highest level of security, we require all registered academies to comply with the following protocols.

Background Checks for Staff and Coaches

Comprehensive background checks are mandatory for all personnel to ensure that those responsible for student safety meet our rigorous standards.

U.S. Center for SafeSport Certification

Staff and coaches must be certified by SafeSport, ensuring they are trained in creating respectful, abuse-free environments.

Concussion Course

All registered academies must complete the concussion training available on our site for staff and coaches. This training equips them with essential knowledge to recognize, manage, and prevent concussions, ensuring a safer training environment for all martial arts practitioners.

Defibrillators on premises

Academies must maintain defibrillators on the premises to provide immediate assistance during cardiac emergencies.

CPR, FIRST AID, AND DEFIBRILLATOR CERTIFICATION

All staff and coaches are required to hold current CPR, First Aid, and Defibrillator certifications, ensuring they are prepared to respond effectively in emergencies.

Security Cameras

We require academies to install security cameras to enhance transparency and provide an added layer of safety.

Verification of Owner’s Belt Rank/Lineage

To ensure the credibility of martial arts training, we verify the qualifications and belt rank lineage of academy owners.

Academy/Business Insurance

Each academy is required to maintain comprehensive business insurance coverage, which protects both the academy and its students from potential liabilities.

Our Mission

At Academy Safe, our goal is to create a culture where martial artists can train without fear—one that nurtures personal growth, discipline, and respect. By implementing these strict safety measures, we aim to prevent abuse and safeguard the well-being of students of all ages.

How You Can Help

Your support plays a critical role in helping us build and sustain this vital national Safety Registry.
By contributing to Academy Safe, you help:

Enforce Safety Standards

Ensure all participating academies comply with our rigorous safety criteria.

Spread Awareness Nationwide

Promote the adoption of these essential safety protocols across martial arts academies.

Educate the Community

Provide resources and training to academies, helping them uphold the highest standards of care.

Meet Our Board Members

Our dedicated board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization. Committed to promoting safety and well-being in the martial arts community, they provide invaluable leadership and guidance.

Milton Campis

Executive Director, Academy Safe

Milton Campis is the Founder and Executive Director of Academy Safe, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for martial arts to his leadership role. Originally from New York and now residing in Florida, Milton is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His journey in martial arts reflects his commitment to excellence and his dedication to fostering a safe and supportive environment for practitioners.

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In addition to his role at Academy Safe, Milton is the owner of Black Belt Digital Marketing, a full-service digital marketing agency based in Coral Springs Florida. Through his agency, he has helped numerous businesses enhance their online presence and achieve their marketing goals, applying the same strategic thinking and attention to detail that he brings to his work with Academy Safe.

Milton is also the founder and host of the Jiu-Jitsu Dummies Podcast, where he engages with the martial arts community to discuss various topics related to Jiu-Jitsu and share insights from experts in the field. His podcast has become a valuable resource for practitioners and enthusiasts alike, reflecting his dedication to the growth and development of the sport.

As Executive Director of Academy Safe, Milton leverages his extensive experience in martial arts and digital marketing to drive the organization’s mission of ensuring safety and integrity within the martial arts community. His leadership and expertise are pivotal in establishing and maintaining rigorous safety standards, helping to create a secure environment where martial arts students can thrive.

Milton’s blend of professional acumen, martial arts expertise, and commitment to community engagement positions him as a dynamic and influential leader at Academy Safe, dedicated to advancing the organization’s goals and making a positive impact on the martial arts world.

Rob Ingram

Vice President, Academy Safe

With over 27 years of experience in martial arts, Rob Ingram brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to his role as Vice President of Academy Safe. Rob holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate, a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Lissajous-Do, and a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His competitive career includes an impressive (6-0) record as an amateur boxer and a (4-2) record in amateur kickboxing.

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Rob was also a member of the prestigious international martial arts team, Full Circle, for two years, and ran his own successful martial arts school for four years. Rob’s passion for martial arts extends beyond the dojo. For the past decade, he has worked as a business consultant, helping martial arts businesses improve their operations and grow. He is best known as the founder of McDojoLife, an online platform that has amassed over one million followers. McDojoLife’s mission is to expose frauds, scams, and unethical practices in the martial arts world, protecting students from exploitation and misinformation. Through his work, Rob has become a leading voice in advocating for integrity and accountability in martial arts.

At Academy Safe, Rob plays a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission to ensure the safety and well-being of martial arts students nationwide. His extensive experience as a martial artist, instructor, and advocate uniquely positions him to drive the development of the national safety registry, setting higher standards for the martial arts community.

Rob Ingram

Vice President, Academy Safe

With over 27 years of experience in martial arts, Rob Ingram brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to his role as Vice President of Academy Safe. Rob holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate, a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Lissajous-Do, and a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His competitive career includes an impressive (6-0) record as an amateur boxer and a (4-2) record in amateur kickboxing.

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Rob was also a member of the prestigious international martial arts team, Full Circle, for two years, and ran his own successful martial arts school for four years. Rob’s passion for martial arts extends beyond the dojo. For the past decade, he has worked as a business consultant, helping martial arts businesses improve their operations and grow. He is best known as the founder of McDojoLife, an online platform that has amassed over one million followers. McDojoLife’s mission is to expose frauds, scams, and unethical practices in the martial arts world, protecting students from exploitation and misinformation. Through his work, Rob has become a leading voice in advocating for integrity and accountability in martial arts.

At Academy Safe, Rob plays a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission to ensure the safety and well-being of martial arts students nationwide. His extensive experience as a martial artist, instructor, and advocate uniquely positions him to drive the development of the national safety registry, setting higher standards for the martial arts community.

Roberto Santiago

Communications Director, Academy Safe

Roberto Santiago serves as the Communications Director for Academy Safe, where he expertly manages public, media, and community relations to advance our mission. In this role, he plays a crucial part in promoting Academy Safe’s initiatives, ensuring that our message of safety and integrity reaches a broad audience. His strategic approach to media outreach, advertising, and event coordination helps elevate the organization’s profile and engages stakeholders effectively.

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In addition to his work at Academy Safe, Roberto is the community engagement and communications officer for Florida Atlantic University’s Broward County campuses. Since joining FAU in 2013, he has been instrumental in enhancing the visibility of the Broward campuses through targeted media campaigns and events. He also oversees FAU Broward’s monthly e-newsletter, which connects with over 21,000 subscribers, further showcasing his ability to manage and disseminate important information.

Roberto’s extensive background in public relations includes a significant tenure as the Public Relations Manager at Miami City Ballet, where he successfully secured international media coverage and managed high-profile events, including a tour in Paris. His journalism career spans notable positions at The Miami Herald, The New York Daily News, and The Plain Dealer. Noteworthy highlights of his career include interviewing Fidel Castro, covering the 9/11 attacks, and experiencing a flight with the Blue Angels.

Holding a bachelor’s degree in History and Creative Writing from Oberlin College, Roberto is also the author of Boricuas: Influential Puerto Rican Writings. He has lectured at prestigious universities and written for major publications such as Rolling Stone and People Magazine.

As a martial arts enthusiast, Roberto trains in Wing Chun, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His personal commitment to martial arts, combined with his professional expertise, enhances his role at Academy Safe. By leveraging his extensive communication skills and media experience, Roberto ensures that Academy Safe’s critical message about safety and best practices reaches and resonates with the martial arts community and beyond. Roberto resides in Plantation with his wife and dog and enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling during his free time.

Joe Scargill

Board Member/Advisor, Academy Safe

Joe Scargill brings over 24 years of distinguished experience in federal law enforcement to his role as a Board Member and Advisor at Academy Safe. Throughout his career, Joe has demonstrated exceptional leadership, problem-solving skills, and operational readiness, making him a valuable asset to our organization. His extensive background in law enforcement equips him with a keen understanding of safety and security, crucial for advancing Academy Safe’s mission to protect martial arts students.

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In addition to his impressive law enforcement career, Joe is a dedicated martial artist. He holds a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Mauricio Carra of Checkmat, showcasing his commitment to the discipline. Joe’s passion for martial arts extends to coaching, where he has made significant contributions to the sport. He has served as an assistant coach at the Minnesota Storm Wrestling Club and is currently the head coach of the Pontevedra Beach Jiu-Jitsu youth wrestling program. His experience as a coach reflects his dedication to fostering young talent and promoting a safe and supportive training environment.

At Academy Safe, Joe’s dual expertise in law enforcement and martial arts enriches our advisory board. His insights into safety protocols, combined with his practical experience in martial arts, help drive our mission to establish rigorous safety standards for martial arts academies across the nation. Joe’s commitment to excellence in both his professional and martial arts endeavors makes him a crucial member of our team, ensuring that Academy Safe continues to lead the way in creating a secure and nurturing environment for all martial arts students.

Joe Scargill

Board Member/Advisor, Academy Safe

Joe Scargill brings over 24 years of distinguished experience in federal law enforcement to his role as a Board Member and Advisor at Academy Safe. Throughout his career, Joe has demonstrated exceptional leadership, problem-solving skills, and operational readiness, making him a valuable asset to our organization. His extensive background in law enforcement equips him with a keen understanding of safety and security, crucial for advancing Academy Safe’s mission to protect martial arts students.

Learn More

In addition to his impressive law enforcement career, Joe is a dedicated martial artist. He holds a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Mauricio Carra of Checkmat, showcasing his commitment to the discipline. Joe’s passion for martial arts extends to coaching, where he has made significant contributions to the sport. He has served as an assistant coach at the Minnesota Storm Wrestling Club and is currently the head coach of the Pontevedra Beach Jiu-Jitsu youth wrestling program. His experience as a coach reflects his dedication to fostering young talent and promoting a safe and supportive training environment.

At Academy Safe, Joe’s dual expertise in law enforcement and martial arts enriches our advisory board. His insights into safety protocols, combined with his practical experience in martial arts, help drive our mission to establish rigorous safety standards for martial arts academies across the nation. Joe’s commitment to excellence in both his professional and martial arts endeavors makes him a crucial member of our team, ensuring that Academy Safe continues to lead the way in creating a secure and nurturing environment for all martial arts students.

Victoria Campis

Secretary, Academy Safe

Victoria Campis, also known as Tori, is the Secretary of Academy Safe. Originally from New York, Tori now resides in Virginia, where she works alongside her father, Milton Campis, at Black Belt Digital Marketing. Tori’s journey into the world of safety and martial arts began when Milton founded Academy Safe, and she was eager to join the mission of creating safer environments for martial arts students across the country.

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Before joining Black Belt Digital Marketing, Tori was a teacher, a role that fueled her passion for the well-being and safety of children. Her teaching background has made her especially committed to the Academy Safe mission, as she understands firsthand the importance of creating secure, supportive environments for students. Tori is driven by the idea that every child should have the opportunity to train in martial arts in a safe and nurturing atmosphere.

In her role as Secretary, Tori helps manage the day-to-day operations of Academy Safe and plays a crucial part in supporting its goals of raising safety standards across martial arts academies nationwide.

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