Master Felicia Cohen Nichols has been part of the Action Karate family for over 20 years and her roots go even deeper than that. She first stepped onto the mat as a child, drawn by the same belief she now passes on every single day: that martial arts is a way of life, not just a sport. A 5th degree black belt, marathon finisher, and triathlete, Felicia brings relentless personal discipline to everything she teaches. Outside the dojo, she’s a proud mom, a Disney enthusiast, and a firm believer that the people you surround yourself with shape who you become.
Inclusive martial arts instruction for all ages and abilities, with a special passion for early childhood development (ages 3–6) and students with additional needs. What Master Felicia can do for you and your child:
Build a foundation that lasts
Create a truly inclusive experience
Turn the smallest wins into life-changing momentum
Model what she teaches
Teaching philosophy
Master Felicia’s philosophy starts with a single conviction: there is a path in martial arts for everyone. No exceptions. She’s trained students with prosthetic limbs, students on the autism spectrum, students who ran off the mat at age three and earned their junior black belt by middle school. For her, adaptability isn’t a strategy, it’s a responsibility.
She listens first: to parents, to kids, to what isn’t being said out loud. Then she adjusts. Her classes move with patience and purpose, fuelled by genuine care for each person in the room. She measures success not by how fast a student advances through the belt system, but by whether they’re showing up a little more confident, a little more focused, and a little more proud of themselves each week. In Master Felicia’s words, the philosophy is simple: constant and never-ending improvement for her students, and for herself.
