Get To Know Bam Bam Martial Arts

About BAM BAM MARTIAL ARTS IN HOUSTON

OUR UNSTOPPABLE MISSION:

Bam Bam Martial Arts is committed to inspiring and empowering you to reach your full potential.

Our focus is on bringing you the best martial arts lessons in the Houston area to give you the tools you need to defend yourself, maintain great health, and become the best version of yourself for a successful living.

Bam Bam Martial Arts has earned the reputation in Houston, as well as Bellaire, Southside Place, West University, of being the top martial arts school for enriching our students’ lives and equipping them to face life with the winning edge.

Many people believe the martial arts are about just fighting, but our program is much, much more than that. When you train in our martial arts classes you take advantage of the best self-improvement system in the world.

Professor Scott M. Sullivan, PhD.

I’m the founder and chief instructor of Bam Bam Martial Arts.

My journey in martial arts began as a child, and the impact it had on my life was nothing short of transformational. It gave me discipline, confidence, direction—and most importantly, a sense of purpose. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to one day open my own school and share the life-changing power of martial arts with others.

That dream became a reality. Today, I have the privilege of serving the Houston community by helping students of all ages become stronger, healthier, more focused, and more confident—both on and off the mat.

There is no greater reward than watching our students grow—not just as martial artists, but as people. Every time I see a child walk taller, a teen find their voice, or an adult rediscover their strength, I’m reminded why this work matters.

At Bam Bam Martial Arts, we don’t just teach self-defense. We build character. We teach mental strength. We transform lives.

Dr. Scott M. Sullivan is a master martial artist, philosopher, and expert in character development who has dedicated his life to the cultivation of both physical excellence and moral virtue. With over 45 years of experience in the martial arts, he holds a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a former U.S. Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion with an international competition record that includes appearances in Las Vegas, Tokyo, and Moscow.

He is the founder and chief instructor at Bam Bam Martial Arts in Houston, Texas, a school that has operated for over 18 years and is widely recognized for combining elite martial arts instruction with one of the most comprehensive personal development programs for children and adults in the United States.

Dr. Sullivan’s martial arts credentials include formal certification from two of the most respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lineages in the world:

  • The Federação de Jiu-Jitsu do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, signed by Grandmaster Carlos Robson Gracie (red belt),
  • And the Associação Oriente de Jiu-Jitsu, signed by Grandmaster Amélio Arruda Camarra, a direct student of Helio Gracie.

In parallel with his martial arts career, Dr. Sullivan earned a PhD in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, where he specialized in classical ethics, logic, and the philosophical thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. His academic work focuses on the nature of virtue, the structure of moral development, and the integration of reason and will in the formation of character. He has taught at multiple colleges and universities, served on the Committee on Logic for the American Catholic Philosophical Association, and is the author of several influential books, including:

  • An Introduction to Traditional Logic (used in classical education programs nationwide)
  • St. Thomas Aquinas and the Principle of Sufficient Reason
  • The Thomistic Teleological Argument (forthcoming)

Dr. Sullivan has produced dozens of educational video courses on logic, philosophy of mind, metaphysics, classical theism, and the foundations of ethical reasoning. His work has helped thousands of students—both in formal education and beyond—grasp complex philosophical ideas and apply them to their lives with clarity and purpose.

At the heart of Dr. Sullivan’s mission is a single conviction: personal excellence is not just physical, but moral and intellectual. He believes that martial arts should be more than self-defense or sport—it should be a vehicle for forming the whole person, developing not only strength and skill but also courage, self-discipline, justice, and wisdom.

To this end, he has developed a powerful framework for character education that fuses the virtue ethics of Aristotle and Aquinas with modern psychological insights and decades of real-world teaching. This system, known as the Black Belt Mindset, is now being codified in a forthcoming book series that teaches children, teens, and adults how to:

  • Develop unshakable discipline and willpower
  • Build deep, authentic self-esteem through earned achievement
  • Handle adversity with resilience and mental toughness
  • Cultivate the habits of thought and action needed to flourish in life

These books draw on his unique background as a philosopher and fighter, offering clear, no-fluff strategies for developing a winning mindset rooted in the classical tradition of virtue ethics.

Dr. Sullivan has spoken across the country on the relationship between faith and reason, the importance of classical logic, and the practical benefits of virtue ethics. He has appeared on EWTN, national radio, and numerous podcasts, inspiring parents, teachers, and students alike to take their personal growth seriously.

At the foundation of Dr. Sullivan’s work is his personal philosophical creed:

Bonum diffusivum sui est“The good is self-diffusive.”

This ancient principle expresses his conviction that true goodness overflows—transforming lives, uplifting others, and multiplying its impact. Every act of teaching, every lesson on the mat, every book, every conversation is part of that mission: to spread the good.

This vision is embedded in the very motto of his martial arts program:

Sanus corpus, sanus mentis“A sound body for a sound mind.”

Physical training is not an end in itself—it is a path to mental clarity, moral strength, and a well-ordered life. For Dr. Sullivan, martial arts is not just about punching and grappling—it’s about becoming the kind of person who can rise above life’s challenges with grace, strength, and reason.

Above all, Dr. Sullivan is committed to serving others. His work—whether in the dojo, in print, or on stage—is driven by a passion to help people become the strongest, wisest, and most virtuous version of themselves. As a husband, father, teacher, and leader, he lives by the same principles he teaches: humility, perseverance, rationality, and love of the good.


See the Results for Yourself

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT BAM BAM MARTIAL ARTS

Eric JulianEric Julian
00:21 28 May 22
Our family wanted a martial arts studio that would allow the whole family to train at the same time. But that was just the beginning. Next we wanted good training and a friendly environment. We signed up two weeks ago and believe we found it all. Amazing kids program that and our daughter is always so excited to train. Plus enough adults in the class for me and my wife to train as well. The instructors are amazing like Coach Kaylyn and Coach Jim plus the senior students are so helpful. We would not have been able to navigate this adventure without Jenny she was the one we interfaced with from the beginning. Thank you Professor Scott for your amazing school. Eric and family
Anthony BravoAnthony Bravo
01:50 24 May 22
This syllabus is precisely what I desired for my children. A structured and finely tuned program of character development, physical fitness, and self-defense. It is not a simple karate class, but rather a premier leadership experience, focused on goal setting, commitment and resilience.An unexpected benefit, the 'attitude' program provides sound material that I use to guide family meal time conversation. In addition to developing my children's behavior and decision making process, the teaching aids are helping me to improve as a husband, father and employee.I am extremely pleased with Bam Bam Martial arts, and at this point, my only regret is not starting my children in this fundamental life skills curriculum sooner.
Faris ShakerFaris Shaker
18:14 25 Feb 22
I tried few martial art gyms before I signed up with Bam Bam, I like working out and practicing kickboxing here. The family-owned business style makes it really a very unique gym. They attend to all our needs and answer our questions. Coach Manny is very professional but also makes the whole training so enjoyable and fun. He knows exactly how to make you fall in love with the sport. I started as a first timer, and within 3 months I made a real good progress, thanks to his coaching methods and attention to his students. I like his focus on practical moves and insistence in doing the proper technique. I have enjoyed every single class with him.
Marlene FariasMarlene Farias
15:25 09 Mar 21
This journey started in December 2018 and here we continue feeling so blessed and thankful with this amazing academy Bam Bam martial arts. We have seen our kids get more confident and focus with a lot of discipline. The best part of this program is that: they work out physically and psychologically and believe that combination is the best! They have helped us as parents to know how to help our kids and encourage them to read, eat healthy, use the magic words, have a self discipline and self control. Thanks to our Bam Bam family, this is definitely a team effort!
Adam SiemillerAdam Siemiller
04:25 22 May 20
Absolutely amazing experience. Coach Manny was very helpful and made my friend and I feel very comfortable and ready to learn. Lessons were absorbable yet challenging and the sweat was definitely dripping. 10/10 would recommend this place
js_loader

Backed By the best

Bam Bam Martial Arts Houston is recognized by the top governing bodies in the world of jiu-jitsu.

LEARN ABOUT OUR OTHER PROGRAMS

KIDS' MARTIAL ARTS

ADULT MARTIAL ARTS

FAMILY MARTIAL ARTS