Manuel Cabrera Jr. Ninth Degree Black Belt Grand Master Instructor

A 56 year veteran of the martial arts, Grand Master Cabrera has been involved in all aspects of teaching, training, and competing. Born in Tampa, Florida, Master Cabrera’s family moved to New York City where he grew up in the Bronx and later in Manhattan. Master Cabrera’s interest in martial arts was sparked when physically attacked while in junior high school by a man who stole thirty five cents from him, Cabrera began to study the martial art of Tang Soo Do which is one of the earlier Korean arts that developed into Taekwon-Do. Upon his family’s return to their home state of Florida, Cabrera began to study Taekwon-Do, eventually earning his black belt. Upon leaving high school, Cabrera moved to the Pittsburg, PA area to train with Grandmaster Kong Young Il, the highest ranking master instructor in the U.S. The education he received was unparalleled as Cabrera was exposed to the inner workings of a complete Taekwon-Do lifestyle.

Upon leaving Pittsburg, Cabrera returned home to Crystal River, Florida where enlisted in the U.S. Army. Trained as a Military Policeman, he was sent to Europe where he was eventually stationed in Mannheim, Germany. During this time (mid seventies) there were considerable terrorist activities throughout Europe and Cabrera trained with various elite special operations groups such as British SAS and Germany’s Elite GSG9 as part of the Army’s counter terrorism unit as well as being assigned as a VIP protection specialist where he provided personal security for several noted celebrities and dignitaries including General Alexander Haig, who at the time was the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces Europe among others.

It was during his time in training with the world’s most elite warfighters that Grand Master Cabrera began to develop his unique style of unarmed defensive tactics which he has shared with law enforcement and military organizations all over the world. While in Germany, Grand Master Cabrera began his studies in Jiu-Jitsu, he would eventually go on to study three different styles of jiu-jitsu blending them into his already vast menu of techniques.

Returning home, Cabrera operated successful commercial martial arts schools in Central Florida, which grew to five locations, before selling them to students who were eager to advance their own journey in the martial arts by becoming school owners. Cabrera began to work security teams in the commercial nuclear power industry which took him all over the U.S. teaching special weapons and tactics. It was while working at a nuclear plant in Arkansas that Cabrerawas introduced to the newly formed U.S.

Taekwon-Do Federation. Cabrera eventually became a national director of the organization and settled with his family in Tallahassee, Florida where he opened Sidekicks Family Martial Arts Center.

For the next twelve years Cabrera would operate one of the country’s most successful schools before selling and moving back to the Tampa Bay area and living in Brandon, Florida.

Master Cabrera joined the staff of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA) as sales manager and senior membership consultant. His work at NAPMA allowed Cabrera to find his true talents as a mentor to many of the world’s finest instructors, helping them to grow their schools and improve their teaching skills.

Cabrera left NAPMA in 2006 to join forces with son, Manny III, in developing Sidekicks Family Martial arts Centers into the preeminent martial arts program in the Tampa Bay area. Sidekicks currently has two locations with future plans to open eight more.

As a competitor, Grand Master Cabrera has been a member of two U.S. Taekwon-Do Teams, a U.S. Karate Team, and a U.S. Jiujitsu team, eventually retiring from competition after twenty three years as a world ranked competitor. Cabrera has also trained several state, regional and world champions. Grand Master Cabrera is on the cutting edge of new information and is instrumental in teaching these advanced techniques and strategies to instructors throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and Australia.

An author of several publications, Grand Master Cabrera has literally written the manual on martial arts training and techniques. A father of three and grandfather of eight, Master Cabrera credits his time as bodyguard to famed Peak Performance Coach, Anthony Robbins for helping him develop his skills as a teacher and communicator. He feels this, along with his life’s experiences contribute to his understanding the needs of students and how to communicate effectively with them.