Passionate about karate...
Serious about people
We are not tied to the past. We adapt our curriculum and training
methods according to what is best for our students.
If it’s not fun, it’s not forever
We are a professional, compassionate, caring, understanding, creative, funny team all here to meet your needs.
This is a passion for us.
We are here because we know the impact it can have on your life.
We welcome beginners
We believe that everyone who comes to us has the potential for greatness. It is our primary job to help you see beyond your perceived limitations.
We teach you step by step starting with your introductory lesson.
We know that every beginner experiences a certain amount of temporary awkwardness, discomfort and self-doubt.
We will guide you through that brief phase, and we’ll have you feeling competent in no time.
We won't overwhelm you with unnecessary information.
We will give you inspiring and motivating goals.
We love helping our students celebrate
every win along the way.
meet our teachers
Sensei Deborah Lindsay
Sensei Deborah Lindsay, a holder of the 4th Dan Black Belt, is an integral part of our family at the dojo. Sensei Debbie teaches every level of class from young children to advanced adults. She has so much passion for the role that she would teach every single class if allowed.
Sensei Debbie is an active and accomplished competitor, a multiple National All Styles Champion, as well as an Orion Certified Martial Arts Teacher and accredited Karate coach.
Sensei Debbie draws on her wealth of experience to inspire and motivate her students to achieve their goals and be the best they can be.
SENSEI LISA MARX
Sensei Lisa Marx, Shihan (teacher of teachers), 6th degree Black Belt, is the manager and program director of the school. She is responsible for the smooth operation of the dojo. Karate has been a family affair as her sister and her daughter are both also Black Belts at Success Martial Arts.
An accomplished karate teacher, she has won many awards, including Northern Rivers Employee of the Year and an international Most Inspiring Instructor award. Sensei Lisa has been an important part of Success Martial Arts for over 25 years. She embodies the energy, enthusiasm and commitment that underpins the success and longevity of the dojo. She is also responsible for creating teachers of the future, through our leadership and teacher training classes.
SENSEI RICHARD MARLIN
“Richard Marlin, our master and founder, has a huge reputation in training martial artists. He has a tremendous influence here and he’s earned a lot of respect from even other martial arts clubs. He’s been around in Lismore for 40 years and really he hasn’t changed much in all that time.”
“He is passionate about Karate and serious about helping people become their best through karate. He makes funny little jokes and does things to make his students laugh now and again, There’s definitely a lot of fun going on here.”
“He’s got cupboards full of trophies. He doesn’t go, hey, look what I’ve done. He’s all about his students. He always encourages that ‘Yes, I can” attitude.”
“He’s wonderful to train under. He’s very patient. Non-judgemental. He’s understanding. And at the same time, he encourages everybody to work hard and make the most of what they’ve got.”
