Star Martial Arts was founded in Gainesville, Florida, in 2006 by Ed Gnad.
Ed’s own journey began in elementary school, when he was bullied and started martial arts at age seven to find his footing. He started training in Hawaii, and as his military family moved around the country, his training never stopped. He grew into a highly ranked competitor, earning a bronze medal at the world championships.
In 2006, Mr. Gnad branched out on his own and opened Star Martial Arts. The goal of the school was simple: help kids find their confidence and learn real skills, so they could stand up for themselves, help others, and become bully proof.
From the beginning, our mission has centered around using martial arts to develop strong leaders, healthy bodies, and champions in life.
While martial arts is at the foundation of our organization, we’ve grown into something much larger than traditional martial arts classes. Our After School and Summer Camp programs have become major parts of how we serve Gainesville families, giving children opportunities to develop friendships, confidence, discipline, and valuable life skills.
I joined the Star Martial Arts team in 2017 and purchased the organization at the end of 2025. I didn’t enter the business as an outside investor. I spent years working within the organization, learning its culture, working with students and families, and understanding what makes StarMA special.
Today, we’re continuing to build on that foundation while modernizing and expanding the organization. An important milestone is the opening of our second location in North Gainesville in 2026, which lets us serve more families while maintaining the same core curriculum, culture, and standards.
Our philosophy remains centered around the belief that martial arts can positively influence who a person becomes, not just what they can accomplish physically.
Justin Scoby, Current Owner
