At Family Karate Centres, we believe earning a black belt is only part of the journey. Success in life requires confidence, resilience, leadership, emotional intelligence, communication, focus, and sound decision-making.

That’s why we’ve created Next Level Life Skills™—an exclusive program that goes beyond traditional martial arts instruction.

Developed in partnership with a Master of Social Work and integrated into the Family Karate philosophy, this program equips children with the practical skills they need to thrive at school, at home, in friendships, on competitive teams, and throughout life.

While others teach martial arts, we develop tomorrow’s leaders.

Hi everyone! My name is Taylar Cassidy, and I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) who recently completed my Master of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. I am excited to be joining the Family Karate team to support the development of the Next Level Life Skills™ program and help children and youth build the skills they need to thrive both on and off the karate floor. As a lifelong athlete, I understand firsthand the important role that sports can play in building confidence, discipline, resilience, teamwork, and personal growth. I have experienced the many benefits of competitive sport, while also recognizing the pressures young athletes can face when striving to perform at their best. This passion led me to complete my undergraduate thesis on anxiety and perfectionism in young athletes, specifically focusing on understanding how mental health and performance pressures can impact children and youth. Throughout my academic training and professional experiences, I have developed a strong passion for supporting children, youth, and families through compassionate, evidence-informed, and relationship-based approaches. My work has focused on child and youth mental health, emotional regulation, confidence-building, and helping young people develop the tools they need to navigate challenges. I have also contributed to research in the field of child and youth mental health through several academic publications focusing on improving outcomes and supports for children, youth, and families. Through Next Level Life Skills™, I am excited to combine my career in social work, my passion for mental health, and my experience as an athlete to help students strengthen their confidence, emotional resilience, communication skills, focus, and mindset. My goal is to help create a supportive environment where children and youth feel empowered to take on challenges, learn from setbacks, and recognize that success is about more than achievements. I am thrilled to be part of the Family Karate community and look forward to meeting everyone soon! Taylar, MSW, RSW