Tom Adam is a martial arts expert, seasoned business owner, and passionate advocate for helping martial arts, yoga, and dance studio owners transform their passion into thriving businesses. With over 14 years of real-world experience running successful clubs, and a genuine desire to see others flourish, Tom knows exactly what it takes to scale a movement club to new heights—without burning out or losing sight of what truly matters.

Tom’s journey began in 2011 when he founded Canberra Martial Arts & Fitness, initially aiming to turn his love of martial arts into a fulfilling side project. Starting with just three people in a small rented room, Tom quickly realized his passion resonated deeply within his community. By the end of that first year, the club had grown to over 50 members, allowing them to move into their very own dedicated facility.

Fast forward to late 2016, and Tom had grown the club to 142 members—without spending a single cent on marketing or advertising. Despite this incredible growth, someone unknowingly uttered fateful words to him:

“That’s a nice hobby business you have there!”

Whether inspired or perhaps slightly enraged by the suggestion his thriving club was merely a hobby, Tom set out on a mission. Within days, he engaged a business mentor, enrolled in an Executive MBA program at RMIT, and boldly walked into his boss’ office with a plan: in 12 months, he would leave his six-figure job to pursue his passion business full-time. True to his word, Tom made the leap just 14 months later, having grown the club to 242 members.

But Tom’s path hasn’t been without its share of challenges. Having navigated the turbulence of running a small business—from managing the aftermath of COVID lockdowns to adapting through economic downturns—Tom understands firsthand the pressures club owners face. He’s felt the sting of fluctuating memberships, struggled with balancing teaching and administration, and experienced the anxiety of unstable cash flow. Rather than allowing these challenges to defeat him, Tom leveraged them as opportunities to learn and grow. He invested over $250,000 in personal and business education, earning an Executive MBA (Distinction) from RMIT in 2020, further honing his strategic thinking and leadership skills.

Combining deep martial arts expertise—Tom holds a 6th-degree black belt and Master Instructor rank in Hapkido, multiple black belts in Korean sword styles, and is an active Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner—with sharp business acumen, Tom is uniquely positioned to guide studio owners towards lasting success. He founded curiousGrowth to share the proven systems, processes, and strategies that transformed his own clubs, turning countless frustrated studio owners into confident, successful entrepreneurs.

Tom’s expertise and success have been recognized widely, earning him features across major media outlets including SBS World News, Nine National News, ABC Canberra, and The Canberra Times. His direct, honest, and insightful approach has deeply resonated with his community, helping numerous business owners scale their studios past $500,000 per year—without getting trapped in the daily grind.

When you work with Tom, you’re not just getting another coach—you’re gaining a partner who’s walked every step of the journey himself. His proven methods have helped clients double their memberships, significantly boost retention rates, and reclaim precious hours each week.

Outside of work, Tom remains actively involved in teaching martial arts, continually refining his craft, and, most importantly, spending quality time with his family. He stays true to his belief that business success should enhance your life—not consume it.

If you’re ready to elevate your studio to the next level, Tom Adam is the guide you want by your side.