Izard County resident Zeb Norris received international recognition through the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Martial Arts Hall of Fame in late May in Orlando Fla., during the organization’s 33rd annual recognition ceremonies.
Awarded with the organization’s Humanitarian Award, Norris was honored for his work in martial arts and with individuals who face mental health challenges.
From a young age, Norris said he wanted to study martial arts and after moving to Melbourne in 1995 following the loss of his father, he was given that opportunity.
“My childhood came with its share of challenges and martial arts felt like a path to strength and confidence,” Norris said. “A colleague of my mom’s recommend a martial arts instructor who was teaching out of a church at the time. That’s how I met Master Curtis Futch, who would later become Grandmaster Futch – a deeply influential figure in my life. He introduced me to Karate for Christ, which not only began my martial arts journey, but also led me to embrace the Christian faith. His mentorship was life-changing on multiple levels.”
As the years rolled on, Norris continued in martial arts and after graduating from Ozarka College, he became eager to put his criminal justice degree to use. He began working as a mental health counselor at a correctional facility, which marked the beginning of his career in supporting individuals dealing with mental health challenges.
“During that time, I gained valuable insight into the complexities people face and the different approaches that can help them heal and grow. Martial arts competitions work in many ways. It builds more than physical strength – it fosters confidence, discipline and resilience, empowering individuals to face life’s challenges with a clear mind and a steady heart,” Norris said. “ Martial arts demands total focus and presence. When you’re training, there is no space to dwell on work stress, personal struggles or daily responsibilities. Your attention is fully on your technique – whether your foot is in the right position, your hip is turning properly during a kick, how to escape a hold or how to set up a submission.”
Norris said through movement, mindfulness and mastery, martial arts provides a powerful path to better mental health.
“It helps reduce stress, keep people grounded and unlock their inner strength. The dojo has become more than just a training space – it’s a place where I’ve been able to connect with people who are struggling and offer support not just through martial arts, but through meaningful human connection, resources and guidance,” Norris explained.
When asked what the catalyst was that helped him come to the realization martial arts was a successful platform to help people Norris said it was the example set by Grandmaster Futch.
“What my instructor was most proud of wasn’t the awards, the belts, the fights won or even the skilled martial artists he trained. What mattered most to him was helping people – especially kids like me – turn their lives around and find a better path,” Norris said. “He led by example. Through his and his wife’s selfless actions, I came to truly understand the meaning of service and charity. They invested their time, energy and personal resources to help others. For years, he organized karate tournaments where all proceeds went to the Ronald McDonald House in Little Rock. They also founded a charity called Bridge over Troubled Waters, which provided food, essential items and support to people in need.”
In 2010, Norris took over as the head instructor and business manager of Grandmaster Futch’s school, the Mighty Warriors Karate for Christ Dojo but stepped away for personal reasons in 2013. Soon after, he felt the draw to return, not necessarily back to his former dojo, but to teaching.
“I wanted to build something of my own, I had a long conversation with Grandmaster Curtis about starting a new dojo. He encouraged me, even suggested I lean into the coincidence of my last name being Norris, knowing people might associate it with Church Norris. He used to joke that his two most successful students were ‘Norris and Lee’ – a nod to Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee.”
Although initially hesitant to use his name, Norris loved the idea of creating a family legacy and blending traditional martial arts with the growing appeal of MMA.
“That’s how Norris Martial Arts was born,” Norris said, speaking of the dojo he and his wife own and operate in Brockwell.
Martial arts also played a role in Norris’ finding his own family and is how he said he met his wife, Katie.
“In 2015, one of my students was the headliner for a cage fight. What started as a spontaneous night out turned into a first date we’ll never forget. We got married in 2017 and it’s been an incredible journey ever since. Katie has supported my passion from day one and encourages our children to gain confidence through martial arts as well. In 2022, she even remolded an addition to our property to provide space for private training,” Norris said. “Today, our six-year-old son trains in class with us, and our two-year-old loves nothing more than wrestling with Dad. Martial arts continues to be a powerful and meaningful thread that ties our entire family together.”
When asked what the Humanitarian Award has meant to him, Norris said it holds a deep and personal significance.
“My wife made an insightful observation: unlike previous awards or recognitions that focused on my martial arts skills or professional accomplishments, this one speaks to my character,” Norris said. “Being nominated by such a respected organization as the World Head of Family Sokeship Council is incredibly humbling. It’s made me reflect on the path I’ve taken and reassures me that I may be living in a way that would make my sensei proud.”
Norris noted he now intends to focus on self-improvement.
“Right now, I’m focused on personal growth and striving to be the best version of myself. Not just as a martial artist and instructor, but as a husband, father and community member,” Norris said. “It’s a lifelong journey of self-improvement and my goal is to show up fully in every area of my life – for my family and for the people around me.”
Norris said he would encourage others seeking healing to consider martial arts as a path to achieve that goal.
“Martial arts isn’t just for athletes or fighters – it’s for everyone. It’s a tool for personal transformation that builds confidence, focus and resilience. Whether you’re looking for physical fitness, emotional healing or simply a sense of belonging, there’s a place for you on the mat.”
Below is an excerpt from the nomination submitted to the World Head of Family Sokeship Council which played a role in his selection as the recipient of the organization’s Humanitarian Award.
“Over the last two years especially, Zeb’s dedication has gone far beyond teaching karate. One of his young students, who was battling schizophrenia after losing his father amongst other issues with family, faced severe mental and behavioral challenges. Despite the hurdles, Zeb became a safe haven for this family. He noticed that the child often came to class hungry, and without hesitation, Zeb always had an extra meal ready. He’d send him home with bags of food to ensure he was taken care of until the next class. The boy would often ask for food, and Zeb would quietly make sure he had something and never made him feel uncomfortable or singled out. Every time you could see he was missing his dad, he just wanted to be around Zeb and without fail, Zeb always made time to make him feel special.
When the student and his mother’s mental health worsened this last year, Zeb never turned away. He offered private lessons, emotional support, and even opened our home when the boy had nowhere safe to go which happened quite frequent. Zeb didn’t stop at helping the student—he supported the entire family. He provided free lessons to the boy’s mother, meals/groceries, and used his training in mental health and self-defense to offer her resources and guidance. When they had nowhere to stay, Zeb even arranged groceries and even put them up in a hotel, giving them a rare opportunity to find peace and healing during their dark time.
Zeb never sought recognition for any of this. He simply believes that karate is about more than physical training—it’s about nurturing the whole person. He gave this family tools to protect themselves and grow, both in martial arts and in life.”
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
