Lindsay Hart

Lindsay Hart is the founder of the Combat Academy, a renowned martial arts school based in Mornington, Victoria. With years of experience as a multifaceted coach, Lindsay has played a pivotal role in promoting one of the state's most respected academies. His vision for the Combat Academy was born out of a collective dissatisfaction with conventional martial arts systems. Along with a group of instructors from diverse martial backgrounds, Lindsay helped develop a new mindset and curriculum designed to instill not only technical skill but also virtue, substance, and fortitude in students.

Since its founding, the Combat Academy has grown into a dynamic dojo, continuously evolving as instructors from various disciplines have joined, each contributing their expertise and perspective. The Academy focuses on teaching authentic, street-effective martial arts, drawing from real-world experience in security, crowd control, the armed forces, and prison guarding. Lindsay and his team emphasize that their techniques are not theoretical but have been tested and proven in real-life situations over the decades.

The Academy’s curriculum is rooted in classical martial arts but incorporates a blend of disciplines, including Karate, Judo, Ju Jutsu, Western boxing, Thai kickboxing, and Kobudo (Japanese and Okinawan weapon arts). Lindsay places a strong emphasis on structure, discipline, and rigorous physical training. Classes offer a contact level that students determine with their training partners, and the training is challenging yet rewarding, promoting a sense of achievement. The Academy maintains high standards, with the journey to black belt often taking more than a decade of consistent training.

While the Combat Academy does not focus on competition fighting, it offers support to students who wish to pursue that path. The real emphasis, however, is on personal growth, learning the lessons from each class, and appreciating the journey rather than fixating on specific goals. In addition to regular classes, the Academy frequently hosts world-class guest instructors across multiple martial arts disciplines, attracting students from all over the world, including celebrities.

Lindsay Hart and the Combat Academy uphold the values of budo, aiming to instill not just physical prowess but also the virtues of honor, respect, and integrity in their students. The Academy’s unique blend of hard physical training, practical self-defense, and deep-rooted ethical principles sets it apart as a leader in martial arts education.