Meet Chris Casamassa | Author, entrepreneur, actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Casamassa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
For me, risk isn’t something to fear—it’s something to evaluate, prepare for, and embrace. Every major breakthrough in my life and career has come from stepping into the unknown. Whether it was taking on the role of Scorpion in Mortal Kombat, expanding Red Dragon Karate into a multi-location legacy business, launching Business Kombat to help other studio owners succeed, or creating the Bully Proof movement to protect and empower kids, none of those things came with guarantees.

But here’s the thing: staying still is a greater risk. Growth demands movement. If I believe in the mission—whether it’s making communities safer through martial arts or inspiring kids through storytelling like The Adventures of Backpack Billy—then I’m all in. The risks I’ve taken have shaped who I am, and they’ve allowed me to make a bigger impact than I ever imagined.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is martial arts—but not just any martial arts, our style which was created by my father in 1965 is truly and American original. Red Dragon is more than physical. It’s also in how we teach it, live it, and share it. It’s about building people, not just punches. At Red Dragon Karate, we don’t just teach our students how to kick—we teach them how to stand tall in life. Our mission has always been to use martial arts as a vehicle to create stronger, more confident human beings—kids and adults alike.

What sets us apart is our commitment to tradition and innovation. We’ve taken the deep-rooted discipline of martial arts and blended it with modern systems, storytelling, and leadership training. Whether it’s through Red Dragon, Business Kombat, Bully Proof, or my newest project, The Adventures of Backpack Billy, everything we do is designed to create impact, not just instruction.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I’ve faced setbacks, failures, and people who said I couldn’t do what I envisioned. But I leaned into my training—both physically and mentally—and learned that perseverance, preparation, and purpose are the antidotes to obstacles. I’ve built and rebuilt, reimagined and recommitted, more times than I can count. And every time, I came out stronger.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know about me and my brand, it’s this: We’re here to make a difference. Whether it’s helping a child become bullyproof, coaching a small business owner to success, or inspiring kids through the adventures of a magical backpack, our story is about empowering others to create their own success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve got this one handled… DAY 1: Welcome to SoCal – Setting the Stage

Morning: Pick up my best friend from LAX or Burbank Airport in style and grab breakfast at République in LA (great food, cool vibe).
Afternoon: Kick things off with a private tour of Red Dragon Karate Headquarters—show them where it all started, maybe even get them on the mat.
Evening: Dinner at Pizzeria Mozza (Nancy Silverton knows what she’s doing), followed by a drive through Mulholland Drive for sunset views and Hollywood magic.

DAY 2: Movie Buff Madness

Morning: Hop on a Film Freak Tours ride (locally owned by a good friend Leo Quinones)—show them real movie locations, not just celebrity houses.
Lunch: Grab a dog at the legendary Pink’s Hot Dogs—can’t skip it.
Afternoon: VIP behind-the-scenes tour at Warner Bros. Studios or Universal Studios Hollywood.
Evening: Dinner at The Formosa Café—classic Hollywood spot with deep history.

DAY 3: Outdoor Adventure + Zen Day

Morning: Hike Runyon Canyon or take the more serene route with a walk through the Huntington Library & Gardens.
Lunch: True Food Kitchen in Pasadena for something fresh and energizing.
Afternoon: Visit the Japanese American National Museum for martial arts and cultural history.
Evening: Relax with sushi and sake at Sugarfish, then catch a show at the Hollywood Pantages Theater.

DAY 4: Martial Arts & Motivation

Morning: Train together at one of our Red Dragon locations—give them a taste of what discipline and focus feel like.
Lunch: Local taco joint like King Taco or street tacos in Glendora.
Afternoon: Visit a school doing a Bully Proof event—show my friend how our movement is helping real kids in real ways.
Evening: Casual night—grill at home, watch Mortal Kombat, ( of course) and break out some stories from behind the scenes.

DAY 5: Beach Day Bash

Morning to Afternoon: Head to Huntington Beach (near Lifeguard Tower #12 of course!)—surf, body board, or just chill.
Lunch: Grab something beachside from Duke’s or The Hangout.
Evening: Bonfire with friends and family. Maybe even throw in a beachside “Jump Kicks in the Sand” challenge for fun.

DAY 6: Personal Growth & Good Vibes

Morning: Take them to a friend meetup or training session
Lunch: Healthy stop at Lemonade or Urban Plates.
Afternoon: Visit City of Hope to share the heart behind our community giveback mission.
Evening: Celebrate with a fancy dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse—top it off with rooftop drinks at Perch LA.

DAY 7: Full Circle Sendoff

Morning: One last class or private lesson at RDK. Maybe even award them an honorary belt (with flair).
Lunch: Brunch at The Raymond 1886 in Pasadena—great atmosphere, great food.
Afternoon: Cruise around Old Town Pasadena for local shopping and chill vibes.
Evening: Sunset at Griffith Observatory—end the trip looking at the stars, with a view of the city

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without question, I dedicate this shoutout to my father, Louis D. Casamassa—U.S. Marine, law enforcement officer, martial artist, and founder of Red Dragon Karate. He laid the foundation not only for my martial arts journey but for the core values that drive everything I do: discipline, respect, service, and leadership. His legacy lives in every class we teach, every child we empower, and every community we uplift.

I also want to recognize the incredible Red Dragon team, my mentors, and the thousands of students and parents who trust us to make a difference in their lives. And to the studio owners and entrepreneurs I coach through Business Kombat—your commitment to growth inspires me every day.

Website: https://www.chriscasamassa.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscasamassa

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/rdkceo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriscasamassa117

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/reddragonkarate

Other: Tiktok- www.tiktok.com/chriscasamassa

Image Credits
Scorpion Photo- Courtesy of Richard Arron- https://www.facebook.com/RichardAaronOfficial/ All other images property of Chris Casamassa