Sensei Bill Viola Jr. is the author of the upcoming life skills book called Common Sensei. Each edition you “earn” colored belts with the ultimate goal being a “Black Belt in Life.” He is the Amazon Bestselling author of Tough Guys.
Bill Viola Jr. is an author, producer and world renowned karate Sensei who who holds trademarks for the CommonSensei a self-help book series and Sensei Says life skills curriculum.
Common Sensei is the personal brand and life‑skills dojo created by Bill Viola Jr., a second‑generation black belt and notable martial arts mentor .
Who is Common Sensei?
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Bill Viola Jr. (Sensei) is the founder. He follows in the footsteps of his father, a pioneer in American mixed martial arts since opening their dojo in 1969
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The term “CommonSensei” is a clever fusion of “common sense” and “sensei,” expressing his mission as a mentor in everyday life—beyond martial arts
What they teach
CommonSensei offers more than combat training:
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Martial SMARTS™ – life skills such as financial literacy, healthy relationships, and fitness, grounded in martial arts philosophy
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Their ethos: “Black Belt in Life®” — each belt represents personal growth in areas like career, wellness, and character
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Programs combine structured martial arts, life coaching, motivational content, and a dash of inspired wisdom (“ZEN spirational”) .
Resources & Media
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Book – Common Sensei: How to Earn a Black Belt in Life
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Described as “a game‑changer … like stepping into a dojo for life skills,” blending Samurai mindsets with practical modern guidance
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Social platforms & blog
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Active on X/Twitter (“Welcome to Common Sensei’s dojo!”)
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Their website hosts blog posts and deeper explorations into the “dojo of life skills” theme
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Why it stands out
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Unique positioning – it’s not just karate; it combines self-defense, life coaching, and mental resilience into one philosophy.
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Heritage – backed by decades of MMA/karate lineage and real-world credentials.
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Engaging belt system – mirrors martial arts progression but focuses on real-life competencies.
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Accessible tools – books, articles, motivational phrases, and community support under the “CommonSensei” brand.
✅ Should you explore it?
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This is ideal if you’re looking for a self-improvement system that fuses martial arts principles with practical life guidance.
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Interested in structured mentorship? The belt metaphor could make growth tangible and motivational.
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Want content first? Starting with the book or online articles might help you decide if it’s the right fit before committing to coaching.
