01 · Adrian Anderson

Meet the Founder

Adrian Anderson founded Dream Kids Australia after losing the opportunity to continue his own dream career. His story brings together a rural Queensland upbringing, martial arts teaching and a creative approach to helping young people believe in themselves.

A few moments from Adrian’s teaching and creative life. Children’s faces in these photographs are covered for privacy.

A man with a beard taking a selfie with a group of children sitting on the floor behind him, some wearing colorful hats, inside a room with shelves and benches. Children’s faces blurred for privacy.
Person wearing a large, round emoji mascot costume with a smiling face, big eyes, white eyebrows, and a red outline mouth, outdoors in a blue sky with power lines in the background.
Three young girls in martial arts uniforms with black belts standing on a blue and red mat, holding black belts with yellow text. Behind them, a man in a blue martial arts uniform stands with his fists raised in a fighting stance. The backdrop displa
Two martial artists in blue uniforms, one with a white belt and the other with a black belt, exchanging a trophy in a gym or dojo.
A man dressed in a costume resembling a character from the movie 'G.I. Joe' with a white mask covering his eyes, white shirt with a black letter 'A', and blue accents, making a peace sign gesture outdoors with greenery in the background.
A collage of four photos featuring adults and children dressed in martial arts uniforms and gear, including a man wearing a pirate hat, another with a mask, and a person with a face shield, in a martial arts training or competition setting. Children’
Child dressed as a superhero with a blue chest armor, black shirt, blue pants, red cape, and sunglasses, wielding a foam sword in a playground.
A young man wearing a black helmet and a black T-shirt, flexing his bicep and smiling at the camera, with face paint in red and blue stripes on his cheeks, in a martial arts or gym training facility.
A group of children lying on the floor around a large yellow emoji pillow with a smiling face, all smiling and looking up at the camera. Children’s faces blurred for privacy.
Group of children and adults outdoors, covered in mud, celebrating after a muddy event or activity, with a grassy field in the background. Children’s faces blurred for privacy.
Two men sitting at a table taking a selfie, smiling and making peace and thumbs-up gestures, with two women in the background giving thumbs-up sign.
A young girl in a martial arts uniform standing next to an adult man in a martial arts uniform, both smiling and flexing their arms. Children’s faces blurred for privacy.
Children in martial arts uniforms and casual clothing posing with two adults in costume, inside a room with blue curtains and gray carpet, some children giving thumbs-up and smiling. Children’s faces blurred for privacy.
A man with light hair and a slight smile wearing a blue shirt with captain America cosplay costume, standing next to a Captain America shield in a classroom with children's drawings and tables in the background.
Two individuals dressed in colorful superhero costumes outdoors, with greenery in the background. One wears a blue mask and gloves, and the other wears a red helmet and costume.
A man dressed in an orange sports jersey with a yellow spiky wig and a goatee, holding a blue spiked ball, standing indoors against a beige wall with a partial view of red chairs.
A man wearing glasses, a black shirt with a logo, a red tie, and a blue backpack taking a selfie outdoors in bright sunlight with trees, a fence, and buildings in the background.
Two award trophies for Matt Fiddes Martial Arts, one for 1st place for children ages 4-6 and one for 3rd place at the 2017 championships, placed on a green surface outdoors.
Man taking a selfie in a martial arts or fitness training room, wearing a black polo shirt and cap with the logo and text 'Matt Fiddes Martial Arts'. The room has wooden floors, agility ladder, and colorful hoops and posters.
A man and a boy taking a selfie in a gymnasium, both wearing athletic shirts. The boy is smiling and giving a thumbs-up. The background shows a gymnasium with a sign reading 'RIDGE STATE HIGH'. Children’s faces blurred for privacy.
Group of children and instructor in martial arts uniforms posing playfully in a dojo. Children’s faces blurred for privacy.
Children participating in a martial arts class, using foam batons, in a large wooden-floored room with red curtains and framed pictures on the wall. Children’s faces blurred for privacy.
Dream Kids Australia Founder Adrian Anderson MMA Instructor Two young children in martial arts uniforms holding trophies and medals, standing with an adult man in a martial arts school with a branded backdrop. Children’s faces blurred for privacy.

02 · Finding a dream career

Finding a Dream Career

Adrian Anderson grew up on a fruit farm in rural South-East Queensland, where early lessons in hard work, resilience, and community spirit shaped the values he carries today.

After graduating high school in 2006 at 140kg, Adrian undertook a personal transformation, reducing his weight to ~80kg — an achievement that instilled discipline, persistence, and the belief that no challenge is too great with the right mindset.

Because of this, from 2015 to 2020, Adrian found his dream career and became known as much for his teaching skill as for his larger-than-life personality.

03 · Teaching, inclusion & creativity

More Than a Martial Arts Instructor

As an award-winning Mixed Martial Arts Instructor for both children and adults, his accolades and achievements include:

  • MF Martial Arts Australia — Instructor of the Year 2017
  • Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) Above & Beyond Award Runner-Up
  • Numerous Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals/trophies in national competitions, a select few becoming Australian Champions. Adrian’s students took all 3 podium positions in BOTH the 2018 3–6 years Wavemaster & Creative Kicking categories.
  • Several dozen students earned their 1st Degree Black Belt.
  • Adrian also achieved multiple belts himself across various martial arts disciplines over more than 15 years.
  • Australia’s Kindest Person 2026 Nomination

Adrian’s teaching went beyond physical skill — he worked extensively with students on the Autism spectrum, those with ADHD, ODD, and other neuroatypical conditions, as well as trauma and abuse survivors.

Recognising a gap in Australia, he pioneered martial arts training specifically for Autistic students — a program inspired by successful initiatives overseas.

Adrian’s classes were famous for their creativity and sense of fun. He often dressed as superheroes and other characters to inspire especially younger students — from school fete appearances and charity events to hospital visits for sick children.

In his very first year, his students gifted him a GoPro, which he used to create YouTube videos filled with Grading highlights, fun class activities, and eventually choreographed fight scenes and short films starring his students.

In many ways, Adrian embodies the qualities of the heroes he portrayed — using encouragement instead of superpowers, and mentorship instead of capes, to help students believe in themselves.

Life in the classroom

The Many, Many Faces of MR ANDERSON 2017
MF Brisbane | Introducing... MR ANDERSON!
More from the classroom · five original videos
My First BLACK BELT! | December 2017 | ISABELLA from MF Springfield Lakes!
DESTRUCTION Board Breaking | COMPILATION 2017
ALEX | Journey To BLACK BELT | 4 Years in 15 Minutes
TRY NOT TO LAUGH! | Mighty Matts | BUBBLEWRAP BADGUY
JESSICA | Journey To BLACK BELT | 4 Years in 15 Minutes

04 · A turning point

When Everything Changed

In 2020, his martial arts chapter came to an abrupt close due to the combined impact of COVID and employer actions outside his control.

Severe knee injuries without any medical coverage from the franchise he worked for left him relearning to walk, enduring years of unemployment, living in chronic pain, and no way to ever live his dream again.

05 · From his dream to theirs

Why Dream Kids Australia Exists

From this turning point, Adrian founded Dream Kids Australia — a mission to help children grow into ‘real-life superheroes’ in their chosen fields.

His own journey — from rural farm kid to national award-winning teacher, and now founder of an Australian initiative supporting children’s career aspirations — reflects his enduring belief that with the right guidance and support, young people can rise to meet any challenge the world throws at them.

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The creative collection

Short Films & Fight Scenes

THE CALM, THE CRAZY & THE KID | Kid’s FIGHT SCENE Short Film WESTERN
BULLY PROOF (Say NO To BULLYING!) | Kid’s MUSIC VIDEO Short Film