This study aims to investigate whether there is a possible contrast to the traditional leadership of martial arts and the Swedish democratic association life. The aim is to capture how practitioners handle and reflect on authority in relation to the social ties that exist within the association and the well-being of individuals. The study has been conducted with a qualitative approach and six semi-structured interviews have been conducted to answer the study's purpose and questions. The analysis shows that there are still tendencies left of the eastern tradition that has characterized martial arts, but several associations are constantly working to achieve more democracy, security and openness in martial arts associations. The study contributes to understanding how different factors can influence the form of leadership that is practiced in the associations and it provides further insights into how to promote inclusion and good well-being among practitioners in associations.