Ice “The Iceman” Young is a lifelong martial artist, fighter, instructor, and creator of a reality-based combat system shaped by decades of training, competition, and real-world experience. His martial arts journey began as a child under the guidance of his father, who helped lay the foundation for a life built around discipline, perseverance, and personal growth. Over the years, Ice has trained across a wide range of disciplines, including karate, kenpo, kung fu, jujitsu, kickboxing, boxing, grappling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His dedication to training eventually led to an impressive amateur
Steven Franz has dedicated nearly five decades to the study, practice, and preservation of traditional Okinawan karate. A Nanadan (7th Degree Black Belt) in Shorin Ryu Shorinkan and a longtime student of Eddie Bethea Kyoshi, Steven has built a lifelong commitment to authentic training, disciplined instruction, and practical martial arts. In 1991, Steven founded Franz Karate with the goal of creating a full-time traditional dojo where students could develop through proper progression, strong fundamentals, technical precision, and a clear emphasis on character development. More than three decade
With more than three decades dedicated to the study, competition, teaching, and leadership of the martial arts, Mr. Steve Cooper has built an impressive legacy within the American Kenpo community. A 9th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo, Steve began his martial arts journey in 1990 under Mr. Steve Spry before continuing his training with the legendary Mr. Bob White. His studies have also extended into other martial arts, including Lua and Aikido, contributing to a broad and diverse martial arts education. Steve’s accomplishments as a competitor are extensive. He has earned numerous national
Bradley Anderson has dedicated much of his life to preserving and teaching the traditional Japanese martial arts, following a path that took him from rural Minnesota to the training halls of Japan and back again. Growing up in Hawley, Minnesota, Bradley developed an early interest in martial arts that eventually led him halfway around the world. He spent 11 years living and working in Japan, immersing himself in the country’s culture while training extensively in Kendo and Iaido under respected Japanese instructors. Through years of dedicated study, he overcame language barriers, embraced the
Before martial arts changed his life, Jerry Trimble was a shy, anxious teenager who struggled with bullying, fear, and self-doubt. What began as a search for confidence at the age of 13 became the foundation for one of the most remarkable careers in martial arts history. Nicknamed the “Golden Boy,” Jerry quickly rose through the ranks, earning his first-degree black belt at just 15 years old and becoming the top-ranked point fighter in the Midwest. His speed, athleticism, and dynamic kicking ability propelled him into professional kickboxing, where he captured multiple regional and national ch
Marc MacYoung has spent a lifetime studying violence, not as a sport or a theory, but as a reality. A longtime martial artist, security professional, author, and educator, his unique perspective was shaped by growing up in gang-infested neighborhoods of Los Angeles, where understanding violence was often a matter of survival rather than choice. His experiences in bodyguarding, bouncing, and event security further reinforced the lessons he learned on the streets, leading him to question conventional wisdom about self-defense and martial arts. Instead of searching for a single “best” style, Marc
Katie Stensgard is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai competitor whose inspiring journey into martial arts is a testament to resilience, determination, and the ability to embrace new challenges. What began as a way to rebuild her life following a difficult divorce has evolved into a passion that has transformed not only her own life, but also the lives of her four children, all of whom have trained alongside her. A single mother of four, Katie has quickly established herself as a successful competitor on both the grappling mats and in the ring. In 2024, she captured the IBJJF Purple Belt Worl
Joseph Herreman has dedicated more than 25 years to the study, instruction, preservation, and promotion of traditional martial arts, establishing himself as one of the Northern Plains’ most respected martial arts instructors and school owners. His martial arts journey began in 1999 under the guidance of Hanchi Julio “Mutch” Usera in Rapid City, South Dakota. While earning a degree in biology at South Dakota State University, Joseph founded the SDSU Jujitsu Club, transforming a small practice group into a thriving collegiate martial arts organization. After relocating to Sioux Falls, he opened
Dave first stepped onto the mat in 1967 at just eight years old, beginning his training in Judo before finding his true home in Kenpo Karate under the instruction of Paul Dye. What makes his story especially unique is his unwavering loyalty to his teacher. From his first day of Kenpo training in 1972 through every rank advancement, including testing for both brown belt and black belt under the legendary Ed Parker, Paul Dye has remained his only instructor. When Dave Hebler’s school closed due to Hebler’s growing responsibilities as a personal bodyguard for Elvis Presley, training continued in
Dan “The Beast” Severn is one of the most influential figures in the history of mixed martial arts. A UFC Hall of Famer, legendary wrestler, professional wrestling champion, coach, promoter, and educator, Dan helped build the foundation of modern MMA during the sport’s earliest years. Making his UFC debut in 1994, Severn quickly became one of the most dominant competitors of the era. Known for his relentless wrestling style and incredible physical presence, he became the only triple-crown champion in UFC history, capturing multiple tournament championships along with the UFC Superfight Champio
Bruce Hoyer has dedicated more than two decades to the study, practice, and teaching of martial arts, building a reputation as both a highly respected coach and lifelong student of combat sports. A 3rd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 2nd Degree Black Belt in Combat Hapkido, Level 2 Coach in Combat Submission Wrestling, and Gold Level Boxing Coach through USA Boxing, Bruce has trained extensively in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, boxing, and Muay Thai since beginning his martial arts journey in 2000. Following the closure of Action MMA in Sioux Falls in 2008, Bruce founded N
Hanshi Miguel Ibarra is a lifelong martial artist, educator, and retired law enforcement professional whose experience spans both traditional martial arts and real-world self-defense. He served more than 25 years with the New York City Probation Department, working in specialized assignments including the Warrant Squad, Gang Suppression Unit, Intelligence Unit, and as a Defensive Tactics and Firearms Instructor. In the martial arts community, Miguel is known for his expertise in Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu and traditional jujutsu systems. In 1982, he founded Yamabushi Ryu, an organization dedicated
Kaitlin Young is one of the true pioneers of women’s mixed martial arts. Long before women’s MMA received mainstream attention, she was helping build the sport through her performances inside the cage and her contributions behind the scenes. Kaitlin began her martial arts journey at age 14 in Taekwondo, eventually earning her black belt before finding her passion in Muay Thai. Her training led her to the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, where she transitioned into mixed martial arts and quickly established herself as an aggressive, exciting, and highly respected competitor. In 2007, she announc
Harry Psaros brings a unique blend of professional expertise, martial arts experience, and a deep commitment to serving others. A certified health coach and Executive Neuroscience Account Specialist, Harry has built a career at the intersection of science, performance, and helping people improve their lives. He is also widely known as the “Pitt Guru,” a respected voice in University of Pittsburgh athletics and a senior writer for Pittsburgh Sports Now. A lifelong martial artist, Harry holds a third-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and has trained in a variety of disciplines, including Western
In this episode, I’m joined by Tanya St-Lawson, a martial artist whose journey spans continents, cultures, and decades of deep personal cultivation. Born in the former Czechoslovakia, Tanya first began training in the martial arts as a teenager after moving to Prague, where she was introduced to Shaolin-style kung fu. What started as an interest in martial arts quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit of discipline, self-discovery, and embodied practice. Her path has taken her across Europe and into China, studying a wide range of systems and disciplines including Eagle Claw Kung Fu, English Ma
Michael Janich is a lifelong martial artist, combat trainer, and internationally respected authority on personal defense whose career spans military intelligence, edged weapons, and practical self-protection. A U.S. Army veteran and former Intelligence Officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency, Michael also served as a POW/MIA Investigation Team Leader in Vietnam and Laos, experiences that helped shape his deeply practical and reality-based approach to conflict, survival, and personal security. Within the martial arts world, he is widely regarded as one of the leading modern experts in hand
Paul Dye is a lifelong martial artist and one of the most accomplished competitors and instructors to emerge from the world of American Kenpo. He began his martial arts journey in 1972 at Dave Hebler’s Kenpo Karate Studio in Glendora, California, training under Jim Thompson before earning his black belt from Grandmaster Ed Parker just 18 months later, an achievement that reflected both his dedication and natural ability. Teaching became part of his path almost immediately. Beginning as an instructor while still a colored belt, Paul went on to spend decades working with students from all walks
Verca Partikova is a martial artist whose journey spans continents, disciplines, and the intersection of physical skill and mental performance. Born in the Czech Republic, she began her martial arts journey in 1999, exploring systems ranging from Shotokan Karate to Hung Kuen Kung Fu before eventually stepping into the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Today, she is a professional MMA and Muay Thai fighter, a Kung Fu World Champion, and a Karate black belt. Her passion for Kung Fu led her to Hong Kong, where she lived independently for eight years while earning her Ph.D. in Sports Psychology. During
Richard Syrop is a highly experienced martial artist and instructor whose journey spans some of the most respected lineages in modern combat arts. He is a certified instructor with the International Krav Maga Federation, the organization founded by Imi Lichtenfeld and one of the oldest and most established Krav Maga bodies in the world. Under the direct guidance of Master Avi Moyal, one of Imi’s top students and among the highest-ranking Krav Maga practitioners globally, Richard developed a deep understanding of practical, real-world self-defense. His training also extends into Jeet Kune Do an
Chris Duval is an educator, actor, director, and fight director whose work has had a lasting impact on the modern practice of stage combat and performance training. He currently serves as Chair and Professor in the Department of Theatre at the University of Utah, where he focuses on developing actors through a fully integrated approach that connects movement, voice, and storytelling. Over the course of his career, Chris has led workshops and masterclasses at universities across the United States, sharing his expertise in theatrical combat and actor training with students and educators nationwi
Sarah Andersch is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor and educator whose journey in the art spans more than two decades of training, competition, and teaching. She began her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 1999 and has since become one of the region’s most respected instructors, earning the rank of 4th-degree black belt under renowned instructor Amal Easton of the Renzo Gracie lineage. Alongside her husband George, who you may remember as a previous guest of the show, Sarah has helped lead Fargo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy since 2008, building a strong and thriving martial arts community in the Fa
Peter Tas is a lifelong martial artist, instructor, and leader whose journey reflects more than three decades of dedication to the study, teaching, and preservation of American Kenpo. Beginning his training at just ten years old, he has spent a lifetime refining his craft and rising through the ranks to become one of the most respected figures in the Australian Kenpo community. He is the founder of Personal Self Defence, a lineage that has produced seventeen black belts, and the creator of the Kenpo Tactical Systems syllabus, blending tradition with practical application. As a first-generation
Ron Amram is a lifelong martial artist, self-defense expert, and internationally respected authority on violence prevention and the psychology of risk. Holding a 4th degree black belt in Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu, along with black belts in Kudo and Danzan Ryu Jujutsu, he brings decades of experience across a wide range of disciplines, including boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Filipino martial arts, Karate, and Aikido. For more than two decades, he has taught, coached, educated, and consulted in an extraordinary variety of environments, working with local, state, and fede
My guest today is a living link to the roots of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and one of the art’s most respected teachers. Born into the legendary Machado family of Rio de Janeiro, Rigan Machado grew up immersed in a tradition that helped shape modern Jiu-Jitsu as we know it. Under the direct influence of Grandmaster Carlos Gracie Jr., he developed a deep, principle-based understanding of the art—one rooted not just in technique, but in timing, leverage, and adaptability. After relocating to the United States, Rigan became a central figure in the worldwide growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning a reput
My guest today is Canadian self-defense instructor, author, and speaker Randy King, a leading voice in practical, real world personal safety. Randy teaches a timeline-based approach to self-defense that prioritizes awareness, decision-making, and avoiding violence whenever possible, with effective physical skills used only as a last resort. Known for his direct style and myth busting perspective, he trains civilians and professionals to better understand violence and make safer choices before, during, and after an encounter. His path into this work was anything but theoretical. Randy ran a suc
