Everyday Martial Artist

Jeremy Butler has spent more than two decades studying, teaching, and applying the martial arts, developing an approach that goes far beyond simply learning how to fight. His work focuses on preparing people for the physical and psychological realities of violent encounters, and understanding what it really takes to be prepared when things go wrong.

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, Jeremy began his martial arts journey at the age of 12. What started as an early interest would eventually become a lifelong pursuit that would take him into martial arts instruction, law enforcement, higher education, and defensive tactics training.

At just 24 years old, Jeremy opened his own martial arts school while beginning a career in law enforcement. During his seven years as a police officer, he served in a variety of roles, including working as a control tactics instructor and verbal de-escalation instructor for multiple departments through a regional police mobile training unit.

His commitment to understanding the science behind human movement and performance also led him to pursue higher education, eventually earning a PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Today, Jeremy’s work brings together martial arts, defensive tactics, kinesiology, law enforcement training, and the mental preparation necessary to deal with potentially violent situations. He currently serves as a police academy lead control tactics instructor, Associate Director of Project FLEX, and a Kinesiology instructor at Northern Illinois University.

His martial arts background includes Pagoda Ryu, Filipino Martial Arts, Dog Brothers Martial Arts, 360 Gun Grappling, Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do Concepts, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where he holds a brown belt.

An author, professor, defensive tactics instructor, and speaker, Jeremy has dedicated much of his career to helping both law enforcement officers and civilians better understand the realities of violence, preparation, and personal protection.

Please enjoy my interview with Dr. Jeremy Butler.

J. BUTLER, PH.D – Trainer, Speaker, Author

Amazon.com: Jeremy Butler: books, biography, latest update

Dr. B’s Defensive Tactics – YouTube

**Reminder to check out Blizniak’s Bokken for your discount: https://blizniaksbokken.com/?coupon-code=EverydayMA&sc-page=shop

David Brock has spent more than five decades training, competing, teaching, and helping shape the martial arts community around him.

His martial arts journey began at the age of 17 and would eventually lead to a 9th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate and approximately 45 years of teaching. Along the way, David had the opportunity to train with and learn from some legendary figures in the martial arts, including Chuck Norris, Mike Stone, and his longtime instructor, Bob White.

David’s competitive career is equally remarkable. He became an eight-time international fighting champion and a five-time Las Vegas Nationals Grand Champion. In 1975 and 1976, he was ranked the number-one lightweight tournament fighter in California. His tournament record includes an incredible 82 lightweight finals, and 82 victories.

His contributions to the martial arts extend well beyond competition. David was inducted into the Kenpo Karate Hall of Fame in 2018, received the Joe Lewis Fighting Award in 2019, and has been recognized among the Masters and Pioneers of the martial arts.

After more than five decades in Kenpo Karate, David Brock continues to represent the dedication, competitive spirit, and commitment to teaching that have defined his martial arts journey.

Please welcome my guest today, Mr. David Brock.

Amazon.com: Broken Rhythm: Championships – Cocaine – Christ: 9780988412668: Brock, David, Hayes, Bill, Thomas, Jennifer: Books

Instagram

EverydayMA discount from Blizniak’s Bokken here: https://blizniaksbokken.com/?coupon-code=EverydayMA&sc-page=shop

Gator Conley is a lifelong Kenpo Karate practitioner whose martial arts journey has spanned more than four decades, built on loyalty to his instructors, a passion for teaching, and a deep commitment to preserving the traditions and lineage of American Kenpo.

His journey began in 1984 at the age of sixteen, and what started as an unexpected introduction to martial arts soon became a lifelong pursuit. He remained under the instruction of Bill Rhinehart for more than 30 years, until Rhinehart’s passing, and today continues his training under Senior Grandmaster Tony Martinez Sr. Throughout his journey, Gator has continued to grow as both a martial artist and instructor while remaining dedicated to the principles and traditions of Kenpo Karate.

Over the years, Gator has earned the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt and competed successfully in tournament competition, including earning a Grand Champion title in kata. He also represented his school at the 50th Anniversary of the International Karate Championships in Long Beach, where he had the opportunity to connect with Kenpo practitioners from around the world. His training has included time with many respected names in Kenpo, including Ed Parker, Jeff Speakman, Larry Tatum, Dave Hebler, Gilbert Velez, and many others.

Today, Gator is the owner and head instructor of Draper Kenpo, where he has spent more than a decade teaching and mentoring students. Through his instruction, he continues to help students develop confidence, discipline, and practical self-defense skills while carrying forward the legacy of the instructors who helped shape his own martial arts journey.

Please welcome my guest today, Gator Conley.

Draper Kenpo Karate and Self Defense

(2) Facebook

Instagram

Click here for your EverydayMA Discount – https://blizniaksbokken.com/?coupon-code=EverydayMA&sc-page=shop

John Hackleman has spent more than five decades immersed in martial arts, beginning as a young kid learning to defend himself on the streets of Hawaii and eventually becoming one of the most respected coaches in mixed martial arts.

A lifelong martial artist, John began training in Judo, Shotokan Karate, and Kajukenbo before building a career as a boxer, kickboxer, and professional fighter. He earned Golden Gloves titles, competed as a member of the U.S. Army boxing team, and fought professionally under legendary promoter Don King.

But perhaps John’s greatest contribution to the martial arts has been the fighters he has helped develop. As the founder of The Pit and creator of Hawaiian Kempo, he has spent decades coaching and developing champions while emphasizing the safety, health, and long-term well-being of his athletes.

His students have included some of the biggest names in combat sports, including Chuck Liddell, Glover Teixeira, Tim Kennedy, Court McGee, and many others.

Please enjoy my interview with John Hackleman.

The Pit – Martial Arts, Fitness, Hawaiian Kempo

THE PIT Online Dojo Intro

Instagram

(1) The Pit (@Pit_Master) / X

https://blizniaksbokken.com/?coupon-code=EverydayMA&sc-page=shop

Chris Henderson is a lifelong martial artist whose journey has taken him through both the hard and soft sides of the martial arts, combining physical discipline with a deep commitment to balance, health, and personal well-being.

His martial arts journey began in 1984 with Song Moo Kwan Taekwondo. After stepping away from the martial arts for nearly two decades, Chris eventually returned with a renewed passion for training, earning black belts in both Songahm Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do. Along the way, he discovered Ki Gong and found another powerful dimension of martial arts training, dedicating himself to helping others find greater health, sustainability, and inner harmony.

Today, Chris is a Level IV instructor with World Ki Gong and a 1st Dan Black Belt in the World Tang Soo Do Association. He believes martial arts, much like nature itself, can be both powerful and peaceful. His philosophy is built around continuous growth, giving back to others, and finding beauty and balance amid the inevitable chaos of life.

Join us for another conversation with a martial artist whose journey demonstrates that the martial arts are about far more than physical techniques, they can be a lifelong path toward balance, growth, and helping others.

Please enjoy my interview with Chris Henderson!

Dragon Turtle Arts – Coming Soon

Daily Qigong Videos – (17) 7StarsMA – YouTube

F. Braun McAsh has spent nearly five decades exploring the intersection of martial arts, historical weapons, acting, and stage combat.

An actor and fight director since 1977, Braun has choreographed combat for more than 100 productions across theatre, film, and television. His work includes multiple seasons of Highlander as well as the feature film Highlander: Endgame, along with fight direction for dozens of Shakespearean productions.

His lifelong fascination with weapons and combat has taken him around the world to study both Eastern and Western martial traditions. Along the way, he has trained under respected instructors, researched original historical weapons in museum collections, and studied surviving combat manuals that offer a glimpse into centuries of martial knowledge.

For more than 40 years, Braun has shared that knowledge as an instructor and mentor, teaching stage combat, historical fighting arts, self-defense, and knife skills at drama schools and training programs around the world. He is also the author of Fight Choreography: A Practical Guide and has produced extensive educational material focused on the history and use of European weapons.

From bringing sword fights to life on stage and screen to preserving and studying the historical martial traditions that inspired them, F. Braun McAsh has dedicated his life to understanding the art, history, and storytelling behind combat.

Please enjoy my interview with F. Braun McAsh!

Fight Choreography: A Practical Guide for Stage, Film and Television: McAsh, F. Braun: 9781847972231: Amazon.com: Books

F. Braun McAsh – IMDb

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 and professional fighting career.

But Ice’s story extends far beyond martial arts competition. Throughout his life, he has faced significant challenges, including the loss of both parents, serious accidents, and physical setbacks that could have brought his martial arts journey to an end. Instead, those experiences became part of a story defined by resilience and an unwillingness to give up.

A promise made to his father during his final days would eventually inspire Ice to return to competition and continue pursuing the path that had shaped so much of his life. Today, that commitment continues to influence his approach to martial arts, teaching, and life.

Alongside his martial arts career, Ice is also involved in faith-based mentorship and community outreach, emphasizing the importance of service, loyalty, humility, and perseverance.

Please welcome my guest, Ice “The Iceman” Young.

https://www.facebook.com/share/19XUP8QjRx

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 decades later, Franz Karate continues that mission with locations in Bryan, Ohio, and Auburn, Indiana.

As a longtime instructor, Steven has become known for a direct, principle-based approach to teaching and for his dedication to maintaining the traditions and values of Okinawan karate. His approach extends beyond simply learning techniques, emphasizing the importance of discipline, respect, perseverance, personal responsibility, and continued growth.

For Steven, martial arts is a lifelong journey. The lessons developed through years of training have the potential to shape not only how a student performs in the dojo, but how they approach challenges and responsibilities in everyday life.

With nearly 50 years in the martial arts and more than 35 years leading his own dojo, Steven Franz represents a generation of instructors committed to keeping traditional karate alive and passing its principles on to the next generation.

Please enjoy my interview with Steven Franz.

FRANZ KARATE – AUTHENTIC OKINAWAN KARATE AND EFFECTIVE SELF DEFENSE FOR ALL AGES

Instagram

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 and international titles in fighting, forms, breaking, and self-defense, demonstrating his versatility across multiple areas of tournament competition. His influence as a coach has been equally significant, helping guide numerous competitors to championship-level success.

His competition team, Team International, reached the pinnacle of the NBL tournament circuit, earning the distinction of being the number one ranked team for six consecutive years.

Steve’s contributions to martial arts extend well beyond his own training and competition career. He serves as Executive Producer and Executive Director of both the Long Beach Internationals and Martial Con International, playing an important role in organizing and promoting major events within the martial arts community.

His dedication to martial arts, leadership, coaching, and the development of future generations has earned him recognition through multiple martial arts Hall of Fame inductions.

Please enjoy my interview with Stever Cooper

United Kenpo Karate Studios | The best voted martial arts school in OC

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 discipline and attention to detail demanded by these centuries-old arts, and earned the rank of 4th-degree black belt in Iaido.

Following his return to the United States, Bradley founded Agassiz Dojo with the mission of preserving and sharing the traditions of Japanese swordsmanship. What began in Moorhead has grown into a thriving martial arts community and recently expanded into a dedicated dojo in West Fargo, providing practitioners with a permanent home for the study of Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo. Today, it is believed to be the only school of its kind in the region devoted exclusively to traditional Japanese weapons arts.

Please enjoy my interview with Bradley Anderson

Agassiz Dojo – Iaido, Jodo, Kendo, Kenjutsu, BuSheDo in West Fargo, ND