Everyday Martial Artist

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 Martial Arts, Shaolin Temple arts, stage and screen combat, and bodywork modalities in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Alongside her martial training, Tanya also served in the British Police from 2006 to 2011 within a Public Protection Unit, working in critical and serious incidents. That experience gave her a unique perspective on conflict, stress, and the role martial arts can play as both a stabilizing force and a practical framework for daily life.

In 2009, her martial path took a profound turn when she traveled to the Wudang Mountains of China, where she began transitioning from primarily external systems into the world of internal martial arts and Daoist cultivation. Over multiple extended stays, including six months living and training at the Five Immortals Temple, she immersed herself in the traditions of the Dragon Gate, Chun Yang lineage under Abbot Xing De.

Today, Tanya lives in the south of England, where she continues her training while teaching movement, embodiment, internal martial arts, and practical strategies for personal evolution and everyday living.

Please enjoy my interview with Tanya St-Lawson!

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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 handgun point shooting and is one of the select few instructors personally trained by the legendary Colonel Rex Applegate. His decades of contributions to martial arts and self-defense education earned him induction into the prestigious Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame.

Many people also know Michael as the co-host and subject matter expert on the long-running Outdoor Channel series The Best Defense, where for 11 seasons he shared practical, accessible self-defense training with viewers around the world.

Michael is also the founder and lead instructor of the Martial Blade Concepts and Counter-Blade Concepts systems, innovative programs focused on edged-weapon awareness, defense, and combative application. In addition to his work as an instructor and educator, he is a prolific author and knife designer who has developed more than 20 production knives for some of the most respected companies in the industry.

In this episode, we discuss Michael’s martial arts journey, his experiences in military intelligence, the evolution of modern self-defense training, the realities of edged-weapon encounters, and the importance of developing practical skills rooted in awareness, efficiency, and adaptability.

Please enjoy my interview with Michael Janich

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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 of life, including individuals facing challenges such as blindness, hearing loss, and cerebral palsy.

Paul also trained extensively under Ed Parker himself, becoming part of the legendary Friday Night Technique Line in Pasadena, where some of the art’s most serious practitioners gathered to sharpen their skills and deepen their understanding of Kenpo.

As a competitor, he built an extraordinary tournament career, capturing more than 60 open black belt championships along with over a dozen grand champion titles. His success spanned four decades, giving him a level of longevity and consistency few martial artists have ever achieved.

Beyond the tournament circuit, Paul has traveled throughout the United States and Europe teaching seminars, mentoring instructors, and helping spread Kenpo internationally. He also played an important role behind the scenes at major events such as the International Karate Championships in Long Beach.

Please welcome to the show, Paul Dye.

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 that time, she also taught coaching at the university level and worked with students from around the world, blending academic insight with real-world martial arts experience.

In 2022, she made another bold move, relocating to Thailand to pursue MMA professionally, turning pro at the age of 36. Alongside her fighting career, she continues her work as a researcher, presenting at international conferences and publishing on the relationship between psychology and martial arts.

She is also the founder of the Kung Fu Scholars program, where she coaches students online, combining traditional martial arts with modern approaches to mobility, strength and conditioning, and mindset. Through this program, she works with practitioners in more than 15 countries across four continents.

Please welcome today’s guest Verca Partikova

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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 and the Filipino Martial Arts under Guro Dan Inosanto, one of only three individuals personally appointed by Bruce Lee to carry on his art. As an Apprentice Instructor under Guro Inosanto, Richard brings a principle-based approach rooted in adaptability, timing, and efficiency.

With additional experience in boxing, Muay Thai, and Wing Chun, studying under respected teachers including Sifu Augustine Fong, he has built a well-rounded and highly functional skill set. A certified USA Boxing coach, he has trained alongside former champions and top-level coaches, further refining his understanding of striking.

His teaching career has taken him across the United States and internationally, including time spent living and teaching in India, where he founded the Himalayan Academy of Martial Arts in Dharamsala. Known for his clear, practical, and highly effective instruction, he emphasizes strong fundamentals, precision, and the ability to adapt under pressure.

Please welcome my guest today, Richard Syrop.

Himalayan Academy of Martial Arts – Dharamshala, HP, India

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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 nationwide.

He has also spent more than two decades working with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, contributing as a fight director, performer, and instructor on a wide range of productions spanning Shakespearean classics and contemporary works.

His fight direction and performance credits extend to leading regional theatres across the country, and his influence can be seen in generations of actors and instructors working in stage combat today.

A Certified Teacher and Certified Fight Director with the Society of American Fight Directors, as well as a Master Instructor and Senior Fight Director with Dueling Arts International, Chris brings a deeply thoughtful and practical approach to the craft, one that emphasizes the connection between physical action, voice, and text.

He is also the author of Stage Combat Arts: An Integrated Approach to Acting, Voice and Text Work, a book that captures his philosophy on performance and physical storytelling.

In this episode, we explore the evolution of stage combat, the importance of integration in actor training, and how physical storytelling enhances performance at every level.

Please welcome to the show… Chris Duval.

Stage Combat Arts: An Integrated Approach to Acting, Voice and Text Work + Video (Theatre Arts Workbooks): DuVal, Christopher: 9781472526656: Amazon.com: Books

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 Fargo area.

Her competitive drive has taken her across the country, where she has competed, and won, in tournaments in New Jersey, California, Colorado, and Las Vegas. Among her accomplishments is a gold medal at the prestigious Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

With more than 24 years of teaching experience, Sarah has played a pivotal role in developing the academy’s Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program, helping young students grow not only in self-defense and competition, but also in confidence, discipline, and essential life skills.

She also holds a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in school counseling, a background that deeply influences her approach to teaching, mentorship, and student development both on and off the mats.

Please welcome my guest today, Sarah Andersch.

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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 student and the highest-ranking representative in Australia under Senior Master Graham Lelliott of GL Kenpo, he earned his 7th degree black belt through decades of commitment, leadership, and service to the art.

His influence extends far beyond his own training. Over the years, he has served in numerous leadership roles, hosted national and international training camps and tournaments, and helped bring some of the most influential Kenpo masters in the world to Australia. Through his Mind Sensei Podcast, he continues to share insights on martial arts, mindset, and personal growth, reaching a global audience.

In 2024, his lifelong dedication was recognized with induction into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame, a testament to the impact he has had across generations, systems, and communities.

In this episode, we explore the evolution of Kenpo, the importance of lineage and leadership, and how martial arts can shape not just skill, but perspective and purpose.

Please welcome my guest today, Peter Tas.

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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 federal government agencies, law enforcement, corrections, military personnel, close protection teams, aviation professionals, major corporations, non-profits, women’s shelters, at-risk youth, and everyday people seeking practical, real-world skills.

In addition to his work on the mat, he is a multi-award-winning university lecturer specializing in professional communication, risk management, and the psychology of risk, with advanced qualifications in strategic leadership, integrated risk management, training design, and fitness.

His work sits at the intersection of martial arts, self-defense, human behavior, and the realities of violence in the modern world.

Please welcome my guest today, Ron Amram.

Krav Maga & Martial Arts Perth | Self Defence Classes Perth | Ron Amram

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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 reputation as a true “teacher of teachers.” His influence extends across generations, from everyday practitioners to elite competitors and early pioneers of mixed martial arts.

Known for his smooth, effortless style and his emphasis on efficiency over strength, Rigan has helped redefine what effective Jiu-Jitsu looks like, both on the mat and beyond it.

It’s an honor to welcome to the show… Rigan Machado.

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