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

Martial Blade Concepts

International Close Combat Instructors Association – International Close Combat Instructors Association

Amazon.com: Michael D. Janich: books, biography, latest update

The Best Defense – Outdoor Channel

Janich Custom