In this episode, I sit down with David Bergman — one of my most senior students, a black belt, coach, and relentless learner. We explore his unconventional path into Krav Maga, how teaching shaped his practice, and why he’s been experimenting with ecological training methods. Together, we unpack the difference between knowledge, skill, and attitude — and what it really takes to build competence on the mat and in life.

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Continuing the discussion from Part 1, Ron Engelman dives deeper into the aftermath of October 7th—balancing duty to his unit with protecting his family, forming a community quick-reaction force, and deploying back to the frontlines. He discusses modern warfare, the moral dilemmas of fighting an enemy that hides among civilians, and the mindset required when the battlefield is just minutes from home. A candid, hard-hitting look at survival, strategy, and the fight ahead.

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In this powerful conversation, recorded as a guest on The American Gunfighter Show, Ron Engelman recounts the events of October 7th from an Israeli perspective—when communities were overrun, bases fell, and the country braced for a multi-front war. Ron shares where he was when the attack began, the three-wave assault that unfolded, and the intelligence failures that made it possible. From battlefield realities to global implications, this is an unfiltered account of Israel’s darkest day.

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Undercover narcotics cop–turned–close-quarters-combat pioneer Craig Douglas pulls back the curtain on fights where guns, knives, and fists share the same breath. Craig and host Ron Engelman unpack the messy middle where deception meets violence: how informal selection puts the right officers undercover, why ambiguity beats choreography, and what an “ugly clinch” at bad-breath distance teaches about survival, de-escalation, and moral clarity. Expect hard-won lessons on pressure testing, decision-making, tactical first aid, and building a training community that thrives on stress. Listen in and rethink what ready really means.

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In this raw and unfiltered episode, two friends and Krav Maga instructors, Ron Engelman and Ron Rotem, sit down—over homemade moonshine and fine bourbon—for a no-holds-barred conversation on tradition, technique, and the deep Israeli roots of Krav Maga. From the battlefield to the training mat, they debate everything from knife defense and lineage to instructor integrity, the culture clash between East and West, and how October 7th reshaped their entire perspective on self-defense. Equal parts laughter, hard truths, and war stories—this is what happens when two veterans talk shop without filters.

Note: Bring a drink. You’re going to want to settle in for this one.

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Sagi Dovev, former head of Krav Maga for Israel’s elite special forces unit Sayeret Matkal, shares his extraordinary journey from shaping warriors to rebuilding them. After October 7th, he began training severely wounded soldiers—many of them amputees—using martial arts as a tool for physical and emotional rehabilitation. In this powerful episode, we explore the warrior mindset, resilience under fire, the power of martial arts in healing, and the profound human stories behind recovery. This is not just about combat—it’s about rebuilding strength, identity, and hope from the ashes.

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Ofer Lidar spent over two decades inside Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, heading its hand-to-hand combat program. In this episode, we talk openly about what real-world violence looks like—and how Krav Maga needs to adapt to meet it. We unpack where traditional training falls short, how to build fighters—not just technicians, and why mindset—not just technique—decides who walks away.

We explore:

• Why Krav Maga became “martial-artsy” and how it’s shifting back to its roots
• The gap between sports and survival
• How modern Krav Maga can (and should) evolve
• Training agents to make split-second decisions under pressure
• Mindset over method: teaching people to think under fire

A raw, honest conversation between two Israelis with combat backgrounds, decades of experience, and a shared commitment to keeping the training real.

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Paulo "GN" Rubio is a martial artist and tactical trainer celebrated for his unique approach to self-defense and mixed martial arts. Growing up between the urban and natural jungles of the Philippines and later moving to Canada, he faced many transformative experiences that shaped his training philosophy. Paulo combines insights from law enforcement, military, and civilian perspectives to teach creative problem-solving and self-expression in martial arts. His methods emphasize understanding core principles like timing, footwork, and distance management, rather than sticking to one traditional style. Known for his authenticity and vulnerability on social media, Paulo has built a strong community by being open to both criticism and praise, continually inspiring him to improve and innovate in the martial arts world.

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Nick Rians is a former US Marine, urban warfare specialist and bodyguard.

Nick founded a tactical training facility,  off the grid, in the desert of New Mexico. His school - Ghost Ring Tactical provides firearms courses, hand to hand combat training, tactical first aid and long range precision rifle training to the general public. 

Earlier this year I was invited as a guest instructor to teach a Krav Maga program at the facility which is where I originally met Nick and the rest of his team. 

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Tsahi Shemesh is a lifelong Krav Maga pratitioner. He grew up in Israel where he learned Krav Maga from an early age and joined the Israeli paratroopers where he served in combat. In 2010 Tsahi moved to New York and founded Krav Maga Experts which is a Krav Maga school with branches across the city. Tsahi trains Krav Maga instructors, works with numerous Krav Maga school around the world as well as local law enforcement in New York.

Tsahi is also a good friend of mine. In this episode we discuss what it takes to teach Krav Maga, the values behind Krav Maga and what it takes to be a good leader and change peoples lives. 

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