Everyday Martial Artist

Forrest Morgan is a senior lecturer at the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology at Carnegie Mellon University . With a distinguished 27-year career in the U.S. Air Force , Forrest went on to spend 16 years at the RAND Corporation , where he conducted high-level research in strategy and doctrine for national defense clients . He is the author and co-author of numerous books and res...

My guest today is a true martial arts veteran and a leading voice in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu— Stephan Kesting . With a martial arts career spanning several decades, Stephan holds black belts in multiple disciplines and has devoted much of his life to the study, practice, and teaching of BJJ. His highly respected platform, Grapplearts.com , is a go-to resource for students around the world...

Today’s guest has dedicated over five decades to the martial arts and has become a true pioneer in the world of self-defense. Mark Shuey began his martial arts journey in the Chuck Norris System over 50 years ago, earning his black belt in 1978. Just one year later, in 1979, he began teaching—and he hasn’t stopped since. Mark holds advanced black belt rankings in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, and Hapk...

My guest today is a true martial artist in every sense of the word. Michael Miller has been training in American Kenpo for over 35 years and currently holds the rank of 6th-degree black belt under Grandmaster Dave Hebler. His lineage and dedication are impressive, with extensive training under martial arts icons including Grandmaster Robert Pick, Grandmaster Rainer Schulte, and Master Sean Kelley....

In today’s episode, I’m honored to sit down with Dr. Zibin Guo — a unique and inspiring figure whose life’s work bridges martial arts, medical science, and cultural understanding. Dr. Guo is not only a seasoned martial artist and author but also a renowned professor of Medical Anthropology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His academic career includes teaching at prestigious instituti...

My guest today brings over three decades of martial arts experience to the conversation. Angus Rogers began his training journey in the early 1990s, officially diving in with commitment in 1995. By 1999, he had earned his black belt—a milestone that marked the beginning of a lifelong passion. After a brief hiatus following the retirement of his instructor, Angus returned to training in 2006 with a...

Brian Doucette is an East Coast Canadian rocker with deep roots in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and now calls Edmonton, Alberta home. A passionate and prolific musician, he has released five full-length studio albums, with a sixth currently in production. His latest release, Not Careful Enough , dropped in March and continues to showcase his signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and gritty rock...

In this episode of Everyday Martial Artist , we’re joined by a true innovator in the world of martial arts and combatives—Guru Roger Agbulos . With a martial journey that began in 1990, Roger has spent over three decades honing his craft and sharing it with others. Specializing in combatives and self-defense , he has earned international recognition for his unique ability to bridge the gap between...

Joseph Rae’s martial arts journey began in 1993 at the Roanoke Bujinkan Dojo in Virginia. Just five years later, in 1998, he earned his Shodan—marking a major milestone in his commitment to the Bujinkan tradition. In 1999, Joseph enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he went on to serve with distinction for 22 and a half years. During his military career, he was primarily a small arms and crew-se...

James Turner – Kickboxing Champion, Actor, and Author Today’s guest is a true powerhouse in the world of martial arts—an accomplished athlete, actor, and author whose dedication and talent have earned him recognition across multiple disciplines. James Turner is a decorated kickboxer, currently holding the IKTA European, International, and Golden Warrior Championships in the Light Heavyweight Divis...

In this episode of Everyday Martial Artist , we’re joined by a true martial arts veteran and passionate teacher — Mr. James Theros. Mr. Theros began his martial arts journey back in 1976 and has dedicated nearly five decades to training, teaching, and preserving traditional Korean martial arts. Since 1995, he has owned and operated Level 10 Martial Arts College in Indianapolis, Indiana — a respect...

In this episode of Everyday Martial Artist , we’re joined by a true pioneer in the world of mixed martial arts — former UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk . Sean began wrestling at just seven years old, racking up an incredible 400+ matches over the course of 11 years . His competitive spirit and discipline laid the perfect foundation for what would become a legendary MMA career. In 1994, Sean to...

Born and raised in Chicago, Daniel Pesina has been immersed in martial arts for over five decades. With a career that spans film, video games, and live instruction, he’s best known for his iconic roles as Johnny Cage, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Reptile in the original Mortal Kombat games. Beyond the gaming world, Daniel appeared as a hitman in the 1996 action film Book of Swords , took on a rol...

Mark Larson’s martial arts journey is one of passion, perseverance, and global impact. From excelling in high-level athletics—playing ice hockey in both the USHL and NCAA—to immersing himself in the world of martial arts, Mark’s path has been anything but ordinary. He began with Wing Chun and Goju-ryu karate before finding his true calling in Aikido. His dedication took him all the way to Ja...

Today’s guest is a true icon in the world of martial arts and tactical training. Avi Nardia is a world-renowned martial artist with decades of experience teaching across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. He is the founder and head instructor of KAPAP (Krav Panim El Panim), a practical self-defense system rooted in real-world applications, blending traditional martial arts with modern combat training...

Dan Blizniak began his martial arts journey over two decades ago in Dayton, Ohio. Early in his training, he purchased a Brazilian Cherry bokken for class, but it wasn’t long before his roots in woodworking—passed down from his father, a skilled carpenter from Buffalo, New York—sparked a new path. Driven by curiosity and craftsmanship, Dan began experimenting with exotic hardwoods, crafting his own...

Episode Title: Exploring Katori Shintō-ryū with Paul Frank Today, I’m joined by Paul Frank , the chief instructor of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū at the Budo Society. With a martial arts journey that began in 1982, Paul holds a 3rd Dan in Aikido and ranks in Karate and Tae Kwon Do , along with experience in iaido . In 2005, he was officially recognized as a Katori Shintō-ryū teacher by Sugawar...

Today’s guest, Vlad Koulikov, began his martial arts journey at the renowned Sambo 70 academy, one of the most prestigious training institutions in the world. His early success in competition includes earning gold and silver medals in two All-Soviet Cups. After moving to the U.S., Vlad continued to make his mark, medaling in three U.S. Open events and representing America in the Combat Sambo World...

In this episode, we welcome Jesse Jackson Jr., a man whose life journey spans martial arts, activism, politics, and media. Jesse has studied multiple martial arts disciplines, including Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu. As a teenager, he and his brother played an active role in supporting their father’s civil rights efforts. During the 1984 Democratic Primaries, Jesse made appearances to support his...

In this episode, we’re joined by Rodger Martin, a dedicated martial artist with nearly 30 years of experience. Over the years, Rodger has competed in both MMA and boxing, showcasing his skills in the ring. Beyond competition, Rodger played a key role as the fight choreographer and featured actor in the short film One Last Fight . He currently leads as the head instructor at Bad Ace Martial Arts in...

My guest today is a true martial arts veteran with over 50 years of experience. A 7th-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, he spent two decades running two of the largest martial arts schools in the country, teaching over 800 students each week, while also co-managing 11 other schools in the San Jose and Bay Area communities. Beyond Tae Kwon Do, he dedicated 25 years to training in Brazilian Jiu-Jits...

John Borter has been training in martial arts for over 30 years, earning black belt ranks in five different systems, including a 6th-degree black belt. While his expertise spans multiple disciplines, he is best known for his dedication to reviving and preserving Irish stick fighting —the traditional martial art of Ireland. As the founder of the Whiskey Stick Faction , John has played a key role in...

Nelson Nathaniel Jr. brings over 36 years of experience in martial arts, holding four black belts. His journey has been one of resilience, overcoming homelessness to dedicate his life to martial arts. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of working alongside legends such as Chuck Norris, Shannon Lee, and former guest Carmichael Simon. For over five years, Nelson has been the proud owner...

With over 40 years in the martial arts, Dr. Steve Pearlman is a highly respected author, instructor, and thought leader in the martial arts community. He is the author of The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Martial Arts , which has been translated into three languages and sold tens of thousands of copies worldwide. His upcoming book, On Martial Theory , is set to release in March...

Since 1968, David Humes has dedicated his life to martial arts, training under esteemed instructors like Tom Meyers in Erie, PA, and even working with the legendary Billy Blanks. At just 17 years old, he took a bold leap and opened his own martial arts school in 1974, beginning a lifelong journey of teaching and inspiring others. A devoted family man, David is the proud father of eight children—al...