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Growing up in a martial arts family, Yesenia Yser was introduced to the discipline and values of the martial arts long before Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became her own passion. With a father who was an amateur boxer, held multiple black belts, and operated his own dojo, martial arts were simply part of everyday life. Nearly a decade into her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey, Yesenia is now a two-stripe purple belt who continues to compete, challenge herself, and grow on the mats. Through her training, she has developed the ability to stay calm under pressure, work through difficult positions, and find a way to keep moving forward. Lessons that have proven just as valuable outside the academy as they are on the mats. With more than 12 years of experience in cybersecurity, including working with Fortune 100 companies, Yesenia recognized an opportunity to bring two important parts of her life together. Seeing the growing threats women face both physically and online inspired her to create The Lioness Instincts, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women with practical physical and digital safety tools rooted in the principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Through the organization, Yesenia has helped raise funds to provide approximately 50 women and children with opportunities to attend competitions and BJJ retreats, while also bringing self-defense and digital privacy workshops to communities across the United States. Her long-term vision is ambitious: to reach one million women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to better protect themselves. Today, Yesenia is continuing to expand that mission by exploring yoga, prenatal yoga, and breathwork, with an emphasis on helping women find their way back to the mats after welcoming a new life into the world. Please enjoy my interview with Yesenia Yser! Home | The Lioness Instincts Our Digital Privacy Audit Ebook – Women’s Digital Safety Bundle — 6-file Guide to Online Privacy, AI Scam Protection & Account Security | Cyberjiujiteira – Etsy Donate here – Donate | The Lioness Instinct The Lioness Instincts Instagram – (2) Instagram The Lioness Instincts – YouTube (24) The Lioness Instincts: Overview | LinkedIn Personal LinkedIn – Yesenia Y. | LinkedIn Your Blizniak’s Bokken Discount here: https://blizniaksbokken.com/?coupon-code=EverydayMA&sc-page=shop

Brian Corrales has devoted more than 35 years to the Korean martial art of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan, including 25 years as an instructor. As the owner and head instructor of Wasatch Martial Arts Academy in Salt Lake City, Utah, he is dedicated to helping students of all ages develop discipline, confidence, and character through martial arts training. A certified 6th Dan and a master model instructor, Brian is the highest-ranking Soo Bahk Do practitioner in Utah and leads the state’s only federation certified school authorized to teach the art founded by Grandmaster Hwang Kee. He has completed the demanding eight-day Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa masters’ examination in California, Switzerland, Utah, and Spain, most recently in 2026. His dan number, 36364, was personally issued by the founder of Moo Duk Kwan, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee. Beyond his own dojang, Brian has held numerous leadership and teaching positions within the worldwide Soo Bahk Do community, including serving on the U.S. Federation’s Technical Advisory Committee and as Moo Duk Kwan Heritage Liaison. His teaching and training have taken him across the United States, Korea, Europe, and Africa, and he has had the opportunity to receive personal instruction from both Hwang Kee and his son, Kwan Jang Nim H.C. Hwang. While Soo Bahk Do remains the foundation of his martial arts journey, Brian has also cross-trained in Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Budoshin Jujitsu, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He also teaches specialty seminars in the Korean staff, known as Kan Bong, and Qigong, combining a deep respect for tradition with a commitment to continued learning and growth. Please enjoy my interview with Brian Corrales! Traditional Tang Soo Do and Soo Bahk Do Training Online | Digital Homepage – WASATCH MARTIAL ARTS Soo Bahk Do Utah | Tang Soo Do Classes | Salt Lake City *** Click here for you Blizniak’s Bokken discount – https://blizniaksbokken.com/?coupon-code=EverydayMA&sc-page=shop

Dan Bernardo has dedicated his life to the study, preservation, and cultivation of traditional martial arts, with a deep connection to the teachings and lineage of Hwang Kee, the founder of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan. Beginning his martial arts journey at the age of 10, Dan has spent decades learning from respected instructors and practitioners while exploring the history, philosophy, and traditions that shape the martial arts. His studies extend beyond Tang Soo Do into Yang Style Taijiquan, Japanese and Italian sword traditions, and an Italian peasant stick-fighting art passed down through his own family. Beyond his work as a martial artist and instructor, Dan is a professional calligrapher specializing in Korean, Chinese, and Japanese martial arts calligraphy. For more than 30 years, he has researched, translated, and studied the philosophical teachings and cultivation methods associated with Hwang Kee’s legacy. Dan serves as President of the Tang Soo Do Training Initiative and teaches at WellWithin Martial Arts in Columbia, South Carolina, where he brings together traditional martial arts, cultural preservation, personal cultivation, and community. Please enjoy my interview with Dan Bernardo! Dan’c Calligraphy site – Calligraphy Jayeonhwa – Home Tangsoodo Training Initiative WellWithin Martial Arts Dan Bernardo – YouTube Jayeonhwa – Cultivating Natural Principles – Volume 1: Forging my Practice from the Texts of Hwang Kee, Kwanjang Nim: A Guide and Commentary: Bernardo, Dan: 9798262623440: Amazon.com: Books Please click here for your Blizniak’s Bokken Discount – https://blizniaksbokken.com/?coupon-code=EverydayMA&sc-page=shop

Trap Gambino has experienced the world of combat sports from just about every angle, from training and competing in MMA and grappling to cornering fighters, working in combat sports media, and appearing on MMA-related reality programming. Along the way, he has gained valuable experience working alongside some of the industry’s most experienced figures. Today, he has brought those experiences together in a different role as the founder and CEO of Made Fight League, a Las Vegas-based promotion. As a promoter, his responsibilities extend far beyond the fights themselves, encompassing everything from fighter relationships and event production to promotion, safety, and the countless details that go into putting on a successful live event. His journey offers a unique perspective on the many paths a life in martial arts can take, and what it means to move from competing inside the cage to creating opportunities for the next generation of fighters. Please welcome my guest today, Trap Gambino! Made Fight League Official Promo Reel #MFL #Boxing #LasVegas https://www.instagram.com/trapdaddymma Click here for your Blizniak’s Bokken discount – https://blizniaksbokken.com/?coupon-code=EverydayMA&sc-page=shop

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

Before martial arts changed his life, Jerry Trimble was a shy, anxious teenager who struggled with bullying, fear, and self-doubt. What began as a search for confidence at the age of 13 became the foundation for one of the most remarkable careers in martial arts history. Nicknamed the “Golden Boy,” Jerry quickly rose through the ranks, earning his first-degree black belt at just 15 years old and becoming the top-ranked point fighter in the Midwest. His speed, athleticism, and dynamic kicking ability propelled him into professional kickboxing, where he captured multiple regional and national championships before reaching the pinnacle of the sport in 1986 as both the PKA and PKC Kickboxing World Champion. His legendary hook kick was once clocked at an incredible 118 miles per hour, cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting fighters of his generation. Following his competitive career, Jerry successfully transitioned to Hollywood, building an acting résumé that spans more than 65 films and television appearances. From sharing the screen with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat to roles in Charlie’s Angels, The Flash, Supernatural, iZombie, Tracker, and many other productions, he has demonstrated the same drive and determination that made him a world champion. Today, Jerry travels throughout the United States and Canada as a motivational speaker, encouraging young people to overcome fear, embrace challenges, and believe in their own potential. His story is a powerful reminder that confidence isn’t something we’re born with, it’s something we build through perseverance, discipline, and the courage to take that first step. Please enjoy my interview with Jerry Trimble Jerry Trimble, Actor, Youth Motivational Speaker, World Champion Trimble Talks | Teaching teens how to stand up to their fears Jerry Trimble – IMDb