You’ve been training in martial arts for almost 40 years. What initially inspired you to get started, and how has your journey evolved over the years?
I was introduced to martial arts by an older man I met at the gym. He told me about a group he trained with and invited my friend and me to join a class. When we attended, the atmosphere was intimidating—everyone was older, and the training was old-school: strict, tough, and disciplined.
Despite the fear I felt, something about the challenge drew me in, and I kept coming back. The challenge is what attracted me to continue.
You have an impressive history of serving in special forces and as the head of Krav Maga and counter-terrorism training at the Counter Terror School (CTU). How did your experience in the military shape your approach to teaching martial arts?
My time at the CTU taught me that we are capable of overcoming challenges far beyond what we imagine. It reinforced the importance of mental toughness while highlighting the need to train smartly and effectively. This experience shaped my teaching philosophy to focus on practicality, adaptability, and maximizing efficiency in both training methods and techniques
As someone who has trained both civilians and soldiers, what do you find to be the most significant differences in how each group approaches martial arts training?
The most significant difference is the time frame. When training soldiers in hand-to-hand combat, the duration typically ranges from three weeks to several months, depending on the unit. Civilians, on the other hand, have years to train, which allows for a completely different program structure. In the military, due to the limited time available for technical training, the focus shifts to the mental aspect. Hand-to-hand combat becomes a critical tool for building the mental toughness and resilience necessary for soldiers to perform under combat conditions. Civilians, however, have the opportunity to focus more extensively on technical mastery over time.
TRAINING AND METHODOLOGY
You specialize in getting new students to high levels of self-defense skills in a short time. What’s your secret to rapidly developing these skills in your students?
I wouldn’t call it a secret—it’s the result of years of experience as a fighter and martial artist, along with the wisdom passed down from instructors before me. It’s about identifying the most essential technical elements and creating a training approach that fosters mental toughness and aggressiveness. At the same time, I prioritize safety, ensuring the process avoids injuries and builds the trainees’ confidence without breaking their spirit.
With your vast experience in different martial arts systems— Krav Maga, karate, Muay Thai, and MMA—how do you integrate these various techniques into your training programs?
This is precisely the KravMaga approach: adopting and integrating every useful and effective technique while discarding what is less practical.
Each of these martial arts brings a wealth of effective techniques that complement Krav Maga. As a result, our syllabus is both deep and cohesive, seamlessly integrating techniques and philosophies to create a well-rounded training system.
Can you explain the difference between Krav Maga and other martial arts, and why you believe it’s so effective for both self-defense and counter-terrorism?
Krav Maga was created by martial artists, initially in Jewish communities in Europe before the founding of Israel, and later developed further in the IDF. Its DNA is rooted in survival and the ability to fight effectively, even when in an inferior or disadvantaged situation. This required thinking beyond traditional martial arts techniques and the conventional codes of martial arts.
As a result, Krav Maga became highly effective for self-defense in real-life scenarios, making itinvaluable for both civilian self-defense and counter-terrorism applications.
EXPERIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
You have trained and raised world champions in pankration MMA, including Asaf Batan. What do you believe are the key qualities that make someone successful in martial arts at the highest level?
The most essential qualities for success in martial arts are persistence and a genuine love for the discipline. In combat sports, however, the key element for becoming a successful athlete is being highly competitive—a personality trait that sets champions apart. While many people find combat competition stressful and energy-draining, a truly competitive individual thrives under pressure. They gain energy from the challenge and often perform better in those high-stakes situations.
KRAVZONE AND BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
KravZone offers several membership plans for training, with an emphasis on transparency—no hidden costs. How important is this philosophy of inclusivity and value for your students?
In some martial arts schools, belt promotions are tied to additional fees, but we firmly believe this should be separate from training. At KravZone, we see it as our responsibility to teach everything a student needs to know within their membership and during regular classes. We don’t hold back essential subjects for “special” seminars.
When we offer special training sessions or events, they are always included without extra payment. This philosophy reflects our commitment to inclusivity and ensuring real value for our students.
Could you tell us more about the “Unlimited membership” at KravZone? What sets it apart from other martial arts schools in terms of training offerings?
When you become a member at KravZone, you can attend any type of class: Krav Maga, BJJ, kickboxing, etc. The main reason is that all these classes complement each other, and if you train in more than one style, you’ll become a more complete fighter. Many students come to train in one style and end up falling in love with a different one.
At KravZone, you have the opportunity to experience different styles and find the one that truly suits your personality.
Given your extensive background in both martial arts and business (with an MBA in Finance), how do you balance running a business while maintaining the integrity of high-quality training for your students?
I don’t see a contradiction between running a successful business and maintaining in tegrity, especially in a martial arts school where long-term relationships and word-of-mouth are key to growth. Our focus is on consistently providing value to our students by maintaining high-quality classes and excellent service. This approach ensures both the success of the business and the trust and sat isfaction of our students.
MARTIAL ARTS PHILOSOPHY AND FUTURE GOALS
With your diverse expertise across Krav Maga, karate, Muay Thai, and other systems, how do you see the future of martial arts training evolving in the next 10-20 years?
Martial arts have evolved significantly over the last 20 years, particularly with the rise of mixed martial arts as a mainstream and highly popular sport. There’s a growing understanding that to be a well-round ed fighter, you need to train in multiple disciplines and learn how to integrate them effectively.
Additionally, social media has become an incredible platform for sharing knowledge and techniques, dramatically accelerating the evolution of martial arts. It will be fascinating to see how advancements in technology continue to influence training methods, from virtual tools to innovative coaching approaches. However, I believe that one of martial arts’ most important contributions is its ability to bring people together. Beyond the techniques, martial arts will remain a powerful way to build communities, foster friendships, and create positive interactions among people.
What is your personal martial arts philosophy, and how do you instill that in your students at KravZone?
People join martial arts for many reasons, but they stay for years because it brings them joy and satisfaction—primarily through the sense of progress they feel. Martial arts offer so much: Body and mind balance: The physical activity combined with the mental focus needed to stay in the moment helps create harmony. Health: Martial arts training engages the entire body, incorporating cardio, strength, flexibility, and more for comprehensive fitness. Community: The bonds formed with training partners can be truly special, often resulting in lifelong friendships. Youthful spirit: Martial arts help keep you young at heart, no matter your age.
To instill these qualities in my students, I believe an instructor must lead by example. This means continuing to train, staying passionate about learning and developing as a martial artist, participating in the gym’s social dynamic, and maintaining enthusiasm and energy while teaching. A great instructor ignites the same fire in their students.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone starting out in martial arts, whether they are looking for self-defense or aiming to become a competitive fighter?
Find an instructor who not only has the knowledge but also a personality you connect with—someone who inspires and motivates you to stay committed. Pay attention to the class atmosphere and the people who train there, as they will be come your partners on this journey. Consistency is also key. Aim to attend at least two classes a week; anything less will make it difficult to see real progress and sustain your practice over time.
