American Krav Maga Radio

I had the chance to help run a USKMA Level 5 (Brown Belt) test and blackbelt train up. At the end of Day 3, I sat down with the three Brown belt candidates and talked to them about what the weekend was like and what it means to them to test for brown belt. If you would like to get a hold of us, feel free to send us an email at [email protected]

Our first episode will introduce you to your host, James Mahurin, and the founder of the United States Krav Maga Association (USKMA), Mark Slane. Mark and James will talk about American Krav Maga and how it came to be. James owns a small school in North Carolina and has earned a 2nd-degree black belt with USKMA. If you want to get a hold of us, please email us [email protected]

In this podcast Matt Kissel and I talk about self-defense and when self-defense could become assault. This is actually the first time I have had someone tell me, "In order to defend yourself, you have to assault someone." Huh?  Matt Kissel is a recently retired police Lt. of 30 yrs. from Gahanna, Ohio. Matt holds a 4th Degree Black Belt under USKMA and volunteers his time teaching weapons defenses at Buckeye Krav Maga in Gahanna. Matt holds a Law Enforcement Instructor Certification with Worldwide, an ASP Instructor Course Certification and the Defensive Tactics Instructor Course Certification through the Ohio Police Training Academy. If you have questions for either Matt or myself, you can reach us at [email protected] 

Kayla Stomberg is a 360 Defense owner and operator in Middletown Connecticut. She has been studying martial arts since the age of 4 and has the martial arts pedigree to prove it. Kayala was just recently promoted to 5 Degree blackbelt under 360 Defense Hybrid System, and 1st Degree black belt in USKMA. Kayla also holds a black belt in Tang Soo Do. If you are in Middletown CT and would like to contact Kayala, you can do so at [email protected] Leslie Dunaway is a mother of three who started Krav Maga with USKMA in 2015. This mother of three currently holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt with USKMA and is the Lead Women's Self Defense and Kids Krav Maga Instructor for Shepard-Warrior Martial Arts. In Billings, Montana. If you want to get ahold Leslie, you may do so at, [email protected]  If you want to get ahold of us, you may do so at [email protected]

Kayla Stomberg is a 360 Defense owner and operator in Middletown Connecticut. She has been studying martial arts since the age of 4 and has the martial arts pedigree to prove it. Kayala was just recently promoted to 5 Degree blackbelt under 360 Defense Hybrid System, and 1st Degree black belt in USKMA. Kayla also holds a black belt in Tang Soo Do. Kayala brought on a special guest whom you will hear during her interview. He had some interesting things to say. If you are in Middletown CT and would like to contact Kayala you can do so at 360defensemiddletown.com. If you would like to get ahold of us at American Krav Maga Radio, you can do so at [email protected].  

Mark Slane is the founder of USKMA started Krav Maga 1999 and was one of the first American of Non-Israeli descent. Mark has written 6 books ranging from Krav Maga to Weapons Defenses. Mark holds a 5th Degree Black Belt USKMA, 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Mark is also a retired Fire Fighter/Paramedic and has made it his life's work to teach people how to be safe. Mark has been a great friend and instructor over the years to all of the American Krava Maga practitioners. Matt Kissel is a recently retired police Lt. of 30 yrs. from Gahanna, Ohio. Matt holds a 4th Degree Black Belt under USKMA and volunteers his time teaching weapons defenses at Buckeye Krav Maga in Gahanna. Matt holds a Law Enforcement Instructor Certification with Worldwide, an ASP Instructor Course Certification and the Defensive Tactics Instructor Course Certification through the Ohio Police Training Academy.

Josh Hesser owns and operates a 360 Defense school out of Colchester Connecticut. Josh holds is a 1st degree black belt under USKMA, a 3rd degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and a BJJ practitioner. [email protected].   

Jack Gabalski is the owner and operator of Buckeye Self-defense in Gahana Ohio. Along with being a successful real estate agent Jack holds a 2nd Kyu in Shotokan Karate and a 2nd degree black belt in American Krav Maga (USKMA). If you would like to get ahold of us at you can do so at [email protected]

Ron Rotem is one of the foremost experts on Krav Maga history and we here at American Radio were fortunate enough to be able interview him. Ron holds a 6th degree black belt in Krav Maga and is the head instructor at the Israeli Krav Maga Institute along with being a Wingate Instructor along with being the former head of Krav Maga for the IDF and the Israeli Prison System. Make sure that after you listen to Rons interview you get on Face Book and follow his Krav Maga History page. If you would like to get ahold of us at American Krav Maga Radio, you can do so at [email protected] 

Jeff "Don't Hire Me to Be Your IT Guy" Liddle is a American Krav Maga (USKMA) 3rd degree Black Belt. Jeff started Krav Maga in 2012 at 270 lbs. at the Florida Fit Factory. He has worked with instructors in USKMA like our founder Mark Slane, Alexis and Juan Acosta, Will Schneider, Mike Jozwiak just to name a few. Jeff now co-owner and instructor at Defense & Fitness in North Venice, Florida. Don't forget Krav Con October 2-4, 2026, in Connecticut at 360 Self-defense. [email protected]

Donny Chaney owns and runs 10 Snakes Krav Maga in St. Ignatius Montana, he is a USKMA black belt and an Army combat Veteran. Donny teaches self-defense on the Flathead Reservation where he supports and works with an organization called Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) which helps families and provides resources to these families in the search of missing indigenous adult relatives. [email protected]

Yuri Boiarsky has been doing Krav Maga for 40 years and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga through KAMI Krav Maga Association which is the largest Krav Maga association in Isreal. Yuri is an IDF Combat Veteran and is an instructor and the director of international Krav Maga operations at the Levinsky-Wingate Academic College.  [email protected]

Tony Matias a USKMA 2nd degree black belt and runs Conquer Self Defense in Brentwood New Hampshire. Tony started training, in Martial arts when he was 9 years old. Started boxing at the age of 14 with two of his friends Derek and Jeff and in the mid 90’s fought Golden Gloves before joining the Army. After getting out of the Army while working in Paraguay Tony was introduced to Krav Maga by some Israeli body guards and was hooked. While living in Redondo Beach California, Tony learned and trained with Brian Rauchbach learning as much Krav Maga as he could. In 2013 Tony met Mark Slane the Head of USKMA (American Krav Maga)where he became a USKMA instructor and earned his black belt in American Krav Maga. If you want to get ahold of as American Krav Maga Radio you can do so by emailing us at [email protected]   

Dutch Hemker is a Navy veteran and Krav Maga Black belt. He has studied many different martial arts but like the rest of us found Krav Maga. Dutch is the first Krav Maga practitioner I have had on the podcast outside of the USKMA federation and has been a longtime friend of mine. [email protected]

Charlie McShane started training in martial arts in early 90's and opened his martial arts school in 2002. He has a black belt in BJJ from Marcio Stambowsky and a 2nd degree black belt in American Krav Maga from Mark Slane. His school is called 360 Defense which has four locations in Connecticut. He also has a Golden Girls Tattoo. If you want to reach us, email us at [email protected]

Megan and Michael Jozwiak are USKMA Black belts and the new owners of USKMA. They have been studying American Krav Maga since 2013. Michael is a US Army Combat Veteran and Megan along with raising their two kids run the Krav gym and National training center in Boilingbrook Il together. If you have questions for us, please get a hold of us at [email protected]

 Will Schneider USKMA Practitioner and affiliate out of Richmond Kentucky has been studying martial arts since he was five years old (38 years). He is one of the original USKMA affiliates along with being a USKMA 5th degree black belt. Will has studied a plethora of martial arts and his experience in these arts helps him to coach, teach and mentor the rest of us as Krav Maga practitioners and school owners.

Kurtis Hall has been studying American Krav Maga for 11 years and has been teaching in Pinehurst, North Carolina for the last 6 years. This Idaho native and former law enforcement officer has a 2nd degree black belt in Okinawan Karate and a 1st degree black belt in American Krav Maga.

Mark Slane talks to American Krav Maga (USKMA) practitioner James Mahurin. James and his wife run a small gym and martial arts school in Raeford, North Carolina. James holds a 2nd-degree black belt from USKMA, a black belt in Jeet Kune Do, is a 1st Kyu in Japanese Ju Jitsu (Shiho Karano Ryu), and is the Muay Thai Champion of Northern Afghanistan by default. James and Mark will discuss American Krav Maga, James's 31-year military career and how American Krav Maga compares to traditional martial arts, and other self-defense systems.  [email protected]

In this episode, I talk to Dennis Forleo. Dennis runs a martial arts school in Billings, Montana, he holds numerous black belts in different martial arts and holds a 3rd degree black belt in American Krav Maga through USKMA. Dennis and I will talk about American Krav Maga and how he got into it. Along with how it compares to different Krav Maga styles, other Martial arts, and self-defense systems. [email protected]