Michael Hooker
Owner, Senior Krav Maga Instructor, Kickboxing/Fitness Coach, Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Michael began his martial arts training in 1989. His background includes Taekwondo, Jiujitsu, Muay Thai, and Kali. He began teaching Taekwondo in 1992 and started his own program at the age of 15. He began training in Muay Thai and Jiujitsu as a teenager and after a tragic car jacking left him injured and unable to train for a few months, he began questioning his own training. "I'm not sure I could have done anything different, but I was not mentally prepared to deal with that situation." He started searching for something that was designed for self-defense and found Krav Maga in the Spring of 2004. "I knew it was for me when I saw the students training in normal clothes and shoes." After training for just a few short months, he traveled to the National Training Center in Los Angeles, CA to begin his instructor training. He began teaching at Mid-South Krav Maga that year and eventually became the center's lead instructor. In 2010, he decided to open his own school in Desoto County. In the winter of 2012, with the help of his staff, he expanded the program to Memphis. Mike currently holds the prestigious rank of 4th degree Instructor Black Belt in Krav Maga. He earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Professor Roy Dean in April of 2021. In 2015, he was invited to join the Krav Maga Alliance TRAIN THE TRAINER TEAM; an elite group of highly talented instructors in the United States and around the world who have accepted the responsibility to help train future instructors. There are currently 12 members on this team as of 12/2015. Mike was also elected to the Krav Maga Alliance Professional Committee, who serve as the "gatekeepers" of the curriculum. This team is tasked with the responsibility of exploring enhancements to our techniques and methods. Though follically challenged, he has found that what little hair he can grow can be used as a lethal velcro-like weapon during grappling.
Sara Ayaz
Program Director, Lead Krav Maga Instructor, Kickboxing/Fitness Coach
Sara began training in martial arts in 1996. Her background includes Shotokan Karate, Kung Fu, Jiujitsu, and Kali. She found Krav Maga in 2007 and began her instructor route in 2009. Sara holds a 2nd degree Instructor Black Belt under John Whitman, and is also a member of the Krav Maga Alliance Professional Committee and Training Team. She is an avid CrossFitter, former MMA fighter, and mother. In 2012, Sara was excited to have one of her articles published in the CrossFit Journal. She received her Jiujitsu Brown Belt under Alan Shade in January of 2021. Sara handles the daily business operations and you'll usually speak with her when you call. You can say that she's the glue that holds KMD together. She is currently studying sports nutrition and tactical firearms training. You will usually see Sara in her free time practicing Jiujitsu, lifting weights, and occasionally eating chocolate... Lots of chocolate.
Matt Cox
Krav Maga Instructor, Judo Instructor
Matt is a lifelong martial artist with over 20 years of training. He is a Krav Maga Black Belt who also holds the prestigious rank of 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo, a Black Belt in Judo, and Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. Matt is one of the most humble gentleman that we've had the honor of knowing and I'm sure he wouldn't approve of us bragging on him but we will anyways. Matt received a gold medal competing in South Korea in 2004. We are convinced that there is not a pro basketball player that he cannot kick in the head but you won't find him condoning head kicks in a street fight. He finds much joy and practicality of simplicity of Krav Maga. You can usually find Matt training with his father, Andy. They have trained side by side in Taekwondo, Krav Maga, and in 2012 they completed the grueling 11 mile obstacle course known as Tough Mudder. During Matt's free time you can find him cross training in Judo, Taekwondo, and Jiujitsu. Matt tried out for the show Walker Texas Ranger but could not find a pair of boots that could handle the high G force. Sorry, Chuck.
Chris Drewry
Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Nutrition Advisor, and Krav Maga Instructor
Chris began wrestling at the age of 14. He secured many medals as a varsity wrestler through high school and carried his successes with him into the USMC where he continued to wrestle for 3 more years. While in service he was introduced to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) where he applied the same level of intense study to accelerate his training and earn the Billet of Combat Readiness NCO where he was tasked to prepare his fellow Marines physically and mentally for the rigors of close quarters combat. In 2004, he found Krav Maga and got hooked. After several years of training Krav Maga with Mike, Chris made a run for a professional fitness and self-defense career. From 2007-2010 he studied and trained relentlessly. First earning his CrossFit level 1 certification directly under Greg Glassman in 2007 and becoming Memphis' first CrossFit Affiliate, he obtained 2 additional CrossFit Certification Levels in the following year. 2008 also saw him earn a spot as a World Kettlebell Club Coach under World Champion and Head Coach Valery Fedorenko. Chris remains the only WKC/AKC Girevoy Sport Coach in the Region. This same year Chris also trained Commando Krav Maga under founder Moni Aizik, securing a multi-level Instructorship. Chris also holds personal trainer certifications in the following: NASM- Certified Personal Trainer, NASM - Corrective Exercise Specialist, New Leaf Metabolic Specialist Certification, Polar Heart Rate Training Specialist, as well as countless other minor certifications. His knowledge of metabolic pathways and processes is what made him unique among trainers and wildly successful with clients suffering from multiple and difficult health conditions. Chris is known as the Combat Wombat, and once made a honey badger care.
Dave Stivers
Krav Maga Instructor
Krav Maga Instructor
As it is with everyone in Iowa, David began wrestling in the 5th grade and continued through high school. He is a guy that puts 100% into everything he does. He has said "You can warm the bench in other sports but in wrestling, they'll find you someone wrestle." In college he found himself "looking for trouble" but soon after he met his wife, who reportedly gave him a reason to put an end to his reckless, aggressive activities. After calming him down she blessed him with two beautiful daughters. With one rapidly approaching teen years, he was looking for "a system to help my girls and myself, in an increasingly dangerous world." With the help of a friend, he found Krav Maga. Dave has been with KMD since the early beginnings and is a valuable asset to our instructor team. He now enjoys kicking butt in a safe and legal environment. Outside of Krav David enjoys time with his beautiful wife and daughters, competitive sports (especially football), and enjoys playing golf and vacationing in the mountains or at the beach. He is self-proclaimed as a scalp-proof wild Indian.
Will Dixon
Dog Brothers Martial Arts Instructor, DBMA Program Director
“Dog” Will Dixon, is a brown tag instructor in Dog Brothers Martial Arts and has been involved with the Filipino Martial Arts for nearly 20 years. His focus is on teaching a well rounded, lifelong self-defense system to men and women of all skill levels. Will is a native Memphian who attended the Cleveland Institute of Art in Ohio, where he earned a BFA in Illustration.
Will started training locally in the Memphis Kali Group under Guro Robin Schermerhorn in 1996. Since then, he has studied Inosanto Blend Kali/Silat with Guro Dan Inosanto, Silat Suffian Bela Diri with Maul Mornie, Close Quarter Combat (SFC Combatives) with W. Hock Hochheim, Pekiti Tirsia Kali Systems with Tuhon Leslie Buck Jr. and Dog Brothers Martial Arts under Guro Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny on numerous occasions. He also holds the (meaningless yet nevertheless intimidating) distinction of “Dog” in the Dog Brothers Tribe, and is a recognized Red Tag (Level 2) Instructor in Dog Brothers Martial Arts.
Will started training locally in the Memphis Kali Group under Guro Robin Schermerhorn in 1996. Since then, he has studied Inosanto Blend Kali/Silat with Guro Dan Inosanto, Silat Suffian Bela Diri with Maul Mornie, Close Quarter Combat (SFC Combatives) with W. Hock Hochheim, Pekiti Tirsia Kali Systems with Tuhon Leslie Buck Jr. and Dog Brothers Martial Arts under Guro Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny on numerous occasions. He also holds the (meaningless yet nevertheless intimidating) distinction of “Dog” in the Dog Brothers Tribe, and is a recognized Red Tag (Level 2) Instructor in Dog Brothers Martial Arts.
Jennifer Gaboriault
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Originally hailing from Seattle, Washington, Jenn has lived a number of places. She found Krav Maga while looking for a new hobby to plug into. She originally thought 6 months or so would be plenty of time to learn self-defense, but says that one of the things she loves most about Krav Maga is that she has never stopped learning.
She has a kickboxing fight under her belt and recently began cross training in Jiujitsu. She recently earned her Level 2 instructor certification.
Jenn works in communications, which lends itself well to instructorship. In her spare time, you can find her at the dog park with her two fur babies, Zoey and Zeus, kayaking or pursuing other outdoorsy hobbies, and traveling the world!
While she says that coffee is the way to her heart, you may want to be careful if you see her with a cup in hand - her signature "cardio bursts" when she's teaching classes are nothing to scoff at.
She has a kickboxing fight under her belt and recently began cross training in Jiujitsu. She recently earned her Level 2 instructor certification.
Jenn works in communications, which lends itself well to instructorship. In her spare time, you can find her at the dog park with her two fur babies, Zoey and Zeus, kayaking or pursuing other outdoorsy hobbies, and traveling the world!
While she says that coffee is the way to her heart, you may want to be careful if you see her with a cup in hand - her signature "cardio bursts" when she's teaching classes are nothing to scoff at.
Taylor Hammon
Krav Maga Instructor, Fitness Coach
Taylor found Krav Maga a few years back, initially not planning on it becoming a long term endeavor. After realizing how much fun it was to hit things, Taylor decided to pursue the instructor path. She is a fireball that will ensure you are paying attention when sparring, and she exemplifies the dynamic of Krav Maga.
Cara B
Krav Maga Instructor
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Cara's background involves a wealth of experience in dance. She came to Krav Maga without any other martial arts background, exemplifying what the system is all about. She is a Level 2 certified instructor, and Level 4 student.
Watch out when she has her notebook in hand! Cara's class plans are detail oriented and guaranteed to give you a fantastic workout. |
Jeremy Jones
Krav Maga Instructor, Assistant Fight Coach
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Jeremy has a background in Muay Thai. He has trained Krav Maga for several years, recently earning his Level 2 instructor certification. He has had a kickboxing match and is an integral part of KMD's fight team.
Jeremy is part of Cause-Play Memphis, a team of costumers who volunteer their time by visiting sick and disabled children, bringing to life their favorite characters. All that said, we've never actually seen Batman and Jeremy in the same room at the same time, and he happens to sometimes ride around in a legit Batmobile. |