Testimonials

James

I went to my first Krav Maga class out of curiosity. My friend spoke highly of Las Vegas Krav Maga and I was interested in seeing what they had to offer.  I was apprehensive at first about coming; I’ve been in fights in high school but have since grown out of my aggressive youth phase and wasn’t interested in joining an MMA style fight club. These notions I had about Krav were way off.

First, we’re taught a practical style of self-defense that works with someone of any size or gender on anybody else.  Las Vegas Krav Maga organizes and teaches real life scenarios and increases our awareness of our surroundings and also how to use the assets we have available. Self-defense is the tactics we use but more importantly we’re taught self-reliance.  We benefit from working with groups of people from young and old, athletic or not, small, tall, guy or girl and there is an ever-growing camaraderie among those who attend.  And strangers bond by falling together, lifting each other back up and doing it again.

I’ve being taking Krav for two months now and love it. Yeah it’s hard some afternoons to push myself out the door and train but I never regret it.  It’s always new and I leave invigorated.  I’m sure Krav Maga can give everyone the confidence and the ability to exercise their right to defend themselves.  And while doing so, we can alleviate an ever-growing fear of our neighbors.

Thanks Greg, Donavin and Las Vegas Krav Maga for your instruction and encouragement.

-James

Dutch Martin

As those who know me are aware, I’ve been training since September 2010 in Krav Maga, the official self-defense fighting system used by the Israeli Defense Force, Israeli police and security forces, and numerous U.S. law enforcement agencies. The training has done wonders to instill in me the self-confidence and determination to defend myself and my family at all costs.  It also kicked my ass!

This past Saturday (1/29/11) was the dreaded Level 1 Krav Maga test, which was approximately six hours of the hardest, physically, mentally psychologically and emotionally most demanding, ball-breaking experience of my entire life.  This is no exaggeration. Those who have gone through it warned us how brutal it would be, and I did everything in my power to mentally prepare for it.  However, there was no way to prepare for what I, and 19 other poor souls, endured.  It was indeed six hours of pure, unadulterated HELL!

The most amazing part of the experience, though, was not how God-awfully brutal it was (and it was!), but the fact that I, and the 19 others individuals whom I will call my “Krav Maga Brothers and Sisters in Blood, Sweat and Tears,” survived it.  We finished it.  Nobody – and I mean nobody – quit.  Each and every student who tested gave absolutely everything they had, and literally left it on those mats by Saturday evening.

The experience was particularly meaningful for me on a very personal level.  All my life, I have battled with a bad case of self-doubt (sprinkled with just a pinch of low self-esteem?).  This has a lot to do with a rough childhood (poor, welfare-dependent, single-parent home, bad schools, tough neighborhoods, being bullied, ostracized, picked on, spit on, you name it, it probably happened to me).  I have always been a fan of martial arts, and dreamed of one day earning a black belt in… something.  More importantly, I wanted a way to get over the nagging insecurities that had been plaguing me for much of my entire life.  I had inner demons that I needed to exorcise out of my spirit, out of my soul, and out of my life forever.

Since relocating to Las Vegas to start my own business, I was still licking the wounds of an 11-year Foreign Service career that didn’t end the way I wanted it.  I had spent the better part of my government career basically being overworked and underappreciated.  It’s been a challenge to wash that off.  I needed an environment that would teach and encourage me that I am nobody’s door mat, I do have something positive to contribute to the world, and that I must stay focused on my goal of becoming a successful and wealthy entrepreneur.  Las Vegas Krav Maga has done that for me and so much more.

The previous Saturday I participated in my very first fight class.  I was terrified at first, but I reminded myself that if I am to continue to grow as a person, then I must sometimes put myself in uncomfortable situations.  To say that taking shots to the face, ribs and legs while trying to fire back made me uncomfortable would be an understatement.  Yet, I survived, and I was pretty darn proud of myself.

This past Saturday’s level 1 test gave new meaning to the word “uncomfortable.” For added moral support, I brought my wife, Ibi, and our newborn son, Luther Aziz, along.  I needed them there more than they will ever know, and it is partly because of them that I passed the level 1 test.

That’s right.  I, Darryn Andre “Dutch” Martin, who growing up was made to feel inferior by “friends,” foes and even sometimes family, passed my level 1 Krav Maga test, under the direction of some amazing instructors: Heather Mongie, Greg Struhl, DC Pacheco, Tim Caudell, Mike the police officer (I don’t know his last name, but he has an adorable little boy he affectionately calls “Bubba”), Derek Colling, and the Las Vegas Krav Maga Chief Instructor – and quite possibly the toughest submit this side of the Mason Dixon, Donavin Britt.  These amazing individuals took me to a place I that I had been afraid to go for far too long.  They gave me the tools to not just face my fears, but conquer them and never be afraid of anything that life throws at me.  As uncomfortable as they made me on Saturday, I have grown tremendously because of them.  They are giants among mortals.  Even the almighty gods of Greek mythology would bow in their presence out of respect (especially Donavin, otherwise he just might try to stick a lightning bolt up Zeus’s ass and kick him in the balls for good measure!).

I also must thank my partner, Mike Broadway.  He and I pushed, prodded, helped and supported each other, and I was just as happy that he passed as I was for myself.

Before entering Las Vegas Krav Maga, I was still battering issues of self-doubt.  After passing the level 1 test, I will never, ever doubt myself again.

-Dutch Martin

Christie Olds

“Donavin told me a month ago tonight that I would not recognize myself and it is true. I am facing my greatest fears and scars and using them and the momentum to propel me forward in training. I feel a change in me, not just the bruises but I have plenty to be aggressive about and Greg, Donavin, heather, Dan & DC plus my classmates have made me realize I can and will achieve, succeed and ultimately be responsible for who can and cannot put a hand on me. There are no words I, the writer, can use except thank you: for pushing me, challenging me, still cheering when i finished last and for being a safe place where I can learn to protect myself from the predators I’ve encountered. I truly appreciate your dedication, coaching, correcting and pushing me forward. I love Krav Maga. I will push myself beyond self-imposed boundaries and succeed. thank you for accepting me as I am and being willing to get me to who I need to be. regards. Christie olds”

-Christie Olds

Rebecca Seibel

I am new to Krav Maga and at first I thought it would be intimidating to participate in a fighting discipline where women are about 20% of the class. I thought I would have to learn complicated rules and moves…no way! The very first class we were punching, throwing hammer strikes, and kicking. After just a few classes, my muscles are firming up and I am tapping into my newly found “aggressive” side. I have to say, I have never worked harder or had more fun in ANY workout. Krav Maga challenges me not only physically, but also mentally and I am learning a skill that may save my life.

-Rebecca Seibel

Joseph Wingard

As a law enforcement officer in Las Vegas for the past 19 years, and a practitioner of Krav Maga for the last four years, I can attest to the capabilities of this system.  Krav Maga is easy to learn, an effective self-defense system, and an excellent form of exercise.  Krav Maga is the real deal.

-Joseph Wingard

Randall Robb

DC’s com-fit classes are awesome. I have been an athlete all my life and I have to say that some of the exercises he comes up with are extreme. If I am not challenged I am not happy, and I am loving these classes. I played college basketball, I was a decathlete in college Track & Field, I have ran more marathons and half marathons than I can count, I have done many Triathlons. With DC’s com-fit class’s I think I am in better shape than I ever been in and I am 45 years old.

Eastern Krav Maga is my second home to me and my family. My 16 year old son has found an inner strength that he would not have been able to find if it wasn’t for the love and dedication that comes from all the instructors at Eastern. My 8 year old daughter has never had the confidence to push herself or challenge herself. Then we signed her up for the kid’s class at the Eastern location. Within a year she has gone to Regionals in Track and Field, and she recently qualified for state in several swimming events. I have no doubt that because of DC’s kids classes she now has a competitive edge that has propelled her in sports and in life.

All the class members treat each other like family. We are a tight group and I feel that anyone of them would be there for my family if I needed them.

Thank you Eastern Krav Maga for all you do for me and my family.

-Randall Robb