Michael Janich is a lifelong martial artist, combat trainer, and internationally respected authority on personal defense whose career spans military intelligence, edged weapons, and practical self-protection.

A U.S. Army veteran and former Intelligence Officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency, Michael also served as a POW/MIA Investigation Team Leader in Vietnam and Laos, experiences that helped shape his deeply practical and reality-based approach to conflict, survival, and personal security.

Within the martial arts world, he is widely regarded as one of the leading modern experts in handgun point shooting and is one of the select few instructors personally trained by the legendary Colonel Rex Applegate. His decades of contributions to martial arts and self-defense education earned him induction into the prestigious Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame.

Many people also know Michael as the co-host and subject matter expert on the long-running Outdoor Channel series The Best Defense, where for 11 seasons he shared practical, accessible self-defense training with viewers around the world.

Michael is also the founder and lead instructor of the Martial Blade Concepts and Counter-Blade Concepts systems, innovative programs focused on edged-weapon awareness, defense, and combative application. In addition to his work as an instructor and educator, he is a prolific author and knife designer who has developed more than 20 production knives for some of the most respected companies in the industry.

In this episode, we discuss Michael’s martial arts journey, his experiences in military intelligence, the evolution of modern self-defense training, the realities of edged-weapon encounters, and the importance of developing practical skills rooted in awareness, efficiency, and adaptability.

Please enjoy my interview with Michael Janich

Martial Blade Concepts

International Close Combat Instructors Association – International Close Combat Instructors Association

Amazon.com: Michael D. Janich: books, biography, latest update

The Best Defense – Outdoor Channel

Janich Custom

Paul Dye is a lifelong martial artist and one of the most accomplished competitors and instructors to emerge from the world of American Kenpo.

He began his martial arts journey in 1972 at Dave Hebler’s Kenpo Karate Studio in Glendora, California, training under Jim Thompson before earning his black belt from Grandmaster Ed Parker just 18 months later, an achievement that reflected both his dedication and natural ability.

Teaching became part of his path almost immediately. Beginning as an instructor while still a colored belt, Paul went on to spend decades working with students from all walks of life, including individuals facing challenges such as blindness, hearing loss, and cerebral palsy.

Paul also trained extensively under Ed Parker himself, becoming part of the legendary Friday Night Technique Line in Pasadena, where some of the art’s most serious practitioners gathered to sharpen their skills and deepen their understanding of Kenpo.

As a competitor, he built an extraordinary tournament career, capturing more than 60 open black belt championships along with over a dozen grand champion titles. His success spanned four decades, giving him a level of longevity and consistency few martial artists have ever achieved.

Beyond the tournament circuit, Paul has traveled throughout the United States and Europe teaching seminars, mentoring instructors, and helping spread Kenpo internationally. He also played an important role behind the scenes at major events such as the International Karate Championships in Long Beach.

Please welcome to the show, Paul Dye.

Verca Partikova is a martial artist whose journey spans continents, disciplines, and the intersection of physical skill and mental performance.

Born in the Czech Republic, she began her martial arts journey in 1999, exploring systems ranging from Shotokan Karate to Hung Kuen Kung Fu before eventually stepping into the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Today, she is a professional MMA and Muay Thai fighter, a Kung Fu World Champion, and a Karate black belt.

Her passion for Kung Fu led her to Hong Kong, where she lived independently for eight years while earning her Ph.D. in Sports Psychology. During that time, she also taught coaching at the university level and worked with students from around the world, blending academic insight with real-world martial arts experience.

In 2022, she made another bold move, relocating to Thailand to pursue MMA professionally, turning pro at the age of 36. Alongside her fighting career, she continues her work as a researcher, presenting at international conferences and publishing on the relationship between psychology and martial arts.

She is also the founder of the Kung Fu Scholars program, where she coaches students online, combining traditional martial arts with modern approaches to mobility, strength and conditioning, and mindset. Through this program, she works with practitioners in more than 15 countries across four continents.

Please welcome today’s guest Verca Partikova

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