Meet the Krav Maga instructors Brisbane students trust

My martial arts journey began during my time in the Australian Army. While in the Army, I trained in several martial arts styles but never found one that truly focused on realistic, practical self-defence. Everything felt controlled or missing key elements, effective in theory but out of touch with the realities of real-world violence.

That changed right before I left the Army, when I discovered Krav Maga.

It was simple, direct, and designed for real-life threats, not for sport or tradition. It felt real and exactly what I needed as I prepared to step into civilian life. I wanted to rebuild my confidence and develop practical skills that could keep me, my loved ones, and others safe in unpredictable situations.

When I left the Army, I was unsure about what came next. I had received some of the best training in the world, yet I still wrestled with self-doubt and not knowing where I fit outside that environment. The structure, purpose, and teamwork of military life had shaped my identity. Over the next few years of training, I started to realise Krav Maga was becoming my new mission, bringing back discipline, purpose, and a sense of community and belonging.

A big part of that change came from my instructor, Gavriel Schneider. From my very first class, I could tell he approached Krav Maga differently. He taught that self-defence was not just about fighting back, but about awareness, prevention, and understanding what happens before, during, and after violence. He showed me that real self-defence is proactive. It is about staying aware, making smart decisions, and remaining in control under pressure.

Training with him also made me realise how important it is to learn from the right Krav Maga instructor.

The right instructor truly understands all aspects of self-defence, the mindset behind it, and the responsibility that comes with teaching it, as well as the kind of community they build on the mats.

Under his guidance, Krav Maga became a true turning point in my life.

It stopped being just a set of techniques and became a path that challenged me to grow, lead, and help forge a community of like-minded individuals, all working to become safer, stronger, and more capable together.

Finding that sense of direction was only the beginning. Underneath that new purpose, the path itself was still tough.

Earning a Black Belt takes years of discipline, patience, and persistence. There were setbacks, injuries, and long stretches where progress felt slow or invisible.

Balancing training with work, family, and everyday life often tested my limits. Some nights I turned up exhausted. Other times I questioned whether I was actually getting better.

But I kept showing up.

Because deep down, I knew this journey was about more than belts or recognition. It was about who I was becoming in the process. Each session was a chance to step up and become stronger, more capable, and more resilient than the day before.

As the years went on, I kept pushing myself to grow. I travelled, trained with different instructors and martial arts, and tested what I had learned under pressure. Every seminar and camp deepened my understanding of Krav Maga, not just as a system of self-defence but as a way to think, move, and make decisions under stress.

That journey eventually led me to Israel, the home of Krav Maga, where I earned my Black Belt. Training there was intense, humbling, and eye-opening. It reminded me that true growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, letting go of ego, and choosing to remain a student, no matter what rank you wear.

That experience in Israel did not feel like a finish line. It felt like the start of a new chapter.

After earning my Black Belt in Israel, I began teaching Krav Maga and sharing what I had learned. As I stepped into that role, I started to understand that real progress was not just about what I could do under pressure, but what I could help others do.

In those early years as an Krav Maga instructor, I began to see that real growth happens when training is structured, educational, and focused on helping every student reach their potential.

I also started to draw on my military background, bringing a structured, progressive and practical approach into my classes. It helped students understand not just what to do, but why it worked. I wanted people to leave each class feeling more capable, more informed, and more confident in their ability to protect themselves and others.

Over time, I wanted to challenge myself further. I wanted to build something from the ground up that reflected my experience, values, and approach to teaching, while still honouring the Krav Maga system that changed my life.

That vision became Champions Krav Maga Academy, founded on the values of service, growth, community, and safety, a place where people can grow together through purposeful, structured training that helps each student move forward at their own pace.

Since opening in 2022, Champions Krav Maga Academy has become one of Brisbane’s most trusted Krav Maga communities. What began with a handful of students has grown into a strong, supportive community built on respect, effort, and shared progress.

Our students have transformed both physically and mentally, many losing over ten kilograms, gaining confidence, and developing the resilience to handle life’s challenges with strength and composure. Parents tell us their children have become more focused, disciplined, and self-assured. Adults share how training has helped them stay calm and in control, whether at work, at home, or in real-world situations.

Every success reminds me why this academy exists. It is here to empower everyday people with the skills, confidence, and mindset to live safer, stronger, and more capable lives.

This journey has been life-changing. It rebuilt my confidence, strengthened my resilience, and gave me a renewed sense of purpose.

Most of all, it showed me the power of community, how people grow faster, push harder, and go further when they feel they belong and support each other.

My mission now is simple. To help more everyday people experience that same confidence, capability, and sense of belonging through training that truly makes a difference.