UTKM University
Profile
About
Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by the worlds of military service and martial arts. At 21, I had an epiphany: my career in Occupational Health and Safety wasn’t feeding my soul. It was a steady path, sure, but not the one I dreamed of. So, I made the bold decision to follow my passions, leaving everything behind to pursue martial arts and join the military. Given my Jewish heritage, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) felt like the natural choice. My journey officially began in 2008 with Krav Maga training under the IKMF lineage.
In 2009, I moved to Israel and enlisted in the 84th Givati Infantry Brigade, 424th Battalion (Shaked). Over nearly two years, I was trained as a rifleman, light machine gunner, and infantry sniper. Alongside these roles, I received military Krav Maga training, a staple of IDF combat readiness. My duties took me from roadblocks to arrests, riot control in the West Bank, and continued training in the Golan Heights.
In late summer 2011, I returned to Canada. It felt like home—the place I was meant to be. Once back, I resumed my Krav Maga training with one of my former instructors and IKMF Master Level 3, Marcus Torgersen. I also expanded my martial arts repertoire, diving into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and experimenting with other styles like Kyokushin Karate and Muay Thai. My firearms expertise from the IDF also led me to advanced training under organizations like CT707 with Nir Maman.
Over the years, I earned certifications with some of the most respected Krav Maga organizations, including INSTINCT IIC under Kfir Itzhaki, IKF under Amit Himelstein, CT707 under Nir Maman, CKMI under Lior Ofenbach, and IKI under Moshe Katz. My ongoing goal has always been to gain a deep understanding of Krav Maga’s diverse approaches while staying up-to-date with the latest techniques and methodologies.
Alongside Krav Maga, I’ve actively trained and competed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 2024, after 12 years of dedication, I was honored to earn my BJJ black belt from coach Mike Hansen during a Cyborg Abreu seminar. My BJJ journey began under Megaton black belt Trevor Clarkson, and when I started teaching Krav Maga at Budo Mixed Martial Arts, I transitioned to training with Scott Boudreau and Mike Hansen. Over time, both Scott and Mike earned their black belts from De La Riva black belt Don Whitefield. Today, Budo Burnaby is led by Mike Hansen, a 2nd-degree black belt under the legendary Robert Drysdale of Zenith. Along the way, I’ve also had the privilege of training with renowned figures like Renzo Gracie, Marcelo Garcia, Lucas Lepri, and Eddie Bravo, to name a few.
My military and firearms background also led to certification as a Canadian Firearms Safety Course Instructor in 2019, further expanding my ability to teach practical, real-world skills.
Beyond Krav Maga and BJJ, I’ve explored a wide variety of martial arts, including boxing, Arnis, Judo, kickboxing, Kyokushin Karate, JKD, and knife fighting, learning from an array of talented instructors and lineages.
Out of all these disciplines, Krav Maga stands out. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it the ultimate self-defense system. While other martial arts can take years to master for practical use, Krav Maga equips practitioners with real-world skills in just months. It’s hands down the most effective form of self-defense in the world.
My ultimate goal is to build a school that helps others develop confidence, master self-defense, and produce top-quality Krav Maga instructors. I hope to inspire students and instructors alike, fostering a community where self-defense and personal growth thrive.
I look forward to helping you on your journey becoming a knowledgeable and competent Krav Maga Instructor under the UTKM brand. Let’s take the first step together!