The Ron Engelman Podcast

What is Krav Maga supposed to be? In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Hoover for a direct and honest conversation about evolution in self-defense, the difference between teaching and coaching, and why many systems lose their way. We speak openly about: Why Krav Maga must evolve or become irrelevantThe difference between an instructor and a coachHow ego and insecurity damage studentsWhy wrestling and boxing are foundationalThe myth of one-on-one fighting as “self-defense”The reality of Octob...

In this episode, I sit down with David Bergman — one of my most senior students, a black belt, coach, and relentless learner. We explore his unconventional path into Krav Maga, how teaching shaped his practice, and why he’s been experimenting with ecological training methods. Together, we unpack the difference between knowledge, skill, and attitude — and what it really takes to build competence on the mat and in life. www.kravmagaisrael.com

In this powerful conversation, recorded as a guest on The American Gunfighter Show, Ron Engelman recounts the events of October 7th from an Israeli perspective—when communities were overrun, bases fell, and the country braced for a multi-front war. Ron shares where he was when the attack began, the three-wave assault that unfolded, and the intelligence failures that made it possible. From battlefield realities to global implications, this is an unfiltered account of Israel’s darkest day. www....

In this raw and unfiltered episode, two friends and Krav Maga instructors, Ron Engelman and Ron Rotem, sit down—over homemade moonshine and fine bourbon—for a no-holds-barred conversation on tradition, technique, and the deep Israeli roots of Krav Maga. From the battlefield to the training mat, they debate everything from knife defense and lineage to instructor integrity, the culture clash between East and West, and how October 7th reshaped their entire perspective on self-defense. Equal part...

Ofer Lidar spent over two decades inside Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, heading its hand-to-hand combat program. In this episode, we talk openly about what real-world violence looks like—and how Krav Maga needs to adapt to meet it. We unpack where traditional training falls short, how to build fighters—not just technicians, and why mindset—not just technique—decides who walks away. We explore: Why Krav Maga became “martial-artsy” and how it’s shifting back to its rootsThe gap between spor...

Nick Rians is a former US Marine, urban warfare specialist and bodyguard. Nick founded a tactical training facility, off the grid, in the desert of New Mexico. His school - Ghost Ring Tactical provides firearms courses, hand to hand combat training, tactical first aid and long range precision rifle training to the general public. Earlier this year I was invited as a guest instructor to teach a Krav Maga program at the facility which is where I originally met Nick and the rest of...

Yousef Badou is a former Marine Infantryman with multiple combat tours, and an industry leading expert in the areas of Situational Awareness and Behavioral Analysis. He was requested by name, to serve as the Predictive Threat Analysis Lead to the Marine Corps Combat Hunter Program. Yousef served as the certifying authority for instructors in subjects pertaining to Enhanced Observation, Predictive Threat Analysis and Tracking. Yousef is routinely utilized by the FBI, ...

This is THE most controversial topic when it comes to self-defense and martial arts. I don't expect you to agree with me. Some of what I say may piss you off. That's ok. Frankly, it doesn't matter if you agree or not as long as it gets you thinking about the topic. In this episode, I go on a solo deep dive into the problems with Boxing, Brazilian Jiujutsu, and Krav Maga when it comes to self-defense. I offer solutions on how these problems can be addressed. www.kravmagaisrael.com

Danny Netzer is the head Krav Maga instructor for the Israeli Defense Force. His responsibilities include putting together the training programs and overseeing the syllabus that's delivered to every single soldier in the IDF. He heads the Krav Maga instructors school that trains the instructors themselves that teach Krav Maga throughout the Israeli army. And he debriefs and studies all instances in which Krav Maga is used by soldiers in real life to protect themselves and to survive real viol...

Marc MacYoung is a violence professional. He has written quite a few books on the topic - in fact more than 21, including What You Don’t Know Can Kill You, and Beyond The Picket Fence. Marc is regularly called to testify as an expert witness in self defence cases and has an in depth, experience based understanding of the complexity of pleading self defense in a court. His areas of expertise include criminal behaviour, violence, improvised weapons, knife use, defense against multiple att...

Rory Miller served seventeen years in corrections working maximum security, booking and mental health. He has lead a tactical team; and has taught subjects ranging from Defensive Tactics and Use of Force to First Aid and Crisis Communications with the Mentally Ill. Rory worked was an advisor to the Iraqi Corrections System while he was based out of Baghdad. He also holds a degree in Psychology. Rory has written quite a few books on the topic including: Meditations on Violence, Con...

A former military intelligence officer, Tim Larkin was part of a beta group that redesigned how Special Operations personnel trained for close combat. He has a 25 year career where he has trained people in 52 countries in how to deal with imminent violence. He is the best selling author of When Violence Is The Answer and Survive The Unthinkable. www.kravmagaisrael.com