My name is Michael Peterson. I've been studying Okinawan martial arts for 29 years. I am founder (Soke) and Grand Master of the Attsuuten-ryu kempo-jutsu fighting system (7th dan), and also hold a 5th degree black belt (godan) under the International Martial Arts Headfounders/Grandmasters Council in the art of Ryukyu kempo, to include Kyusho-jitsu (pressure point fighting) and Tuite-jitsu (joint manipulation and pressure point grappling). I hold a 2nd degree black belt (nidan) in Isshin-ryu, as well as a black belt in combative jujitsu. I have studied as well as instructed courses in Krav Maga (Israeli contact combat) and Silat Mubai (Muslim combat knife fighting), and I have trained in kali under the instruction of the late Mr. John Helton, who was given permission to teach the Filipino martial arts, as well as Jun Fan Methodology in 1984 by Mr. Dan Inosanto, and was also granted permission in 1988 by the Pendekar Agung Paul DeThouars to freely share with others what he had learned in over a decade of training with the Pendekar in the Bukti Negara style of Pencak Silat. I was awarded an honorary Ph.D. in Martial Arts Philosophy in 2008 from the University of Asian Martial Arts Studies, Department of Martial Arts Affairs, recognized by the International Council/Chapter of Higher Martial Arts Education.

I am owner and master instructor of Premier Martial Arts Academy in Florence, Kentucky, where I teach pressure point self-defense to students of all ages. I have hosted many successful seminars on practical women's self-defense and rape prevention, and have given seminars on pressure point control tactics and deadly weapons disarmament to local law enforcement, Homeland security agents and Government employees. I have developed daycare karate programs for 4-6 year-olds in and around the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. I am a proud, honorably discharged United States Marine Corps veteran, and have been inducted into 2 different Martial Arts Hall of Fames, most recently (2008) as "Ryukyu kempo/kyusho-jitsu Master Instructor of the Year" by the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame and as "Founder: Attsuuten-ryu kempo-jutsu" by the International Martial Arts Council of America, of which our school is also a charter member. I have hosted seminars with such martial arts greats as Dan "the Beast" Severn and undefeated World Professional Light-Heavyweight karate champion 7 years running, the honorable Mr. Mike Stone.

My "no-nonsense" methods of self-defense are recognized internationally and are the result of many years of dedicated training and real-life experiences. They are extremely practical, with no unnecessary or "flashy" movements. My techniques are NOT based on strength; rather they are derived from proven methods handed down from generation to generation in very tight-knit circles that focus on turning your attacker into the VICTIM. It is my goal to introduce these simple, yet predominantly unknown techniques in very easy to understand seminars and private venues around the U.S., in order to better educate the general public in the simplicity of practical and extremely effective situational self-defense.

I am very proud of my daughter, who is working hard to obtain her very own black belt. She loves spending time at the dojo, helping with teaching lower rank classes and working with weapons and situational self-defense, but at home she loves to draw and create things. In our off time, you might find us riding bikes, skateboarding, going to the park, or going hiking with our dogs.

My name is Laura Hisle. I am Chief Instructor of our kempo classes. I have been studying Okinawan martial arts for over 14 years, and currently hold a 2nd degree black belt (nidan) in Attsuuten-ryu kempo-jutsu, as well as Ryukyu kempo (to include kyusho-jitsu and tuite-jitsu). I was inducted into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2009. I have also studied Shotokan and Chito-ryu. I take pride in knowing that I am empowering women to defend themselves in real-life situations with practical and effective self-defense techniques that really WORK.

I am a proud mother of three girls. My youngest daughter currently holds a junior black belt, and I enjoy working with her on kata and weapons. The thing that I enjoy most about teaching at Premier Martial Arts Academy is being able to see the children grow in confidence and ability.

My name is Jaimie Filer. In addition to being an instructor in our kempo classes, I am also the schools highest ranking combative jujitsu student, and Chief Jujitsu Instructor under Michael Peterson. I began my training in Martial Arts over 16 years ago and hold a black belt in Shotokan karate. I have been granted an instructorship in nunchaku manipulation from nunchaku specialist Mr. Raymond Ridge, and was given the honor of being asked to teach a nunchaku seminar at the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame training camp in Nashville, Tennessee in 2009. I have also trained in collegiate wrestling, as well as Gracie jujitsu. I have two main martial arts philosophies, the first one being the Kaizen principle: the idea of slow and continuous improvement with no end. The second one is this: I believe that martial arts are, in fact, an art form, so they should be treated as such. One must take all they learn in the martial arts, practice often, and make it their own form of expression.

I am a comic book artist and have had my artwork featured in Black Belt magazine as well as in a book published by them entitled "The Best of Dave Lowry: Karate Way Columns 1995 to 2005". I like to help kids recognize their full potential. They always have more in them than they realize, and when they're in MY class, it's up to me to help them find it!