Skip to main content

KMW

The official podcast of Krav Maga Worldwide, the best skill-building workout on the planet. Hosted by CJ Kirk and Joel Ellenbecker, along with featured guests, providing listeners with the top information in the world of Krav Maga.

Krav Maga Worldwide Official Podcast

  • Ep. 16: Inside the Conquer Culture Book with CJ Kirk

    In this episode, Joel Ellenbecker interviews KMW Deputy Chief Instructor CJ Kirk—4th Dan Krav Maga black belt, coach, and author of Conquer Culture: How Warriors and Winners Lead and Succeed. Together they unpack the real-life experiences, training philosophies, and hard-won insights behind the book, showing how Krav Maga principles can shape a life of meaning and momentum.

    Key Highlights:

    • The armed robbery that sparked the journey
    • What it really means to be a warrior and a winner
    • Why noticing is the new superpower
    • Growth precursors: how to actually change
    • Rethinking success, failure, and fulfillment
    • Systems for living with clarity and courage
    • Why CJ wrote the book for his kids—and for you

  • Ep. 15: The Seminar that is Reshaping Krav Maga Worldwide with Gerwin Kranenburg

    In our latest episode of the Krav Maga Worldwide Podcast, we sit down with Gerwin Kranenburg—European Licensing Director, 4th Dan Black Belt Instructor, coach, and entrepreneur—for a conversation that goes far beyond technique.From his first martial arts class at age five to becoming one of the most respected leaders in the Krav Maga Worldwide community, Gerwin’s story is packed with insight, humility, and practical wisdom.

    Key Highlights:

    • How Krav Maga shaped his mindset—not just his skills
    • What went radically different at this year’s Luxembourg training event
    • How to train for life, not just for self-defense
    • The link between community, courage, and personal responsibility
    • What it really means to live ready

  • Episode 14: From Burnout to Breakthrough

    Joel Ellenbecker sits down with Krav Maga Black Belt Instructor Matt Roberts to unpack lessons from the recent Krav Maga Worldwide Black Belt Training Weekend. The two reflect on how seasons of boredom and burnout are often overcome through deeper training, a renewed sense of purpose, and the power of vertical learning—the idea that instead of branching out to new systems, you can dig deeper into what you already know. Matt shares how Krav Maga reignited his passion for training, what Jiu Jitsu taught him about control and composure, and why the new Handgun Expert 1 course is a game-changer for self-defense practitioners.

    Key Highlights:

    • Vertical Learning vs. Horizontal Learning
    • "Fix it With Violence"...and Precision
    • Gun Retention and Real-World Violence
    • Reigniting Passion Through Immersion
    • Instructing is its Own Discipline

  • Episode 13: Motor Skills Over Belts - The Blueprint Behind Masterclass

    In this episode, Joel Ellenbecker and 4th Dan CJ Kirk dive deep into the Krav Maga Masterclass framework—how it began, what makes it different, and why it’s transforming the way advanced students and instructors train. From the critical importance of motor skill development to the dangers of “beating the drill,” this conversation unpacks the mindset, mechanics, and mission behind a truly system-first approach to self-defense. Whether you're a student, instructor, or school owner, this episode will challenge how you think about progression and precision in Krav Maga.

    Key topics include:

    • Why most students fail straight stab defenses—and how to fix it
    • The danger of “beating the drill” instead of building transferable skills
    • A better way to teach: focusing on motor skills over belt levels
    • How Masterclass creates elite students, instructors, and schools

  • 12. Krav Maga in Europe

    In this episode of the Krav Maga Worldwide Podcast, Joel Ellenbecker interviews Marc Stoltz, founder of Krav Maga Center by Kick Your Fit in Luxembourg. Marc shares his journey from military and police service to pioneering Krav Maga in his country and building one of the largest facilities in Europe. This conversation explores what it means to lead with purpose, grow through adversity, and impact lives through self-defense training. Plus: Don't miss your chance to train in person with Deputy Chief Instructor CJ Kirk at the upcoming seminar in Luxembourg on June 28–29. This is a rare opportunity to experience high-level Krav Maga training in an immersive weekend format that will challenge and elevate your skills—whether you're a beginner or advanced practitioner.

    Register here:www.kravmagacenter.lu

    Highlights:

    • Marc’s transition from traditional martial arts and police work to Krav Maga
    • The founding of the first official Krav Maga Worldwide school in Luxembourg
    • The unique challenges of starting a martial arts center in Europe
    • What to expect from the upcoming Luxembourg seminar with CJ Kirk
    • Marc’s vision for growing Krav Maga influence across Europe

  • 11. Why Rhythm Wins Fights

    In this episode, CJ Kirk and Joel Ellenbecker explore how rhythm acts as the underlying force that unlocks speed, power, and balance—both in Krav Maga and in life. Drawing from decades of teaching, real-world training scenarios, and movement analysis, they reveal a powerful shift in how these core elements should be taught and understood.

    Rather than isolating each piece, CJ proposes a specific teaching order—speed first, then power, then balance—that builds efficiency, confidence, and effectiveness without overwhelming students. But at the center of it all is rhythm: a mechanical and intuitive force that ties everything together, from launching a punch to leading a life with intention.

    Key topics include:

    • The real meaning of “speed” (hint: it’s not rushing)
    • How the kinetic chain generates power without sacrificing balance
    • What most instructors miss when teaching new students
    • Why rhythm is a better life strategy than hustle or grind

  • White Coat, Black Belt: Dr. Micky on Growth, Grit, and Giving Back

    Dr. Micky wears a lot of hats—pediatrician, author, martial artist, and KMW Student Black Belt now a Krav Maga Worldwide Blue Belt Instructor. In this episode, Joel and Dr. Micky dive into what it means to start over, stay humble, and keep growing—on the mat and in life. From judo in Germany to Krav Maga in Los Angeles, she shares how martial arts shaped her mindset, why women need visible role models in self-defense, and what she’s learned from stepping into the instructor path after years as a student. Plus, a conversation on the upcoming Student Black Belt Path and how we can better support women in reaching higher levels of training.

    www.mickyobrady.com https://www.amazon.com/author/mickyobrady

  • 09. Vertical Growth in Krav Maga - Going Deeper, Not Wider

    In this episode, CJ Kirk and Joel Ellenbecker unpack the critical difference between vertical growth—going deeper into the Krav Maga system—and horizontal growth—chasing new skills and techniques that may not serve you under stress.

    Drawing on real conversations from recent seminars, handgun certifications, and years of system-level training, they explain why Krav Maga’s system-first architecture is designed to reduce cognitive overload and increase survivability. Vertical growth means simplifying, refining, and fully owning what you already know—so your defenses are reliable, fast, and functional when it counts.

    Key topics include:

    • Why “less is more” when lives are on the line
    • What it means to rent vs. own your skills
    • Why vertical growth can feel slower but pays bigger dividends
    • How adjacent areas like coaching and firearms training support vertical development
    • The difference between training as a tourist and training as an archaeologist

    Whether you're a Level 1 student or a seasoned black belt, this episode will challenge your assumptions and help you focus your energy on the type of growth that saves lives.

  • 08. Christian Medina on Krav Maga, Continuous Growth, and the Art of Teaching

    What does it take to go from student to instructor—and then to 4th Dan Black Belt?In the latest episode of the Krav Maga Worldwide Podcast, we sit down with Christian Medina, a 4th Dan Black Belt instructor, to talk about his journey through Krav Maga, the mindset required for growth, and what it really takes to teach at the highest level.Christian shares:

    • How he got started in Krav Maga and why it stood out from other martial arts
    • The real-world effectiveness of the system and why continuous training is essential
    • His experience with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
    • The value of certifications and instructor development in building a strong foundation
    • His philosophy on teaching instructors, focusing on the mental aspects of training, motivation, and leadership

    If you’re serious about self-defense, personal growth, and the journey of becoming an elite instructor, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

    Episode Resource Links: https://www.lotusrisingla.org/

  • 07. Krav Maga’s Blueprint: Mastering Chaos Through Simplicity

    In this episode of the Krav Maga Worldwide Podcast, host Joel Ellenbecker sits down with Deputy Chief Instructor CJ Kirk to dive into Krav Maga’s principle-based approach to self-defense.

    Key highlights include:

    • The inspiration behind CJ’s Kravology article, Krav Maga’s Blueprint: Operating in Chaos Through Simplicity.
    • Why principle-driven training is more effective than memorizing techniques.
    • The biggest misconceptions and critiques of Krav Maga—what skeptics get wrong about self-defense training.
    • How stress, adrenaline, and chaos impact decision-making in real-life attacks.
    • Real-life success stories of students using Krav Maga to protect themselves.
    • The value of scenario-based training and why it’s essential for real-world readiness.

    This episode is packed with insights that challenge misconceptions and reinforce why Krav Maga remains one of the most effective self-defense systems on the planet.