MICHAEL’S STORY

Michael Hooker is a first degree black belt under Roy Dean.

Michael was born in Slidell, Louisiana. Through a lifetime of hard work, he has become an example of what can be achieved when desire is combined with determination.

Michael has trained in martial arts since 1989, with a background that includes Taekwondo, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, and Kali.

As a teenager, he was shot in a carjacking incident, leaving him unable to train for a period of time and realizing that his prior training had not prepared him for the incident.

As he has previously stated, "I'm not sure I could have done anything differently, but I was not mentally prepared to deal with that situation." It was at this time he began seeking more self-defense specific training, finding Krav Maga in 2004.

Michael is a member of the Krav Maga Alliance Training Team - a team of high level instructors who travel to teach and certify instructors in the affiliation, as well as part of their Professional Committee, who serve as the "gatekeepers" of the curriculum; they are tasked with the responsibility of exploring enhancements to techniques and training methodology.

He is currently a police officer in the Memphis PD.