Krav Maga Instructors
INSTRUCTORS & ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS
Nick (Expert 3)
Paul (Expert 1)
Chris (Expert 1)
All of First Defense’s Instructors and Assistant Instructors are certified through Krav Maga Global and have trained directly under Eyal Yanilov and the KMG Global Instructor Team.
Nick Masi
Lead Instructor
Nick Masi has been teaching Krav Maga in the Washington, DC area since 2004. He began his training in 2003 after completing graduate school in California. After dedicating himself to training and completing the Phase A Instructor Course from KMW, Nick started assisting and leading classes at a number of different locations.
In 2008, Nick traveled to Berkeley, CA for the IKMF US Instructor’s Course with Eyal Yanilov, a first of its kind event in the United States. Nick is the first instructor in the DC metro area to complete his instructor training personally with Eyal (who is now head of Krav Maga Global – KMG, the highest ranked practitioner in the world, and the leading voice of modern Krav Maga).
Nick is currently ranked Expert 3 - the first instructor in the United States to reach this rank in KMG under Eyal. He has also been a member of the US National Team for Krav Maga Global, assisting with the development of instructors and schools throughout the United States.
Nick has completed additional KMG teaching certifications for Law Enforcement, Women, Combat and Fighting, Kids, and Mental Conditioning/Combat Mindset.
Nick began his Shuai-chiao training while at graduate school in CA and earned his 4th degree black belt under Dr. Chi-hsiu Daniel Weng in Cupertino, CA. A strong competitor, Nick has medaled consistently and placed first in the 2005 & 2006 National Championships. He has also represented the United States in competitions in Brazil, Italy, China, and Taiwan. A frequent traveler with Team USA, Nick has not only been a competitor, but has served in the role of Team Leader and Head Coach for international tournaments. Nick started the Northern Virginia Shuai-chiao Club in 2007 to teach and continue to spread the art.
Other Certifications:
Ground Force Method Level 1 Instructor
Flexible Steel Instructor Level 1
CPI Certified Instructor - Associate
Paul Apostolescu
Senior Instructor
Paul is our Senior instructor here at First Defense and has been with FDKM since 2011. He received his Instructors certification in 2014. He currently holds the rank of Expert level 1. Paul has completed additional KMG certification in Combat & Fighting.
Chris Murphy
Senior Instructor
Chris Murphy is outspoken advocate for the principles of Krav Maga and its practicality. Chris is ranked Expert 1 in KMG and is certified to teach adults and kids. He has completed additional training through KMG in Law Enforcement tactics and Mental Conditioning. He has trained in Israel under Ran Laskov, Ilya Dunsky, and Eyal Yanilov as well as with other innovators of the system in the United States. Chris brings energy to his classes and loves to share his passion for the system!
Past Instructors
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the instructors that have worked with us over the years. Though work, families, and other commitments have pulled these instructors away from us, we are lucky that a few are still able to stop in and visit and some will even jump into training or even teach a class now & then when they're in town.
Pat Hards
Instructor
Pat started Krav Maga in early 2013 with Global Team Instructor, Jon Bullock, at Krav Maga Elite Essex, England. After his first class, Pat was hooked decided to travel to Israel to attend KMG’s Touring and Training. Deciding to become an instructor, Pat completed the KMG GIC in May 2015, under Ilya Dunsky and Jan Tevini, and instructed at Krav Maga Elite until he emigrated to the U.S. in December 2015.
Pat is a 14 year veteran of the British Army, having served in combat roles in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bouba Ballo
Instructor
Certified KMG Instructor having trained under Ran Laskov, Ilya Dunsky, Balazs Szabo and Eyal Yanilov.
Darryl Johnson
Instructor
Darryl is a 30 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. He is a Special Operations U.S. Marine and a Sniper. Darryl has served in combat from Beirut to Afghanistan. He has completed the Blackwater 22 week Tactical Operations Officer’s Course, SERE School, the U.S. Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), the U.S. Marine Corps Mountain Leaders Course, Protective Agents Course, and is Combat SCUBA and HALO qualified. Darryl holds multiple firearms certifications and is experienced in VIP Protective Operations. Darryl also coaches Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Travel Baseball. He has completed his KMG GIC 1 and GIC 2 under Eyal Yanilov and the KMG Global Instructor Team. Darryl currently holds the KMG rank of G2.
Sam Murphy
Instructor
Samuel Murphy holds a rank of Expert 1 and is an Instructor at First Defense Krav Maga certified to teach both youth & adults. Samuel has studied various martial arts before coming to Krav Maga and has over a decade of combined experience training in martial arts disciplines. When Samuel first learned of Krav Maga, he was drawn to the real world scenarios the Krav Maga system encompasses and fighting tactics it employs for self defense and defense of others. Samuel has been learning Krav Maga for over 6 years and has trained under some of the top instructors in Krav Maga Global including John Bollock, Jani Savanto, Balazs Szabo and Eyal Yanilov. In his current role as an instructor, Samuel is passionate about helping students develop and learn self defense skills that may one day save their life.
Bridget Anderson
Youth Instructor
Bridget is a driving force that makes First Defense Kids Program such a success. Her teaching style keeps all the participants engaged in class while learning all the important principles of Krav Maga.
Andy Berkin
Guest/Instructor
Terry H.
Senior/Guest Instructor
William Allen
Senior/Guest Instructor
One of the first First Defense students to complete the KMG General Instructor Course, Will taught in our Herndon location for over a year before relocating to Texas. We look forward to Will's visits whenever he comes back to Northern VA.
Jonathan Levy
Senior/Guest Instructor
Jonathan Levy successfully completed his Krav Maga Instructor course with Eyal Yanilov (assisted by Amnon Darsa) in 2001/2002. While living in Israel, he trained extensively with KM black belts at Gabi Noah's studio, and has traveled abroad to continue his KM education (Budapest, Melbourne). He currently holds the rank of Expert 1, awarded by Eyal.