OUR TEAM

ABOUT US

About Us2023-10-21T09:07:38-04:00

Learn from the best Krav Maga and fitness instructors in the Roanoke Valley. We are dedicated to providing a fun, family environment where you can excel in your personal goals and find a varied and supportive community.

Whether your plan is to protect yourself, lose weight, meet new like-minded people, or improve your day-to-day life, we will help you get there faster than you ever thought possible, while having fun doing it! The benefits of Krav Maga and self-defense classes are endless: from confidence and self-esteem to discipline and empowerment. Whether you’re enjoying our Krav Maga classes or our fun and intense fitness, you’ll start seeing improvement in mind, body and spirit in only a few short sessions.

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We Don’t Teach Empowerment – We Uncover It!

At Krav Maga Roanoke, we’re not in the business of empowering our students because we know that you already have the all the power you’ll ever need. What we do is show you how powerful you really are! Through years of teaching Krav Maga, self-defense, and fitness, we’ve come to realize that everyone is so much more capable than they ever imagine and we’re here to show you that.

From throwing your first punch or doing your first kettlebell swing, to experiencing your first time escaping a ground fight, you’ll be removing limitations that you may have felt for years; you’ll uncover and recognize the strength that’s been there forever. Our classes and instructors push you to be better every day: to do that extra burpee, throw that extra punch, or go that extra round. To allow you to realize how strong you REALLY are!

Bryan Cochran

Owner, Chief Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer

With over 25 years experience teaching martial arts, Bryan has a passion for teaching students of all ages realistic self-defense skills that will prepare them for any real world threat. Bryan holds a 4th degree black belt in Kempo-Karate, a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and holds instructor certifications with Atlas Krav Maga, Krav Maga alliance and Fit to Fight. Bryan is a true believer in the “always a student mentality.” He always seeks out and trains with multiple instructors to not only keep his own skills sharp, but to constantly keep what he teaches evolving and on the cutting edge.

When he is not training or teaching Bryan enjoys spending time with his family, anything outdoors and practicing his firearm skills at a local range.

Nicki Cochran

Program and Fitness Director

Nicki is a RN and graduate of Virginia Tech in Exercise Physiology. She has a background in exercise instruction, Krav Maga training and holds a personal training certification. As co-owner of KMR, she enjoys the marketing, program development, and social aspects of entrepreneurship.

Outside of work, she can be found going on long walks with her dog Achilles, hiking in the great outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

Kristen Collins

Instructor

Kristen Collins is an advanced Krav Maga student at KMR. She received her Level 1 Instructor Certification through FTF in Charlotte in September of 2019 and regularly attends training seminars to increase her skill set. Before that, she taught kickboxing during college and trained for nine years in Universal Kempo Karate earning a first-degree black belt. She is a photographer and along with her husband, they own Simple Times Photography. They have three small kids and a weird set of best friend dogs, a German Shepherd and Pomeranian mix. Kristen speaks in sarcasm and movie quotes. She loves sushi, dogs, going to concerts, spending time with her family and friends and of course, training and coaching at KMR.

Jared Vincent

Instructor

Jared began his training at in Krav Maga KMR in January of 2017. He is a former police officer with training in defensive tactics and teaching experience as a field training officer.

In his free time, Jared likes to be outdoors. He enjoys canoeing, hiking, and spending time advancing his own martial arts development.

Seth Moritz

Instructor

Meet Seth Moritz. Seth is an advanced Krav Maga student, certified Knife Control Concepts Instructor, and licensed Holistic Lifestyle Coach.  He loves instructing and seeing students become empowered and strive to be better versions of themselves. Seth is an avid runner and cyclist and enjoys hiking with his dog and cooking, when he’s not training at KMR.

Duane Bishop

Instructor

Duane has been training in martial arts since grade school and was Coach Bryan’s first student at age 8. Duane is a 2nd degree black belt in Kempo Karate and has continued his training in both Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a graduate of Roanoke College in Liberal Arts and currently works as an educator.

Jodi Long

Fitness Instructor

Jodi Long is an ACE certified group fitness instructor who has been leading fitness classes for over 25 years. She enjoys motivating others to reach their fitness goals and have fun while doing it.
In her free time Jodi enjoys hiking, reading, and supporting the Virginia Tech football and wrestling programs.  She also enjoys learning new skills like playing the piano.

Brandon Hornby

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

Brandon is a Roanoke native and started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2008. All of his ranks – including black belt, were earned under Tim Mannon, a 4th degree black belt under Renzo Gracie.

Years of competition in BJJ and amateur MMA have constantly put Brandon’s skills to the test. Brandon has also supplemented his training to include Judo, in which he currently holds the rank of brown belt, and Muay Thai kickboxing.

Brandon looks forward to sharing this knowledge with all who want to learn.

Jeremy Sather

Combat Kickboxing Instructor

Jeremy has been involved in martial arts since he was a teenager, and holds rank in multiple hand-to-hand and weapons-based arts. Beginning with Tae Kwon Do at the age of fourteen, he also began training in Kenpo Karate and Jeet Kun Do in high school and college. He has several years amateur boxing experience, and trained in Muay Thai kickboxing from 2005 to 2010 at Daddis Fight Camps in Philadelphia. He began training at KMR in 2020 and currently holds Level 2 ranking. As for weapons-based arts, he is an instructor of Japanese swordsmanship—the art of Shinkendo—and has been training in Japanese sword for twenty-one years. He has also been involved in both self-defense and competitive shooting, holding a Master qualification in Tom Givens’ Rangemaster system and routinely competing in International Defense Pistol Association (IDPA) matches. Jeremy believes in being—and helping others to become—a well-rounded fighter capable of dealing with any situation that might arise. He is also a professor of Japanese history and literature at Virginia Tech. He loves dogs.

NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

Let us help you pick the right program and answer your questions!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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How is Krav Maga training different from other martial arts?2019-11-24T10:19:45-05:00

Krav Maga training focuses on realistic scenarios and attacks, developing the self-defense mindset, and developing the skills you need to survive an attack.

How will Krav Maga Training benefit me?2019-11-15T13:57:47-05:00

Our classes have numerous benefits. You will learn important self-defense skills, improved physical fitness and confidence to name a few.

Do I have to sign a contract?2019-11-15T13:57:17-05:00

No, unlike our competitors, we do not do any long-term contracts.

Do you have limits on how many times per week I can train?2019-11-15T13:57:08-05:00

No, all our memberships, adults and children, allow our students unlimited access to our schedule. You can train as many times per week as you wish.

How many times per week SHOULD I train?2019-11-15T13:56:58-05:00

We recommend that you train at least two times per week. Successful self-defense training is largely dependent on developing muscle memory. Being able to retain the information and recall it quickly takes practice, repetition, and drilling. But the right amount of training is really a personal decision based on age, body type, work and family schedule, etc. We recommend that you start with a moderate schedule and work your way up to more frequent training as you go.

What should I bring/wear to class?2019-11-15T13:56:47-05:00

Wear comfortable, clean, tasteful clothes that you can work out in and whatever shoes (optional) you would normally wear day to day. Students are free to use MMA style gloves for striking. For beginners and guests, we have loaner gloves at the center that you are welcomed to use. A mouthpiece and groin protection (for males) is not required but highly recommended. We recommend students bring a water bottle as well.

Does KMR have changing rooms?2019-11-15T13:56:36-05:00

Yes, we offer private changing rooms.

How do I choose which classes to attend or which classes for my child to attend?2019-11-15T13:56:26-05:00

Adult beginner students may attend all Level 1 classes and our Saturday morning Mixed Level class. For first time adults, we recommend attending one of our Level 1 classes. For our children’s program, White, Purple and Blue belts can only attend the beginner Young Warriors classes and the Mixed Warrior classes. Young Warriors that are Green, Brown and Black belts, can attend any Young Warriors classes.

Do I have to be in good shape to join or try a class?2019-11-15T13:56:13-05:00

Absolutely not! We have men and women start at all fitness levels. You do not have to be in shape to get in shape. Krav Maga training will improve your strength, endurance and overall fitness level.

What age ranges are in your adult classes?2019-11-15T13:56:00-05:00

We have a wide range of ages in our adult program. We have teens, young adults and middle age students from all walks of life. We currently have a student who is 81 years young!

What is the structure of a KMR class?2019-11-15T13:55:38-05:00

A typical class will start with a dynamic warm-up which could include functional training drills, functional fitness drills, partner drills, calisthenics and body weight exercises. This will be followed by some sort of striking techniques/combinations and self-defense principles. Class will end with a final drill. Our classes are a mixture of supportive, fun, serious, focused and goofy. There are moments of intense concentration… moments of fun & games… moments of encouraging one another to keep going and do your best… and so much more. It’s a vibrant blend of fun, focus and passion.

Do you have a referral program?2019-11-15T13:55:17-05:00

Of course! If you refer someone to our academy and they sign up with a membership you will receive a t-shirt of your choice free!