Born in 1967 in La Jolla, California, Joel started his martial arts career with a fencing lesson from a friend. Later he found that the Japanese Katana was more to his taste. But since he couldn't carry a sword down the street, miraculously pull it out of his t-shirt like Duncan MacLeod in Highlander, or carry it on the plane next to him like Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, Joel felt that it was time to find a weaponless solution.

After trying some Shotokan classes with a friend, Joel eventually joined Shido-kan Karate and obtained Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in 2004. It was during this period of time Joel learned and honed his teaching skills as well as his fighting techniques. Joel has taught all ages, from as young as 4 to as old as 77, and had a perfect record of preparing students for their Shido-kan black belt tests. Joel has also had the privilege of visiting and training in several martial arts schools including Hapkido, Aikido, Kung-Fu, Kempo, Sword Cutting Techniques, and various other schools in the US and Canada.*

In 2003, Joel wanted to expand business, but quickly found that the St. Louis area Shido-kan organization wasn't up for the challenge. Joel then began an exhaustive search for a martial arts organization that fit his needs for excellence, as well as a drive to succeed in business.

In October of 2004, St. Louis Self Defense & Fitness opened. Joel and his wife, Lacy were there on the first day. The classes were exactly what they were looking for: What Joel liked is that Commando Krav Maga is an open system, meaning that if a technique is found that is better than something already in the system, then the old technique is replaced.

Joel has been privileged to train with numerous other people which helped to expand his skills in other forms of martial arts. "We had a great Seminar with Sean Choi who taught a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seminar. I also took a week long instructor training course with Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Bas Rutten. Bas is definitely one of my heroes, and to train with him and learn his fighting system directly from him was amazing".

Joel has now turned an eye toward business, and has been the Managing Partner of St. Louis Self Defense & Fitness, LLC since January 1, 2006. Backed by 16 years of business experience in the IS division of Edward Jones, Joel has begun improving business practices and advertising for the school. "I am very excited to have St. Louis Self Defense & Fitness as my new home and look forward to working with Mike and Steve to build St. Louis Self Defense & Fitness into one of the top mixed martial arts and fitness clubs in the country".

*Joel would like to thank everyone he trained with, and those that helped and supported him in his time with the Shido-kan association. "Thanks to Seikichi Iha, Hanshi, 10th dan in Lansing, Michigan, for many years of teaching. Special thanks to Mark McCloud, 5th Dan and Matt Hubinger, 5th dan for everything you tried to do for me during the issues that eventually led to my leaving the St. Louis Shido-kan dojo. And very special thanks to all the ex-black belts and students from the St. Louis dojo who gave their support. It's great to know that there is still honor and justice in the world".