WE ARE Alpha Krav Maga Wisconsin
Who We Are & What Makes Us Different
Alpha Krav Maga Wisconsin (formerly WalCo Krav Maga & Personal Protection) is the home for real Krav Maga in Southeastern Wisconsin. Featuring certified, expert-level Krav Maga instructors, Alpha Krav Maga Wisconsin provides hands-on coaching in an ego-free environment where people of all backgrounds and athletic abilities can thrive. Our expertise is in self-defense and personal protection and it shows in the way we teach and in what we teach.
Under the guidance of Alpha Krav Maga International and adhering to a curriculum provided weekly by Master George Buruian, we teach techniques that are honed, tested, and embraced by LEOs, military, and MMA professionals from around the globe. When combined with sparring, students can further develop muscle memory while gaining a better understanding of why we do what we do.
Alpha Krav Maga Wisconsin is more than just a gym or a dojo. We are also a community. Our school is all about building people up and not about tearing them down. Although we train violent, life-saving, fighting skills, we also work together as a group to help each other reach their maximum potential. This mutual respects allows us to train hard, without "hard feelings."
By combining high-energy instruction with real-world simulations, you will gain the skills needed to fight back against an attacker, while getting solid cardio conditioning. This type of training gives our students a defensive edge along with a healthy body. Whether it be by de-escalation, escape, or annihilation, it doesn't matter. We are all about doing "Whatever it takes."
Lejla (Owner & Krav Maga Coach)
Lejla is an expert-level Krav Maga instructor. Born in Bosnia and exposed to glimpses of civil war and unrest as a child, she understands the importance of the human need to feel safe. These experiences would later lead her to training in Krav Maga.
She has always been a firm believer that one can achieve anything with the right mindset, motivation and training. The benefit and value of Krav Maga is what encouraged her to become an instructor and pass along her passion to her students and peers.
Carrying instructor certifications with both Krav Maga Alliance and Alpha Krav Maga International, Lejla’s primary focus is that everyone knows how to gets home safe. She thrives on bringing out the best in each student through challenging drills that can be effective in real life situations.
As a business owner and proud mother, she understands the importance of having the skills and effective training to overcome and overwhelm an attacker. The curriculum, techniques, and stringent instructor standards set forth by Alpha Krav Maga International, is why she chose to make her school the first AKMI affiliate in Wisconsin.
John (Manager & Krav Maga Coach)
John has long held the belief that everyone has a fundamental right to feel safe and have the ability to protect themselves against a threat. As an expert-level instructor, John has spent nearly a decade empowering students to do the same for themselves through Krav Maga.
With experience in Boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ and Kali, John goes beyond the curriculum to impart practical application through real world scenarios and anecdotal experience. This gives students a better understanding as to when to do something and why.
John carries Krav Maga instructor certifications with both Krav Maga Alliance & Alpha Krav Maga International. He allows his students to embrace the "simplistic brutality" that forms the foundation of Krav Maga. His dissection of skills and techniques, makes it easy for students to learn how to become an effective fighter and protector.
Aside from teaching Krav Maga, John is also a respected resource for firearms education and training. With over 20 years of shooting experience, and in addition to being an FFL and an NRA Certified RSO, John can assist you with making the right decisions for purchasing or training with firearms.
Chris (Krav Maga Coach)
Chris (AKA "The Big Sweat") has been training Krav Maga since 2011 and has been training with Alpha Krav Maga WI since August 2023. Chris has experience in and currently trains wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, Filipino Martial Arts (Kali), kickboxing, and the sweet science of boxing. Chis has also earned multiple levels of instructor certifications with Alpha Krav Maga International.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife and daughter, firearms training, lifting weights, falling asleep on the couch, multi-day backpacking trips, doing karate in the garage, and dad jokes. Lots of dad jokes. He is an avid outdoorsman and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps (1998-2001).
Kenny (Boxing Coach)
Kenny has been on a personal fitness journey for over 3 years. He found a love for boxing and has been training ever since. Kenny has seen the benefits boxing has brought to his life. He is also passionate about running (he leads our AKMW Running Club) and enjoys playing basketball, football, and golf. After seeing his physical and mental transformation, he found his calling to become a fitness coach.
He is a certified coach with USA Boxing and the lead of our Boxing Fundamentals program. Kenny enjoys working with people of all abilities and has a drive to help others discover the best versions of themselves. Kenny’s energy is unmatched and we are honored to have him contribute to our team.
Amanda (Kids Krav Coach)
Amanda may be small, but she has a mighty heart and a massive love for Krav Maga. From her very first class, she continues to bring a fire and intensity that is impossible to ignore. Although she is a "5-foot Inferno," her sweet side shines when she is assisting Lejla with teaching the Kids Krav program. Speaking of sweet, Amanda is also an amazing cook, whose recipes regularly appear on our social media pages.
Guest Instructors
Adam (Alpha Krav Maga Chicago)
Training in martial arts for over 25+ years, Adam is ranked in several systems. He has been teaching Krav Maga for 10+ years, a Kali instructor in M.A.R.S. under Ron Balicki, a NRA Basic Pistol instructor, and a Sabre Red pepper spray instructor.
Adam is a welcome guest to Alpha Krav Maga Wisconsin as his years of experience greatly benefit our students and expand their martial arts scope. When Adam is not rolling around on he mats, he also enjoys large dogs and is also an aficionado of quality peanut butter.
Chase (Alpha Krav Maga Compound)
Chase is currently a Firefighter/Paramedic with over 20 years of martial arts experience. He holds rankings in Kenpo Karate, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Boxing, Savate, Kali and JKD. He also holds a Black Belt ranking with Alpha Krav Maga International, in addition to being a nationally recognized Krav Maga instructor.
From footwork fundamentals to tourniquets, Chase takes an active interest in his students. He takes pride in his coaching and ensures that his students have functional and conceptual knowledge of techniques as they set out on their martial arts journey.
Since 2016, Chase had been teaching Krav Maga students of all ages and levels. His attention to detail in techniques helps his students become successful fighters and confident in their ability to protect themselves. His skills and experience continue to make a positive influence on the students and management of Alpha Krav Maga Wisconsin.