Photo by Combat Sports Coverage

Jeff Isacksen

Head Instructor, Owner

Jeff Isacksen came to his first Krav Maga class in 2011, hoping to better learn how to be an ally and protector to his friends and community.

In 2014, he became a certified instructor and began sharing the art of defense with others. Jeff’s desire to expand his own training and offer the most knowledge that he can to his students has led him to pursue training in other arts. He studies kickboxing, wrestling, and Jiu Jitsu in addition to Krav Maga.

Jeff is a 2x 170lb Texas Catch Wrestling Coalition champion, the 185lb Texas Catch Wrestling Coalition champion, and a 2X 165lb CSC Grappling 165lb Grand Prix Champion .

Jeff’s students know him for his sharp sense of humor, his emphasis on refining techniques, and his belief in drawing on knowledge from many different arts.

  • Krav Maga Black Belt | Krav Maga Alliance
  • 2X 170lb Texas Catch Wrestling Coalition Champion
  • 185lb Texas Catch Wrestling Coalition Interim Champion
  • 2X CSC Grappling 165lb Grand Prix Champion
  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Purple Belt | Atomic Jiu Jitsu
  • NSCA Certified Personal Trainer
  • CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
Kaci Kai

Kaci Kai

Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Owner

Kaci began training in Krav Maga in 2008 in a Women’s Self Defense course and was immediately hooked. Krav Maga made her feel confident, powerful, and capable in her body, and she couldn’t get enough of it.

Krav Maga was a gateway martial art. She has also since trained in no-gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and kickboxing. In 2016, she spent 2 years traveling the world training with some of the best. Bangkok, Thailand was her favorite (the people were so generous and excited to teach Thailand’s brutal national sport, Muay Thai). Montreal, Canada was the hardest (training with professional UFC and MMA fighters taught her the level you have to train at to compete).

In 2018, she founded Krav Maga ATX out of a desire to create a more inclusive, thoughtful, and welcoming Krav Maga community. Her team knows they can count on her for her sound business mind and her incredible work ethic. Her students can expect a passionate Kravist with a big heart and an unwavering desire to help her students get better.

  • Krav Maga Level 2 Instructor | Krav Maga Alliance
  • Krav Maga Level 5 Student
  • CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
  • Mental Health First Aid Certified
  • Stop the Bleed Certified
  • altMBA Graduate (altMBA 2) & altMBA Coach Alumnus
Madisyn Aldea

Madisyn Aldea

Front Desk Associate, Kids Assistant Instructor

Madisyn was a long-time performing ballet dancer, starting at the age of 12. She performed as a super for the The Kirov Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.

In 2016, she earned a Pilates Instructor Certificate from Orange Coast College. The following year, she began Krav Maga with Krav Maga XD in Orange County, driven by a desire to boost her confidence and ensure she never felt powerless.

After the birth of her twin daughters, Madisyn joined Krav Maga ATX in 2021, seeking to enhance her ability to protect herself and her family. Her love for the technical and practical aspects of Krav Maga fuels her ongoing learning, as she finds joy in mastering useful, real-world skills.

You’ll see Madisyn welcoming you to the studio at the front desk, as well as assisting in Kids Krav Maga classes.

She’s dedicated to creating a welcoming and safe environment, reflecting her commitment to both personal empowerment and the well-being of her community.

  • Assistant Kids Instructor
  • Striking Specialist Certified | Krav Maga Alliance
  • Krav Maga Level 3 Student
  • Certified Pilates Instructor | Orange Coast College
Emily Alexander at Krav Maga ATX

Emily Alexander

Krav Maga Instructor, Striking Fundamentals Instructor

Emily began her teaching career in 2006 as a high school English teacher. She fell in love with teaching, and while she changed career roles in 2009, she continued mentoring and training colleagues in her current role as an editor in the medical field.

A year after the birth of her first child, Emily’s friend recommended trying Krav Maga, and that led to her training with a private group taught by Jeff Isacksen in 2015. Over the next year, she gained an immense amount of confidence and empowerment, both personally and as a mother. After being in the private group for a year, she began training full-time in the Level 1 class, finally passing her Level 1 test in 2017.

Emily is now a Level 4 student and is passionate for teaching Krav Maga in a way that emphasizes potential dangers and contexts, but in a way that is easily understood, fun, and empowering. Her key message to students is that nothing is ever impossible.

Kerry Higdon Black Belt in Karate

Kerry Higdon

Chief Financial Officer

Kerry works behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly at Krav Maga ATX. She brings a Masters in Accounting and nearly a decade of audit, tax, and financial reporting experience to help Kaci and Jeff make sound business decisions. Although most of her sparring now takes place in spreadsheets, she earned her black belt in Okinawan Shorinryu Karate in 2021. She enjoys hand-to-hand, but her heart belongs to weapons, especially the kamas and eku.

She has taken exactly one Krav Maga class herself (while very pregnant) but has witnessed how this martial art can positively impact others’ lives. She believes in the community Krav Maga ATX has built and is proud to contribute in her own way.

  • Okinawan Shorinryu Karate Black Belt
  • Masters of Science in Accounting | Kaplan University
  • Bachelors  of Science in Accounting | Kaplan University

Glenn Kasabian

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Glenn is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt who has been practicing the art for 8+ years. He has several amateur MMA bouts under his belt.

Glenn’s teaching style is oriented towards a fun, accessible approach to martial arts. You can expect him to be a knowledgable instructor who builds community and leadership into his classes.

  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Purple Belt
  • Registered Yoga Instructor (500 hour)
  • CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
  • EMS Certified

Max Proctor

Krav Maga Instructor, Striking Fundamentals Instructor

Max is a long-time student of Krav Maga, retired military after serving for 8 years in the Air Force, and a certified handgun instructor.

Max’s students can expect an enthusiastic instructor that loves to crack jokes. He’s also known to make you work for a MaxMinute™ (which seems a wee bit longer than the normal 60 second minute).

  • Krav Maga Level 1 Instructor | Krav Maga Alliance
  • Krav Maga Level 5 Student
  • CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
  • Basic Pistol Instructor | National Rifle Association
  • License to Carry Instructor | Texas Department of Public Safety
  • Level III Security Instructor | Texas Department of Public Safety

Melanie Johnson

Krav Maga Instructor

Melanie began training in 2014 at STW Krav Maga in San Antonio. She trained for two years in San Antonio before moving to Dallas as an orange belt/L3 student. After a long recovery from knee surgery, she continued her training at Krav Maga Dallas where she received cross-training in boxing and no gi jiu-jitsu. During her time at Krav Maga Dallas, she leveled up to green belt/L4 and developed a reputation as the “scary tall girl.”

Melanie moved to the Austin area in the summer of 2022 and immediately started training at Krav Maga ATX where she has been working on improving her kickboxing, wrestling, and preparing for her blue belt/L5 test. Melanie has a passion for Krav Maga, self-defense, and technical precision. If you find yourself sparring her, watch out for that lead hook!

  • Krav Maga Level 1 Instructor | Krav Maga Alliance
  • Striking Specialist Certified | Krav Maga Alliance
  • Krav Maga Level 4 Student
  • CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
  • Bloodborn Pathogen Certified

Sean Lim

Krav Maga Instructor, Striking Fundamentals Instructor

Sean is a lifelong martial artist with a wealth of experience. He holds a black belt in Taekwondo and he’s an active student in Krav Maga, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Sean’s students can expect him to be an easygoing, levelheaded instructor with a wealth of knowledge and a mean lead leg kick. (And he’ll teach you how to improve your kicks too!)

  • Krav Maga Level 2 Instructor | Krav Maga Alliance
  • Krav Maga Level 5 Student
  • Taekwondo, Black Belt
  • CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
  • Stop the Bleed Certified

Michael Ortiz

Kickboxing Instructor, Striking Fundamentals Instructor

Michael started his Krav Maga journey in 2014 because, like so many others, he needed a change. After playing many high-level sports throughout his life, including football, basketball, baseball, and track and field, he developed an immediate passion for Krav Maga. He fell in love with the community, the discipline, and the challenge of it all.

Michael quickly rose through the levels, not because of his athletic background, but because of his mindset: to learn how to protect others, help them feel confident both physically and mentally, and protect themselves. He’s pursued other martial arts in service of this mindset, including kickboxing, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Michael also competes in amateur kickboxing and boxing.

Michael’s students can expect him to be a technical instructor who is absolutely hilarious/quick witted (words by him) and an instructor whose focus is to make his students better on and off the mats.

  • Striking Specialist Certified | Krav Maga Alliance
  • Krav Maga Level 3 Student
  • CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified

Izzy Schloss

Front Desk Associate

Izzy decided to try Krav Maga ATX in 2021 because she was tired of feeling afraid to walk alone at night. She’s been a dedicated member of our community ever since! In addition to gaining confidence, experience, and fighting skills, she has found the Krav Maga community invaluable.

Izzy now sits proudly at the front desk, welcoming the regulars, new members, and future members into the gym with a big ‘ole smile while continuing her training in Krav Maga.

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