Dan Kiser, President

Dan Kiser is the President of Austin Self Defense, which has served Austin, Cedar Park, and Leander since 2002. Mr. Kiser has always had a passion for learning self-defense and fighting techniques and sought out training in reality-based martial art forms. Mr. Kiser has undergone extensive training and received certifications in Krav Maga and Haganah Israeli Self Defense & Hand to Hand Combat and anti terrorist techniques. Mr. Kiser has trained under many well-known and prestigious instructors including, Mike Lee Kanarek who is the founder of Haganah F.I.G.H.T and former Operations Group Commando of the Golani Brigade Special Ops Unit of South Lebanon. Additionally Mr. Kiser has consistently trained in Brazilian Jui Jitsu, Hap Kito, Tae Kwon Do, Sambo, & Judo.

Jeanette Dahnert

I am in my mid-thirties, a wife and mother of three beautiful children. I am a certified Haganah F.I.G.H.T and Krav Maga Instructor and Lead Instructor and Trainer for ASD's Xtreme Fitness Programs. I’ve always enjoyed martial arts but there was something missing from most martial arts that kept me at bay. I needed a certain, greater challenge-more dynamic and hands on. I found what I was looking for in Krav Maga and Haganah. I was hooked after one introductory class. The systems are about real-life practical self defense with a hands-on approach and THAT was the “it” I wanted! I immersed myself in the systems and classes and got in the best shape of my life-even better than my high school track days! I trained and studied hard and became an instructor in September 2002. I have been teaching ever since. I walk with more confidence than ever, and the fact that I have a part in helping to make someone else live a fit life, feel and be as safe and confident as I am, even better-save their life, is a great feeling!

ANDREA Mills

Andrea, originally from Southern California, has called Austin “home” for the past six years. While in high school, she taught elementary school reach-out anti-drug and anti-abuse programs, “Students Reaching Out”. Andrea has always had a desire to help others but was never quite sure in what capacity to devote herself. Andrea’s path was discovered after attending classes at Austin Self Defense. Andrea first attended fitness classes and had such a hunger for knowledge and training that she began committing herself to our Mixed Martial Arts training & Haganah training. Through her training she has been able to overcome many physical and emotional boundaries and discovered a new thirst. Andreas passion for her training and personal accomplishments has helped her find the avenue she had been searching for as well as to help others in their personal efforts. Andrea has attained her FIGHT certification through the International Haganah Federation and continues to hone her skills through a variety of training in many different arts and fighting styles. Andrea is now head instructor or our Haganah Kids program and uses her skills, bubbly personality and creative mind to help educate and motivate children to pursue their own personal goals as well.

Larry De La Garza

Larry , age 36, has been teaching Fitness classes at ASD since October 2004. Larry received his B.S in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992. While in college, Larry earned an A.C.E Personal Trainer Certification. Also, Larry worked along the University's Strength and Conditioning Staff for 2 years under Dana La Duc who is currently the strength coach for the St. Louis Rams. At this position Larry worked with the woman’s' Volleyball, Basketball and both Track teams with their Strength and Conditioning programs. During this time, Larry worked as the head trainer for World's gym for 2 years in which he supervised over 15 trainers. Recently, Larry was a Physical Education teacher for the Austin Independent School District. Larry was instrumental in incorporating an aerobics curriculum throughout the district.

Tiesa Carroll

In 1999, I moved to Texas with my family. At the time my kids were very young and I worked two jobs and took real estate classes on the weekends. When did I have time to work out? Within 4 years I had gained 20 lbs. I went to the doctor and that was it….I had to make a change. One of my neighbors came knocking on my door and wanted to know if I’d take a class with her. I took my first ASD class back in February 2005 and I loved it! I was hooked! I not only look great but I feel fantastic! I have more energy and self-confidence. ASD gives me a challenging and intense workout every time. Plus, I’m learning something new with every class I take. I spent this past summer training and I am now a Fitness instructor.

Trudy Pzynski

Trudy joins our training staff from the world of fitness, martial arts and competitive athletics. After playing competitive basketball for 15 years, Trudy was looking for a great way to both stay in shape and defend herself physically (while traveling for her job)--she found it in Kung Fu and kickboxing. Then her enthusiasm for the results inspired her to take it a step past being a student and into teaching aerobics and kickboxing bag classes. Having been a classroom algebra teacher for many years and a married mother of three "furry" babies, she brings an organized and enthusiastic approach to helping motivate her students as well as the experience of having "been there, surmounted the obstacles". Personally, she has experienced the positive improvements of self-confidence and strength--emotionally and physically--as well as going down a dress size, lowering stress levels and being able to do REAL push-ups now! When you attend her upbeat classes, she encourages you to challenge yourself to excel--but, most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Joe Stan

Joe is retired Lieutenant from the Travis County Sheriff's Office, was the Chief Defensive Tactics Instructor for 18 years, and a Police Nunchuku Instructor. He was a SWAT-Commander, Entry Team and Sniper. For 6 years, Joe fought professional Kickboxing and fought Golden Gloves on the Pro Boxing Circuit. Additionally, Joe holds a 3^rd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Mike Boswell

Mike is a single father of an amazing 7 year old boy. His only other passion in life has been boxing and martial arts. Mike is a California Grand National Champion in Tae Kwon Do and has three years of amateur boxing experience, including Golden Glove bouts. Mike will be the most recent addition to the staff of Krav Maga instructors at ASD.

Ben Choteau

My background is largely in the world of wrestling, which I began at the age of six and continued until my third year of college. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, I moved to San Antonio to attend business school and later to Austin with my wife and two boys. From San Antonio I moved to Austin and began searching for a way to continue teaching and training in a ground-based martial art. I settled on Judo, and then moved into the study of Jiu-Jitsu. After moving to Cedar Park, I met Dan and we began a longstanding conversation on the versatility of various martial art forms and the need for a fighting system that pulls the best from striking arts and ground fighting. The result is the ongoing development of a style that moves fluidly between a traditional martial art form where two opponents are on their feet, and a grappling style where participants are competing for a submission or dominant striking position the ground. It is my intent to not only teach techniques to be used in competition but also street survival techniques to allow for quick and effective domination of an assailant which would allow for a safe escape.