Ryan Hoover

Ryan Hoover is a nationally recognized self-defense expert, coach, speaker, and author. He is the founder of Fit to Fight®, an organization dedicated to modern, principle-based training for real-world violence. Over the past two decades, Ryan has trained thousands of civilians, law enforcement officers, and military personnel across the U.S. and internationally. His programs--including Modern Krav Maga(tm), GROUNDED(tm), and SPARology(tm)--have been adopted by schools, gyms, and agencies seeking an honest, effective, and adaptable approach to personal defense. Ryan's work draws from multiple disciplines ranging from street experience, combat sports, military collaborations, and research into violence dynamics. He is best known for rejecting tradition's sake and for empowering students and instructors to think critically, train realistically, and lead with integrity. His writing and teaching blend sharp practicality with deep care for the communities he serves. Through seminars, books, online content, and instructor development, Ryan's mission remains consistent: make people harder to harm--and better equipped to protect others. Ryan lives in North Carolina with his family and teaches daily at Fit to Fight®, Charlotte, and Fit to Fight®, Gastonia, flagship training centers for progressive self-defense.