Midwest Academy

03/16/2026

Any EDC blade should have a comparable trainer version that allows you to carry (conceal), deploy (access), & employ (use) in the exact manner that you intend to outside the training environment. The trainer should allow you to get reps & master your craft. EDC blades, like all tools, should be purpose-built & selected using a number of mission & individual factors. Check out Dynamis Alliance for blades that are purpose built for concealed-to-combat and are the recommended edged weapons for the Midwest Academy's FMA, contact-weapons/edged-weapons, & Firearms-Combatives Program (FCP).

09/10/2025

Worth watching at least the first 5 minutes to hear the need for incorporating fi****ms into a "realistic" self defense skill set from a professional MMA/UFC fighter.

The entire video is worth watching if you are interested in various instructional points - and the counterpoint should also be obvious: if you're a shooter, but not training in some combatives skill set, you are also missing a component of "realistic" self defense.

Progression to the Standard- We had the opportunity to get Michelle from Team Aimpoint down to the shop and out for a range day. A retired UFC fighter, a pro...

06/10/2025

Grip (strength) plays a critical role in striking, grappling & contact-weapons based combatives as well as fi****ms (particularly pistol shooting).

The average grip strength for a male in the general population is 105 -113 lbs according to Google's AI. Many UFC fighters have grip strengths that are above average - potentially in the 120 -140+ lbs range according to that same information.

Maintaining "grip discipline" - whether training striking, grappling, edged and/or impact weapons, shooting, or resistance training is a way to improve your overall grip strength which serves to improve your effectiveness across all platforms.

Attached is also a section of an IME's (Independent Medical Examiner) 2017 report which was conducted on me in a return-to-duty assessment following a duty related injury (with numbers indicating 140+ lbs) as a frame of reference for how grip strength is a cross functional attribute that supports every combatives and fi****ms related skill.

Stay dangerous,

David

05/24/2025

Blade care by Dynamis Alliance

EDC Blade Care is essential. We developed this Blade Care Kit to take the guess work out of what you need to take care of your Blade. We took years of Blade ...

05/19/2025

One of our guiding principles in developing & sanctioning/recognizing teachers in the Seizan Ryu system is that our teachers need to be proficient in both their technical skills ("how good they are") & their teaching skills ("how good they can make others").

We continually work with and develop our teachers along this governing principle - I am grateful for their hard work & dedication and honored to be renewing the Charters of Sanction & Recognition for several teachers in TX, WI, & Il.

Keep making that 1% improvement each day!

Osu,

David

12/10/2024

Wolf River Martial Arts is forming new class & additional training groups New London, WI and Suamico, WI.

For information on the New London (WI) training group, contact Ritchard Middleton via DM.

For information on the Suamico (WI) training group, contact TJ Fulmer via DM.

07/07/2024

"Integrated combatives is the way..."
- Kyle Defoor, -

06/18/2024

If you train with us, you understand why a folding knife is not a fighting knife. If you rely on your kit to save lives, then you understand we use Dynamis Alliance blades...

05/23/2024

Thank you to Cama SeizanRyu in Littleton, CO for hosting the LV-DEW (Low Vis-to-Dynamic Edged Weapon) workshop.

Great work by all the students - looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Respectfully,

David Hakim, Director
Midwest Academy

04/08/2024

Join Torrey for a session on situational awareness. In this video, Torrey shares essential tips and techniques to enhance your awareness of your surroundings...