Ryan Stokes
Ryan's journey into martial arts began at the age of 16, dabbling in training for a couple of years before fully diving in at 18. During this time, he discovered traditional Chinese martial arts and spent 5-6 years studying styles such as Wing Chun, Snake, Tiger, and Long Fist. Life brought a pause to his practice when he got married, but martial arts was never far from his heart.
Nine years ago, Ryan’s son joined Empower Martial Arts' afterschool program, which rekindled his passion. Under the guidance of the previous owner, Ryan was encouraged to explore the Krav Maga program. He fell in love with its practical, real-world applications and began teaching it—and he hasn’t looked back since.
Ryan's passion for martial arts lies in its dual essence: the beauty and discipline of traditional forms and the practicality of modern self-defense systems like Krav Maga. His favorite part of teaching is empowering students with the ability to protect themselves and build confidence through skill and knowledge.
When Ryan isn’t on the mat, he’s a fan of the color red, and his favorite movie is The Great Escape. With years of experience and a commitment to helping others grow, Ryan is an integral part of the Empower Martial Arts family.
