USAMAF Biography Information
Terry L. Bryan
Member, Board of Directors
United States (USA) Martial Arts Federation
A Black Belt, master of the martial arts and with a degree in social work and child psychology, Terry Bryan has developed martial arts and self-protection programs for a number of schools, military command, and police departments around the United States. Shihan Bryan is one of only a handful of people in the entire country to have earned a Ph.D. in the martial arts and has been recognized as a "Living Legend" by the Royal Family of Japan. He currently holds black belt rank in Tae Kwon Do, Okinawan Karate, Shotokan, Chinese Gung Fu, and Ju-Jitsu.
Born and raised in the hills of Tennessee, Shihan Bryan discovered his interest in the martial arts in Junior High School. He trained throughout his two military tours in Southeast Asia. Injured in the line of duty, Bryan use his martial arts skills and discipline to rehabilitate a leg doctors told him he would never walk use again without a cane or crutch. In fact, he went on to a competitive career, winning over 300 first place awards in the black belt division around the country. Retired from active competition, he recently resigned as the General Secretary for the USA National Karate-Do Federation, the official governing body for the sport of Karate in the United States as recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Having taught the martial arts since 1970, Shihan Bryan accepted the position as head Karate coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1983. Under his direction, the Air Force team was undefeated against Army and Navy, and many of the cadets earned national ranking during his tenure. A strong desire to work with young people led Shihan Bryan to establish a national headquarters for his organization in Colorado Springs. In 1990, Shihan Bryan became the State Director for USA Karate and helped it grow to become the third largest RSO in the nation. Shihan Bryan also opened his American Black Belt Academy in 1990. He currently oversees 6 schools in Colorado Springs and other schools around the country. He is also asked to give seminars to elite black belts and their students around the world.
Having over 30 years experience in self-protection, proficiency with weapons, and intelligence gathering, Shihan Bryan is often sought out for Executive/VIP Protection and bodyguard services. Working with agents from the CIA, DEA, the Secret Service, and the FBI, Shihan Bryan has become a consultant and instructor to help recover high risk fugitives for the Omega Intelligence Group.
While continuing to teach high level black belts who have their own schools, Shihan Bryan oversees the American Shorin Karate Association. Shihan Bryan's knowledge of how people learn and how to teach in a non-threatening manner is a key element to his success as an instructor. Learning how to avoid physical conflict and trouble, in general, is what studying the martial arts under a master instructor is all about.
Shihan Bryan is recognized as a master instructor in over 144 countries around the world and holds the title of Kyoshi.
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