Instructor Team

Proactive Self Defence

Instructor Team

Meet the Instructors

Proactive offer high quality instruction by very qualified and experienced individuals in their specialised field including Martial Arts, Kick Boxing, Fitness & Self Defence Instruction. Proactive Instructors are committed to training and development with ongoing instructor training, nationally recognised certificate qualifications and commitment to personal improvement through seminars, and in house coaching. What you get are passionate, qualified instructors who are committed to helping you reach your goals and gain skills for life.

Principal Instructor

Kyoshi Shihan Rick O’Brien is the founder of Proactive Self Defence (1992) and Australian Freestyle Martial Arts (1999). Rick started training in martial arts in 1979 and has reached the level of 7th Dan Kyoshi Shihan in AFMA, Kru Level in MTK, and Instructor Level in Natural Spirit International. Rick was awarded International Instructor of the Year at the Philippine Hall of Fame Awards (2014). Rick has a Diploma in Sports Coaching, & in Sports Development, and is a Certificate IV Workplace Assessor & Trainer. He has trained in the USA, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, and Australia for over 40 years. He started coaching in 1984 and became a full time professional instructor in 1992, opening up the Proactive Self Defence Academy in Thomastown in 2006.

Rick is a versatile instructor specialising in self defence with a passion for the martial arts. He is a professional who gets the work done, while motivating his many varied clients to become the best they can be.

Staff Instructors

Renshi Anthony is a 4th Dan Black Belt in AFMA and Kru Level MTK Instructor. Anthony has been training since 2001. Anthony is a Certificate III Level Sports Coach and Certificate IV Personal Trainer. Anthony specialises in fitness, conditioning, extreme martial arts, freestyle, and Muay Thai. He’s trained in Thailand in the inaugural Proactive MTK Tour, and has competed in National All Styles, ISKA, and kickboxing.

Anthony runs a no non-sense approach to classes and will push you to your best. BEWARE: he’s also lots and lots of fun and his classes are highly addictive.

Sensei Kemal is a 2nd Dan Black Belt in AFMA and Level 9 MTK Instructor. Kemal has trained in martial arts and kickboxing for over 20 years and started training with us in Proactive in 2012. Kemal is a Certificate IV Level Sports Coach.He has competed and coached in the National All Styles and ISKA tournaments.

Kemal is known for being very friendly and caring, making him one of our members’ favourite instructors. As a dad, Kemal is great with children and teaches mostly martial arts, AFMA, cage fitness, and MTK.

Sensei Brandon is a Level 10 MTK Instructor. Brandon started training in martial arts as a keen 4-year old in Scotland. Since moving to Australia, he has achieved Black Belt in traditional Karate styles before moving to Proactive in 2017. Brandon is an accredited instructor who specialises in Muay Thai, cardio kickboxing, and boxing. He has trained in the Proactive MTK Thailand Tour and has competed in various tournaments and gym spars in Melbourne.

Brandon is a lifelong martial artist and a great competitor with a solid work ethic.

Sensei Sassy is a Black Belt in AFMA and Level 8 MTK Instructor. Sassy has been training in Proactive since 2014. Sassy is is an accredited instructor who specialises in martial arts and AFMA. Sassy trained in the MTK Thailand tour in 2017.

Sassy is a firm instructor and is a solid role model to her younger students.

Sensei Tony is a 2nd Dan Black Belt in AFMA and Level 9 MTK Instructor. Tony initially trained in traditional karate before moving to Proactive in 2015. Tony is a Certificate IV Level Sports Coach and Personal Trainer. He specialises in martial arts, Muay Thai, and AFMA. He has trained in MTK Thailand Tour in 2017.

Tony is an extremely dedicated and self discipline martial artist who is caring, articulate and leads by example as an instructor, making him a great role model to his students.

Sensei Paul is a Kru Level MTK Instructor and a Brown Belt Black Bar in AFMA. Paul has been training in Proactive since 1999 with Shihan Rick at the Epping Dojo. Paul is a Certificate IV Level Sports Coach and first aid qualified. He specialises in Muay Thai and venturing into Freestyle martial arts. He was a championship finalist in the Proactive Intraclub Tournaments in his first year of training and he was the Victoria State Champion in the National All Styles (2004).

Paul is a qualified youth worker who runs Innovation Youth Centre (IYC) and is a great asset to members in being able to provide support services to youth in need. Paul has a great sense of humour and is very easy to talk to, making him a popular instructor.

Instructors

Renshi John is 4th Dan Black Belt volunteer instructor in AFMA. John started training in 2008. John has always had an interest in martial arts as a member of the Royal Australian Navy. John is a Diploma Level Sports Coach who specialises in martial arts, Kali, and Martial Masters.

John is proudly our oldest member at the young age of 74 and is one of our most popular junior instructors with his old school, no messing around approach to developing kid’s resilience and confidence.

Shihan Tim is a 5th Dan Black Belt in AFMA and a Kru Level Instructor in MTK. Tim started training in Proactive alongside his children in 2003. Tim is a Diploma  Level Sports Coach. Tim served as the Head Coach for Proactive Top Team and still today keeps a close eye on the team since moving to Philip Island. He specialises in boxing (in particular, dirty boxing/ self defence application). He has trained in Thailand on the inaugural 2009 tour which inspired him to continue training overseas when the opportunity presents.

Tim is a no nonsense, straight down the line instructor who ensures everyone is equal in class. He leads from the front (with steam coming off his head) to ensure his students maintain a consistent work rate throughout each class.

Renshi Brian is a 4th Dan Black Belt in AFMA, Level 7 MTK Instructor, and Black Belt Level in Traditional Sword. Brian has been training since 1993. Brian is a Certificate IV Level Sports Coach. He specialises in Traditional Sword, both Japanese and Korean systems in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide with various shoguns.

Brian is an articulate and intelligent coach who has a keen eye for detail and strong basic foundation skills.

Shihan Jim

Shihan Jim is a 5th Dan Black Belt in AFMA and Level 8 in MTK. Jim has been training since the early 1980’s in Goju Karate before he transitioned to freestyle with Shihan Rick in 1987. Jim is a Diploma Level Sports Coach, and was the Head Instructor in Bayswater. Jim is a cross-trainer, having a go at all manner of activities and fitness regimes. He has competed in amateur boxing and is an adept south paw with powerful hands.

Jim is an advanced instructor and teaches off the wall skills and drills so be ready for the ride!

Renshi Leteicha is a 4th Dan Black Belt in AFMA. Teich was Proactive’s Assistant Principal in 2008-2012 and is currently a volunteer instructor. Teich has been training since 1999. Teich is a Diploma Level Sports Coach who specialises in violence prevention, self defence, and freestyle martial arts. She has competed in National All Styles, ISKA, and Proactive Intraclub Tournaments.

Leteicha is a friendly, firm role model whose enthusiasm is contagious to those around her, both instructors and members.

Renshi Marilyn is a 4th Dan Black Belt in AFMA. Marilyn has been training since the 1990s initially with Renshi Jim in Bayswater Dojo where she also served as an Assistant Instructor. Marilyn is a Diploma Level Sports Coach who specialises in Kali, kata, freestyle, and Martial Masters.

Marilyn is a very dedicated member who crosses Melbourne travelling over an hour just to get to the Thomastown Academy. Marilyn mostly comes along to assess members’ skills as part of the AFMA grading panel.

Renshi Michael is a4th Dan Black Belt in AFMA and Pro Level 10 in MTK. Michael has been training since 1999. Michael is a Certificate IV Level Sports Coach who specialises in extreme martial arts, freestyle, and cage fitness. He’s trained in Thailand and USA and has competed and coached in National All Styles and ISKA.

Michael is a passionate martial artist and coach who receives a lot of pleasure watching his students develop and grow.

Sensei Steve is a 3rd Dan Black Belt in AFMA and a Pro Level 10 in MTK. Steve has been training since 2001. Steve is a Diploma Level Sports Coach and a Diploma Level in Personal Training. Steve specialises in fitness, conditioning & strength. He’s trained in Thailand in the inaugural Proactive MTK Tour and has been Team Freestyle Head Coach and has competed and coached in National All Styles and ISKA.

Steve is a hardcore coach that will definitely get the best out of you.

Sensei Ross is a Kru Level MTK volunteer instructor. Ross started training with his children in 2001. Ross is a Certificate IV Level Sports Coach and specialises in Muay Thai, cage fitness, and cardio kickboxing. He has trained in Thailand in the inaugural MTK Tour in 2009 and has competed and coached in various gym spars around Melbourne.

Ross is friendly and articulate coach who leads by example as attested by his weekly back-to-back-to-back classes!

Sensei Eduardo is a 3rd Dan Black Belt in AFMA. Ed started at an early age in martial arts and has been training in Proactive with his children since 2012. Ed is a Certificate xx Level Sports Coach. He specialises in freestyle martial arts and has been the Head Coach for Team Freestyle since 2016. Ed has competed and coached in multiple tournaments coveting consecutive NAS championships (2018, 2019), Victorian State Champion Title 2015 and ISKA World Title 2014.

Ed is a driven, intelligent, and methodical coach who leads from the front and by example. As a family, Ed is great with children.

Sensei Jordan is a 3rd Dan Black Belt in AFMA and Kru Level 10 MTK Instructor. Jordan has been training in Proactive since 2001. Jordan is a Certificate III Level Sports Coach who specialises in boxing, Muay Thai, and freestyle. He has trained in Thailand and has competed in gym spars, National All Styles, and ISKA tournaments.

Jordan is an intelligent, hardworking coach. His background in Physiotherapy gives him specialisation in leverage, joint manipulation, and proper body mechanics. His career in Physiotherapy has unfortunately restricted his availability, but we love it when he comes in as part of the panel in our MTK & AFMA gradings.

Sensei Ebony is a 2nd Dan Black Belt in AFMA and Kru Instructor Level in MTK. Ebony served as Proactive’s Program Director until 2016. She has been training with us in Proactive since 2005. Eb is a Certificate III Level Sports Coach who specialises in Muay Thai and freestyle martial arts. She is a regular attendee to our annual Thailand MTK Tours and has competed in the Proactive Intraclub tournament.

Ebony is an extremely friendly instructor with strong foundations in martial arts. She is an amazing  multi-talented role model to members through her passion in martial arts, music, and career aspirations.

Sensei Adam is a 2nd Dan Black Belt in AFMA and Kru Instructor Level in MTK who volunteers as part of the sparring panel during our advanced MTK and AFMA gradings. Adam has been training since the early 90’s. Adam is a Certificate III Level Sports Coach who specialises in sparring for self defence and competition. Adam has trained in the 2009 UFC training tour in the USA and is a Thailand tour organiser along with Rick, helping members prepare and enjoy their Thailand training experience. Adam has competed in gym spars and participated in the inaugural “50-Round Sparring Kumite”.

Adam is friendly, encouraging, and an honest coach who will gladly punch you in the face without busting your nose.

Marco is a 1st Dan Black Belt in AFMA and Pro Level 10 in MTK. Marco has been training since 2016. Marco has done the Proactive Assistant Instructor Course and the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) training modules. Marco specialises in extreme martial arts, extreme sword, freestyle, and cage fitness. He has competed in National All Styles and ISKA tournaments.

Marco is a very energetic and skilled extreme martial artist. He offers private training in extreme sword and assists in running our XMA and Little Dragons classes.

Hayley is a Black Belt in AFMA and Level 4 in MTK. Hayley has been training since 2017. Hayley has done the Proactive Assistant Instructor Course and the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) training modules. Hayley specialises in freestyle martial arts, cardio kickboxing, and cage fitness.

Hayley is fun and friendly who acts as a good role model to our Little Dragons. Hayley has come a long way in her coaching development and we look forward to seeing her progress.

Clodia is a Black Belt in AFMA. Clodia has been training in Proactive with her two girls since 2017. Clodia has done the Proactive Assistant Instructor Course and the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) training modules. She specialises in freestyle martial arts.

As a mum, Clodia is great with children. We look forward to watching her develop her coaching skills.

Carlos is our resident BJJ Coach who has an extensive training history in grappling, MMA, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Carlos runs private training and is a very articulate, safe, and hands-on coach.

Admin & Reception

Program Director

Sam is a Level 9 MTK member. Sam moved to Melbourne from the Philippines in 2016 and started working in Proactive’s reception. She started training in 2017 and has trained in Thailand and Kali in the Philippines. Sam takes care of customer service, administrative processes, as well as training staff in reception and admin.

Sam is friendly, approachable, and is willing to help members and parents with all enquiries and concerns.

Reception

Nina is a Black Belt in AFMA and Level 6 in MTK. Nina has been training with Proactive since 2014. Nina has done the Proactive Assistant Instructor Course. She specialises in freestyle martial arts. She was a member of Proactive Team Freestyle and has competed in the National All Styles.

Nina is honest and friendly who acts as a good role model to our younger members and her peers. Nina takes charge of the front reception and is training in administrative processes. She also helps out on the floor in our busy Little Dragons and junior AFMA classes.

Digital Technician

Ace is a Level 1 MTK member who takes care of all things IT related for the Academy, as well as, manning reception from time to time.

Ace is friendly and knowledgeable and has played a huge role in lifting Proactive’s online presence!