INSTRUCTORS / BIRMINGHAM
Chris Magyar
Connecting skills. Building capability.
Depth across disciplines
Chris’s background spans grappling, defensive and competitive shooting, firearms instruction, trauma-response education and integrated combatives. Through Kraken Combatives and The Firearms Concierge, he helps students connect skills and identify useful next steps.
Coaching starts with the student’s experience, goals and concerns. Closing a significant gap can be more useful than another small improvement in an established strength.
Grappling and firearms coaching
Chris operated the Birmingham Sombo Club from 1998 to 2007 and earned a first-degree black belt in Russian Sombo under Scott Anderson. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training is based at Heroes Martial Arts Academy.
His firearms background combines competition, instructor development and individual coaching. He brings those experiences into the broader context of civilian self-protection.
Continued learning
Chris’s development includes study with specialists in integrated combatives and emergency response. In June 2026 he attended Sheepdog Response Trauma Response and Protector 1 in Weatherford, Texas.
He coordinates the Birmingham project and collaborates with the wider Kraken coaching community. Course attendance and an event’s instructor assignment are distinct.
Continuing to train
Talk about training
Tell us what you’d like to learn and where you’re based. Teaching teams and participation are confirmed for each event.
Student & host inquiries →