Derek Croley has over 40 years of martial arts experience, and opened his martial arts school in Asheville in 2000. He has traveled all over America training and learning martial arts as well as how to teach them. Also, he has authored 2 published books, "The Six Steps to Self Mastery," and "Ancient Secrets, Modern Tactics."

Here is his martial arts biography:

- 9th Degree Black Belt in White Oak Martial Arts, sanctioned by WACIMA and signed by George Xu.

- 8th Degree Black Belt in ARMIS Martial Arts, signed by Ken Brayman, Tommy Crouch, and Chris Davis.

- 8th Degree Black Belt in Premier Martial Arts Systems (Krav Maga, Kickboxing, Submission Grappling, and Kali).

- 7th Degree Black Belt in US TAI (Kenpo, Jujitsu), signed by Terry Shea, Kathy Little, and others. Derek is also a 6th degree Black Belt in two different US TAI organizations.

- 4th Degree Black Belt in Hurricane Martial Arts (kickboxing) under Kevin and Shannon Hudson.

- 3rd Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga Shield under Ken Brayman.

- 3rd Degree Black Belt in Superfoot Systems (kickboxing) under Bill Wallace.

- 2nd Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga Premier under their testing board.

- 1st Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo under Brian Adams.

- 1st Degree Black Belt in Integrated Martial Arts (Kenpo, Jujitsu, and Arnis) under Brian Adams.

- 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do under Dave Kovar.

- A Vice President and Chief Instructor of WACIMA (Worldwide Association of Chinese Internal Martial Arts).

- Certified Instructor of Yuan Gong Chan Chuan and Liu Style Tai Chi under Liu Chan Shan.

- Certified Krav Maga Shield Core Instructor.

- Certified Krav Maga Street Defense Weapons Instructor (focusing on knife, pistol, long gun, and club).

- Certified Krav Maga Shield Law Enforcement Instructor (focusing on cuffing procedure, take downs, weapon retention, etc).

- Level 4 Krav Maga Instructor in Krav Maga Universal.

- Certified Active Shooter Defense Instructor.

- Certified Womens Self Defense Instructor.

- Wingate Institute Krav Maga Teaching Methodology Certificate.

- Previous National Instructor Trainer and International Testing Board Member for Premier Martial Arts.

Derek also has a BS in Business Management from Clemson University.