Nathan Grey

‘ve been a fighter and trainer throughout my entire life. As a fighter, despite what some may say, I feel I was nothing special. It wasn’t for a lack of courage or determination. My drive was never for a title. The fighters I’ve respected and feared most in life, weren’t the ones in the spotlight. It’s those who sit in the shadows, quietly observing, who speak with a powerful calmness that resinates “this is a dangerous individual”.

I did most of my fighting in my 20’s while living in New Orleans additionally working as a bouncer and stunt actor, and managing a fighters gym. I continued fighting through my 30’s with those I trained, but now in my late forties, that lifestyle has taken a toll on my body. The only fight I’m interested in the fight for survival. Reality based tactical combat (close quarters combat) is how I best describe my fighting style. It gives me the freedom to do as I need based upon the environment and threat I’m faced with, with no rules of engagement.

My battles with Asthma and Hypothyroidism, alongside several injuries and surgeries I’ve endured throughout my adventure filled life have been formidable. Regardless, I always trained vigilantly and intensely with the utmost seriousness. So much so, that it lead me to train throughout several years in France and Tahiti.

So my fighting style evolved to survive in the environment I lived. I wasn’t a soldier on the battlefield (rejected by the military due to only having one kidney). I didn’t give a damn about any titles in the ring. And I sure as shit don’t respect let alone fear someone because they had a higher ranking belt.

Too many practitioners hide behind their rank and style, yet they’re too dumb or too blind to understand, the ability throw a punch or perform a takedown does NOT make one a great fighter. The ability to fight comes from within, it’s a state of mind, not a technique or memorized form or belt title awarded.

hroughout my career, I discovered I excelled as a Trainer, of this I can say with the highest level of confidence, sincerity, and proof. My career spanned 30 years, until I retired in November, 2023 and closed my last studio “Kaizen”. I’ve had the pleasure of training many serious fighters and individuals who embraced what I offered as a coach, and I helped them achieve a fighting skill they never thought themselves possible.

Regretfully, after a lifetime of teaching, I found myself no longer loving what I was doing for a living. As an old school Gen-Xer with the mindset of busting my ass regardless of the struggle, pain, fear, hardships, or challenges who committed myself with hyper-focus and relentless determination to better understand the physiology and psychology of combat… I could no longer tolerate the overwhelming laziness, self-entitlement, and lack of commitment from the ever increasing majority of students and in many cases, even their parents.

In the end, I felt more like a glorified babysitter, beggar, and entertainer, than I did a trainer. I refused to continue pouring my knowledge and passion into minds like a colander. We get one lifetime, and one encounter… and so I felt it was time for a change in my life.

However, among the ever increasing numbers of whiners and criers, I did have students both young and older who busted their asses in class, took their training seriously, and who absorbed the information and skill I strived to pass onto them. In some cases, my own students surpassed me, which should be the goal of any trainer passionate about their craft. Those individuals endured every physical and emotional challenge I threw at them. They never complained or argued. They fought through the tears and pain. They faced their fears and fought off their demons. They thrived and earned every victory they experienced in their growth as individuals and fighters. For those students, I miss training them sincerely.

y life has always been my own, seeking peace and calm and escaping the matrix to homestead and enjoy nature and the wild as often as I can.

It may come to pass someday, where I simply disappear into a Nomadic lifestyle enjoying and experiencing the many cultures and geographies of this world. I’ve been to over a dozen countries and will continue to travel as far as my legs will carry me.

I much prefer the quite of nature, the warmth of a campfire, the calmness of being alone, and the sound of a river or waterfall. This world has become too damn noisy, and alongside all this anti-social media bullshit, the self-entitlement, laziness, and the “I’m offended” cancel culture, I just want some peace and quite.

In my retirement from teaching (what felt more like babysitting towards the end), I’ve found myself co-owning a business I would have never imagined. My girlfriend and I own “Natural Carnivore”, which is a Raw and All Natural Pet Food & Supply store. We additionally ethically raise Maine Coons at our home.

When I’m not working with domestic animals, I’m volunteering at Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue where I’ve been working with Tigers, Lions, and Leopards since 2006.

I’m a hard person to find as other than the “Lifestyle”, we’re out Kayaking, Camping, Gardening, Wood Working, Foraging, Riding Motorcycling or ATVing, or my all time favorite escape, Skiing in the Mountains!