Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Baker.
Hi Alan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always had a tremendous amount of passion for Martial Arts. When I was younger, I was fortunate enough to have mentors and teachers that exposed me to multiple different experiences in the industry and the combative arts. Due to those introductions, I immerse myself into numerous different martial arts systems over the years. Additionally, my teachers introduced me to multiple other areas of study outside of the arts. I got introduced to climbing, rappelling, mountaineering, scuba diving, marksmanship. After getting introduced to these areas, I pursued their growth just as passionately as I did all of the other arts. Over the years, with continued study and training, I have gotten to the point where I am an instructor in multiple different systems of martial arts but additionally in the before mentioned areas of study. In the course of my career, I attained the level of black belt or higher in multiple disciplines of martial arts as well as numerous instructor level certifications in different systems under some of the industry’s most renowned teachers such as Tuhon Dan Inosanto, Master Pedro Sauer, Sifu Francis Fong, Sensei Erik Paulson, Ajarn Chai Sirisute, Ajarn Greg Nelson, Tuhon Tim Waid, Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, Jr, Professor James Cravens, Master Bob Byrd, Guro Don Garon, Grandmaster Dana Miller, Sifu Paul Vunak and Coach Justo Dieguez.
I became a certified scuba diving instructor and a divemaster. I became a rappelling master instructor trainer. Around 12 years ago, I also started the AMAC Tactical Training Group. Through that business, I have designed multiple defensive tactics programs for law-enforcement agencies and military groups all over the United States. Additionally, I have become the defensive tactics instructor for the Executive Protection Institute out of Virginia and the Vehicle Dynamics Institute how to New Jersey. I have become a Personal Protection Specialist (Bodyguard) with EPI through these relationships. As well as a certified private investigator for the state of Georgia.
Along with running the Academy and the tactical training business, I also have another Business where I design, build and operate companies and associations for high-level Martial artists and other personalities.
In 2021 during the pandemic, I took some time off like everyone else and spent that time writing a book. The name of this book is The Warriors Path. It focuses on all of the lessons I learned from all of my teachers and mentors over the years and how I use those lessons to better myself and advance my business and career. I just finished my second book, and I’m going to be releasing that book in March 2022. This experience has led to the opportunity to do personal coaching for individuals in multiple different industries on personal growth and development.
Currently, I run the Atlanta Martial Arts Center in Woodstock, Georgia, and travel all over the United States and Canada, teaching tactical training events or seminars in the various Martial Art systems I offer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the beginning, there were quite a few struggles. The martial arts industry is not that forgiving, and it generally takes quite a bit of time to get to the point where you’re making enough money to support yourself.
There were many years where living conditions were not the best.
There were many years where living conditions were not the best.
There are some challenging personalities in any endeavor you do as well. But it’s nothing different than anyone else who has put themselves on the path of achievement. I’ll be honest I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the challenges. I’ve always just met them head-on, dealt with them, and then got on with walking the path.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Atlanta Martial Arts & Fitness Center (AMAC) is one of the premier teaching facilities for reality-based self-defense, martial arts, and personal safety in the United States. Servicing Woodstock GA, Towne lake GA, Canton GA, and Marietta, Georgia. AMAC offers one of the most complete and certified training curriculums available anywhere in the Southeast United States. AMAC fosters a safe and professional atmosphere for its students to train. Due to this, you will see many professional adults striving for personal development and growth in our classrooms as they get in the best shape of their lives.
Due to their level of skill and teaching abilities, the instructors at AMAC are consistently flown around the US to train Law Enforcement, government, security, and tactical teams, as well as Personal Protection Specialist PPS (Bodyguards).
One of the unique things about the Academy is the multiple different martial arts systems that are offered. We have a variety of known and not as well-known Martial Art systems worldwide. We do this so that our students do not focus on any one soul system. To be fully prepared for any situation, you must study multiple different versions of the combat of arts.
Some of the systems we offer training in are:
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Combat Submission Wrestling
STX Kickboxing
Muay Thai Boxing
Filipino Martial Arts & Pekiti Tirshia
Indonesian Silat
The AMAC Legacy Jeet Kune Do Program
Wing Chun Kung Fu
Chinese Boxing
Shaolin Kung Fu (Northern / Southern)
The C-Tac (Civilian Tactical) Program
What were you like growing up?
I was fortunate enough to know what I wanted to do in my life at an early age. Do today and I’ve always been very focused on where I was going. I knew I would end up teaching someday in the future so my goal was to become the best I could be at conveying information and knowledge to my clients. I was also a very high-energy kid, that’s one of the biggest challenges my parents had with me was just trying to control all of the energy. That is one of the reasons I initially got introduced to Martial Arts for us to help me learn to control myself.
As a kid, I was an uncontrollable ball of energy. So much so that my school had a conversation with my mother regarding having me placed on medication to dull my senses and slow me down enough for the teacher to control me in class. They told my parents that I did not have the ability to focus on anything in my current state.
Thank God my mother told them to go to hell, and instead of drugging me, she told them they should learn how to do their job better instead of relying on drugs. I am extremely grateful for this.
Contact Info:
- Email: sifualanbaker@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.atlantamartialartscenter.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sifualanbaker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sifualanbaker/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnalanbaker99
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlanBaker
- Other: https://www.sifualanbaker.com
Image Credits:
Shot from the rappelling Photo by Kimberly LaLon: https://finleysfotography.com
