Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Panarelli.
Hi Dave, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my martial arts journey in 1991 at the age of 24. I immediately immersed myself in training and quickly developed a deep passion for it. I attended classes five days a week and earned my first-degree black belt in just three years through an accelerated training path. My primary style is Hen San Ryu.
Over time, I became the senior instructor at the school where I trained. Today, I hold a fourth-degree black belt under my instructor and mentor, Shihan Ken Walsh of Waterville, Maine.
In 2004, I relocated to Utah and began working as a Special Education teacher in the Wasatch School District in Heber City, where I taught students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. During my first year, I implemented a martial arts program for at-risk students at Rocky Mountain Middle School. The program operated as a regular credited class and eventually expanded to the junior high school, serving approximately 35 students.
Students were referred through the guidance offices of both schools. The program proved to be extremely meaningful, particularly for students who struggled with self-confidence and had experienced repeated academic or personal setbacks in their lives. Many of the students did not have learning disabilities but were considered “at risk” due to difficult life circumstances. The program ran successfully for five years before funding and scheduling challenges eventually brought it to an end.
In 2017, I founded Progressive Defense Tactics LLC as a mobile self-defense training business. I traveled to clients’ homes to conduct private instruction and also hosted women’s self-defense workshops. As demand grew, it became clear that I needed a dedicated training space.
Four and a half years ago, I opened my first martial arts school in Heber City. In October of last year, I moved to my current location inside Iron Backs Gym at 2211 W 3000 S, Area A, in Heber City. Justin and Katie Fuchs were incredibly supportive in allowing me to establish my program within their facility.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like most businesses, the journey has not always been smooth. The evolution of the school has been particularly interesting. What began as a more traditional martial arts program gradually shifted toward practical self-defense training and has now grown into a full MMA-based school.
I’ve had the opportunity to train two fighters who have gone on to compete, and I have worked with Steel Fist, Utah’s premier MMA and kickboxing fight organization.
One of the biggest challenges has been building a consistent student base large enough to sustain teaching full-time. Marketing and advertising have also been difficult. I’ll admit that social media promotion is not my strongest skill. Martial arts instruction tends to attract a smaller niche audience, although its popularity has been steadily growing in recent years.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Before focusing on martial arts full-time, I spent fifteen years working as a Special Education teacher in public schools. It was incredibly meaningful work and taught me a great deal about people, personalities, and human potential. Eventually, however, the emotional demands of the profession led to burnout.
That experience ultimately pushed me to return to my passion for teaching martial arts, which led to the creation of my mobile training business and eventually my current school. Today I still teach, but in a different capacity, and it has been very fulfilling.
In addition to martial arts instruction, I am also a professional touring drummer with an international tribute act called George Michael Reborn. We have performed across the United States and in several countries abroad. Music has been a major part of my life since I began drumming in fifth grade.
I initially attended college to study music and earned an Associate of Science degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music. I later returned to school to pursue education, earning both a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Education.
Music has always been my first passion and martial arts my second. I feel very fortunate to currently be able to pursue both.
Within my martial arts training, I hold a fourth-degree black belt and have also studied Kali, the Milesian weapons system. Kali focuses on weapon-based training including stick and knife, knife versus knife, double sticks, stick and sword, knife and sword, and sword versus sword. It is a comprehensive and highly practical combat system.
Today, the curriculum I teach through Hen San Ryu is built around four core pillars:
Kickboxing
Judo and Jujitsu
Kali weapons training
Street-wise self-defense
Students learn stand-up striking, takedowns, ground fighting, weapons training, and practical defensive strategies for real-world scenarios including street and domestic attack situations.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing that often surprises people is how different my professional worlds are. People who know me as a drummer are often surprised to learn about my martial arts background and my years working in Special Education. Likewise, students who know me through martial arts are often surprised to discover my music career.
It’s always interesting to see people’s reactions when they learn about the different paths I’ve pursued.
Another experience that many people don’t know about is my time competing in endurance sports. For ten years I raced in both sprint and Olympic-distance triathlons. It was an incredible experience and taught me a great deal about discipline, endurance, and personal limits. I’ve been able to then share this knowledge of training and perseverance with my MMA students and watch how they discover more of their own capabilities. That is truly the heart of what I enjoy the most.
Pricing:
- Youth MMA Classes: $125/monthThree one-hour classes per week
- Adult MMA Classes: $150/monthThree 1.5-hour classes per week
- Women’s Self-Defense Classes: $125/monthTwo 1.5-hour classes per week
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pdtmma.com
- Instagram: @progressivedefensetactics
- Facebook: Progressive Defense Tactics
