Lindy Avakian was a respected Judo instructor. He served in the US Air Force, studying Judo in Japan in the early 1950s. He completed the first foreign instruction course at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo in 1956. During his time in the military, he trained US Special Forces in self-defense.

Neil Ohlenkamp has been a Judo instructor for over 45 years. He is a 7th degree black belt and former head instructor at the Encino Judo Club in California. He was head coach of the U.S. Judo squad at the 1988 Paralympic Games and the 1989 World Championships for the Disabled. He is the author of Judo Unleashed: Essential Throwing & Grappling Techniques for Intermediate to Advanced Martial Artists.