Todd Fossey is the founder of and Chief Instructor at Integrative Defense Strategies in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a regular contributor Funker Tactical, Aperture Fight Focused YouTube channels, a member of the Personal Defense Network’s (PDN) Contribution Team, a member of the 5.11 ABR Academy Instructor Team, a 2nd Amendment Advocate, a champion for the Citizen Defender, and is sought after for seminars and training camps across the country.
After training several years with Israelis, Todd earned his black belt in Krav Maga in 2017. Fossey continues his extensive MMA and submission grappling apprenticeship under legendary MMA coach (and Special Forces Instructor) Greg Nelson at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. Fossey is a (PFC PSOC) Certified Executive Protection Agent, (FSI) Certified Force Science Analyst, and is actively involved with force-on-force scenario, active shooter, and SWAT training for various law enforcement agencies and departments. In addition to his work in weapons based combatives, firearms, and tactical instruction, he is a former lecturer at medical schools and has a 15-year background in psychophysiology which offers him special insight into the psychological, physiological, and perceptual effects of high-stress critical incidents and human performance.
Fossey is best known for his innovative, evidence based, and holistic approaches to integrating multiple disciplines into training and personal defense, specializing in extreme close quarters, weapons based combatives for armed Citizen Defenders.
During the time of his formal education, Fossey worked as a bouncer and head of security where he was faced with many violent and life-threatening encounters.
Michael Pilhofer is an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor (# 101000189220301), and NRA Range Safety Officer. UTM certified Professional Training Organization.
Michael, a Senior instructor in the IDS Instructor Certification Curriculum, has been a teacher/coach nearly all his life with over 25 years helping to decipher and communicate complex subjects in a clear, thoughtful manner. Most recently Michael has 12 years as a Strength and Conditioning specialist. He would characterize himself as a life long learner, always looking to better himself, rarely satisfied with the road commonly taken.
Michael also has a background in Martial Arts having studied Tae Kwon Do and more recently Jiu Jitsu.
Jake Gribble has been a police officer in the Twin Cities metro area for seven years and is currently a SWAT officer and department firearms/defensive tactics instructor.
Prior to serving in law enforcement, Jake was an active-duty Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps infantry. He completed two deployments to Al Anbar province in Iraq (2006, 2007-2008), where he was decorated for leading Marines on various operations. He also served as a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor.
Outside of the military and law enforcement, Jake has trained in Krav Maga for eight years, starting in a traditional Krav Maga gym and then transitioning to IDS. In competition shooting, Jake holds a Master classification in IDPA’s Stock Service Pistol Division. He has trained with numerous prominent instructors and institutions including Kyle Defoor, Craig Douglas, Robert Vogel, Kyle Lamb, Gunsite Acadamy, Direct Action Resource Center, John Farnam, etc.