Purposeful Transformation
Paul Sharp is a retired police officer, lifelong martial artist, and tactician whose expertise in martial arts instruction and self-defense training has shaped his approach to resilience coaching and personal transformation.
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Chris Haueter—one of the legendary “American Dirty Dozen”—Paul has dedicated decades to mastering and teaching martial arts instruction as both a sport and a survival skill. He is also recognized as a black belt in Matt Larsen’s military combatives program, which serves as the foundation of the current U.S. Army Combatives System. His extensive experience encompasses not only grappling but also resilience coaching and self-defense training, extending into Filipino Martial Arts, Jeet Kune Do concepts, Mixed Martial Arts, and professional competition in both MMA and boxing. This diverse background provides him with a rare depth of knowledge grounded in real-world application.
Paul’s career in law enforcement spans over twenty years, encompassing various roles such as patrol, SWAT, undercover narcotics and vice, resident officer, neighborhood officer, chaplaincy, and as a lead instructor in defensive tactics and firearms. He dedicated nearly two decades as the lead pistol instructor for his agency and later became a lead firearms and combatives instructor at The Site Tactical Training Center in Mount Carroll, Illinois.
As the co-founder of the ISR Matrix, one of North America’s premier law enforcement defensive tactics systems, Paul has significantly influenced how officers and civilians approach self-defense training, resilience coaching, and preparation for violence, uncertainty, and high-stakes decision-making. He is a Rangemaster-certified instructor, recognized within the martial arts instruction community, and is endorsed in the DR Middlebrooks Fist-Fire Shooting System, gaining respect among some of the most trusted training circles in the country.
Beyond credentials, Paul is known as a gifted teacher and storyteller—able to translate hard-earned lessons into unforgettable insights that entertain, challenge, and inspire. His work has been featured in national and international publications for developing a systematic approach to integrating MMA and combative sports into a weapons-based environment, enhancing martial arts instruction and self-defense training.
Since 1999, Paul has owned and operated a martial arts and fitness gym, building communities rooted in discipline, growth, and brotherhood. From 2021 to 2025, he served as Program Director of SBG Idaho, one of the largest Straight Blast Gym academies in the world, leading nearly 700 members in training and resilience coaching.
Today, Paul brings the full weight of his experience into a new mission: helping others build an unbreakable life. Through his book Refuse to Die, Paul now serves as a life coach and mentor, offering resilience coaching and martial arts instruction to guide individuals in developing resilience, purpose, and an indomitable will in the arena of everyday life, including essential self-defense training.
Unlock Your Potential with Paul's Coaching
One-on-one Coaching
One-on-one Coaching
One-on-one Coaching
Paul works with you to build an unbreakable mindset and body. Using insights acquired from decades spent on his own training, plus coaching and instructing thousands of people across the country, Paul has developed tools to forge resilience.
Group Coaching
One-on-one Coaching
One-on-one Coaching
Paul also leads online group coaching programs where a community of like-minded individuals pushes their limits and builds mental toughness together.
Speaking Engagement
One-on-one Coaching
Speaking Engagement
He is also available for seminars, corporate team-building experiences, and keynote speaking engagements at industry conferences and professional events.