Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Gray.
Hi Craig, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Craig Gray knows what it feels like to be on the receiving end of fear. Bullied and assaulted as a kid, he saw firsthand how people can be taken advantage of, lied to, or physically hurt simply because they didn’t know how to tap into their own innate ability to protect themselves. Those early experiences set him on a lifelong journey—not just to defend himself, but to help others break free from that same cycle of fear and anxiety.
His first teacher was his father, a U.S. Marine, who introduced him to martial arts in the mid-1970s. From that foundation, Craig went on to earn multiple advanced black belts and teaching licenses, compete, and begin instructing at a young age. But his path didn’t stop at the dojo. He went on to work in security and executive protection, serving individuals and organizations where safety and composure under pressure weren’t optional—they were everything. His corporate and entrepreneurial experience gave him an inside look at how leadership, communication, and conflict play out in boardrooms, businesses, and everyday life.
Those worlds came together in what is now the PeaceWalker Project and his local academy, Ronin Martial Arts / Krav Maga, where Craig teaches people from all walks of life how to harness the skills of awareness, influence, and action to protect themselves and thrive. His approach moves beyond just “self-defense” into a holistic way of living—helping people find their voice, uncover their true identity, and transform conflict into an opportunity for growth and leadership. Everyone has the right to feel safe, to walk in peace, and to live with the power of self-agency—and Craig has made it his life’s work to show them how.
Today, Craig’s mission extends far beyond the dojo. Through his PeaceWalker project, he helps people from all walks of life uncover their true identity, find their voice, and transform conflict into an opportunity for growth. His work isn’t just about surviving tough situations—it’s about thriving in them, leading with clarity, and building a life rooted in safety, peace, and self-agency.
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?
No journey comes without its pitfalls and I too have had a few. In 2009 due to the 2008 economic crisis I lost it all! My job, my home, my investments, my business, my properties, everything except my car and the clothes on my back. Luckily I still had what really mattered, family, friends and trusted colleagues.
It was that crash that opened the way to pursue this path full time for a living, which opened up numerous doorways to reach exponentially more people with this mission.
Then there was the pandemic that shut down businesses such as mine. Many organizations like this didn’t make it. In hindsight, we thrived! It seemed that people not only wanted, but needed what we were sharing. This message, these skills, our Warrior / Protector community. Scary times for sure, but through the force of a higher power, we came out strong.
Most recently I had a major back surgery that once again has taken out many people in my position, but with the help from the neurological team at the hospital, my assistant instructors at the academy and the support from my friends and family, I am bouncing back from this experience like a phoenix raising from the ashes of another raging fire. Clearer, stronger, more resilient than ever!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I teach what I call the PeaceWalker Approach. It’s a system that helps people turn conflict into opportunity—whether it’s a physical threat, a heated argument, or stress at work. It teaches people how to manage their mindset, communicate clearly, influence the outcome, and take confident action—It helps people to know what to do when ‘nice’ doesn’t work, so they can respond with calm, not chaos.
With a simple framework that rewires how you think, communicate and move. It gives you a new Operating System —so you handle whatever comes your way with clarity and control.
What sets PeaceWalker apart is simple: Unlike traditional martial arts, leadership, or communication programs, PeaceWalker gives you a complete Operating System for life: manage your mindset, communicate clearly, influence outcomes, and take confident action. It’s practical, real-world, and built for everyday situations—physical threats, heated arguments, workplace stress—helping you respond with calm, not chaos. Grounded in ethics, awareness, and leadership, PeaceWalker empowers you to move through life with confidence, clarity, and control.
I’m proud to work in a profession that leaves people a little better than they were found. Helping lay the foundation that not only has transformed some lives, but has saved some too.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m pretty open about talking about my earlier exploits, dark little secrets and skeletons in my closet. All you have to do is listen to my podcasts, read my blog or be in our network community to get the dirt! Things like that I used to be a musician and played in several bar and wedding bands back in the days when I was still sporting a mullet and Magnum P.I. style mustache.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.roninkravmaga.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacewalkerlife/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1RzJg49teM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peacewalkerlife
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3971yfaLSjwggGRdswYexM?si=O_1-lfvlScyouFc1jcTwcQ
