About | Argus Integrated Def

It's easy to find information on anything these days. Finding the right information, however, is difficult. The word "expert" is thrown around liberally and often. In many cases we see techniques being taught that could give students a false sense of security and could get them badly injured, or even worse. Proper utilization of a firearm or defending yourself with hand to hand techniques can prove to be difficult. Having the wrong information or not having sufficient or proper practice can render devastating consequences. Pew Jitsu aims to not only deliver the optimal information, but raise the industry standars with a professional and experienced approach. Another key objective is to demonstrate how both firearms and martial arts are intrinsically linked. Common principles are taught and we strive to deliver simple, efficient, and highly effective techniques that will change the way you think about and approach self-defenese.

TEAM

Kenny Florian

Kenny played NCAA Division 1 soccer at Boston College. He is a 4th degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is a recognized Muay Thai Expert. Kenny has also trained in Boxing, Karate, Judo, and wrestling.

In 2005, Dana White scouted Kenny to be an original cast member of "The Ultimate Fighter." This opportunity launched his distinguished and record setting career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he competed in four different weight classes: Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight.

Kenny fought for 3 UFC world titles in two different weight classes. His ability to finish his opponents became a popularized mantra, "I finish fights." Having earned stoppages in twelve of his fourteen career victories. Kenny was known to land devastating elbow strikes, which UFC analyst Joe Rogan repeatedly labeled as "razor sharp."

After his professional fighting career, Kenny's martial arts passion remained strong as a coach to prominent UFC fighters, medaling in many IBJJF tournaments and founding Florian Martial Arts Center in Brookline, MA with his brother Keith. An online training platform, KennyFlorianMartialArts.com debuted in 2021.

He has over 20 years experience as a martial arts instructor, having worked with children, adults, celebrities, law enforcement officials and military personnel. In addition, he is an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor.

Kenny is Co-host of the long running hit series "BattleBots" on the Discovery Channel. For over a decade, he was. a mainstay on UFC programming, including fight night commentary along with pre- and post-fight shows on ESPN and Fox Sports and hosted UFC Tonight on Fox Sports. In 2020 he was named lead analyst for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) broadcast team, which is shown on ESPN and in over 140 countries. In addition, he serves as Co-host of the "The Anik & Florian" podcast, a popular weekly show that is distributed by all the leading podcast platforms.

Kenny graduated with honors from Boston College where he earned his bachelor's degree in communications. He is a graduate of the Integrative Body Psychotherapy Institute, a three-year program based in Los Angeles, CA. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

Altonio Rivers

After serving in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years and receiving an Honorable Discharge, Altonio joined the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). As a police officer he had multiple roles, including Investigator within the Street Crimes Unit, Detective within the Violent Crimes Task Force, the Gang Unit, and a member of CMPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team for 13 years. In addition, he was a detective on the Human Trafficking Taskforce with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) focusing on sex and labor trafficking crimes. His career with CMPD spanned over 18 years.

While on SWAT, Altonio saw the impact Force on Force Scenario Training had for officers in growing skill sets and decision-making, and wanted to bring that same training opportunity to civilians as well. he founded A+R Tactics in Charlotte, NC in 2020 to do just that. He is thrilled to be a founding member and lead instructor with Pew Jitsu and believes in the need for and power of this training.

Altonio is the owner of A+R Tactics, an NRA and USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor, NRA Range Safety Officer, Simunitions and Force on Force Certified Instructor, and Glock Armorer.

Nicole Thurman

Nicole is an RN, Firearms Instructor, and a Combatives Instructor. She loves the opportunities that the A+R Tactics Shoot House Scenario Training and Combatives Training bring to individuals seeking to increase their ability to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

Nicole is a Krav Maga black belt and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt with extensive experience in teaching Combatives and Self Defense, and has competed as an amateur. As an RN, she has authored and taught Civilian Trauma Response Training Curriculum for the public, education employees, and church safety teams.

Nicole is the Co-Owner of A+R Tactics, a BSN RN, an NRA and USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor, Glock Armorer, Red Cross Certified Instructor, Stop the Bleed Instructor,, and TECC Trained.

One of her favorite accomplishments is growing the crew of young ladies that regularly train self defense with her and helping new shooters enter and grow in the sport! Being a found and instructor with Pew Jitsu is the culmination of her training and background. She believes it is an unparalleled and pivotal training system and is honored to work alongside - Kenny, Altonio, and Jared - to bring this training to others.

Jared Paulo

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Jared became a father at a very young age, which forced him to grow up quickly. Jared started training Gracie Jiu Jitsu at the first non Torrance, CA academy in the states in 1998, under Craig Kramer. He went on to graduate the Ranger Academy in 2007 and worked in several capacities, NRA firearms instructor in 2004, and an NRA training counselor in 2012. In 2016, he moved with his family to NC to pursue new opportunities, where he was appointed a regional TC to the NRA in North Carolina. Shortly after the appointment, he became the training director of Point Blank Range, Matthews, NC.

Jared has a tremendous passion for training and teaching. He has trained under some of the greats in both firearms and fighting. Forming a bond with the A+R Tactics Crew and Kenny has been one of the best professional blessings that he says he could as for.

"Our lives are mere flashes of light in an infinitely empty universe,...the most important lesson I have learned is that what we see as "normal" lviing is truly a travesty of our potential. Refuse normalcy. Live and love so immensely that when death comes there is nothing left for him to take." - Dominic Owen Mallary