THE FIRST STEP
Jim started studying the martial arts at 14 years later, and he has not stopped over 40+ years later. Here he is (left) at 17 years old training with a friend.
1980 BEGINS THE CAREER
Private Wagner began teaching fellow soldiers in 1980, and he has been teaching self-defense ever since. Here he's training a soldier in Fort Jackson.
MIXING TWO WORLDS
In 1986 Jim started teaching students a mix of martial arts, military tactics, and firearms, which was revolutionary at the time. The police investigated him.
MARTIAL ARTS & MEDICINE
Jim was also the first civilian self-defense instructor to add combat first aid to martial arts training in 1987.
WOMEN SURVIVAL
Jim also developed the most realistic, and effective, women's self-defense program in the world, which has appeared on television, in books, and many articles.
TRAINING THE PROFESSIONALS
Jim (far right) has trained literally thousands of corrections, law enforcement, and military personnel in Defensive Tactics and Combatives because it's what people need.
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ALWAYS REALITY-BASED
Jim teaches attacks that people are most likely to face, and he gives them solutions, like these two Finnish police officers defending against pepper spray.
HALL OF FAMER
In this photo Jim holds up his trophy awarded to him from Black Belt Magazine for Self-Defense Instructor of the Year 2006. He has received several such awards.