LOCK AND BULL DEFENSE - MEET THE TEAM

Meet Sensei Michael Bull, Co-Owner & Chief Instructor

For Sensei Michael Bull, martial arts has always been about more than punches and kicks—it has been a lifelong journey of discipline, service, resilience, and helping others discover their own strength.

As the Co-Owner, Head Instructor, and lead curriculum developer of Lock and Bull Defense LLC, Michael brings more than 15 years of martial arts instruction, personal protection training, and private security experience to every class he teaches. His mission is simple: to help people become more confident, aware, and prepared to protect themselves and those they love.

Michael's passion for self-defense is deeply personal. Growing up, he witnessed the devastating effects that violence and abuse can have on individuals and families. Those experiences shaped his desire to help others feel empowered rather than fearful and inspired him to dedicate his life to teaching practical skills that can change lives. He believes everyone deserves the opportunity to feel safe, confident, and capable, regardless of their age, background, or experience level.

His primary martial arts discipline is Chinese Kempo Karate, where he has spent years developing his technical skills while embracing the principles of discipline, respect, adaptability, and continuous growth. His martial arts training is strengthened by years of professional experience in the private security industry, giving him real-world insight into personal protection, situational awareness, conflict management, and threat assessment. Together, these experiences allow him to teach self-defense that is realistic, practical, and applicable to everyday life.

Sensei Michael specializes in:

Chinese Kempo Karate
Practical Self-Defense
Personal Protection Strategies
Situational Awareness & Threat Recognition
Conflict Avoidance & Verbal De-escalation
Defensive Tactics
Ground Defense & Escape Techniques
Women's Self-Defense
Youth & Teen Self-Defense
Older Adult Self-Defense
Workplace Violence Prevention
Active Threat Response Awareness
Leadership Through Martial Arts
Bullying Prevention
Confidence Building & Personal Empowerment

Michael believes the greatest form of self-defense is prevention. Rather than focusing solely on physical techniques, his instruction teaches students how to recognize danger early, establish healthy boundaries, avoid conflict whenever possible, and respond with confidence only when necessary. Every class combines technical instruction with encouragement, patience, and individualized coaching so that students of every age, experience level, and physical ability feel supported and empowered.

Outside the dojo, Michael is a devoted husband, mentor, and community advocate who believes martial arts should strengthen both the individual and the community. Together with his wife, Dr. Raiai Mishion Bull, he founded Lock and Bull Defense LLC to provide more than self-defense instruction—they created an organization dedicated to empowering youth, families, schools, older adults, faith-based organizations, and community groups through education, leadership, violence prevention, and personal safety.

For Sensei Michael, success is never measured by rank or titles. It is measured by the confidence a child discovers after overcoming fear, the peace of mind a parent gains knowing their family is better prepared, the independence an older adult regains, and the courage participants carry with them long after class has ended.

"Our goal isn't simply to teach people how to defend themselves. It's to help them believe in themselves. When confidence replaces fear, lives change—and that's why I teach." —Sensei Michael Bul

Meet Dr. Raiai Bull, Co-Owner & Operations Director

Dr. Raiai Mishion Bull is the Co-Owner & Operations Director of Lock and Bull Defense LLC, where she oversees the organization's strategic planning, business operations, curriculum development, partnerships, marketing, and community engagement. She is passionate about empowering individuals of all ages with the confidence, awareness, and practical skills to live safer, stronger lives.

Dr. Bull's professional journey began in the classroom as an educator, where she discovered her passion for helping students develop confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning. Working closely with youth reinforced her belief that education extends far beyond academics and that many of life's greatest lessons happen outside the classroom. This realization inspired her to expand her career into youth development, nonprofit leadership, and public service, allowing her to impact young people on a broader scale.

Today, Dr. Bull serves in Los Angeles County, where she oversees programs serving justice-involved and system-impacted youth. Her work includes supporting Credible Messenger initiatives that connect young people with trained mentors who use their lived experiences to inspire hope, accountability, resilience, and positive life choices. By partnering with government agencies, schools, and community-based organizations, she helps ensure youth have access to evidence-based, trauma-informed services that promote rehabilitation, leadership development, educational success, and successful reintegration into their communities.

Before entering public service, Dr. Bull built a successful career in the entertainment industry, where she gained valuable experience in event production, marketing, public relations, talent coordination, branding, and community engagement. That experience strengthened her creativity, communication, and leadership skills while teaching her how to connect with diverse audiences, build meaningful relationships, and create memorable experiences—skills she continues to bring to every Lock and Bull Defense program and community partnership.

Her passion for personal safety is deeply personal.

Growing up, Dr. Bull witnessed the devastating effects of domestic violence within her own family and later became a survivor of domestic violence herself. Those experiences profoundly shaped her understanding of fear, resilience, and the importance of reclaiming one's confidence. They also inspired her commitment to helping others recognize their own strength and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves before they ever find themselves in harm's way.

Dr. Bull believes the greatest form of self-defense is prevention. Through education, situational awareness, healthy boundaries, leadership, and confidence-building, she strives to empower individuals to make informed decisions and navigate challenging situations with courage and resilience.

Together with her husband, Sensei Michael Bull, she has built Lock and Bull Defense LLC on the belief that self-defense is about far more than physical techniques—it's about transforming lives. Their mission is to create safe, inclusive, and empowering environments where youth, families, educators, older adults, and community members develop practical self-defense skills, strengthen their leadership abilities, and gain the confidence to thrive both on and off the mat.

"Confidence is one of the greatest gifts we can give another person. When people believe in themselves, they make stronger decisions, overcome adversity, and become leaders within their families and communities. That's the legacy we hope to build through Lock and Bull Defense." – Dr. Raiai Mishion Bull