Sensei Riley's martial arts journey began at age five in karate. Ten years of Japanese Jujutsu followed, where he discovered a natural love of grappling. When his trainer introduced him to Soke Nic, Riley made the move to kickboxing, and that path led him straight to Black Lotus.

For Riley martial arts isn't a sport, it's a lifestyle, and coaching is his way of giving back to the place that has become his second home.

Watching students throw their first punch and grow week after week is what makes coaching so rewarding for him, and it has taught him an important lesson: you don't have to be an amazing fighter to be an amazing martial artist.