Meet Troy Coe of Northeast Valley (Scottsdale)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Coe.

Hi Troy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began my martial arts journey at the age of 7, starting with Taekwondo, which I trained in for five years. I do not remember exactly when, but I was competing in a tournament in Casa Grande, and I met the owner of the Academy of Self Defense, a Chinese Kenpo school located on Scottsdale Road and Shea. He convinced me to come down and check out his school. I trained there for four years. In 1983, I met R. Ryan, who founded a martial art named DCM. DCM is a reality-based system, meaning nothing taught would be appropriate to use in Combat Sports where rules are applied. In 1994, I broke out on my own and formed Reality Defense Training, Reality Defense LLC. I have been teaching since then and have been in my current location at the Scottsdale Air Park since July 2007. In 2001, Kristie Sharp began training at Reality Defense, and by the time we relocated to Scottsdale in 2007, she began teaching women. She exclusively teaches the Women’s programs.

In August 2012, I was inducted into the Master Hall of Fame. I was awarded the Pioneer Award for the uniqueness of my teaching approach and methods. I refer to Reality Defense as a survival-based martial art. Everything we teach and train must support a no-rules approach to survive at any cost. I train people from every walk of life, including men and women, from high school students to Special Operators, and from young individuals to those of advanced age. In fact, my oldest student is currently 79 years old.

By the grace of God, we survived the housing bubble burst, COVID-19, and other economic downturns, and we are persevering, teaching people to survive when the unthinkable happens.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. The biggest obstacle was that the housing market crashed in 2008, just after I signed a lease in July 2007. I had leased two units with nearly 4000 square feet of commercial space, and when the market crashed, it was crickets around the school. That was brutal. I was ultimately able to secure a tenant for one of the units, but it took over a year to fill that space. Arguably, the markets didn’t bounce back, and then Covid-19 and the lockdowns. If it were easy, everybody would be a business owner.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Reality Defense is the only survival-based martial art system that I am aware of. I will have been teaching for 43 years as of this February 2026. I continually strive to develop more effective and efficient teaching methods, providing students with the most relevant skills in the shortest time possible. We offer “Adrenal Stress Scenario-Based Training”, which is also called “Fear Management.” The goal is to teach students how to manage their fear, which is triggered by the release of adrenaline when faced with the threat of bodily harm. I have witnessed remarkable transformations in individuals who have attended these courses. They are life-changing. When I see these positive changes in people, it fills me with pride, knowing that they will be a much harder target if the unthinkable were to happen.

I recently received a patent for a blade design for a fighting knife. I cofounded a knife company with Kristie Sharp. Sharpnpointythings.com.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
During the summers, while I was in grade school, my father would send me to Ohio to visit my grandparents and uncles, who had a farm with pigs, chickens, and a large garden, along with the major crops (corn, soy beans, and/or wheat). I also work at a dairy farm down the road, where I milk cows, bale hay, and make feed, along with many other chores. I learned many things that most people never get the chance to learn.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://realitydefense.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realitydefenseaz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealityDefense
• Twitter: https://x.com/realitydefense
• Youtube: Reality Defense @realitydefensetraining7910
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/reality-defense-training-scottsdale?osq=Reality+Defense+Training