Self Defense Subject Matter Expert

Founder & Program Advisor | PsyD, MS, SAS: Dr. Tammy McCracken

Dr. Tammy McCracken is the visionary founder of Kore Self-Defense & Krav Maga and the CEO of 500Rising, a non-profit dedicated to professionalizing women’s self-defense instruction globally. With a career spanning over 25 years as a practicing psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery, Dr. McCracken provides a unique, scientifically grounded approach to personal safety that few in the industry can match.

A Global Pioneer in Krav Maga

A KMG Expert Rank practitioner—trained in Israel and certified by Eyal Yanilov—Tammy was the third woman in North America to earn an Expert rank and the first fully certified female instructor on the East Coast. Today, she serves as a board member and advisor for the Worldwide Martial Arts Association and acts as a subject matter expert on women’s issues for organizations ranging from Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) to international security firms.

The Intersection of Psychology and Tactics

Dr. McCracken’s influence on the “Kore Standard” is rooted in her academic depth, including a Doctorate of Psychology with research focused on using mindfulness to enhance situational awareness for front-line operatives. Her background allows her to deconstruct the “software” of self-defense—conflict communication, de-escalation, and the psychological dynamics of violence.

Her expertise is sought after by:

National Security & Law Enforcement: Providing training for first responders, tactical teams, and the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA).
Legal & Judicial Systems: Serving as a designated expert witness in civil and criminal proceedings regarding violence dynamics.
Global Education: Authoring a self-defense course for The Great Courses, contributing to Rory Miller’s publications, and appearing as an expert consultant on high-profile true crime investigations, including the Dirty John case interviews.

Leadership at Kore

While Dr. McCracken’s work as the Global Solutions Director for Personal Defense Industries (PDI) takes her across North America and Europe, she remains the Program Advisor for Kore. She directs our instructor development program, ensuring every Kore instructor meets her rigorous standards for technical and psychological proficiency. Students can still find her on the mats at Kore on a selective basis, where she continues to teach general training classes and specialized workshops.

Through her roles with Chiron Training, Violence Dynamics, and 500Rising, Dr. McCracken continues to evolve the foundational curriculum at Kore, ensuring our students receive the most relevant, effective, and ethically sound training available today.