Founder and Master Richard Hansen is an 8th-degree black belt in Hapkido and a 4th-degree black belt in Budo Taijutsu. He has trained under and with some of the world’s most renowned Martial Artists. He founded and started American Warrior Arts in 1982 in his uncle's sports store in Highland, Indiana. Master Hansen became a member of the American Hapkido Federation and his school became a charter school under it.  He is also a 20+ year member of the Bujinkan Shidoshi-Kai, which is a teachers organization under Hatsumi. Master Hansen worked to take away the mystery and power that is normally associated with the Martial Arts in order to make it more accessible and practical for the everyday person. He worked for over 3 decades to provide instructions to the thousands of people that have walked through his doors. Under his instruction, he taught how to effectively and appropriately respond to an attack, such as how to escape, how to restrain the attacker, and if all else fails, how to end a fight in order to go home safely. He even taught that sometimes the best response is to know when to walk away. Along with serving in the U.S. Military, Master Hansen served as the Chief Instructor of the Lake County Indiana Corrections Department, taught an extended program for the Montessori Children’s School in Northwest Indiana, and has written several magazine articles on the Martial Arts. With all of his knowledge and hard work, Master Hansen has offered dedicated support for thousands of students for many years. He has helped his students overcome not only dangerous situations but also helped them become better individuals and change the course of many people’s lives. Master Hansen has developed one of the most dedicated Martial Arts schools in the world with students and families sticking with him for 20+ years. He retired from officially teaching in November of 2020, but still continues his training while also passing on his teachings to all of his students. It has been said by many of his students that even though they are no longer in class with him, his teachings still guide them as they make their way through their Warrior journey and life.