David Corrigan
Owner and Chief Instructor of PMA Oak Ridge
David Corrigan, the son of lifelong martial artist, Bruce Corrigan, began his formal martial arts training at age 5 and hasn’t stopped since. A competitor in Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and wrestling tournaments, respectively, throughout his childhood, David began assisting in the teaching of classes alongside his father, both at their local martial arts academy - Progressive Martial Arts - and around the country teaching seminars for military personnel, law enforcements agencies, and civilians. These opportunities showed him the positive impact teaching martial arts could have on a person. He loved watching confidence grow in his students, and sometime in high school David knew teaching martial arts was his passion and calling.
While in college, David took over ownership of Progressive Martial Arts Academy and began handling the day to day responsibilities of running and growing a small business and assumed the role and accompanying duties of chief instructor to the academy while simultaneously earning his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership through ETSU.
David loves teaching martial arts at his academy in Oak Ridge, teaching seminars in self defense and martial arts around the world, and spending time with his family. He finds particular joy in passing his martial arts knowledge on to his lovely wife and three wonderful, rambunctious boys.
His diverse background in multiple martial arts, learned from some of the most renowned martial artists in the world, gives David a unique ability to teach all ranges of fighting. His talent is in delivering the training in a way that makes sense to the student, regardless of their experience level, while providing an enjoyable and safe environment.
On any given day you might find him teaching an instructor’s class to his excellent team at PMA, a high level class to his Youth Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Competition Team (2019 Tennessee State Champions), a private class to local law enforcement officers practicing safe control tactics, a Black Belt level class to a loyal group of students that have been training with him for many years, or even a beginner level class to a new group of 4-7 year olds. But no matter which class you stop and observe, you will find that David bestows the same level of passion and care to each student in every class.
CREDENTIALS
Martial Arts Ranks:
6th Degree Black Belt and Inheritor of FILKENJUTSU Kenpo
4th Degree Black Belt, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Full Instructor, PMA Integrated Kickboxing
Full Instructor, Jeet Kune Do
Full Instructor, Filipino Kali
Other Health and Fitness Certifications:
Precision Nutrition Level 2 Master Class Certified Coach
TRX Suspension Training Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer, ISSA
Education:
BA in Organizational Leadership at East Tennessee State University
“This is the best Martial Arts academy in the area, I went there because of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but they also teach other styles. It’s an academy where there is no ego, all students are friendly and make you feel welcome from the start. David Corrigan and his family run the classes in a unique way and I could personally roll with them and can assure they are TOP level. Recommend to anyone in the area.”
“SiFu David Corrigan has pushed my physical and mental limits well beyond what I once thought they were. If you’re even thinking of starting your journey, then just do it and drop the excuses. Once your feet hit the mat you will be hooked! Amazing experience.”