Kent Maichle

Kent is a Gracie Black Belt, Certified Instructor, and Owner of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Appleton. He began training in 2006 and holds a 3rd-degree black belt in American Freestyle Karate, with additional experience in Krav Maga.

Kent completed the Gracie Instructor Certification Program in 2012 and went on to open Wisconsin’s first Gracie Certified Training Center, where he has helped hundreds of students build confidence, awareness, and real-world self-defense skills.

Beyond the academy, Kent has been actively involved in the regulation and development of combat sports and use-of-force standards. He has served as an Inspector and Judge for the state of Wisconsin since 2010, following the regulation of boxing and MMA, and in 2016 co-chaired a committee that helped establish unarmed combat standards for the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Kent is also the founder of Defense Factory, an organization focused on ethical, principle-driven self-defense and mindset. His approach emphasizes awareness, control, and restraint—teaching that the goal of self-defense is not to “win” a fight, but to find a safe path out of harm.

He is especially passionate about supporting law enforcement and public safety professionals through training that prioritizes control, accountability, and responsible use of force, bridging the gap between martial arts and real-world application.