From Rubble to Resilience: six Years Since the Gas Explosion
By Jeremy Robbins, CEO of Krav Maga Maryland
Six years ago, on August 25, 2019, our old Krav Maga Maryland facility was destroyed in a gas explosion. In a matter of seconds, everything we had built was reduced to rubble.
It would have been easy to stop, to step back, or to wonder if it was worth rebuilding. But that never crossed our minds. There was no hesitation and no second-guessing. We didn’t know exactly what the next steps would look like, but we knew one thing with absolute certainty: we were moving forward.
What Carried Us Through
In the days that followed, we were overwhelmed by the support of our community. A couple of local gyms welcomed us into their space so we could keep teaching and training while we figured out how to rebuild. Their generosity kept the mission alive and gave us room to breathe when we needed it most.
We also saw resilience in every person who showed up to train with us during that time. Our members’ commitment reinforced ours. That period wasn’t just about surviving; it was about proving what we teach every day: under pressure, you adapt, you fight, and you don’t quit.
OUR New Home
Fast forward six years, and the contrast is striking. Our new facility isn’t just “the next building”; it’s better in every way. More space, more light, more design put into every corner. It reflects not just a rebuild, but a reimagining of what Krav Maga Maryland could be. It’s the kind of environment that elevates everyone: our clients, our partners, and our team.
Every time we walk through it, we’re reminded of what’s possible when you refuse to be dissuaded.
Expanding the Mission
In 2024, we expanded our reach into four core pillars of training. These aren’t just categories on a website, they’re the framework of what real protection looks like today:
Less Lethal: Krav Maga training and Byrna technology.
Firearms: Concealed Carry Defensive Tactics (CCDT), MD Wear & Carry, and USCCA programs.
Home Defense: USCCA-certified training and HCAR-accredited CE for realtors.
Corporate Safety Solutions: Executive Protection, workplace resilience, and active shooter preparedness.
By stepping into these areas, we’ve grown from being just a training center into a hub of personal and corporate safety solutions. It means we’re equipping not only individuals and families, but also businesses, schools, and organizations.
A Legacy of Resilience
Looking back, the explosion could have ended our story. Instead, it lit a fire that pushed us to grow, evolve, and lead.
Six years later, KMMD is stronger, sharper, and more committed than ever to the mission that started it all: making people safer, more capable, and more confident in an unpredictable world.
The explosion took our building. It did not take our mission. And today, that mission has never been stronger.
From all of us here at Krav Maga MD, thank you for being part of this journey. Your trust, your commitment, and your resilience alongside us are the reasons we stand where we do today.
THEN
NOW
