Early years… a family history of health and physical culture

A native of the Hawaiian Islands, Karol grew up surrounded by the elements and the beauty of nature. A history of health and physical culture ran deep in his family: his grandfather, Karol Sr., was a career wrestler and the first model for the original Superman cartoons in the 1930s — later a sought-after personal trainer and coach for actors, celebrities, and executives of the era.

Karol’s own journey into fitness and physical culture began in the late 1970s. As an awkward, unconditioned kid with a “girl’s name,” he caught his share of bullying and schoolyard scuffles — clear motivation to change course. A friend led him to a gritty, old-school iron gym: basic equipment, loud music, dust, sweat, and steel. He started spending every spare hour there, eventually working off dues by helping with day-to-day tasks and assisting members. By his mid-teens, he was performing power lifts at a state level and classmates were asking for personal fitness training tips and coaching and support. This was the spark that later became a profession in movement therapy and practical mindfulness around training.

Training discipline and good genetics made it easy for Karol to max out the U.S. Army physical fitness test and pass basic, advanced training, and airborne school at 17. He was encouraged to coach other soldiers to maintain mandatory standards—early proof that he could teach, not just perform.
During this time, exposure to martial arts, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness deepened his interest in connecting the physical with the mental and the spiritual. That mind–body awareness, forged under pressure, is the foundation of his approach today: integrated martial arts principles, breath, focus, and practical stress reduction that transfers from training to daily life.

In the years that followed, Karol studied in temples, schools, and camps across the U.S. and around the world. Holistic healing, bodywork, yoga therapies, and meditation balanced his evolving martial arts and sports-medicine studies. He immersed in silent practice and moving meditation in Buddhist settings; he trained in martial arts and yoga throughout India, Asia, and the Himalayas, and continued to explore indigenous systems in Southeast Asia and the Philippines.
The education never stopped. He practiced medical massage and sports medicine, adding traditional bodywork from Asia and Polynesia. The result is a blended approach — including yoga therapies in Phuket, corrective bodywork, and mindfulness coaching — that respects tradition while applying modern mechanics. In Thailand and Phuket, this is the kind of grounded, multi-faceted work he’s known for.)
He has trained across Asia, from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia, becoming known as a yoga teacher in Thailand, the Maldives as well as a movement and martial arts coach.
Immersion into silent practice and moving meditation in Buddhist temples led to his reputation for guiding mindfulness in Thailand and abroad.

With no better teacher than experience gained first hand, a variety of challenges of the mind, body, and spirit have been embarked upon.
It’s an intriguing area of study and practice ranging from trekking through the Himalayas, competing in triathlons, trail runs, marathons and various martial arts competitions. Working and training for extended periods of time in diverse condition such as the Bering Sea, or travelling on international tours have been a memorable part of the journey.

Experience remained the best teacher: trekking in the Himalayas; triathlons, trail runs, marathons; and various martial arts competitions. He worked and trained in harsh conditions (including the Bering Sea) and on international tours.
That breadth led to serving clients at many levels—individuals and families, corporations, and celebrity entertainers. Depending on the need, Karol wore multiple hats: trainer, massage therapist, Yogi, personal assistant, even close security. The through-line is the same: movement, mindfulness, and practical stress reduction that hold up anywhere—from a resort spa to a ship deck.

It’s a fortunate life which enables learning and interacting with people from all backgrounds and walks of life on a very positive level. It’s also a great platform for the continual journey of discovery and growth.

Self-care became part of the path. Mindful nutrition, structured fasting and detox, and corrective exercise protocols he’d used with clients were tested on himself. In 2017, after a ten-meter fall, he rehabilitated a fractured spine and other injuries. With focused mobility work and movement therapy, the pins and screws in his compromised spine were removed in half the normal time. Regaining range of motion demanded pain management, research, patience, and honest coaching with himself—the same approach he brings to clients seeking injury recovery, pain relief, and long-term transformation.

Now based in Southeast Asia, with deep roots in Phuket, Thailand, where he is recognized as a trusted personal trainer in Phuket, and with extensive guest-practitioner experience in the Maldives, Karol works with clients worldwide. His expertise is sought after across regions — from individuals and families to executives, athletes, and luxury resorts. Whether in-person or through online training and coaching programs available worldwide, his focus is on resilience, balance, and lasting transformation.

Note: Knowledge is often accumulated through time, tests, and experiences. This is a brief list of such things. It is always good to remain forever the student — continuing to learn and expand as a human being, teacher, and guide. Learning should only end when life does.

Taught and developed classes and programs in Tai Chi, kickboxing, self-defense, integrated martial arts, yoga, and personal fitness training for over 40 years.

Traveled with clients both domestically and internationally, performing duties as a trainer, massage therapist, and personal security professional.

Delivered health, wellness, and mindfulness programs for individuals and groups across the globe.

Served as Personal Assistant, Security, and Massage Therapist to Mick Fleetwood during Fleetwood Mac’s Unleashed World Tour (2008–2010).

Sports Medicine & Personal Fitness Training
• NASM – National Academy of Sports Medicine, Personal Fitness Trainer
• ACSM – American College of Sports Medicine
• ACE – American Council on Exercise
• “Applies expertise in personal fitness training and corrective exercise to support strength, recovery, and performance, integrating movement into holistic wellness systems.”

• Licensed medical professional, massage therapist, and bodyworker
• National Board Certification, United States and State of Hawaii
Studies abroad:
• Thai Massage Training – International Thai Massage Institute (ITM) and Lek Chaiaya Nerve Touch Massage School, Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Advanced Lomi Lomi Massage – with Kumu Karen Carroll, Hawaii Healing Arts College, Kailua, Hawaii
• Certification in Malaysian Healing Massage
• Usui Reiki, Level 3
• Program Supervisor, Yoga Director, and Alternative Healing Therapist at Armajani Detox & Wellness, Phuket
• Wellness Manager, Yoga Teacher, and Therapist at 180 Degree Wellness, Absolute World Group
• “Combines massage therapy, yoga therapies, and mindfulness coaching to create transformative healing experiences, offering personalized sessions in Asia and accessible online support for clients worldwide.”

• 6th Degree Black Belt / Master Certification in Eskrima, Eskrido, and Pangamot from Grandmaster Cacoy Cañete, Cebu City, Philippines
• 6th Degree Black Belt in Kali, Pangamot, and Silat from the Filipino Academy of Martial Arts, under Grandmaster Chris Petrelli
• Awarded the title of Pendekar “Full Instructor” in Silat-Tua and Kuntao, from Pendekar Zainal Awab Boonson, Penang, Malaysia
• 2nd Grade Black Belt / Full Instructor, Wu Ying Tao Karate and Kung Fu, Master Rick Johnson (Professional Martial Arts Association)
• Over 25 years of practice and teaching Tai Chi Chuan
• Provided integrated martial arts instruction for members of the U.S. Army 75th Ranger Regiment
• Supplemented core practice with submission grappling, Muay Thai, Boxing, JKD, Wing Chun, and traditional Southeast Asian martial arts, blending diverse methods into an integrated system.
• “Has delivered martial arts training and coaching in Thailand, the Maldives, and the United States, and now works with a global community of clients through personalized online coaching programs that bring the power of martial arts, fitness, and mindfulness to people worldwide.”