Tom Sotis
Founder of AMOK! | Author | International Instructor
For more than four decades, Tom Sotis has dedicated his life to the study of self-protection, edged weapons, tactical decision-making, and human performance under pressure. As the founder of AMOK!, he has helped shape the evolution of modern edged-weapons training and has spent his career teaching military personnel, law enforcement officers, security professionals, and private citizens around the world.
Unlike many instructors whose experience comes exclusively from the training environment, Tom's background includes firsthand exposure to real-world violence through criminal investigations, fugitive recovery, executive protection, and high-risk security operations. These experiences provided a practical understanding of violence, human behavior, and the realities of performing under extreme pressure.
Throughout his career, Tom has remained focused on a simple but important question:
What actually works when violence becomes real?
That question continues to drive his research, instruction, and development of training methodologies designed to improve performance when the stakes matter most.
Career Highlights
- More than 40 years of training and operational experience
- Founder and Lead Instructor of AMOK!
- Conducted over 1,500 seminars and training events
- Presented training programs in more than 25 countries
- Trained over 15,000 military personnel, law enforcement officers, security professionals, and private citizens
- Established an international network of instructors and training groups
- Author of more than 30 books
- Producer of numerous instructional video programs and educational resources
- Consultant and instructor for government agencies, private security organizations, and civilian training groups worldwide
Areas of Expertise
Tom's work focuses on the development of practical skills that remain functional under pressure, including:
- Self-Protection and Personal Safety
- Edged Weapons Training
- Unarmed Defense Against Weapons
- Tactical Decision-Making
- Human Performance Under Stress
- Instructor Development
- Motivation and Behavioral Analysis
- Violence Dynamics and Threat Management
Professional Philosophy
Skill is important. Knowledge is important. Experience is important.
But under pressure, none of those things matter if they cannot be applied.
Tom's work has always centered on developing training methods that help people recognize problems earlier, make better decisions faster, and perform more effectively when conditions become uncertain, chaotic, and resistant.
This philosophy became the foundation of the AMOK! methodology and continues to guide every course, seminar, article, and training program he develops.
Publications & Media
Tom is the author of more than 30 books covering self-protection, edged weapons, tactical training, human performance, motivation, and personal development. His work has appeared in magazines, instructional programs, podcasts, webinars, and training events worldwide.
In addition to his written work, Tom has produced extensive educational content designed to help instructors and practitioners improve their understanding of violence, performance, and skill development.
Speaking & Consulting
Tom is available for seminars, instructor development programs, keynote presentations, podcasts, interviews, and consulting projects related to:
- Self-Protection and Personal Safety
- Edged Weapons Training
- Human Performance Under Pressure
- Tactical Decision-Making
- Instructor Development
- Motivation and Behavioral Analysis
Contact
Tom Sotis
West Palm Beach, Florida