​​Jason Callis is the founder and Lead Instructor of Steel Ring Academy. He has been a historical sword practitioner for nearly 20 years. His vision and mission is to share his love of sword fighting with as many students as possible. 

Jason is Adult CPR/AED/First Aid Certified through the Red Cross, and he is currently working towards obtaining his Personal Training certification.​ 

Jason knows a good thing when he sees it, so he asked Amanda to marry him and they wed in March 2026.

Jason's a proud dad, and his son graduted from Lakewood Ranch High School in May 2026. He is also step-dad to Amanda's kids.

​Amanda is Steel Ring Academy's first lady Free Scholar. Amanda is a Certified Personal Trainer and has been practicing historical sword fighting for over 5 years. Her favorite things include landing pommel strikes and recruiting more women into HEMA.

Amanda has an additional Personal Training certification in Kids and Teens Fitness and is passionate about expanding our Teen Program. She is Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid Certified through the Red Cross. 

Amanda is a mom of two, and also became step-mom when she and Jason married in March 2026.

Ryan has been practicing historical swordskill for over 7 years. In addition to Meyer longsword, Ryan is also Free Scholar Adept in Rapier, as well as Fiore Longsword techniques.

Ryan is Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid Certified through the Red Cross, and obtained his Personal Training certification in May 2026.

Ryan recruited a future Steel Ring Academy sword fighter in May 2026 when he and his wife Stephanie welcomed a baby boy.

​Chris has over 4 years of experience training in historical swordsmanship. He is a paramedic and brings that same focus and calm under pressure to the ring. Skilled in multiple weapon systems, he’s especially sharp with daggers.

A jack of all trades and quick learner, Chris is always expanding his skill set and obtained his Personal Training certification in May 2026.

​When he’s not training or saving lives, he’s most likely hanging out with his girlfriend Chelsea and their crazy pup crew.

Braam has been practicing historical sword fighting with Steel Ring Academy for more than 5 years. 

​He is Adult CPR/AED/First Aid Certified through the Red Cross. 

Braam studied abroad in Japan, where he met his lovely wife Jackie, who also joined the ranks of Steel Ring Academy. You may catch them providing a free marital counseling demo in the Ring at the St Perersburg RenFaire.

Seth has been practicing historical sword fighting with Steel Ring Academy for  3 years. Seth has years of experience practicing, competing and instructing Tae Kwon Do and embodies the idea that competition is a mindset as much as a skillset, making him the perfect fit for the role of our Tournament Instructor.

Seth teaches our Tournament breakout class during the Adult class the 2nd Tuesday of each month. 

Billy has been practicing historical sword fighting with Steel Ring Academy  for more than 5 years, and joined the team as a Junior Instructor in Spring 2026. When he's not at sword class, he enjoys Air Soft, LARP, and a variety of Tabletop RPGs.

Alex joined Steel Ring in late 2025, and his enthusiam and love of the sport makes him an excellent Instructor Assistant as he rises through the ranks. Outside of swords, you'll find him in games, TTRPGs, or LARPing in the woods.