Zak Barnes began his martial arts journey in the late '90s. Barnes's father trained under Harold Long, one of the Marines that brought Isshinryu to the United States, and insisted that his son train as well. After dealing with some bullying in his earlier years and a life-threatening incident, Barnes developed a deeper passion and respect for martial arts. In 2013 David Holcomb learned that a student, Zachary Barnes, at his former Dojo was testing for a black belt. Holcomb led his testing and became a mentor for Barnes afterward.  Holcomb then asked Barnes if he would help at Bryan College's women's self-defense class. In 2018, Holcomb reached out to Barnes and encouraged him to help in the academy. Barnes has stayed in martial arts because it is a big part of his faith as well as a part of his life. "I don't know myself without martial arts. It's really integral to who I am. It has helped me gain confidence and be more disciplined". When asked how God has used him through martial arts, he said, "Sometimes people come into martial arts with a lot of baggage… Through fighting, they open up to you more and you are able to share the gospel with them… Seeing the effects of martial arts, how it built people up, especially in the woman's self-defense course, has been really enriching to my faith. It has been a way that God has strengthened my faith with martial arts."

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