Today we’d like to introduce you to Dastan Bolat.

Hi Dastan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From Presidential Protection to Elite Training: The Story of Dastan Bolat, Security Expert & Martial Arts Coach

In the world of elite security and combat training, few professionals possess the depth of experience that I bring to the field. My journey began in Kazakhstan, where my interest in security, martial arts, and strategic protection led me to one of the most elite security forces in the country—the Presidential Security Service of Kazakhstan.

My career took shape when I was recruited into the State Security Service of Kazakhstan, formerly known as the Presidential Protection Service. This was a highly competitive process, where only the top candidates were selected. I had the honor of serving as a personal security officer for the President’s family, including Dariga Nazarbayeva and her children. My work included threat detection, escort operations, event security, and intelligence gathering, all of which required a high level of strategic thinking, combat readiness, and psychological resilience.

After years of working in high-risk security operations, I transitioned my expertise into elite training methodologies, helping security professionals, athletes, and private individuals enhance their situational awareness, self-defense skills, and tactical capabilities. My journey has been about applying real-world experience to develop modern security frameworks and combat training programs, ensuring that people are protected and trained to protect themselves and others.

Since then, I’ve expanded my work into corporate security, logistics risk management, and self-defense education, and I am now bringing my expertise to the United States.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The path to becoming an elite security professional is never easy. The selection process for presidential security was extremely rigorous. Out of thousands of applicants, only a handful were chosen. The training itself was physically and mentally grueling, requiring a high degree of combat proficiency, crisis management skills, and psychological endurance. Every day brought new challenges—whether it was learning advanced threat detection techniques, managing high-pressure situations, or adapting to unexpected security risks.

Another major challenge was the transition from state security to the private sector. In government security, you operate within a structured, highly coordinated system, but in the private world, security threats are more unpredictable and diverse. I had to adapt my strategies to different industries, from executive protection to high-value cargo security.

Relocating to the United States also came with its own set of challenges. The security landscape here is different, and I had to rebuild my network, establish credibility, and demonstrate how my experience in presidential security could be applied to corporate risk management and self-defense training in the U.S.. It has been a journey of continuous learning, adaptation, and proving that elite security principles can be applied globally.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is focused on elite security management, combat training, and risk mitigation strategies. I specialize in:

VIP and Executive Protection – Developing customized security solutions for high-profile clients, business leaders, and security firms.
Corporate & Logistics Security – Implementing risk assessment protocols for high-value asset transportation and corporate security management.
Tactical & Self-Defense Training – Teaching security professionals, law enforcement, and private individuals how to enhance situational awareness, self-defense skills, and crisis response abilities.
One of my proudest achievements was my role in the Presidential Security Service. Protecting the President’s family and other high-ranking officials required a level of precision, adaptability, and risk intelligence that few experience in their careers. This background has allowed me to build training programs that combine military-style security protocols with modern-day protection strategies.

In addition to security management, I am also deeply involved in combat training and self-defense education. I hold the prestigious Master of Sports title in Boxing in Kazakhstan and have trained dozens of combat athletes, many of whom have gone on to win championships. I also served as a judge at the Hand-to-Hand Combat Open Championship in Kazakhstan, evaluating elite fighters in high-stakes competitions.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach to security. I believe that security is not just about protection—it’s about preparation. My goal is to educate, train, and empower individuals so that they can take control of their own safety, whether they are corporate executives, security professionals, or everyday civilians.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk is an inevitable part of the security industry. Whether it was working in high-threat environments or transitioning into private security consulting, I have always understood that calculated risks are necessary for growth and success.

One of the biggest risks I took was leaving the Presidential Security Service to start my own security training programs and consulting firm. Many people questioned why I would leave such a prestigious position, but I believed that the security industry needed better training methodologies and a new approach to executive protection. I wanted to take my experience and apply it to a broader audience, helping corporations, security teams, and private individuals enhance their safety and preparedness.

Another major risk was relocating to the U.S.. Entering a new market, especially in a highly specialized field like security consulting, is never easy. I had to prove my expertise, build new relationships, and demonstrate how my knowledge in elite security operations could benefit clients in the U.S..

To me, risk is not about recklessness—it’s about preparation and execution. The most successful people in security, business, or any industry are those who anticipate risks, strategize accordingly, and take decisive action when the time comes.

Final Thoughts

Security is about more than just protection—it’s about understanding risks, training for real-world scenarios, and ensuring that individuals and organizations are fully prepared for any challenges they may face. Through my work in executive security, risk management, and combat training, I am committed to elevating security standards and empowering others to take control of their own safety.

I believe that elite security strategies should be accessible to everyone, from high-level executives to everyday civilians looking to improve their self-defense skills. My mission is to bridge the gap between government-level security expertise and practical, real-world application.

As I continue my journey in the United States, my goal is to collaborate with security professionals, law enforcement, and business leaders to create a safer, more prepared society.