Diane Ortenzio-Cooling began her martial arts journey in 1979 when she began training in Isshinryu Karate in central Pennsylvania. She moved due to her job with Verizon several times, with each one bringing her into contact with new teachers and opportunities to learn. That’s how she met her late husband, GM Toby Cooling. They moved to northern Nevada in 1996 and that’s where she discovered the Filipino Martial Arts with GM Rick.
Diane earned a kudan (ninth degree black belt) with Order of Isshin-Ryu Martial Arts, where she is currently the president of the organization. With SMP Arnis, she was promoted to dayang pito (seventh degree black belt) in 2022. She is currently the president of SMP Arnis at the behest of GM Rick and DG Sal.
Diane is the senior instructor of Sierra Dojo Martial Arts and helps direct the annual Women’s Martial Arts Symposium .
