Noel Plaugher began studying martial arts in 1990 after being the victim of violent crime. After studying Shou Shu Kung Fu and achieving his second degree black belt, he began studying internal martial arts. Noel studied Xing Yi Chuan and achieved his teaching certificate (black belt equivalent). He has also studied various forms of qigong as well as Aikido and Judo. Noel lives with his wife, Brenda, and son, Christopher, in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches and writes.