Maija studied sword with the enigmatic and reclusive sword master Maestro Sonny Umpad, and since his untimely death in 2006, has focused on teaching sword play as a way to understand tactics and strategy.

She has written 3 books on the subject - The Liar, the Cheat, and the Thief, The Hustler, and The Spy and the Rodeo Clown. She has also designed two knives, the Vaari and the Moikka, the former of which appears in the Livia Lone books written by Barry Eisler. She is a Finn who grew up in the UK and now lives in the USA, which probably explains why she enjoys silence and a nice cup of tea with her pecan pie.

In this conversation, Ed Calderon and Maija delve into the intricate world of martial arts, focusing on the teachings of Sonya Oompa and the philosophy behind sword fighting. They explore the evolution of martial arts, the impo ...