Carl C. Brisson-Lopez was born in Puerto Rico on July 7, 1969. He moved to the United States at a young age and settled in New London County (living in several towns over the years). While living in Norwich, CT. around 10 years old, he tried his hand in the martial arts for the first time by joining a local Judo class with some of his childhood friends. The Judo class turned out to be a bad experience, forcing him to drop out and become discouraged from martial arts.

A short while later, his family moved to Uncasville, CT. where he decided to try martial arts again. He visited the Studio of Kung Fu and met Sifu Antonio Suarez who ended up becoming his teacher and changing his attitude about martial arts. Sifu Suarez taught him several forms of Kung Fu as he continually challenged him physically, emotionally and mentally. Over the years he focused mainly on Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan and 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu. As time passed, he learned a form from Northern Shaolin Choy Ley Fut (becoming the Assistant Instructor) along with many other basics, techniques and forms from several other types of martial arts within the realm of kung fu. Carl Brisson-Lopez truly credits Sifu Suarez for planting the seed of martial arts and helping him become who he is today.

After many years, Sifu Suarez decided to stop publicly teaching and sold the Studio of Kung Fu. A classmate bought the school and Carl Brisson-Lopez stayed in the school for a while, helping his classmate by teaching classes for him. During this time period, he was also attending seminars in Forms and Fighting techniques for the Jook Lum Tong Leong system (Southern Bamboo Style Praying Mantis) with the Tong Leong Gwo Shuh Goan International. Being a Northern Mantis practitioner for years, these seminars gave him an opportunity to see the Southern Mantis styles. By this time, he was living in New London, CT., the Studio of Kung Fu (which had a new name under the new owner) closed down for good. He later moved to New Haven, CT. and decided to join the U.S. Navy where he spent 6 years as active duty. He entered the Navy at the age of 24 in 1994.

His first several years in the Navy was spent living in Florida where he immediately met Master Kam Lee of the Chinese Wushu Institute and continued his training. He received a certificate in the Simplified Taijiquan 24 Forms while also training in some forms and techniques from the 5 Ancestors' Kung Fu system. During his time there, he also had the opportunity to redefine his Praying Mantis Style of Kung Fu. During his stay at the Chinese Wushu Institute, he found himself assisting with the teaching of some classes in return for his own studies.

At the same time (on opposite nights) he ran a free martial arts class for the United Way and the Boy's and Girls Club of Florida. This class focused on underprivileged inner city children and was 100% non profit. This class also combined adults from all backgrounds with the inner city children. The Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida (John A. Delaney) recognized him for his volunteer work and the amazing results displayed by the children in their everyday life due to his martial arts program. He was awarded a proclamation naming June 6, 1996 as Carl Brisson-Lopez day in the City of Jacksonville.

He went on to run programs in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Norfolk, VA., onboard of a Navy Carrier (USS John C. Stennis, CVN 74) and Brunswick, ME. This gave him the opportunity to touch many people and affect their lives in a positive way. This in itself, proved to be the biggest reward in his own life. While in the Navy, he also continually sought out Instructors from many different types of martial arts, taking every opportunity to learn, cross train and exchange information. The Navy also afforded him the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico, Cuba, Italy, Spain, France, Australia, Hawaii, U.A.E., and several locations in the United States. This gave him the rare opportunity to see and experience martial arts from many different individuals, disciplines and countries.

After returning to Connecticut in 2000, he spent several months training again privately with the instructor from the Jook Lum Tong Leong system (Southern Bamboo Praying Mantis). He worked for the Department of Defense as a Police Officer and later moved into the Criminal Investigation Division (he had also worked with them prior to enlisting in the Navy). Chasing his boyhood dreams and desires, he applied for the City of New London Police Department to become a municipal Police Officer. After a long process, he was sworn in as a New London Police Officer on August 2, 2001. He was originally assigned to the S.N.P. (Safe Neighborhood Patrol) squad where he worked for his first year. After S.N.P. was dismantled, he worked in the regular Patrol Division. A year later, he was selected and assigned as the School Resource Officer for the Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School. He had also become an Instructor for the A.S.P. (Police Baton) and G.R.E.A.T. program (Gang Resistance Education and Training).

During his work day, he spends his time inside the school where he maintains an office. He works with the New London children trying to set positive examples and help them stay out of trouble. He teaches the G.R.E.A.T. program to the new sixth graders who enter the school. He is also responsible for handling any criminal matter that may arise in the school. He patrols the surrounding areas during dismissal times to ensure the safety of students. He also supports the Patrol Division when needed and works regular patrol assignments when school is not in session.

After working hours, he runs the Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School Martial Arts Club free of charge. The program, although supported by the Public School System, is not financially funded by them. The program is self efficient and has operated strictly from personal donations (from him and the community) and monies raised through fundraising events that he conducts.  As of the 2006/2007 school year, the Palmer foundation awarded the club a grant to help it grow and continue.

Currently, Carl Brisson-Lopez dedicates four days a week teaching children from the 5th grade and up who are in the public school system and adults.  He conducts scheduled classes in both Praying Mantis and TaiJi Quan during his off duty hours from the Police Department.  All of his classes are held in a newly refurbished kwoon (training hall) inside the Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School. He also attends special events, competitions and demonstrations as often as possible with his students. He continually seeks to establish relationships with local martial arts schools as he tries to create cross training opportunities and valuable experiences for both his students and him.