We live in a world and in a time, where learning self-defense AND your children learning how to defend themselves is essential. It is no longer an option. Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.
This experience happened to me at a time when I least expected it, but the fear woke me up.
I had always wanted to do some sort of martial arts as a kid, but I never did. I was always the skinny kid who couldn’t defend myself (and I absolutely hated it), but I also never did anything about it. Then during COVID, the riots in Dallas, Texas occurred and protestors were literally looting and rioting two blocks away from my house. Some even threatened to stop me as I was passing by in my car. I lived in a quiet suburb of Dallas and nobody was prepared. I had never been so frightened. Nobody left their homes. I was a fairly big guy at 200 lbs. at the time. I lifted weights regularly, but I still feared for my life because I knew deep down I was not confident I knew how to defend myself if I was attacked.
I SAID ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND I TOOK ACTION.
I researched martial arts and self-defense schools and came across Krav Maga Dallas affiliated with Krav Maga Worldwide. The moment I walked in my first day I was sold on the concept and hooked on Krav Maga. I wanted to learn Krav Maga from the very basics and work my way up. Krav Maga is a street defense system originally developed for the Israeli/US military and is now designed for everyday citizens to learn defense against attacks.
Also, during COVID, I had been suddenly laid off from my medical-device marketing position, so I went to classes 5-6x per week and 3x per day. Every class I focused on the basics. My instructor said on Day 1, you can’t learn how to properly defend yourself unless you know how to move your feet and where to move your feet. He was completely right. So I studied each movement, each defense, and developed a technique when I moved to Orlando- following Krav Maga Worldwide principles.
Since moving to Orlando, I am now the owner/instructor of Krav Maga O-Town where we provide people street defense so they can Walk in Confidence in LIFE. I started Krav Maga O-Town because there was no Krav Maga presence in Orlando for me or others to train, so I created it. Every class you walk in not knowing how to defend yourself and you go home knowing something that you could use THAT DAY that could possibly save your life or someone you love.
I have developed a program called “Fight, Flight, or Freeze – Build your Kids Confidence Against Bad Guy’s and Bully’s.” There hasn’t been a self-defense program like this … ever.
Fight, Flight or Freeze
Last year, I was approached by producers of News6Orlando and asked to do a segment and provide self- defense tips. On air I mentioned, most people go into a fight or flight situation but there is actually a third, freeze. It is the worst position to stay in of the three options. No one is discussing freeze. I have built this program so kids learn to move into fight or flight and build muscle memory to not freeze. Adults also need to learn this muscle memory to stay safe, and I teach this in group classes. You just can’t rely on instinct and hope you will act.
In the “Fight, Flight, or Freeze” program we also practice breathing, making noise, and showing a defensive stance. Bad guys attack those they perceive as weak or vulnerable. Once you show a defensive stance, breathe, and make noise the chances of you or your child getting away safely increases immensely.
Bad guys don’t want attention drawn to them. Bad guys also don’t want a fight.
