MODELDefense

"How to Be safe in an Unsafe World"

People today are constantly faced with a variety of challenges both at work or at home. As a result of these on-going issues, individuals are looking for options that empower them to take charge of their lives. Our self-defense programs are based on the philosophy of using self-defense skills to increase individual self-confidence and assertiveness. As a result of these programs, students are able to move forward in their lives in a much more confident manner by establishing boundaries in all aspects of their lives - personally and professionally. In addition, students come away with powerful skills that can be used in potentially threatening situations.

Personal safety is becoming increasingly important as our world continues to be filled with violence. Day to day experiences expose us to a variety of vulnerable situations. Many people feel vulnerable because they are not educated on dealing properly with these situations. Our programs offer individuals an opportunity to effectively handle potentially threatening situations. By learning self-defense techniques and having the experience of actually using these techniques, students are able to recognize and utilize their strengths. Many programs today teach the skills, but do not allow for the actual implementation of the skills. This is where our training differs. Instead of pulling their punches, students are able to deliver full knockout blows. Most importantly they learn to work within the fear state that naturally occurs in a stressful situation.

MODELDefense - with its key FAST Defense componant - is much more than a series of self-defense courses. It offers a very strong emotional aspect that is not typically found in other programs. Graduates of the course report a greater ability to take charge of their destinies, to work with others in a more honest and assertive manner, and to set strong, clear boundaries which allow them to get closer to those they love. Students become witness to their own ability to say "NO!" and make it stick. They learn that each of us is worth defending, that we all have the right to stand up for ourselves. They learn that we can't truly say "Yes" until we can really say "No".

With these new skills comes an expanded sense of capabilities. New choices are created. Not everyone who learns these skills will need them, or even choose to use them. The importance is in having the choice. We have choices in our relationships, when and how we choose to love, how to effectively confront a dangerous situation, and yes, when necessary, even fight for our lives if attacked by an assailant.

The Ultimate Conflict Resolution & Personal Safety Course

What Makes MODELDefense Training Different From other Self-Defense Courses?

State of the art teaching methods are used to instruct students in the full "spectrum" of self-defense. Students experience an easy step-by-step progression of learning and practicing awareness, de-escalation, and finally physical defense skills. Once conditioned responses are re-programmed and muscle memory is built, students meet the Bulletman. This is a highly trained male instructor dressed in 40 pounds of protective gear who can take sustained, full contact strikes that would leave a real attacker gasping or unconscious. Because of the patented body armor, students are able to practice the delivery of effective and appropriate full force knockout blows. Unlike most courses where students are taught per force to pull their punches, our students experience and use as their power, the high adrenaline state. This state is a powerful resource of action and energy that, if used properly can accomplish amazing feats. It allows the students to successfully defend themselves and "knock out" the mugger. It is the vital element in Self Defense training. As in real life assaults, the students learn to respond with commitment and power.

Who Attends MODELDefense Seminars and Retreats?

Worldwide, women, men, teens and children from ages 6 to 75, from all walks of life, with varying degrees of physical capabilities have successfully completed the FAST Defense course - a primary componant of our training. About 50% do the training for preventive measures, and the other 50% for a therapeutic journey of "rewriting" a previous victimization. Since rape crisis centers and law enforcement agencies estimate that one woman in two, and one man in four will be assaulted in their lifetime, the issue of violence has devastating long-term consequences. The continual threat of assault and harassment affects the way most of us live our lives. Quality of life and freedom are limited by fear. The real impact of our training is the empowerment of the student who, by truly knowing how to protect themselves, finds freedom from this fear.

How Does this Training Help Someone Who Has Already Been A Victim Of Assault?

Our programs have been recommended by psychologists and therapists worldwide to aid survivors of physical and sexual abuse. For many, the experience is life changing, as the label of "Victim" is worked through and left behind. The highly trained female and male instructors, with their extensive experience in group facilitation, martial arts, and counseling, work as a team to provide a safe and supportive environment.

Survivors of trauma can reconstruct a past experience, discovering the feelings that once paralyzed them can now empower them to act. They no longer need to be afraid of fear. Their bodies can and do become vehicles of strength, protection, and defense. They are able to reclaim their bodies, embracing an aspect of themselves long ago sacrificed and denied. Yes, they can be at peace within their bodies, free to experience both joy and power.

Does MODELDefense Really Work?

Virtually hundreds of graduates have reported using our training to successfully escape dangerous situations. Students also experience increased confidence and assertiveness in all aspects of their lives. In situations where physical defense was necessary, many resulted in the knockout of the attacker. Thousands of graduates have deterred attackers with defensive verbal skills alone.

The program is enthusiastically endorsed by a number of authorities, including rape crisis counselors, psychologists, martial arts masters, and law enforcement experts. According to Don Fusilier, a police academy instructor on sexual assault:

"This is the only self-defense program I can recommend, and one that I believe will help end the cycle of violence that so adversely affects our society. The physical training, techniques, philosophy, group and individual support give students outstanding tools that they can elect to use if confronted by an attacker. The program gives those involved a strong sense of their own power and the ability to protect themselves from harm."

What If There Is More Than One Attacker Or if They Have A Weapon?

In our BASICS course students learn defensive strategies against a single unarmed assailant. Approximately 70% of attacks are still committed in this fashion. However, the environment is changing fast:

• MODELDefense offers more advanced courses to graduates of the Basics Course. Building upon the Basics skills, more advanced techniques are taught to effectively deal with situations involving weapons or multiple attackers.
• The WEAPONS Course works on defensive strategies against the use of firearms, knives, and clubs. Students learn about the psychology of surviving an armed attack, giving up material possessions when appropriate, and fighting for their lives if threatened physically. The techniques are simple and extremely effective.
• The MULTIPLE ASSAILANTS Course works on defensive strategies against as many as 4 - 5 assailants. Students learn how to "stack" the attackers and disable them enough to get away safely.