Self-Defense Training for Women

I am humbled.

Consider that I’m an attention monger who loves being on stage in front of people, and who has for over 20 years, and you can probably count the number of times “humbled” has left my lips on one hand.  This past weekend, I had a very unique set of consequences and experiences that truly reached in to me, and yes, made humility the only acceptable path for me to travel.

I was born and raised for most of my youth in the Northeast suburbs of Philadelphia, PA.  We grew up very close to the Nabisco factory, back when vinyl records were the norm, and the Internet was some government conspiracy.  We played stick ball, and tossed our Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars up on the street corner phone lines when they were worn out.

Last Saturday, I had the chance to return to my old stomping grounds on the east side of Roosevelt Blvd. This trip wasn’t just some feel-good, Welcome Back Kotter visit.  My blushing Bride, Dr. Stacia Kelly, and I went back to Philly for an education.

If you’re a fan of CNN, Inside Edition, The Morning Post, Best Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Men’s Journal, or other mass media, you have probably seen and heard from safety expert, Steve Kardian.  Steve is the director and lead instructor at the Westchester MMA and Fitness, a 30 year veteran Police Sergeant and Chief Investigator who has been involved in the martial arts since 1977.  (Short version – he’s one tough cookie!)  Steve was our instructor during our weekend training in the female self-defense training courses titled Fight Like a Girl, and Girls on Guard.

We had the opportunity to train with martial artists in different disciplines, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  The techniques we learned really flew in the face of some of our past training. One tough lesson was that being on the ground is not necessarily a bad thing.  There are times that is actually preferred.  We learned about escape techniques, leveraging the woman’s strength against the man’s most vulnerable points, and specific scenarios where danger is most imminent.  We learned survival tactics, and common sense.  We tumbled.  We kicked.  We fought for our lives.

We keep some of these techniques close to the vest to prevent predators from learning what we teach.  In the interim, let me lead you to a few videos featuring Steve in his public appearances educating America on some of the dangers women face on a daily basis.

Rape on Campus

Fight Like a Girl demo

I wasn’t the only one who loved this training.  Check out some quick, impromptu commentary from fellow instructors like Tony Fiore, Rob Thomas (Mushin-Do Tsunami Self Defense), Kristel Roxas (The Grapplers Guide Academy), and Dr. Stacia Kelly (Studio 13).