Name: Tony
Age: 33
My journey with defence lab only started in November 2016 so I am only about 5 months in. Two weeks ago, I passed my first grading and received my white band.
I’m 33 years old. Married with two young daughters. The last 5 years have been a bit of a blur but an amazing emotional roller-coaster of a ride nevertheless.
I have always been sports mad. I played football at a decent level. Anything involving hand-eye coordination came naturally to me and there was nothing I loved more than a one on one challenge.
My martial arts journey started when I was 7 years old. My parents were keen on me being able to defend myself so they brought me along to a Karate class. I went along with a cousin of mine. He was dead keen, but not very good. I wasn’t interested but found it really easy.
By the time I was 15 I was a black belt.
I suffered a really bad hamstring injury playing football. It put me out of action for about 6 months. I never went back!
To date, it is still one of my biggest regrets. To get to the level that I did, it required hard work, dedication and focus and what annoyed me the most looking back was how easily I just tossed it all away.
I was attacked!
The punch that I didn’t see coming. The kick to my head that broke my nose.
There had been a scuffle at a house party over a girl that a friend of mine had been dating. A jealous new boyfriend and group of lads had come looking for him. It got dealt with. The police came and it dispersed.
I decided to walk home that night. Alone. It hadn’t even entered my mind that they could be watching and waiting.
Two streets down, four lads surrounded me. I had never been in this scenario. I had no instinct. Granted I had had a few beers but nothing at all. The punch came in from the “wing man” as I exchanged words with the man stood in front of me. I have no idea who kicked me in the head but my nose exploded with blood.
I was fortunate because it didn’t knock me unconscious. It was sheer determination and my will to win that allowed me to escape. All I remember is throwing my arms around like a drunk boxer and running. They gave up chasing.
As a proud man, it took me ages to get over. The overriding feeling was regret.
That word again!
Regret that I wasn’t able to defend myself better. Regret that I wasn’t able to cause them a little more damage myself. Regret that they were not the ones wishing they hadn’t picked on me!
I made a decision to do something about it.
Over the next 3 years or so, I tried a few different forms of self-defence but I couldn’t let go of that scenario of having 4 people around me. None of what I was doing appeared practical.
“How is this flailing of my arms going to help me against multiple attackers?”
The closest thing I found to an answer was Krav Maga (Israeli Jujitsu). How to defend yourself on the street. Due to location and feasibility of attending the class, it didn’t quite work out.
I’m convinced everything happens for a reason…
It was then I discovered “DEFENCE LAB”. I saw an advert on Facebook of all places.
The words that immediately jumped out at me:
- Study the Science of Violence
- A fighting System designed for the street.
- Genuinely deals with Multiple attackers
An entirely different approach. I put my name down and went along for a taster session.
When I arrived I was made to feel very welcome. You instantly get a real family feeling within class. I was a little sceptical at first. Kids as young as 13. Adults in their mid-50’s. How much can I get out of this? Can it really prepare me for what I’m after?
Within 2 minutes, that scepticism was put to bed. The welcome induction. I was asked to come to the middle of the room and was told that 4 people would surround and attack me (with pads) and that I wasn’t allowed to fight back. I was only allowed to defend myself.
BANG!
I was back in the scenario I was in when I was attacked!
I instantly knew this was where I needed to be.
Tahir the instructor introduces me to the core “Shape 1”. We repeat the exercise. Everything changes.
I know I have only been doing this for about 5 months but my experience in other martial arts environments allows me to safely say that Defence Lab is a unique system that works.
Tahir told me that in the beginning this would all feel very alien to me. A bit like learning to walk again. He wasn’t wrong.
The movement of the arms, the use of the elbows as a form of defence and attack, the fluidity to move, defend and attack whilst standing, kneeling and lying down.
It took a few sessions to understand the concept but just like learning to ride a bike, it starts to stick. It starts to feel normal. It becomes second nature.
What I love the most is unlike most other self-defence classes I have attended, everyone is treated equally regardless of your level or ability.
When I did karate, those at higher levels would learn and train differently to those at lower levels.
In a situation on the street, you cannot say.. “erm excuse me sir, I have only trained to defend myself & fight against 1 person so would you mind asking your 3 friends to take a seat?”
Defence Lab has allowed me to realise very quickly just how useless things like Karate are in the real world.
Defence Lab treats everyone the same. Everyone has a right to defend themselves should they have no other choice. The only difference is when it comes to grading, examiners will be looking for better delivery and technique from those who are looking to obtain higher levels, but this in my mind just sets goals & encourages you to get better.
As well as learning a completely unique system, it is also a fantastic workout. It’s not often I don’t leave class dripping with sweat.
In such a short space of time, Defence Lab has blown my mind. A real credit to its founder Andy Norman and his team of instructors. A special mention to my instructor Tahir who is exceptional. A great presence (for a short guy) and mentor.
It is so clever. It truly is a science delivering accuracy through research and development. It has returned my confidence levels to where they were pre-attack.
As soon as my two daughters are old enough, I am going to be getting them involved in one of the kids classes. I know they will love it.
I cannot recommend Defence Lab highly enough.
My journey has only really just started. I cannot wait to find out what’s coming next!
