Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Martinez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Having been in the Marine Corps during the invasion of Iraq, I was witness to what happens to a society when it’s governmental structure collapses. It began my interest in learning to survive economic or environmental disasters. Watching the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina further instilled in me, that ordinary people need to be ready for whatever may come our way. I was also in South Korea when North Korea began its saber rattling. I remember being on a hiking trip, miles away from a US military base, when the missile warning sirens went off. A friend and I began to make plans about what to do next in the event we were still hiking, and war broke out between the two nations. These events I have experienced first hand, have led me to found a company that helps people prepare for disasters, whether they are man-made or not.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been an easy road. There isn’t a governing body on who can and cannot teach this information. This is experienced based knowledge and its hard to convey a feeling or experience to a student. Plus, when you begin telling people why you prepare, they look at you like you’re crazy. Most people like to believe that nothing will ever happen to them. That the government will always come to the rescue, or that we are secure in our modern age. Yet, time and time again, we have seen disasters where people aren’t ready. The best thing I did to help gain credibility in my knowledge base was taking a CERT class with the city. CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Training.
These classes are a way for an ordinary person to begin preparing. I go beyond that and add more to what a person can do to be ready, as well as teach self-defense.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Readiness Training Group – what should we know?
The Readiness Training Group isn’t like other companies. We not only teach how to prepare for a disaster; we also teach self-defense. Whether it’s with a firearm or personal self-defense like fighting off an attacker. I have the experience with disaster preparedness and am a certified firearms trainer with over 20 years experience, and my partner is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu as well as a Master Army Combatives instructor. Combined, we train people for whatever way they want to prepare themselves. Be it on introduction and use of a firearm, preparing for a natural disaster or learning to defend themselves from an attacker.
What is a typical kid like growing up?
I was active outdoors, not playing sports or anything, but I loved the outdoors and still do. I always had the intention of joining the military right out of high school, and that is what led me to what I love to do now. I also had the opportunity of growing up with my business partner, my brother. Both of us had a love of the outdoors and were pretty adventurous. I rarely backed down from a challenge and has the drive to learn new things. I’ve always been a reader, because our mother instilled in us, that there is an adventure in books. I can honestly say I was a little bit of a nerd as well. I loved and still, love Star Trek and all things Sci-Fi.
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