Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Everman.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Justin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My exposure to martial arts came at an early age as a way to cope with being bullied in school. While there were some great takeaways from traditional arts, I also realized there were some big disconnects between what was being taught and what was happening to me in real life. This eventually led me down a path that would span a lifetime of research and development in many different arts and systems. The A.C.W.A. was born out of a need for a self-defense system that was instinctive, intelligent, and effective in providing real solutions that would keep you and your loved one safe.
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?
Nothing worthwhile is easy, nor was my path. I’ve always been of the mindset that you should either find a way or make one and when I did not find one, I started my own. That’s a long road to walk down, but as most entrepreneurs will tell you, it’s all worth it.
I don’t have any unique struggles to relate to you that other business owners would not have as well, but for me it’s not about what issues you have, it’s how you choose to respond to them. Life is complex, all businesses have their ups and downs. We all go through the phase of learning, defining ourselves and what we offer and then working to convey that to our market. Let’s just say that when you learn how to serve people powerfully and give them what they need, in ways that really resonate with them, your road becomes much smoother.
A.C.W.A. Self Defense Academy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The A.C.W.A. is a reality based self-defense academy that specializes in getting people home safe. We work with the general public as well as provide seminars for churches, hospitals, tech firms, large billion dollar corporations and small businesses as well. We also work with those in the armed forces, in security, and in law enforcement.
What reality based self-defense (and our A.C.W.A. Combatives program) offers, that traditional martial arts does not, is the study of chaos that comes with life. Reality based self-defense doesn’t just train inside on mats – we make a point to utilize the parking lot, or surrounding grassy areas, to experience training in settings where you actually go during the day. We try our best to create chaotic environments that simulate places people may have to defend themselves. Sometimes we’ll turn out the lights, turn up the music, and use lighting systems and lasers to create that chaos and unpredictability that solidifies what you’re learning. If it works in this environment, then it will work nearly anywhere. Clothes even play a part in what we do as we don’t wear traditional “Gi’s” but instead wear blue jeans, t-shirts, and running shoes to simulate everyday life.
We train to deal with simultaneous multiple attackers as group and gang attacks are less the exception to the rule and more and more the norm. We also train people how to respond to verbal assaults and preconflict cues in addition to physical attacks. If a person gets in your face and starts screaming, what would you do? If you’ve never experienced the adrenal dump that comes with this situation and what that does to you mentally and physically then you won’t know how to act if it happens to you in your day to day life. Our methods incorporate these types of scenarios into the training in ways that many arts just can’t, and that’s what gives it so much value.
The best part though and perhaps what I am most proud of, is the amazing people we attract to us. I’ve worked diligently to build a team that acts more like a training family, one who’s here to help anyone in need. Here you’ll find no egos, silly outfits or outdated traditions, just some awesome people and amazing training.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I don’t know if I have a single proudest moment in my career, but when I hear that what I taught people changed their lives, gave them confidence, or saved them from a very bad situation, it would be one of those movements.
I am truly honored to have the opportunity to give my students, clients and instructors information and training that helps them and their loved ones lead the lives they deserve without fear!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1740 North Greenville Ave, Richardson TX, 75081
- Website: www.combativewarriorarts.com
- Phone: 469-939-2462
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.c.w.a.combatives
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACWACombatives
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