Notes on the Journey: On Breaking Boards
2026-03-20
You don’t fear the raging river. You are the raging river. The first time I broke a board was after I’d already been on the mat for several hours—our regular
You don’t fear the raging river. You are the raging river. The first time I broke a board was after I’d already been on the mat for several hours—our regular
I’ll start by making an admission: I learned everything I know about ESD by teaching it. What? Well, I created an Empowerment Self Defense curriculum called ASSERT about 20 years
The International Association of ESD Professionals (IAESDP) is proud to launch The Strong Side—a powerful new violence prevention initiative in football that brings the life-changing tools of Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) into the heart of football culture. This
Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) is emerging as a go-to framework for tackling rising incidents of gender-based violence, bullying, and harassment worldwide. Organizations like the International Association of ESD Professionals (IAESDP) aim
Your experience can empower others. You’ve overcome challenges as an ESD instructor or student—navigated classroom crises, broke through personal barriers, found your strength. We want your story for the IAESDP
Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) is a holistic approach to personal safety that addresses the full spectrum of gender-based violence through an evidence-based methodology. Many people teach self-defense, and each has critical impact through their work. Today, we want to highlight just a few key players in the ESD movement who are making waves—not only in their own communities but across the globe.
So you’ve signed up for the Association Credentialing Exam or you’re thinking about signing up, and you like to feel prepared. You may have already checked out the Handbook, Code of Ethics, and Core Competencies, but you’re looking for guidance on what it’s really like to take the exam. Here’s what to expect, from someone who has already been there:
Have you noticed that the term “empowerment” is popping up all over the Internet? Have you noticed it is often used to describe self-defense? Did you know that empowerment self-defense (ESD) is a thing and the people who teach it are ESD professionals?
Author’s Note: Hello to all those who are taking the time to read this. I’d like to say “thank you” for being a part of the movement known as Empowerment Self Defense. I’m part of the board of the Association of ESD Professionals, as well as a Senior Instructor/Instructor Trainer for Impact Personal Safety Los Angeles and Global.
I was asked to share my experience as the famous “suit” that people in the ESD community have had the opportunity to fight against or have at least seen from videos of training with IMPACT LA/Global.