“What would you do if you were suddenly attacked by a 200-lb. man?”
Let me tell you how it happened to me.
Better yet, let me tell you how I overcame my worst of fears.
(Or how I gained a new confidence I never thought possible.)
Dear Friend,
It was December 1983 . . . the time of year when it’s dark at 5:00 p.m. I was walking home from Christmas shopping with my hands full of packages.
Suddenly, out of the gloom, a man ran toward me.
I wondered if it was someone I knew. I half smiled.
As he ran up to me, I still couldn’t make out who it was. To my shock, he suddenly grabbed my shoulder with one hand and, with the other, . . . my crotch!
Packages dropped to the sidewalk. He muttered in my ear, “Did you like it baby?” and ran off.
I started to cry. My world had now become a terrifying, dangerous place. I quickly picked up the packages as two young men came over to help. I ignored them and started to run. I kept running until I found myself breathless at the front door of my home.
Though I wasn’t hurt, from that day on I was extremely uneasy in the dark – even in my driveway. Worse, for the first time in my life, I was completely terrified of strangers. These fears stayed with me for 15 long years.
Maybe I should think myself lucky. I mean, in their report, the FBI published the number of rapes reported to the police (thousands go unreported).
It showed that somewhere in the U.S. a man raped a woman every five minutes. That’s over 100,000 per year!
What could anyone say to these women? Well, I’ve found an answer. It’s a man! Don’t worry. He owns and runs the number one martial arts school in the country, right here inAnn Arbor.
Now, you may be thinking I’m just going to tell you all about using karate to hammer 200-lb. bad guys. Not quite. Before you jump to conclusions, let me tell you what this man has really done for me . . .
For starters, after taking only a few classes in his amazing women’s self defense program, my 15 years of fear started to evaporate.
I started to feel a restored sense of confidence.
I learned how simple “awareness” techniques (more on this later) could have prevented the attack in the first place. For the first time in years, I began to feel I could take care of myself.
You’ve no idea how healing all of this was. Though I’m only a small 110-lb woman, in many ways I no longer felt helpless. In fact, the benefits of my karate training spilled over into many other areas of my life . . .
For example, I’m in sales and I talk to 25 to 30people a day. I was once talking with a male customer who was especially demanding. My karate training madeit much easier for me to hold my own. I knew I could break the man’s nose if I wanted to (don’t worry, Iwouldn’t). It gave me such a different feeling. I mean, I had the self control. I knew I could beat him just by keeping my temper and remaining calm. It was such a marvelous feeling of . . . power!
So let me tell you about this man who made it all possible. His name? You probably already know him . . . Stephen Oliver.
That’s right, the same man who owns the school, “Mile High Karate.”
He started teaching karate to women after reading too many stories about attacks on innocent victims by society’s low lifes. With a top-rated martial-arts school, he felt he had a civic duty to do something – anything.
His first idea was to offer FREE mini classes. Classes that taught the basics of what every woman should know to protect herself.
Another was to mail post cards to women with advice on how they can avoid danger. Maybe you’ve seen one already.
One talks about the secret of dealing with fear itself: “Fear is like a toothless dog: all bark and no bite.” Master Oliver goes on to explain what most of us forget (or have never learned). He states that each of us have two types of fear . . .
First, you have the fear of circumstance.
Here’s where you find yourself in a truly dangerous situation: fear with a bite. Like the fear of getting hit by a car when crossing the road, facing a vicious dog, or an approaching tornado. Or, as in my case, the fear of being molested by a 200-lb man!
These types of fear are there to protect you by energizing your mind and body – fast. Your body gets pumped with the “fight or flight” response.
Your second type of fear, however, is different. Unlike the first type, this fear plays havoc with your sense of security using only a “bark”. You’re never truly in danger of injury or harm (you just think you are).
Fears like:
- Meeting new people
- Trying new things
- Holding to ideas different from others
These are the fears that you must conquer, Master Oliver urges.
They have no use, other than to hold you back, keeping you from your goals and your dreams.
Let me tell you, if I’d have known just this, maybe I would not have spent 15 years scared of strangers. I mean, face it, not every 200-lb man is out to get me!
So how do you conquer these second-type fears? Here’s where it gets interesting . . .
To truly conquer the fears that only “bark” you must first learn to conquer the fears that “bite”.
So how do you do that?
With Mater Oliver’s simple-to-learn self-defense skills. Tricks that any woman can pick up. (I mean, just look at me: A petite 110-lb woman whose kick I though was only good for tossing off my shoes.)
Tricks and skills like these:
- Two simple skills that empower you to remain calm when faced with danger.
- One amazing trick that allows you to escape when grabbed from behind.
- One powerful set of easy-to-learn moves that frees you when an attacker grabs your wrists.
With just these under your belt, imagine the sense of freedom that comes to you.
Not just to your mind, but to your whole being. Of course, you may think you’re not strong enough or have the speed to pull off these moves. I understand. That’s how I felt when I first got started.
Again, with Master Oliver’s program, any woman can do it. In fact, karate focuses more on balance than the power of your punch or kick.
For example, ponder these three key ideas:
- Double your physical power (without weight training) with a few easy-to-learn principles of body balance. With this alone, you can kick and punch with devastating power.
- Avoid even the threat of an attack from an increase in your awareness. Amazingly, your mind has a built-in self defense mechanism. Discover how to turn it on, and your mind will tell you when danger lurks ahead – automatically.
- Teach yourself common sense strategies that allow you to avoid “high-risk” situations. Learn what they are and how to avoid them.
Plus, learn one simple trick that virtually guarantees that men won’t assault you.
Still not convinced?
Then study the “Three Keys to Personal Safety” (taught in the free classes). These alone will instantly transform you into the type of woman a thug would never even think of attacking
You won’t believe it, but your body learns an unmistakable language that tells a street predator:
“DON’T MESS WITH ME.”
As a result, you can see yourself walking to your car late at night, calm and in control. You’re effortlessly aware of your surroundings. You move with confidence and authority. You know you can handle virtually any situation. You are at ease. You have the peace of mind you are looking for and deserve.
What’s more, your karate training doesn’t just limit you to scaring off potential attackers. You find yourself without that fear that has the loudest “bark”: the fear of failure. When you discover it has no bite, you find yourself taking on more challenges, more adventures than you ever thought possible.
But don’t take my word for it. Look over the following four accounts. These are from women who’ve also experienced the liberating power of Master Oliver’s coaching . . .
Now, in spite of all the things you’ve read so far, you may still have a concern. You may be thinking, “How can I know for sure that what Master Oliver teaches will work for me?”
Well, it’s never been easier to find out.
I’m talking about Master Oliver’s offer of a FREE beginners program.
You can see for yourself, as I did, if Master Oliver can truly deliver what I’ve promised in this letter. (And yes, the offer comes with no strings attached. Believe me, no one’s going to try to persuade you to sign up for more classes.)
So just imagine how you’ll feel.
You’ll have private, one-on-one instruction from one of Mater Oliver’s top professional teachers, like this . . .
Class One: “Mind-Smart Protection”
- Warm to the idea of emotional respect, for both yourself and others
- Gain power from the “Six Points of Body Balance”
- Learn to handle the Three Weapons of Self Defense.
- Pick-up simple self-defense techniques you can practice at home
Class Two: “Street-Smart Protection”
- Gain super confidence with the “Three Self-Defense Techniques Every Woman Should Know.”
- Take on the key defensive skills to do with “Posture & Body Language”
- One easy-to use technique that will instantly give you more confidence when dealing with co-workers, bosses – even your spouse!
Believe me, with just these two classes, you’ll never again experience fear that robs you of your confidence, your power to act.
Like me, you’ll find a renewed sense of your own well-being and zest. In short, you’ll gain a much greater sense of (dare I say it?) . . . peace.
And it’s all FREE!
You have absolutely no risk.
To schedule the first of your free classes, simply call
I hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Lucy Hully
P.S. If you’re even a bit curious about what Master Oliver has to offer, I urge you to register as soon as possible.
Remember, Mile High Karate is the most successful karate school in the country. Time slots can fill quickly.
P.S.S. One more thing. Whatever you decide about Mile High Karate, you’ll take with you a free subscription to the newsletter, “Street Smarts”. Use it to remind yourself of what you learned in the classes. It’ll give you all the things you should do to avoid danger and male predators.
P.S.S.S. Sorry, I can’t resist. Let me tell you about another incident that happened to me. It was after I’d started my martial arts training. It was September, late at night. I was walking from the State Theater to the car with my 72-year-old Mother-in-law. I noticed a young man 20 feet away keeping pace with us.
Right away, I began to think, “If this guy is up to no good, how can I defend myself and my Mother-in-law?” I took a firm grip on my umbrella and held tightly to my Mother-in-law’s arm. If anything happened, I planned to take a swinging strike to the young man’s face if he came too close. Then I turned and looked directly into his eyes. We walked a little farther, and I turned to look at him again. Thankfully, he crossed to the other side of the street. Perhaps he meant no harm. I don’t care if he did or didn’t. What was different was how I felt. Instead of intimidation and terror, I felt calm, alert and, you’ve got it, powerful.
I’ve made it very easy for you to find out ….
When I started karate back in 1996 it was something that my son and myself could do together. I didn’t expect it to go as long as it has. It brought us close, we had something to discuss other than school.
Then we became gold belts, at that point it seemed we had a goal, but still I wasn’t sure. At that time I meet Master Oliver he impressed me very much. At that time I knew I was a role model and took the role very seriously. I could make a difference with everyone I meet.
In general, karate has made me a more giving person with no expectation of compensation. It has shown me there are a lot of kids out there that need a positive male role model. And most of all, if sit around waiting for something to happen you’re wasting your time.
Terry Morton
I had recently been “mugged” in a hotel parking garage and was feeling very helpless and vulnerable. I thought that I might learn how to protect myself a little bit, so I agreed to give it a try. It has turned out to be one of the most significant decisions that I have made in my life.
The physical challenge has been very rewarding for me. I have been involved in sports quite a bit in my life, but I have never pushed myself as hard as I have in karate.
The philosophy at Mile High Karate has helped me to become a better teacher. I have really concentrated on providing an environment where students can experiment with more positive attitudes and behaviors without risking ridicule from their friends. Helping them to identify behaviors that will help them succeed instead of defeat them is a lot higher on my list of teaching priorities than it used to be.
My fear of being out in public alone is gone. I enjoy the competition of sparring and I would like to be a lot better at it.
I have learned a number of things. The first thing was, when you can’t reach a goal that you have set, make a new plan. I never gave up. I kept planning on the next testing cycle.
Finally, I really do understand that karate is not a “black belt.” It is a way of life for me. I will celebrate when I earn the belt. But, getting there and beyond is still what it is all about.
Erin G. Hale
I have enjoyed karate so much that I have changed my lifestyle.
As a result of working out three (recently five or six) times a week I have lost weight and I’m in better shape than I have been in for fifteen years. Along with eating better I have stopped drinking alcohol altogether. I have also found karate to be a great way to relieve stress. Now our family activities center around karate and karate classes.
There are benefits, other than physical, to the Mile High Karate black belt program. There is the confidence you gain and the skills you learn in the process of becoming a black belt. When you compete, and give it your best effort, you often find you can achieve beyond your expectations. When you judge at a tournament, and have the parents of fifteen competitors scrutinize your decisions, you learn to trust your judgment. There are the teaching and motivation techniques you learn from helping instruct classes as a SWAT team member. The skills I have learned, and confidence I have gained help me deal with people whether they’re family, friends, business associates or peers in a positive way.
Most people would think of karate as an individual sport, but I have learned it is very much a team sport. Few people could earn a black belt without the help and support of their classmates, families and instructors. I have made many good friends at Mile High Karate over the past few years. Friends that have helped me along the way, with an encouraging word, or prodded me to do one more slow kick, or corrected a technique. These people have given freely of there time and patients, without them I don’t know if a black belt is possible.
I think black belt is just the beginning. At this point, I feel I have just learned the basics of karate, and would like to work at perfecting them. I am interested in learning weapons and improve my sparring skills. I plan to continue studying karate until I no longer enjoy it. If the last three years are any indication, I will be in karate for a long, long time.
I wish to thank the staff of Mile High Karate, and especially Master Oliver, for all I have received while working toward my black belt.
Hal Jacoby
When I started taking karate lessons a few years ago, I did it because I was looking for an exercise program that fit me.
I had tried running, but that didn’t last long. I always could find an excuse not to run. Aerobics came to a fast end also. I just couldn’t get interested, and so I continued to search for something that would hold my interest plus give the physical exercise I knew I needed.
Karate was always something I’d been aware of, but never thought I was the “type” to be good at it. Then one day I saw an advertisement about a karate school not too far from my home, so I thought I would investigate and give it a try. Two classes later and a pep talk by the instructor, and I was hooked!
Even as a lower belt I realized I was getting the exercise I needed and beginning a lifestyle that will continue for a long time.
About the time I was a blue belt and a red belt, I was going to college full-time to be a registered nurse and working weekends as an L.P.N.
Studying, going to classes daily, and working took all of m y time and most of my energy, but I knew I had to go karate class and to practice what I learned there.
Karate class gave me a break from the mental strain of studying that I desperately needed. I found that if I went to karate class I was able to concentrate learning forms and perfecting kicks and then when I went back to the books, I felt mentally rested and able to study harder and learn what I studied.
Karate has also added something else to my life that I didn’t expect when I started. I met a man who is now my husband, Dennis Jones.
In thinking about my goals after I attain a black belt, I find that they are really no different than the goals I had when I was working toward a black belt.
Karate has added another dimension to my life. My life as a professional nurse, a homemaker, and my life as a woman has been made more fulfilling and fun by karate.
Vicki L. Jones
I feel daily opportunities to use large muscles and also small ones to. Including running, jumping, kicking, starching and punching. I feel stronger and more healthy because of my dayly exorcise. I also enjoy to exorcise better. This is part of my life every day. I’m happy and I like my life more and also the opportunity to participate in all activities and events. I feel healthy and safe. I enjoy and understand the concepts about myself and others children and adults around me. I learn how to interact with people and seeking solutions to concrete problems. I learn that if you want to be somebody you have to work for it. Since I been in karate I have a lot of self-steam.
In all this years since I been in karate I feel like a new person. Karate has tough me that you need a friend to reach you’re goal. Also to make a goal, plan, and set the goal and do it.
Ricardo Silvas
When I first started karate, I truthfully expected to learn self-defense. I also expected to learn it quickly. Obviously I knew little about karate at that time. I really did not understand what the martial arts were about. Now 3½ years later I understand. Yes, I have learned self-defense. I have also learned how long it takes to learn real self-defense. To be able to “take a person down” requires more years of training than I ever imagined. Karate has, however, quickened my reflexes. It has made me feel more confident that I would be able to react quickly enough to surprise an attacker. I feel I would be able to paralyze them enough to give myself time to run. I think, more importantly, my defensive moves are much better developed and I would be able to help protect myself from being hurt by a kick or punch.
I have learned that karate is not just about self-defense but also about being a good person. This includes being good to others as well as to ourselves. Karate has opened my eyes to martial arts in general and to the complete personal discipline involved, not just the physical discipline. In order to survive my medical training I had to learn self-esteem, self-awareness, self-discipline, self-motivation, and self-direction. It is interesting to me that most of the same concepts are needed to achieve black belt. Karate has helped me develop these concepts deeper. It has also helped me to understand them better in order to help teach their importance to others. Just as important are the concepts of self-control, self-protection and self-image. These latter concepts are invaluable for the working and/or school atmosphere.
Karate, at least initially, was my stress relief. I could go to class after work and feel comfortable that the stresses of the day would be put aside while I focused on techniques, disciplines, and the physical activity involved in our training. Getting to class on time was a goal for finishing my patient schedule on time. Since I am a very compulsive person, specific class times forced me to leave the office and go to class. Many times I was back in the office after karate, but I felt refreshed, not pressured. If I had not had set times, I know I would have skipped my training several times. Unfortunately, at this time karate has been more of a stressor. I am still motivated to leave the office however, often do not feel my stress is relieved at the time I leave karate class. Often it is intensified. I have learned that within the martial arts there are role models that do not practice the concepts they teach. I am not sure why this is surprising to me since this is true of medicine also. Because of these conflicts however, karate has made me have to delve deep within my soul to confirm my values and convictions. To really make decisions regarding how to demonstrate certain values and how to keep priorities straight. Honestly, I believe I have come out on top. I still feel my initial values and priorities are correct for me.
For the past two years, karate has supplied me with almost all of my personal training. I can honestly say that I get a better physical workout, most of the time, from my karate training than I would if I were at a gym. I have become more tone, and more determined to continue with proper conditioning techniques. I stretch much more which has helped some of my flexibility return. This, in turn, has helped me be more successful in different sports such as snowboarding, which I started last season.
The most important thing karate has done for me is to bring me into contact with a variety of people. The people I have met at the schools have been from such a wide range of backgrounds and professions. I thoroughly enjoy talking with people there including some of the children. I feel blessed by the relationships I have developed with some of the people I have met through the karate school. Some of these relationships, I know, will last forever, with or without the karate school being involved. Martial arts brings people together that have basically the same goal in life, to be good people.
Tracy Saffer