Oops, the world didn't end...looks like I should start appologizing

May 21st has come and gone and we're still here. Time to start apologizing...until 12.20.2012 that is!

Since I thought the end of the world was coming for sure, I decided to live like there was no tomorrow and attend the Wine festival in Nantucket, Mass (which was unofficially the "whitest place" on earth). Imagine my chagrin when the clock struck midnight and the music kept playing and the drinks kept flowing, oh well, may the end of the earth is on pacific time?

Needless to say it didn't happen and I have successfully spent the week end eating like I was going to the electric chair. No mind, sometimes you need to kick back, blow off a little steam and have some fun with friends. But instead of doing it like there's no tomorrow, I have learned to do it in a GUILT FREE by paying it forward and paying it back.

I'm not a monk. I like to eat and occasionally, I like to drink. Give me a good bourbon, Cabernet or even a beer and I'm all set. I'm a firm believer in "everything in moderation", but what exactly is moderation? Is it one, two, five drinks? Is it the same for me as it is the other guy? Does moderation start when I have a smile on my face and end when I start proposing to the furniture? For everyone it's different, but there is an easy way to figure it out your "moderation".

First of all, you CAN'T have it all. Having it all is bullshit. If you could have it all, anytime you wanted it you would get bored. We are designed to have certain things at certain times. While you think you want to be able to eat and drink with impunity, you can't, so just get the notion out of your head. However, you can have everything you want, you just need to account for it.

Being in shape to me is extremely important. From a self defense perspective, the better in shape you are, the more punishment you can withstand. The stronger and faster you are the harder and faster you can deliver punishment. The quicker you can recover (the shorter the amount of time your heart can return to 120 beats per minute), the longer you will endure.

Beyond the tactical aspect of good fitness, being in shape enables me to enjoy life. I tell my kids "Use your mind to get the things you want, but you're going to need your body to enjoy them." Too many times I have seen extremely wealthy men and women so overweight that it takes them an effort to climb a flight of stairs or get in and out of a car. You may have all the toys but if you're trapped in your own body you're not going to be able to enjoy them. Your body can either liberate you or enslave you, the choice is yours. Every rich man I know who is not in shape, wishes he was.

Finally, I like the way I look. Call it what you will, but when you have a six pack and broad shoulders you will look in the mirror and smile. I'm not going to lie. I have been both overweight (at my porkiest about 220!!!) and shredded where I am now at 180 and I have to tell you, I will take shredded over porky all of the time.

That being said, I do enjoy to "live like the world is going to end" every once in a while. But to do that I use a combination of "pay it forward" and "pay it back".

We all have a caloric tab. That is the number of calories you need to sustain your weight. My tab is 2270 calories per day. How do I know this? I saw a nutritionist and she hooked me up to a Meta check machine to determine my Basal Resting Metabolic Rate. This machine measures the carbon monoxide exhaled over a 10 minute period. It gave me a rate of 11.5 which is a little low (normal for my age is 12, for women it's 11). So I multiplied that by the my weight, or my ideal weight (11.5 X 180 = 2070). This is the amount of calories I need to maintain my weight if I were to do nothing all day except lie in bed and watch Oprah. So we added 200 calories to account for walking around, moving and at least looking awake. I know there are a lot of "calculators" on line where you plug in some numbers and they give you your Basal Metabolic Rate. But those calculations are based on a normal metabolic rate. I always felt my rate was slower and I was correct. If you want to use an online calculators, use them and adjust down 10%. After a week you'll be able to determine if you need to adjust up or down depending on how you feel and your weight loss (or gain).

Now before I continue I just want to add a note on "ideal weight". Your ideal weight should be what you want to be. The BMI (Body Mass Index) which the government uses to determine obesity is crap. It gives you a blanket height and weight analysis is bullshit if you have any amount of muscle. According to that index, all of the running backs in the NFL are obese. The real calculator is body fat percentage. Ideal body fat % depends on your age and sex and you can find a lot of info on this on line. To me it's based on how I want to look and what I want to do. I'm at about 10% now which is just over half of what is recommended for my age or considered healthy. Yes, I could carry a few extra pounds and still be healthy but like I said, I like the way I look. At the end of the day, you and your doctor determine your weight, not me and not the BMI. Add to that, BMI is what the government uses to call everybody obese, this number is controversial and has changed over the years. It is also used as a tool for certain quasi government agencies to get funding to battle the "obesity epidemic" which is also a load of crap. I don't care what your politics are, this number has been twisted and used by both parties to get what they want. The bottom line, get to weight that you and your doctor can live with.

So like I said, the world was about to end, and I was going to go off my nutrition schedule and go out with a bang. But since I wasn't 100% convinced the world was ending, I wanted to make sure I could do it without gaining several pounds in the process. In order to do that, I needed to track my eating and exercising. since exercising burns extra calories, it allows me to "bank" some calories for my end of the world binge. I planned to be eating and extra 5,000 over a two day period (4,770) per day! To do that I had run a deficit of 4,770 calories prior to d-day.

To track my caloric intake and exercise I used an app for my phone I picked up at Fat Secret. It gets a little generous on the calories burned during exercise. You need to adjust your total calories burned about 5% down. This will keep you honest, and allow you to track and bank your calories. I knew I was going away so the week before I watched what I ate and banked about -3500 calories. When I got home I still owed 1500 and in 3 days I was back on track. Now with Memorial Day coming I know there will be a party or two. I'm not going to party like it's the end of the world, but I will relax a little. To do that, I'll bank more calories this week.

Simple, yes. Easy, yes. Pain in the ass recording all that you eat...you bet, but it can be done and everything I suggested is FREE.

Why do you have to do this now and you didn't when you were a kid?

Sure our metabolism slows when we get older, but how much do you think? 10-15%? On a 2000 calorie diet that's only 200 to 250 calories which translates to about 2 cookies. The problem isn't your metabolism, it's your lifestyle. Two things change as we get older, we eat more and do less. This is what must change if you're going to become the ideal "you" or hell, even a little better you. Think about it, when you were young, you played outside, did sports and ran around a lot. You were also GROWING!!!

After your teens you stop growing and as you got older you stop playing outside and doing physical activities less while you continued to eat the same amount or even more. I didn't drink beer as a kid, but when I got older I sure did.

Think about all you did when you were young. Pick up baseball and basketball games. Playing outside until the street lights came on. Sledding, snowball fights, fishing, you name it, you were out and about. You also didn't drive. Bike, board or feet, that's how we rolled.

When I was a kid, I lived 1/2 mile from school. I would walk to and from school (1 mile) and sometimes come home for lunch (1 mile). That means some days I was walking 2 miles on top of what ever else I was doing. There is no doubt that your life was way more active when you were young. In order to compensate for that you need to eat less or do more.

You're body doesn't make fat, carbohydrates, starches and sugars do. There are a lot of diets on the market, which ever you choose, pick one that is high in protein and low in refined sugars and carbs. The rule is you need carbs for fuel and fat and protein to build. Eat your carbs early in the day and before training sessions and get your protein later.

I try to limit my carb intake to 100grams per day. I'll add more if I feel I'm sluggish during training. The only secret to nutrition is knowing what you need and knowing what you're putting into your body. Once you know you're baseline, it's no longer a mystery. Eat too much, either exercise more or eat less but don't guess. Be honest and you won't have any problems.

While technology in the field of nutrition is changing there are things we know for sure:

1. If you take more calories in than you burn off you will gain weight
2. Carbohydrates and starches triggers insulin which builds fat
3. Higher protein diets encourage muscle growth and do not promote fat growth
4. The more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn
5. A good base line of vitamins, fish oil and probiotics go a long way to achieve overall health.

No one says you have to give up anything, you just have to account for it and pay the rent. I want you to live a safer, healthier and happier life. Nutrition is just like your Self Defense Training, is a part of that complete package. And like your self defense training, there's a right way and a wrong way and above all, an honest way.

You need to be honest with yourself.

My battle of the bulge.
After I blew out my knee my senior year in high school I ballooned up to about 220. All I did was sit on my ass for 2 months, eat everything and lift weights. Sure I could bench 385, but I was the size of a house, I couldn't believe it.

I managed to get down to 205 for football camp. Over the next 4 years I went from 175 to 215 and back again. And that was my life. I would get ready for a season or a competition, stay on weight (178) for a few months and then go back up to 195. Half the year I felt great, the other half I couldn't stand looking at myself.

Sure I knew how to train and make weight, but I didn't know how to live. When I had a goal I could flip the switch and get into fighting shape but I didn't know how to just live a life. I knew how to starve and gorge. That pattern continued until I was in my late 30's.

Imagine that, 38 years on the earth and I only knew two ways to eat, all or nothing. There came a point where I finally said enough was enough and did the research. I was determined to discover the truth about nutrition because it wasn't just me anymore, I have my wife and children to educate because I was never taught how to manage my nutrition. I come from a typical Italian family where it's "eat this, it will make you feel better." My Dad died at age 66 because he was obese (5'8 288 pounds), my sister was bulimic and my mom and my brother were naturally thin. Needless to say, I had my issues with food.

I approached my nutrition research like everything else in my life, don't bullshit me, just give it to me straight, I can take it. The problem with health and nutrition is the same in martial arts and self defense, everyone wants the magic bullet, the secret move, the mystical potion. When in reality that doesn't exist like you THINK it does. What works requires commonsense and some effort. What doesn't work is complicated and convoluted. I spent a lot of time with nutritionists, doctors and books. Then I experimented on myself. Well it's 5 years later and I am still kicking ass and taking names. I have never looked or felt better in my life...EVEN IN MY YOUNG COMPETITIVE DAYS!!! Plus I train half as much as I did back then. I just needed to understand my own "numbers".

When I first started training in what is now The Self Defense Training System, I was ready to learn the truth. I abandoned all my beliefs on self defense and let my common sense and real life experience guide me. The same held true for my journy into nutrition. I started to manage my nutrition and fitness when I was ready to drop all the bullshit I have been told about weight loss from infomercials and accept the facts. Remember to lose 1 pound of fat you need to run a caloric deficit of 3500 calories. Keep in mind that doesn't happen instantly, your body may react to that deficit in the next 2 or 3 days before you see it on the scale. That's why you should only weigh your self once a week and track your weight loss month to month. This way, it all evens out since your body will fluctuate day to day.

Everyone shares the same problems, some people can just handle them better.

Train Honestly,
Damian Ross, CEO The Self Defense Company


Damian Ross is CEO of the Self Defense Company and developer of The Self Defense Training System, the most lethal and effective self defense system in the world, The Guardian Defensive Tactics Police Combatives Program, 60 minute Self Defense and the Family Safe Program. Mr. Ross also founded the Self Defense Instructor Program that helps people develop their self defense careers from the ground up. Mr. Ross is originally from Ridgewood, NJ where he was a High School Hall of Fame Athlete in football and wrestling as well as a varsity wrestling coach. He then went on to Lehigh University where he was a varsity wrestler and football player. Mr. Ross has 3 black belts, 4th Degree in Tekkenryu Jujutsu, 2nd Degree in Judo, 2nd Degree in Tae Kwon Do. In addition to his martial arts experience, Mr; Ross spent 8 years in the professional security and personal protection business. He is internationally recognized as one of the foremost authorities in reality based self defense.

Really Fighting with Close Quarters Combat

REALLY being able to FIGHT with "Close Combat" techniques means exactly this: BEING ABLE TO FIGHT!

So what "standard" can be used to develop the mandated attacks and methods?

We can agree on this: The ability to attack the enemy with a BARRAGE of HARD, FAST, DAMAGING blows and kicks that can be recalled instantly and used convulsively and instinctively. These attacks can attack ALL body areas and from any and ALL varied angles while combined with evasive body shifting and footwork. Accuracy is also important, but blows that can DAMAGE almost ANY part of the body are to be preferred over those that NEED specific targeting.

If we agree on the above as our "template" of effective fighting methods, what methods fit the bill best?

PUNCHING: Fist blows that can be straight, overhand, hooking and uppercuts. These blows can be thrown from anywhere and in any angle of trajectory. They can be thrown in a BARRAGE of combinations and can be aimed at many body areas. IMPORTANT NOTE: Proper strengthening and conditioning (which should be DONE anyway) can turn the FISTS into VERY POTENT WEAPONS. (Module 6 of The SDTS)

With the correct conditioning, Punching meets the above criteria.

EDGE OF HAND BLOWS: Again these can be used anywhere on the body and limbs with damaging effect. They can be used in any manner needed, hence the Chinese term "Thousand Hand Blow". The Edge of Hand is very hard to injure even when struck against bone. Hatchet like blows can be delivered from a variety of angles and targeted almost ANYWHERE on the body.

Edge of Hand meets the above criteria. (Module 1 of the SDTS)

ELBOW JABS & SMASHES: The elbow ALSO can be used in a WIDE variety of attacks. It can jab, smash, hook, back smash, drop, rise etc. It can be devastating to almost ANY part of the body. It can be used with speed and pop or driven in with two hands reinforcing, smashing and crushing. VERY difficult to defend against and virtually the BEST weapon for in-close work.

Elbows meet the above criteria. (Module 2 of the SDTS)

LOWER BODY ATTACKS: These THREE are the primary ones to TRAIN and used MOST effectively as stated above -

1. KNEE - Can be used as an UPWARD smash, a DIRECT INWARD thrust, in a roundhouse or hooking manner, and in a "dropping" single and double crushing attack to a downed enemy. Knees can be DEVASTATING to almost ANY body area.
More "ring" deaths in Muay Thai have been attributed to KNEE attacks than to any other natural weapon.

Knees Meet the above criteria (Module 2 SDTS)

2. THE FRONT KICK - Using the ball, toe, or instep of the boot. Can be directed from the shins to the head (depending on position of enemy). It’s simple, easily trained and instinctive. With heavy footwear this kick is a KILLER. It can splinter shins, crack kneecaps, crush testicles, shatter bones (pubic/ribs/sternum/skull).

The front kick meets the criteria (Module 2 SDTS)

3. THE STOMP - Using the heel of the boot this stomping kick is a "natural". It can be employed to an assailant in front, to the side, or to the rear. It can be used close in when grappling or used unexpectedly from a distance. It is MURDER on a downed adversary.

Stomps meet the criteria (Module 2 SDTS)

So there is the "FIGHTING SYSTEM" out line. The punch, the edge of hand, the elbow, the knee, the front kick, the stomp. SIX methods that I would train and use in a real FIGHT, NOT a pre-emptive "Jap" attack or other first strike scenarios, but in a REAL tooth and claw FIGHT.

The other mainstays are GREAT for when they CAN be used. But they are LIMITED to specific scenarios and specific TARGETS!

GRAPPLING -

FIVE chokeholds/strangles that CAN BE immediately turned into NECK BREAKS.
(Module 3 SDTS)

FOUR specific head twist takedown/spinal dislocates.
(Module 10 SDTS)

FIVE throwing/takedowns methods.
(Module 10 SDTS)

SEVEN arm-bar/joint breaks.
(Module 3 SDTS)

That's the CORE system for REAL FIGHTING. Six upper and lower body striking and kicking methods and twenty-one combat grappling methods. Everything else - clawing, gouging, crushing, ripping, butting and biting are ancillary to the core system. The other attacks like the tigers claw, chin-jab, ear box, rock crusher, cradle blow, etc. are SPECIFIC methods of attack that are limited in use by the NATURE of their method (Found in Module 2 SDTS). These methods of attack can be used as THE OPPORTUNITY presents itself.

The core fighting methods can be used whenever YOU want to use them. The ancillary fighting methods are used when the opportunity presents itself.

For example: To effectively USE the "chin-jab" your enemy must "give" you a clear and unimpeded "path" to the point of his chin. However, if I just start SMASHING at him with multiple hard driving elbow blows I don't give a damn what he does or what's "open" he's going to be in a world of shit from jump street. See the difference?

Does this make sense?

Fighting an actively aggressive enemy will require different tactics and methods as opposed to attacking an enemy prior to full-blown fighting. Simply put, you're either attacked or you attack. Both approaches need to be studied thoroughly, understood fully and practiced to the point of instinct.

Over emphasis on the preemptive or on the active fight will render you woefully lacking when the other method is mandated.

HIT FIRST when YOU CAN, WIN THE FIGHT by whatever MEANS when YOU CANNOT!

Just like gun fighting. There is the REACTIVE and the PROACTIVE. Either you start the shit or the other bastard starts the shit. Each requires different skills, and if you plan to SURVIVE you had better understand both and be able to deal with both!

This line of strategy and tactics applies to ANY weapon, as well as to unarmed combat.
Train Smarter, Not Harder,
Damian Ross, CEO The Self Defense Company









Connect with Mr. Ross of Face Book

Damian Ross is CEO of the Self Defense Company and developer of The Self Defense Training System, the most lethal and effective self defense system in the world, The Guardian Defensive Tactics Police Combatives Program, 60 minute Self Defense and the Family Safe Program. Mr. Ross also founded the Self Defense Instructor Program that helps people develop their self defense business from the ground up. Mr. Ross is originally from Ridgewood, NJ where he was a High School Hall of Fame Athlete in football and wrestling as well as a varsity wrestling coach. He then went on to Lehigh University where he was a varsity wrestler and football player. Mr. Ross has 3 black belts, 4th Degree in Tekkenryu Jujutsu, 2nd Degree in Judo, 2nd Degree in Tae Kwon Do. In addition to his martial arts experience, Mr; Ross spent 8 years in the professional security and personal protection business. He is internationally recognized as one of the foremost authorities in reality based self defense.

Ugly Red Dummy- Ground Fighting, Damian Ross, The Self Defense Company

One of the SDTS Legion Members suggested that I try to take advantage of the Ugly Red Dummy's tendency to fall down (when it's not weighted down of course). He said I could knock him down and perform the SDTS Ground and Pound from Module 3 of the SDTS.

The drill we're starting with comes from Module 3 of the SDTS: Ground Fighting for Keeps. In this situation you're knocked down and your assailant is standing over you. There could be 100 different ways how you got here but all that matters is that you have the wherewith all to defend yourself.

Your goal in this position is to get on your feet, it's not to end the fight. If you can, it's a bonus but it is best to create some space to enable you to get to your feet OR if you injure or distract him enough you may be able to take him down from this position in the manner shown. Granted, if you do injure him, you may even just want to get to your feet and finish the job.

Try not to be enamored by the technique. Martial artists and self defense experts tend to think that every technique they teach will work 100% of the time against 100% of the attackers in the world. This is obviously false. In this situation for example, I would much rather be the guy standing. When I train, I'm not thinking "I have him now!!" while I lay on the ground in trash and broken bottles only to have his buddies come up from behind and kick my skull in. I'm really thinking "HOLY S#!T!! I've got to get on my feet and if he comes near me I'm going to hurt that SOB anyway I can!!!"

Never, ever choose the ground or grappling. You wind up in grappling and ground scenarios by accident, not by choice. Personally, I've been on the mat for over 30 years. I have won more wrestling and judo contests than I care to remember and I would NEVER choose the ground or choose to grapple in a street fight. The only time I would if it tactically gave me the advantage to do more vicious and violent things to my attacker. A number of years ago when I was a young man I happened to get into a situation where I was fighting in a crowd. While I took down the guy who squared off with me without a problem, his buddies didn't like it so much and took turns teeing off on my head and back. In this situation I was lucky the police showed up or I probably wouldn't be writing this article today.

Always assume your attacker is armed and has friends. I've seen a drunk high school kid get knocked into a coma because someone didn't like the fact that his buddy was getting thrashed, so he decided to put a steel toe Redwing boot into his brain. Don't be stupid, use common sense. If you're not fighting in a controlled environment you're depending on the kindness and sobriety of others.

Getting back to the drill...

This was actually pretty cool and I was never able to train a transition and go full bore before. When you train the SDTS Ground and Pound (or any ground and pound) unless your training on a dummy, you have to be careful and not injure your partner since the force of your strikes are reinforced by gravity. The Ugly Red Dummy allowed me to go from a standing target to a prone target while maintaining intensity. I could never do this with a training partner. And before you start posting and saying "I can do this with a partner holding pads or in a redman suit" I'm going to stop you and tell you you hit like a toddler and should be embarrassed. If you hit with any amount of real force against a pad that is in front of someone's face, you're going to smash their hands into said face. So please save your breath. The only way to do this with a partner is to pull your punches and that is something I don't have time for. we are not sparring we are destroying what's in front of us.

Next time we'll take our Ugly Red friend from the standing position to the ground (Yay!).


Train Smarter, Not Harder,
Damian Ross, CEO The Self Defense Company


Damian Ross is CEO of the Self Defense Company and developer of The Self Defense Training System, the most lethal and effective self defense system in the world, The Guardian Defensive Tactics Police Combatives Program, 60 minute Self Defense and the Family Safe Program. Mr. Ross also founded the Self Defense Instructor Program that helps people develop their self defense careers from the ground up. Mr. Ross is originally from Ridgewood, NJ where he was a High School Hall of Fame Athlete in football and wrestling as well as a varsity wrestling coach. He then went on to Lehigh University where he was a varsity wrestler and football player. Mr. Ross has 3 black belts, 4th Degree in Tekkenryu Jujutsu, 2nd Degree in Judo, 2nd Degree in Tae Kwon Do. In addition to his martial arts experience, Mr; Ross spent 8 years in the professional security and personal protection business. He is internationally recognized as one of the foremost authorities in reality based self defense.

Fight Better Drunk

I just got on this on Face Book from a member of the SDTS Legion,

"Thank you Damian. I got robbed last night. I was pretty drunk after watching the fights, and two guys who knew it figured I'd be an easy target. Even stupid drunk, I remembered to keep my lead foot lined up between the feet of the attacker, hit him in the neck and head with the edge of hand blow until he fell down (From Module 1 of the SDTS), and then tried kicking the shit out of him. Then his buddy jumped on my back and choked me. They both pinned me down and took my money. Yeah in the end I lost my money, but I kept my pride. I was beating the fuck out of the one guy. Too bad I was too intoxicated to plan for the second guy." Corey, Canada

First, I'm glad you're OK and live to tell the tale. Second, I'm insanely happy you were able to leave your mark on these guys and stand up for yourself. You did what you had to do at the time with the information given to you and for that, you're awesome. So the other guy cleaned you're clock and you lost some $$$, you're story brings up a fantastic point. What happens if you're attacked while drunk?

The short answer is: if you plan to get drunk you have 3 options:
1. Don't drink
2. Don't be alone when you're drunk in public
3. Learn to fight better drunk

You were and I'll use your words "stupid drunk." I have no doubt than any less drunk you would have remembered SDTS Cardinal Rule Number #5 but you were wasted. I know we envision most confrontations happening behind enemy lines fighting for truth, justice and the "Canadian" way. But that is simply not the case. Most fights happen when a little (or a hell of a lot)of alcohol is involved.

If you walk away with anything from Corey's story it's first, his attackers figured him an easy mark since he was loaded (See SDTS Cardinal Rule #2)and second, he still could successfully pull off the tactics he learned in Module 1. Even when he was blotto, our hero knew he was being set up and more importantly, defended himself while "stupid drunk."

I'll be the first to say that I do take the occasional drink and have had the experience to engage in use of force situations when my judgment and or ability to stand have been seriously impaired. Guilty as charged. But this is the world we live in and these are the lifestyles we lead. All it takes is one night out and one drink too many to make you vulnerable. Heck, it doesn't even have to be booze, you could just be tired, injured or just plain old....OLD. If you look like an easy mark you're going to be taken.

Think about this and seriously reflect on your lifestyle. When I use the sign off "Train Honestly" this is part of what I mean. e honest with yourself. We all have the image of who we want or think we should be, then there's the reality of who we are. We all want to be the person who brushes and flosses twice a day, but we are all the person who forgets to even rinse with mouthwash until we're halfway out the door. We all want to buy clothes for the thin, 15 pounds lighter you, not the right now you. Whether or not you think your tactics will work when you're sober, do you think you could pull them off drunk or even buzzed? Let's take booze out the equation, could you execute your defensive tactics if you were tired or injured?

Be realistic, be honest, if you're doing something that requires a tremendous amount of skill, concentration, strength and endurance and you enjoy a lifestyle that includes the occasional cocktail, then I urge you to re-evaluate your method of self defense. I'm not saying stop your current training, but look at it from a REAL LIFE defensive tactics perspective not from the perspective of the person you want to be or the image you want to project.

Defensive Tactics should fit your lifestyle. Other than the time dedicated to training, both physical and mental, you should be able to enjoy the things you enjoy. I'm not condoning alcoholism, though if you spent some time with my family you may consider "self medicating" a viable option. I'm talking about being able to go out with some friends, have a few drinks and loosen up. Heck, Corey was "stupid drunk" and he managed to knock a guy out. Imagine if he wasn't drunk!!

Train Smarter, Not Harder,
Damian Ross, CEO The Self Defense Company









Connect with Mr. Ross of Face Book

Damian Ross is CEO of the Self Defense Company and developer of The Self Defense Training System, the most lethal and effective self defense system in the world, The Guardian Defensive Tactics Police Combatives Program, 60 minute Self Defense and the Family Safe Program. Mr. Ross also founded the Self Defense Instructor Program that helps people develop their self defense business from the ground up. Mr. Ross is originally from Ridgewood, NJ where he was a High School Hall of Fame Athlete in football and wrestling as well as a varsity wrestling coach. He then went on to Lehigh University where he was a varsity wrestler and football player. Mr. Ross has 3 black belts, 4th Degree in Tekkenryu Jujutsu, 2nd Degree in Judo, 2nd Degree in Tae Kwon Do. In addition to his martial arts experience, Mr; Ross spent 8 years in the professional security and personal protection business. He is internationally recognized as one of the foremost authorities in reality based self defense.