Instructor Profiles - Urban Self Protection

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Instructor Profiles

About USP

JOHN BOWMAN

USP Founder and Chief Instructor

I run the Newton Abbot USP club alongside Private Training, Instructor Training, Specialism Training and syllabus development.

I initially started out in Kempo Ryu Karate Kickboxing in 1997, which, whilst a fairly traditional system, was aggressive and carried out a lot of impact training rather than patterns and choreographed movements.

I eventually attained my black belt and began running a small club. However, at the same time, through my profession, I was involved in various confrontations and realised much of what I had learnt was superfluous, however, the aggressive and high impact training had set me in good stead.

I began to look for other realistic systems and came across Krav Maga. I attended a few classes and loved how no-nonsense it was. We trained in shoes, in darkness, in uneven areas and against realistic attacks with realistic responses. I got onto the next IKMF Instructors course and trained long hours in London under some of the world's best including Eyal Yanilov. I succeeded and became a Graduate Level 2 Instructor and set up a Krav Maga class as soon as I could. I ran this class for several years.

Despite Krav Maga being excellent and no doubt effective, I wanted to cross train to make sure I wasn't becoming too blinkered with one system. I discovered Jim Wagner's Reality Based Personal Protection System. Jim is an ex-Federal Air Marshal and has a great deal of Law Enforcement Experience as well as Military, Counter Terrorism, Close Protection and Martial Arts. I attended an Instructor Course in Ireland in 2005 and really enjoyed it. Jim's system was based more on principle than technique. It also emphasised more realistic training conditions. I loved both The Wagner system and Krav Maga and taught both.

I continued training under Jim for some time and eventually became his UK Director.There are only 3 Level's in Jim's system, but due to my background and continued study, I was given the honourary title of Level 4. There were only 5 Instructors in the world to have this honour and it meant I was entitled to train up Instructors for Jim.

I gained further qualifications in scenario creation and realistic training and gained qualifications and experience in teaching and coaching.

In 2009 I realised I could not continue to teach both systems and was coming up with ideas of my own. I then spent some time formalising my own syllabus which incorporated what I felt were the most realistic techniques, the most useful tactics the best training methodologies and most importantly - sound principles. This system was named Urban Self Protection or USP and was born September 20th 2009. Since then, it has gone through various developments and will continue to do so where improvements can be made.

I have just published a comprehensive guide in two volumes to the entire USP syllabus.

I continue to develop my own skill and learning, most recently having attended training in 'Rapid Assault Tactics' and received a 100% grade in the 'On Combat' study course (conflict psychology and physiology) and am currently studying the Centre Axis Relock method of close quater shooting.

In my personal life, I enjoy teaching and training, syllabus development, archery and the cinema and my guilty/geeky pleasure is an interest in disaster preparedness - probably as a result of watching too many zombie films!

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ED BROOM

Level 6 Instructor

Until recently, I ran USP classes on a Wednesday in Newton Abbot. However, I am moving to Scotland and will be looking to set up classes there once settled. I am available for personal training and private group workshops.

I can be contacted on: 07415 279177



DAVID STROUD

Level 6 Instructor

I began my training martial arts training in 2009 have studied numerous arts and styles in that time, including gaining the equivalent of black belt grades in Muay Thai and USP.

Since qualifying as a USP instructor in 2012 I have taught privately in Exeter and have published a number of articles about self-protection tactics for various online resources. In 2014 I published my first book, which has now been referenced and adapted by companies specializing in personal safety training. I’m currently working on two follow-up projects.

Outside of my formal training I have spent 6 years working frontline as a doorman, and continue to work full-time operative in the private security industry.



DAN STEVENS

Level 6 Instructor

I have trained in different martial arts for over 20 years having gained a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2007, 1st Dan Black Belt in Aikido in 2010, and my Level 6 Black Belt in USP in 2014. I continue to train at USP, and more recently have been training FMA weapon and empty hand concepts.

In 2015 I have qualified as a USP Instructor. I am available to teach Urban Self Protection to individuals and groups.

I am the Director of Frontline Community Protection Ltd. FCP Ltd provides effective Personal Safety, Risk Management, Communication & De-escalation skills, and Physical Intervention skills to organisations delivering their service to the general public and complex client groups.

For more information please contact on 07802 636650 or via  www.frontlinecommunityprotection.co.uk



PETE MILLER

Level 6 Instructor


THERESA MOORIN

Level 6 Instructor

I started USP with no previous experience of self-defence or martial arts. I had little self confidence but could rise to a challenge if it involved a charity. To this end, I took part in the Icelandic Lava Trek, the National 3 Peaks challenge, the 5 Peak challenge and the 24 Peak challenge.

Still lacking in confidence in everyday life, I went with a friend for a private lesson of USP. That one lesson gave me so much confidence I continued to go each week learning new skills and theory. Within 6 months I took grade 1 and within 2 years had my grade 6 black level.

I did not go into this planning to become an Instructor, but the more I grew in confidence, the more the more I wanted to help others the way that I had been helped.

I passed my Instructors qualification and started to put together a course for secondary schools and set up my own website USP-1218.co.uk

In the future I would like to set up programs for victims of bullying and domestic violence and a course for people with disabilities.

Away from USP I am a classical singer and put on concerts for charity. I am the official singer for Riviera Brass and the Police and Community Choir. I am a Star Trek geek and am totally obsessed with my dog Fozzie.





 
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