The Truth About Self-Defense: After more than 30 years of martial arts

The Truth About Self-Defense: Why ConflictIQ Training Is the Missing Piece

After more than 30 years of martial arts and combat sports, I thought I understood self-defense. I trained in striking, grappling, and weapon defense. I could execute techniques with precision and confidence. But the more I studied real-world violence, the more I realized that self-defense is about far more than just fighting skills—and most traditional training completely ignores the bigger picture.
That’s why the Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense (CVPSD) developed ConflictIQ, a self-defense training program that bridges the gap between physical skills and the deeper understanding of conflict, violence, and human behavior.

The Missing Piece: ConflictIQ

Most self-defense programs focus almost exclusively on what to do physically—how to block, strike, and escape. But real violence doesn’t start with a fight. It starts with pre-incident indicators, behavioral cues, emotional triggers, and situational dynamics that determine whether a confrontation can be avoided, de-escalated, or must be physically engaged.
ConflictIQ teaches the who, how, and why of conflict, alongside the what and when of physical defense. This approach integrates:

• Psychological & Physiological Aspects of Conflict – Understanding how the brain and body react under stress.
• Situational Awareness & Threat Recognition – Learning to identify pre-attack behaviors and potential dangers before violence escalates.
• Fear Management & Decision-Making Under Pressure – Training the mind to stay calm, think clearly, and respond effectively.
• Verbal De-Escalation & Boundary Setting – Using language, posture, and tone to prevent conflicts from turning physical.
• Real-World Self-Defense Techniques – Practical, adaptable skills for escaping, defending, and surviving violent encounters.

Mastering Communication in High-Stress Situations: The Power of Practice

Why This Training Outperforms Traditional Methods

After decades of experience, I’ve seen one undeniable truth: learning physical skills alone is not enough. After-class surveys and real-world feedback consistently show that students who train ConflictIQ alongside physical combatives achieve:

• Faster recognition of danger and better preemptive actions.
• More confidence in high-stress situations—not just in fighting, but in de-escalation and avoidance.
• Higher retention of self-defense techniques, because they understand why and when to use them, not just how.

Who Is ConflictIQ Training For?

This training is essential for anyone serious about personal safety, including:

• Professionals in security, or government agencies.
• Everyday individuals who want practical self-defense beyond martial arts.
• Organizations seeking workplace violence prevention training.
• Schools, nonprofits, and community groups focused on empowering at-risk populations.

The Truth About Self-Defense

Violence is not a sport—there are no referees, weight classes, or padded floors. Real self-defense is about survival, and survival starts before a punch is thrown.
That’s the truth I discovered after 30+ years in martial arts and combat sports. And that’s why ConflictIQ at CVPSD is the self-defense training I wish I had decades ago.

Are you ready to train smarter? Learn more and sign up for a class today.