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Aug
12
2009
0

New Richardson TX Location @ Jerome’s Gym

As some of you know, one of our locations in Dallas at Cooper Fitness was prone to flooding. Being in a basement in TX, those things tend to happen. When the last rain came though they decided to close our space for renovation and as such we had to find a new home. We were lucky enough to secure an even better location, with more space at Jerome’s Gym. Jerome has an amazing facility, with top notch gear, trainers and programs, truly something for everyone. We pride ourselves in being able to offer such a top notch program in a top notch facility such as this as they truly complement eachother in many ways.

I’ve included some images of the gym and the training room we are in below:

Here’s the the room where we train KFM:

Stop by and check us out next time your in the area:

2100 N. Greenville Avenue, Suite 100
Richardson, Texas 75082

Never give up….
Justin J. Everman
KFM Instructor

Written by j.everman in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
Jun
01
2009
0

A Gun is “Plan B” at best…

Whether at area Gun Shows or giving presentations in the community, at some point we get asked about firearms as a viable means of self-defense.  While we would never suggest someone not consider a gun for this reason, we always suggest the approach be one of a “Plan B” versus a “Plan A.”  The video above should help solidify this approach.

This is not an unusual case either.  The police officer in the video found the most consistent law in the universe working against him– MURPHY’S LAW!  Guns jam, guns misfire, guns can be taken away, guns don’t always hit the intended target or with the result you might first think.  And the above video instance was with a SINGLE attacker and the “element of surprise” was much more limited than you and I going to our car when someone jumps out from the car next to us for the attack.

I was told by one firearms instructor that periodically he has his students fire a gun that he knows will jam.  Why?  Because he wants them to understand this can happen for real and in real-time as well, even when under attack.  His point, you’d better have other options at your disposal.

Also, I hope you catch the part in the video where pepper spray was deployed and the attacker responded, “You’d better have more than THAT!” It didn’t even phase him!

Guns are effective tools, but they still fall into the category of “technology” which, by its very nature, can fail you when needed most.  Also, as the firearms instructor also told me he teaches, they are not always a legal and viable means for all confrontations and situations– only the most dire.  Which means if someone approaches you on foot for cutting them off in traffic, you cannot simply shoot them.  While this may seem like a moment of “DUH!” to most, you might be surprised talking to many, especially older individuals, who are genuinely concerned about their safety and are buying guns.  Firearms instructors are telling me some hair-raising stories about people now coming to them for CHL certification.

I just wanted to share the video above for your consideration, whether or not you own or plan to own a gun.  Is it a legitimate means of personal defense?  Yes.  But should it be your ONLY means of personal defense?  NO!  If anything, regarding legal levels of force, it should be your LAST option– not your first.  You need to first and foremost learn what you have to do to defend yourself without a “weapon” before then putting one in your hands.  That should be the approach for “Plan A” with your gun being your “Plan B” at best.

Jeff McKissack - Dallas KFM Instructor

Email: jeff@KFM-USA.com

Written by jeff in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
May
16
2009
0

Ambit-ious Women

I was honored to address a group of 100 or so women today from Ambit Energy (www.ambitenergy.com) who called their group “Ambit-ious Women.”  They were that…and a lot of fun too!

Since these female sales reps are in the business of cold-calling and in-home meetings, their regional director invited me in to provide a little “street smarts” for these ladies as they pound the pavement of Dallas each day on appointments.  Some of the ladies I met came from as far as New York and California, but most were local.  Still, a highly energetic and motivated group of women to say the least.

They really “got it” when it came to KFM’s approach and loved the logical and instinctual approach we offer.  It was interesting to present this to a large group of women who I would guess have never taken any form of self-defense or “martial arts” training before.  They loved the concept behind the Pensador, and they understood the sound reasoning behind the Predator Alert.  Afterall, women are a bit more in-touch with their instincts than are men– they have to be.  Comments I had from several of the ladies afterward included, “This made SO MUCH sense” and “It’s not nearly as complicated as I thought it would be.” 

I was just very, very impressed with the group as a whole.  In KFM our goal is always to make our training as accessible as possible to those who need it most.  For women involved in outside sales, whether realtors, apartment leasing agents or Ambit Energy reps, KFM should come as a welcomed response to one of their chief concerns– personal safety.

Let us know how we can help you. It typically starts with a phone call or email invitation.  Just be “ambit-ious”…!

Jeff McKissack - Dallas KFM Instructor

Email: jeff@KFM-USA.com

Written by jeff in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
May
08
2009
0

Good Advise is…Good Advice.

I recently came across a great quote from Sun Tzu: The Art of War.  It said in its proverbial wisdom:

“Knowing the other and knowing oneself — in one hundred battles no danger.  NOT knowing the other and knowing oneself –one victory for one loss.  NOT knowing the other and NOT knowing oneself — in every battle certain defeat.”  Chapter 3:  Strategy of Attack

Now the commentary to this was basically that “knowledge protects one from danger.”  You must have a knowledge of yourself, a knowledge of the other(s) as well as a knowledge of the conditions (environment) of the conflict.  Victory only comes from looking at the situation as a whole.

KFM has a very unique approach, as we not only talk about “the street”…it is where we train.  We often go outside, into parking garages, stairwells, sidewalks, nightclubs, etc for several reasons.  One, yes, it’s FUN!  But more importantly, it gives the student an idea of how these environments can shape the outcome of a conflict.  The surface of the ground, objects or obstacles nearby, uneven levels, etc all play into how you move and how you maybe cannot move should a real situation arise.

But at the base of this training, it is about learning how you move that counts– knowing oneself, to put it in Sun Tzu terminology.  What can you do, how can you move, how can you not move…these are the aspects of the training that really count.  Keysi means “from the heart” or as we might say over here “from the instinct.”  KFM is about getting in-touch with both yourself and your abilities (and sometimes lack thereof) to develop your own approach to your own defense.  KFM does not want to create “clones.”

And, of course, KFM is also about understanding the nature of how people attack.  This is the “knowing the other” part that Sun Tzu referred to above.  Understanding that attackers are brutal and vicious, attackers play by no rules, attackers usually come in multiples and they don’t take numbers– they swarm.  These are things we regularly take into account in KFM, things lost in many other approaches that claim a self-defense or “street” application.

I was just impressed by the fact that without developing KFM’s approach around such noted strategic writings as Sun Tzu, the tradition of the warrior (in our case, the predator) is still honored and understood.  War, battle, conflict, fighting all done in the name of cause or self-preservation are commonly linked by their approaches– if meant for successful and/or achievable outcomes.  So while I was impressed, I cannot say I was surprised.  Afterall, good advice is…good advice.

How would you like to see this strategy applied to you and your defense?  It starts with a free trial….

Jeff McKissack - Dallas KFM Instructor

Email: jeff@KFM-USA.com

Written by jeff in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
Apr
27
2009
0

Chiming in on Women’s Defense

This is an area I feel extremely confident in addressing as I have devoted over 20 years to the field of crime prevention, particularly related to the prevention of abuse and exploitation of women and children.

Justin Everman made a comment on the blog below which I agree with.  Much of what is taught as “Women’s Self-Defense” is at best a joke, and at worst unrealistic when the true, visceral nature of an attack is considered.  Proof of this came recently as I was about to teach one of my regular evening classes.  A lady there, just finishing her cardio class, asked me about our training.  When I showed her the basic “receiving” (i.e. getting hit) drills using the pensador as I was being attacked with an incoming pair of focus mitts, she responded “That looks like it would hurt.”  I explained to her that ANY punch is going to hurt and that in a true fight it is inevitable that someone is going to (a) punch you and (b) make contact with that punch.  What determines your safety is how well you can either avoid, deflect or counter that attack.

We use the focus mitts (see KFM Home Study video on the “Videos” page of our website) to simulate the incoming punches while lessening the actual impact thanks to the mitts.  You can’t really get “hurt” this way, but you definitely feel and understand the principle and reality of impact by training with the mitts.  Without much explanation, you also QUICKLY understand the importance of guarding the head if under attack.

When I showed her the basic pensador defense and even “lightly” came in with the focus mitts, her response was “Oh, I don’t want to get HIT, I just want to learn some self-defense.”  Several students of mine already in the class were taken back by her response as much as I was.  I couldn’t resist, though, so I asked her, “Well, what do you consider to be ’self-defense’ then?”  She said, “You know, things like wrist grabs, arm grabs, maybe a choke…but nothing where I get hit.”  I asked her if she thought that when she slipped out of the would-be attackers wrist/arm grab or choke she thought he would then simply discontinue his attack and go away.  She looked stunned as reality began to set into her thought process.  It also dawned on me that other women might also share this same concept, that “self-defense” is about holds and locks and grabs, or when only “you” are doing the punching and kicking (ala kickboxing classes).

If you never train to be “hit” then, male or female, you are in for a very, VERY rude awakening should the unfortunate instance arise.  Even moreso if there is more than one attacker and they are ALL hitting you at the same time.  Oh, but for this we have TASERS or pepper spray or stun guns or whistles, right?  Think again.  In one survey we conducted years ago with 1,200 convicted rapists in one state prison system, not one attacker ever had these used on them.  This is not to say the women did not carry any such devices–some in fact did.  The attacker simply took whatever the device was away from the women (since he had the element of surprise) and then used it on his victim.  Welcome to reality.

Ladies, please…please…again, please rethink your current stereotype of who is an attacker and how they operate.  Typically speaking, they don’t give up easily if first thwarted.  Also, more and more, they typically travel and attack in numbers greater than “one.”  Your TASER will not help you in this situation.

This is not meant to scare anymore than (hopefully) what I did with that lady in class one evening.  It is simply meant as a reality check.  If whatever “self-defense class/program” you’re taking does not have you occasionally (if not regularly) on the receiving end, you might want to change your current approach to something that reflects the reality and the brutality that is “the street.”  I felt I needed to chime in with my proverbial (and professional) $0.02.

And if interested in “our approach” to women’s self-defense, email myself, Justin Everman or one of our other area instructors.  We travel all over the metroplex (and beyond) making this training not only as realistic as possible, but as reachable as possible.  Yes, WE WILL come to YOU!

Jeff McKissack - Dallas KFM Instructor

Email: jeff@KFM-USA.com

Written by jeff in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
Apr
25
2009
0

New KFM Women’s Self Defense Page

We are rolling out several new programs for Summer 2009, one of which is helping the female population realize what KFM can do for them. Until now there have been major issues with most all women’s self defense programs (they are almost a joke), we’re here to change all that.

The Truth is…
Most of what you have read or been told about women’s self defense is all but useless in a real life attack.

The Truth is…
Most of what is called “self-defense” is too complicated for the mind to process when the adrenaline rush begins.

The Truth is…
Most stun guns, tazers and mace are used by the attacker against YOU, they are not a reliable first means of defense.

The Truth is…
If you are attacked, one of you is going to be the Predador, one the Prey…its YOU who has to make the choice which role you play.

With this in mind, we are pleased to have the opportunity to offer several women only training seminars  here locally (Dallas/Richardson/Plano/Colleyville area). The new webpage at www.KFM-USA.com/wsd.html contains information, dates and times where we are holding one time and ongoing seminars.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THIS NEW PAGE

Check back often for updates and new seminars in your area!

Justin J. Everman

KFM Instructor & Webmaster

Written by j.everman in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
Apr
14
2009
0

See you at the next Dallas Gun Show, April 25-26

We regularly exhibit at the Dallas and Ft. Worth Gun Shows, the next of which is Saturday & Sunday, April 25-26 at Market Hall in Dallas.  Why?  Well, earlier on in my blogging, I did an entire posting on this topic, but as times have changed quite a bit (even since just last fall) so have some of our reasons for being there.

We absolutely and clearly support every citizen’s Second Amendment right to own guns. This is a Constitutional right that should never be taken away, especially given its original intent by the founding fathers of this country.  However, we are seeing…continually seeing…record numbers of attendees at these Gun Shows, which is why we continue to exhibit at these shows.  The last one back in January had an hour and a half wait just to get inside the building.  I thought I was waiting for a ride at DISNEY WORLD!

People are becoming increasingly concerned about their personal safety and their personal belongings.  But this concern must be tempered with what is “person” and what is simply “possessions” under threat.  Simply put, you do not have the right to shoot someone in EVERY instance…in fact, not in MOST instances.  There is a range of force that must be considered in personal defense.  I know that most people are joking when they pass by us and say, “I don’t have to worry about my personal defense…I carry that in my holster.”  But some are serious…and thus seriously mistaken.  You have to feel your very LIFE is being threatened to use deadly force, not that you are simply “under threat” of a potential attacker.  This is why guns are not allowed in bars/nightclubs.  Can you imagine the “perception of threat” when people are under the influence of alcohol?!  Those would be tragedies just WAITING to happen– not to mention the “friendly fire” dynamic!

I appreciate the quote from Joseph Campbell who once wrote, “Technology is not going to save us.  Our computers, our tools, our machines are not enough.  We have to rely on our intuition, our true being.”  Since guns are a part of technology, they can be added to this list as they can misfire, jam, simply not work, run out of bullets, or be taken away from you in the heat or surprise of a moment.  If you see your firearm as “Plan A,” then something like KFM should be “Plan B.”  And the same can be applied in reverse.  The same is true for TASERS, pepper spray, stun guns, etc.  Technology, in whatever form, can and many times will fail you when most needed.  This is why we still have and refer to “Murphy’s Law” which to me is the ONLY consistent law in the universe.

So if you DO brave the lines and make it inside Market Hall, look for us…stop by and talk to us.  You will find our table almost dead-center of Market Hall.  And we’re not going to tell you guns have no place in our society, far from it, but we are going to suggest a very solid, relevant and practical back-up plan for your personal defense as well as those you care for– KFM!

4/27/09 UPDATE:  WOW!  We had a FANTASTIC RESPONSE this weekend at the Dallas Gun Show!!!  Looking forward to seeing many of you in one of our metro area classes soon.  Thanks for the GREAT SUPPORT!!!

Jeff McKissack - Dallas KFM Instructor

Email: jeff@KFM-USA.com

Written by jeff in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
Apr
09
2009
0

Perfect Example of “Why the Pensador?”

The “Pensador” (Thinking Man) is the foundational posture of most of the movement in KFM.  Put any person in the middle of several people and let them just start slapping the one in the middle around their head and shoulders and watch what they do…the Pensador.  It is an instinctive reaction when receiving blows/slaps to the head.  It is probably the most controversial posture in KFM as people see a “moment” in our training and respond with statements like “That won’t work” or “that looks silly/stupid” yet watch any MMA/UFC type match-up when a person is taken down on their back and the person on top starts punching them profusely.  Watch what the person on their back does to cover…yup, the Pensador.  Our philosophy is “If it works on the ground, why not at other levels?”  To this end, read the below news story and you be the judge as you consider KFM’s training approach to this scenario.  Also note the “third person” that unexpectedly entered the scene.   We train students from Day 1 that if there is “one”…there are more.  You just haven’t seen them yet.  Again, our venue of defense is the “street”…not the “ring.”  The story below is a perfect (yet sad) example of this reality.

Report: Man dies after opening-day fight

by FOXSports.com

Updated: April 8, 2009, 3:04 PM EST
A man has died from injuries incurred in a fight after the opening day game at Angels Stadium Monday night, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.

The fight occurred at about 8:45 p.m., as the crowds were clearing the stadium after the Angels defeated the A’s 3-0.

Witnesses say 27-year-old Brian Powers was fighting with a man when a third man joined the fight, according to the Anaheim Police Department. The third man reportedly approached Powers from behind, punching him in the head. Powers then fell and hit his head on a concrete step in a stairwell in the right-field pavilion.Powers was pronounced brain dead at UC Irvine Medical Center Tuesday around midnight, and died at 12:23 a.m. today, according to Anaheim Police Sgt. Rick Martinez.

Police have not established a motive for the fight, but they are looking for two male suspects, aged 25-30 and both with goatees. They’re also reviewing security videos that may have captured the attack, but are still searching for more information about the fight that led to the death of the Buena Park, Calif., man. “We’re asking the public’s help to find out what the fight was about,” Martinez said.

Written by jeff in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
Mar
02
2009
0

Holy Youth Pastors, Batman!

This weekend we offered a clinic or workshop to area youth pastors. Why? Because they are responsible for the safety of those kids entrusted into their care by parents in their churches. Also, from our viewpoint, what better group of men and women to train to teach KFM as we know these are not the types of individuals who have anything to prove with their training. Point being, we know it will be used for “defense-only.” Although it would be difficult to use KFM otherwise, actually.

The video embedded in this link gives you a quick glimpse at the training. For most there, it was their first-time exposure to KFM, so not bad…not bad at all! Several remarked afterwards the “empowerment” they can see this providing to both teens and adults in their congregations, not to put God “to a foolish test,” but to simply better protect themselves should the violence of a fallen world come knocking.

Over the years I have encountered truly sincere people who believe we should always “turn the other cheek”…at all costs. The problem with that ideology lies in the fact that it does not only foster martyrs, but victims as well. Jesus told his disciples before sending them out to carry their money, their clothing and a sword. And he felt the latter element so important he added, “And if you do not have a sword, sell your clothing and buy one” (Luke 22:35,36). Without making more of this than the obvious, he was simply advocating self-defense. Point being, this is a “theologically sound” approach.

Regardless, these young men and women ministers are charged with more than just protecting themselves. They have their “flock” to be concerned about as well, whether on missions foreign or missions domestic. In fact, in these times you almost have to be concerned taking teens anywhere as trouble and teenagers seem to attract versus repel as far as dynamics at work in the universe (lol).

We will be planning another one of these for Friday, April 10th for any other DFW area ministers interested.  For more information, simply contact us.

Jeff McKissack - Dallas KFM Instructor and U.S. KFM Ambassador

Email: jeff@KFM-USA.com

Written by jeff in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
Mar
01
2009
0

Women & Other Specialty Groups

We get asked quite often about “specialized training” for women, security, teens, etc.  Obviously we cannot cater to all of these specialty groups in our classroom training, but we do offer these training options for those interested in something outside of the norm.  How?  Let me explain…

First, if you have a group who would like to get together for specialized training, we suggest one of our personalized programs hinted at in our BYOB (Be Your OWN Bodyguard) section of the Training page.  What does this entail?  Roughly (and this can vary by instructor) 15-20 or so people involved, you supply the venue, we supply the training.  But the point is “we” come to “you” to do the training, and you set the frequency.  Want to try it out for just a monthy event or initial ”party” with your friends, co-workers, etc?  No problem!  Feel your group is already onboard and you wish a bit more frequency such as bi-monthly or weekly?  Again, no problem.  Training can go for as little as $20/person per session, but again…”we” come to “you” and specialize the training to your group.

Second, if you wish even more individualized training, you can further privatize this to two or three couples or 4-6 individuals.  The per person rate is higher for this type of training, but now the venue can easily move into a home or office versus larger facility for the group sessions above.  We do this versus the standard idea of 1-on-1 “personal training” because KFM almost demands multiple participants to get the feel and concept of multiple, simultaneous attackers.  To train 1-on-1 is to really cheat yourself of this valuable format.  By doing so, you also decrease the cost over most 1-on-1 training sessions for per person rates.

I say this as more and more people are contacting us about just such training.  Who are the people and groups that offer this potential?  Here are a few examples.  See if you or your friends fit one:

  • Women’s Groups at various locations (in-home, at gym, country clubs, churches, etc)
  • Home Schoolers at a home, gym or church
  • Nurses and/or Doctors at a hospital
  • Fire Fighters/Paramedics at a fire station
  • Attorneys at a law firm
  • Real Estate Agents at an office
  • Teachers after-hours at a school
  • Flight Attendants at a training facility
  • Wives and/or Mothers or Mother/Daughter Teams at a host-home, church or gym
  • Husband/Wife Couples at an apartment community
  • Church Staff members at a church
  • Neighboring Families at a home or community center
  • Nightclub workers at their place of employment
  • Courier Service Employees at their offices
  • Singles Groups at place of their choosing

Again, you determine the numbers invoved, you determine the venue and you determine the frequency (and even this we allow you to alter, upgrade or downgrade as time goes on).  We simply set the rate based upon these three factors.  Not every KFM instructor in the area has the potential to offer these options due to other work commitments, however.  But some of us do, so contact either myself or the instructor in your area (see “Locations” page) to find out about availability.  Personally, I travel around the metro area, from Grapevine to Frisco, so as a whole we remain fairly “mobile” in our training.

What kind of “commitment” is involved?  Whatever level of frequency you choose, we simply require the first month of fees upfront, beyond that, there is no written agreement/contract or other requirement.  There will be an initial investment in the first month or two (depending on frequency) of a pair of focus mitts for the training, but that truly is all.  Again, the frequency of the training can be upgraded or downgraded with little notice required.  You remain in control of the training.

If you would like further information on the above, contact me with the information listed below or one of our other instructors.  I will be happy to answer your questions and even offer a trial session at very little cost to determine interest among those you wish to involve.  As always, we are here to help.

Jeff McKissack - Dallas KFM Instructor

Email:  jeff@KFM-USA.com

Written by jeff in: More About Keysi Fighting Method |
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