My Story

Like many kids, I endured my share of bullying—emotionally, verbally, and physically. For me, it all boiled down to one thing: a complete lack of self-confidence. I was that kid. The kid with no confidence, no self-esteem, and no idea how to break free. It was completely debilitating.

I became a loner and, honestly, often felt like a total loser. I was so shy I couldn’t approach people, couldn’t start conversations, and couldn’t make new friends—and I hated that about myself. The social awkwardness stuck with me for years. But the worst part of low self-esteem? It follows you everywhere. The bully might come and go, but a lack of confidence never gives you a break. It’s with you 24/7.

Eventually, the pain pushed me to break down my own walls, to build up my confidence, and to become more outgoing. I changed myself from the inside out, but it took years of trial, error, and searching for answers. That’s why I created this program—because I want you to have the tools I never had, and to learn from my mistakes so you don’t have to wait until adulthood to finally believe in yourself.

I poured years of research and the best techniques I discovered into Bully Defense 101®. Along the way, I built a small team of experts: a psychologist, a championship sports mental coach, and a professor of psychology. Their insights are woven into everything I teach. I also became certified in Strategic Intervention Coaching through Robbins/Madanes Training and earned certification in Crisis Intervention and Prevention, determined to find the best ways to help you grow your personal power and keep you safe.

But bullying isn’t just mental or emotional—it’s physical, too. I know this firsthand. I spent years afraid of getting beat up, walking around scared of my own shadow. I remember vividly being pinned down by a bigger, older bully, completely powerless and not knowing how to fight back. I was even robbed in the high school bathroom—alone, convinced the world was a dangerous place and there was nothing I could do about it.

For a long time, I was even afraid to learn martial arts, thinking it would make things worse. But eventually I took the leap and earned my black belt in HwaRang Do after five years of hard work. I moved into self-defense training, earned my instructor certification in Burton Richardson’s MMA for the Street program, and now have over two decades of martial arts experience. I’m also a certified instructor with the Martial Arts Teachers Association. 

But the big moment for me crystalized when friends and family started reaching out, asking me to teach their kids how to fight back against their bully. Even though I could teach them “how to fight,” I realized I really wanted to teach them how NOT to get into a fight in the first place. So I did the research and built the best preventative program possible: how to stand up to and deal with bullies Mentally, Verbally, and Physically, so you can prevent a problem before it starts. 

That’s what Bully Defense 101® is all about. My mission is to give you and your family the proven tools, strategies, and confidence to build the kind of unshakeable self-esteem I wish I’d had as a kid.