MINDSET / Participant experiences

Women's Self-Defence Testimonials

Read feedback from MINDSET participants and workshop organisers. Quotes retain their original wording, locations and historical context; they do not confirm current NZ training arrangements or availability.

Featured experiences

Sarah was an excellent instructor. She was well spoken and clear. In all fairness I commend her even more for putting up with our group. What appealed more to me personally was seeing how much energy she could put out – which gave myself the confidence ‘if she can do it I can do it’. The class was fun, I learnt a lot. I also love how she laughed along side our group. Sara didn’t sugar coat situation; she was very direct. The way she also included herself in some of our activities was also great as it added that extra element of surprise for the people she joined in with. Would highly recommend her to any groups and would love for her to come back to teach us more.

Lilli Vea, Graeme Dingle Foundation

I work for a not-for-profit and assist persons who are marginalised in our society because of their sexuality, immigration status, or both. Finding a trainer that would welcome us and treat everyone with respect was my priority, and Charlie did not let us down. He was friendly, respectful, and we all felt comfortable to learn from him. The workshop was highly informative and dynamic, and every participant were excited about what they learned from him.

Lucas Lopes Rodrigues, BiCultural Peer Worker, STTARS (Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service - Adelaide)

I just completed a two day course with Sarah, Carrie and Mandy. They were so welcoming, non judgemental and cater to every ability and confidence levels in the class. What they taught was eye opening, using common real life scenarios that could happen and what you can do to get out of them. They do not sugar coat things either, be prepared to get physical and mentally challenged - this is great for practising for real life scenario. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I will definitely be back! It was a challenging fun two days. Thank you guys!

Meizi Ho

More participant experiences

Testimonials describe participants’ experiences at the time. Current training arrangements, availability and pricing may differ.

Hi Charlie...I attended the course you put on in Taupo this weekend so firstly Thanks so much for giving up your time and bringing your amazing skills...Anyway thanks again, I'm sure we all have taken valuable information away with us. Cheers.

Rachel Carlton

My daughter Edyn and her friend Jess attended a recent 2 day Self Defence Workshop held at the Gardens in Manurewa last month. I was working that weekend and couldn’t attend myself but I did get to catch the tail end of the Sunday class. I was thoroughly impressed with your teaching methods and real life application of the content you covered. My daughter absolutely loved it and went to tell her friends at school too.

Bonita Rubena

Hey Charlie, just want to thank you on behalf of the boys for our training last week. Another excellent session, the confidence you are installing into the boys is fantastic. I would recommend SAFE Self Defence to anyone wanting to learn how to defend themselves, Charlie's one of the best in the business. Thanks again see you next time.

Chris Collinson, Manager of Sovereign Security Solutions & Corporate Security

This self defence workshop was a perfect grand finally to our three day holiday programme delivered to teens. As the programme facilitator at the end of the SAFE self defence workshop I had a few subtle bruises, some muddy clothes and a bunch of students who thoroughly enjoyed me being the “would be attacker” only to get slammed time and time again by the Scottish master of self defence Chae. I also got to have a whole heap of fun, learn some pretty amazing new skills myeslf and partake with our students who you could clearly see I loved every minute of it. From start to finish Chae had myself and the entire groups attention. His passion and enthusiasm for self defence is abundantly clear and very contagious which makes him so easy to learn from. His demonstrations are easy to follow and practiced until everyone “gets it right”. I know that our students and myself finished up with a valuable new skill set that hopefully we will never have to use in reality. I would highly recommend Chae and Safe self defence to anyone considering learning these useful skills and very much look forward to having all of our future groups work with Chae.

Phil Moon, LIFE 101

I thoroughly enjoyed the self defence classes with Charlie and I know my students did too. This course was an absolute eye opener. As a tutor, it was important that my students receive the knowledge and skills to be able to keep safe in many of the situations they find themselves in as young people, and I am so happy we took part in it. Charlie knows how to keep the lessons fun with scenarios and demonstrations that leave you stunned. It is a great learning environment, and you can guarantee excitement as you learn something practical and useful. Charlie is very professional and knowledgeable, and you can see how passionate he is in his teaching. I believe this course is so effective, as it has taught me how to avoid potential attack, and trust my instincts. My students still talk about what they’ve learned, and we often practice it in class. If you are contemplating doing this course, believe me when I say you have to do it. You won't regret it. Everyone should have this knowledge.

Amy Cameron, Youth Guarantee Tutor, Te Wananga O Aotearoa

Mangere Budgeting had a fantastic Self Defence Course with Charlie last week. Our team thoroughly enjoyed it and feel empowered to act should our personal safety be threatened. The session moved at a fast pace so everyone was kept interested, and it ended up as a teambuilding experience because everyone was working together and having great fun along the way! Thanks Charlie - you're a legend!

Kate Donely, Fundraising & Sponsorship Co-Ordinator

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