I recently had the opportunity to conduct a self-defense workshop for the iCAN Resources Health & Life Skills Fair, and it was honestly such an awesome experience.
First, I want to give a huge shout-out to Lani Champaco and the entire iCAN team for inviting CRANK Martial Arts Academy to be part of their event.
iCAN Resources is a nonprofit organization that helps provide employment, training, and meaningful opportunities for adults with significant and severe disabilities. Their team has been serving our island community for 15 years, and after spending time with their staff and employees, you can immediately see how much heart they put into what they do.
Their Health & Life Skills Fair covered important topics such as nutrition, mental health, financial planning, buying a vehicle, housing, and self-defense. These are real-life skills that can help people become more confident, independent, and prepared.
The Real Goal of Self-Defense
During the workshop, we focused on one of the most important lessons I teach through martial arts:
The goal of self-defense is not to win a fight. The goal is to avoid the fight, stay safe, and make it home to your family.
Sometimes people think self-defense is only about learning how to punch, kick, escape, or control someone. Those physical skills are important, but self-defense begins long before anything physical happens.
It begins with awareness.
We talked about paying attention to your surroundings, especially when walking through a parking lot or heading to your vehicle at night. We discussed putting the phone away, looking around, carrying yourself with confidence, maintaining a safe distance, and trusting your instincts.
When your gut tells you that something does not feel right, listen to it. You do not need to wait for a situation to become dangerous before creating distance or leaving.
The best fight won is the fight that never happens.
Simple Skills That Can Be Shared
We also practiced a simple physical self-defense technique that everyone could remember and take home with them.
One thing I loved about the workshop was reminding everyone that what they learned did not have to stop with them. They could share it with their family members, coworkers, friends, children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
That is one of the beautiful things about martial arts. A simple lesson can continue to spread throughout the community.
The workshop was fun, interactive, and full of great energy. We had a lot of participants, a lot of staff members involved, and everyone was willing to learn, move, laugh, and try something new.
Bringing My Kids Along
What made the day even more special was that I brought my kids with me to help.
As a father, coach, and martial artist, I want my children to understand that martial arts is not only about competition or becoming physically strong. It is also about service, responsibility, patience, and helping others.
They were able to interact with the participants, help demonstrate, encourage people, and experience what it means to use martial arts to bring people together.
We all had a blast.
Watching my kids participate reminded me why I started CRANK Martial Arts Academy in the first place. I want to build more than just a place where people learn techniques. I want to create a place where families grow together, where people build real confidence, and where martial arts is used to make a positive difference in our community.
Inafa’maolek Through Martial Arts
Martial arts has given me so much throughout my life. It taught me discipline, confidence, humility, resilience, and the ability to remain calm in difficult situations.
Now, I want to use those lessons to serve others.
This collaboration with iCAN was a great example of inafa’maolek—coming together, helping one another, and working toward something positive for our island.
I am extremely grateful to Lani and the entire iCAN Resources team for trusting me and giving us the opportunity to be part of their Health & Life Skills Fair.
CRANK Martial Arts Academy is excited to continue collaborating with organizations like iCAN and supporting their efforts however we can.
Self-defense is not about looking for a fight. It is about developing the awareness, confidence, judgment, and skills to protect yourself and the people you love.
At the end of the day, the goal is simple:
Stay aware. Avoid the fight. Stay safe. Get home to your family.
Si Yu’us Ma’åse to the entire iCAN family for an unforgettable experience.
To learn more about iCAN Resources and the incredible work they are doing on Guam, visit icanguam.com.
