Zach Hayden, a local self-defense expert and martial artist joined other experts that traveled worldwide to attend the recent Instructor Certification for the FAST Defense program.

FAST Defense is the result of an evolution in a self-defense system that started thirty five years ago and was voted Black Belt Magazine’s Best Self-Defense in the Industry. 

FAST is an acronym for Fear Adrenal Stress Training that teaches a simply step-by-step process which allows students to recondition their normal negative fear/freeze responses into those of amazing strength and power. To ensure that it works under stress, FAST Defense puts students through a wide variety of increasingly stressful real-life scenarios and drills in a fun and entirely safe manner. Designed to work alongside any style of martial art or as a standalone training system, it gets students to experience their bodies going into an adrenal gland fuelled “flight or fight” situation and come out on the winning end.

“This training doesn’t just deal with self-defense it deals with bullies also.” Says Hayden. “I’m excited to bring this system to Noble County. It’s training that every person needs to have.”

The FAST Defense skills will be immediately implemented into the curriculum taught at Hayden’s ATA in Kendallville. The team at Hayden’s ATA will also be working to bring this to the community through special seminars and guest instruction. If you’re interested in having your group or organization learn how to use verbal and physical skills to defend themselves under stress feel free to contact them.

FAST Defense requires no special equipment other than standard MA kick and focus pads, and works for children, teens, and adults. You can find out more information at www.fastdefense.com or contact Hayden’s ATA today!