PROGRESSIVE SELF DEFENSE SYSTEMS, LLC
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA

you will not only learn how to use Pepper Spray but you will be given some thoughts and skills to help you and your loved ones avoid and work through any life threatening conditions and crisis you may find yourself in. I've been a student at PSDS for close to a year and I find it challenging, invigorating, eye-opening, and always interesting. John varies our lessons so we're never bored, uses real-world examples, challenges us in ways we didn't realize we could grow, and he always encourages camaraderie among his students. This isn't "just a gym," this is a school. We're students. John is an expert instructor, coach, and mentor who genuinely wants us to succeed, avoid injury, and learn. My husband and I are both students and find this is a great family activity for us to do together.     After participating in the Miami Spartan Race in Feb of 2013, I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment. I had never done anything compared to it since I was a child running around the woods and playing. That was the most enjoyable part of doing it. It felt like I was playing and exploring while doing new things the whole way all the while facing new challenges. The Progressive Self Defense Systems team was very supportive and the training they provided us with made the course seem easy. We were prepared for every obstacle and the confidence I had going through the course was most beneficial. Being part of this team has really made me feel a part of a special unit. Our leaders John and Leigh guided us in multiple ways, including what to eat and how to prepare in the months, weeks and days before the race. We seemed to move as one and enjoyed many group bonding events up to and after the race that were very special. It made me feel a part of a family and I look forward to competing and involving more friends in this one of a kind experience. Thank you to the PSDS leaders for the encourgement and faith in me to complete this course, it has truly made a difference in my life. Leigh was able to provide workouts that challenged everyone I can safely say that the success of the PSDS team at the 2013 Super Spartan Race would not have been possible without Leigh's preparation, training and leadership. The team was a very diverse group that included both men and women at different age ranges and different fitness levels. Leigh was able to provide workouts that challenged everyone on the team and helped to prepare everyone for the grueling 8 mile/20 obstacle race. Although a portion of the training did include distance running, Leigh also added total body work outs that really helped the team to get through some of the obstacles during the race. Some of these workouts included tire flipping and tire dragging, rope climbing, and wall climbing. In addition to being prepared for the race, I may have been at my peak fitness level while I was training under Leigh. I felt that I had an ideal blend of strength and cardio fitness with improved balance and coordination. I can also say that I witnessed alot of other positive transformations within the team...whether it was strength or endurance improvement. At the end of the day, Leigh put alot of time and effort into developing the workouts and getting everyone ready for the race. And this dedication helped the PSDS team to place number 19 out of 287 groups. In October of 2011 I went out on a disability, and began a protocol of therapy that while designed to help, seemed to yield very little in the way of measurable results. I became frustrated, felt helpless, vulnerable, …disabled for the first time in my life at age 57. A friend suggested that I might try Tai Chi or some of the Martial Arts. Always the dreamer: I Googled Krav Maga. The self-defense fighting system developed for the Israeli Military. Leigh Garczynski and Progressive Self Defense Systems is at the Top of the list. Fast-forward a year. My medical history would have frightened Trainer/Self Defense Instructors with less intestinal fortitude. I put my medical disclosure form on a thumb drive so as not to waste paper. The knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication I encountered, has been infectious. With full knowledge and understanding of my medical history and physical limitations; Leigh has pushed me to believe in myself and my ability to return to a full and active life. Since April of 2012 I have only missed a handful of days on the Mat at Progressive Self Defense. Training, conditioning, stretching, and diet first. In 8 months I have dropped 35 pounds, my blood pressure has followed, and my flexibility and strength continue to improve; a completely different person. My family and friends tell me the transformation they see is nothing short of miraculous; physically and emotionally. In the next 2 months I will test for my Level I Certification in Full Contact Krav Maga and Level I Jeet Kune Do. I invite you to come see it happen!   With the increasing violence in the world I find it hard to be relaxed/at ease almost anywhere; be it at - sporting events, concerts, theaters, schools, shopping centers, etc. That uneasy feeling is what asserted me to take a concealed weapons class. Myself (a housewife) and two other women took a basic weapons course at Progressive Self Defense Systems with instructor John Riddle. He and Leigh Garczynski own and instruct many self-defense classes / seminars there. Johns history is in both the armed forces (special weapons instructor) and Law Enforcement. It was an easy decision to go with him! His attention to detail enabled us to take it slow (step-by-step) until safe handling, loading, unloading, and shooting skills were mastered. Very empowering to feel fear slip away as competence and confidence set in. My mission was accomplished knowing that if ever in a threatened situation I could and would know what to do. An amazing class; which I highly recommend. John Riddle is patient and a wealth of knowledge. He can teach you how to feel and be safe!