In Memory of Iryna Zarutska
On August 22, 2025, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who fled her homeland seeking safety, was tragically killed on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Iryna came to America to escape war and find security—yet in her final moments, no one intervened. Her death reminds us that the ability to defend ourselves and stand up for others is not optional—it is essential. We honor her memory by empowering ourselves and our communities to act when it matters most.
While I don't personally offer self-defence coaching, I strongly encourage everyone to prioritise their personal safety and develop the skills to protect themselves and others. The tragic loss of Iryna shows us that danger can strike anywhere, and bystanders must be prepared to act.
Below are three essential pathways to building your self-defence capabilities:
Local Self-Defense Classes
Find martial arts schools, self-defense workshops, and combat training in your area. Learning from qualified instructors in person provides hands-on experience and builds real-world skills.
- Practical techniques for real situations
- Build confidence and awareness
- Train with partners and community
- Krav Maga, BJJ, Boxing, MMA options
Chuck Norris System Online
Train from home with the Chuck Norris System through Dunamis Karate. This proven martial arts program brings professional instruction directly to you, wherever you are.
- World-renowned martial arts system
- Train on your schedule
- Structured curriculum and belt progression
- Build discipline and technique
Parkour & Escape Skills
The best fight is the one you avoid. Parkour trains you to move swiftly and efficiently over, under, around, and through obstacles. It is the ultimate skill set for escaping from a dangerous situation or avoiding confrontation entirely.
- Navigate urban environments at speed
- Create distance from threats instantly
- Develop spatial awareness and adaptability
- Access escape routes others can't use
Why Self-Defense Matters
⚡ Be Prepared
Danger doesn't announce itself. Training prepares you to respond instinctively when seconds count.
🛡️ Protect Others
Your skills don't just keep you safe—they enable you to intervene and help those who can't defend themselves.
🧠 Build Confidence
Self-defense training transforms fear into empowerment, giving you the mental and physical tools to face challenges.
👥 Create Safer Communities
When more people are trained and willing to act, entire communities become safer and more resilient.
Remember: The goal isn't to seek confrontation—it's to be capable when confrontation finds you. Train hard, stay aware, and never hesitate to protect yourself or others when needed.
Community Safety & Bystander Intervention
Your immediate environment and community offer critical resources. Understanding local crime patterns and participating in community-based programs can be a powerful layer of defense and collective responsibility.
📋 Essential Preparedness
- Learn basic First Aid and CPR to assist others after an incident
- Develop a personal safety plan, including communication with friends/family when traveling
- Understand local crime patterns in your area and adjust your awareness accordingly
👁️ Bystander Skills & Safe Intervention
Many people want to help but aren't sure how. Learn the four D's of bystander intervention:
- Direct Action: When you're trained and it's safe, intervene immediately
- Distract: Create a diversion (shout, drop something, turn lights on) to interrupt an attack
- Delegate: Get others involved—shout for help, assign people to call 911
- Document: Record video from a safe distance to help police later
⚡ Critical Tactical Consideration
Scenario: You witness an assault. The attacker leaves the victim and you need to pass him to help her. What do you do?
The dilemma: If you simply pass him to help the victim, he could attack you from behind. You may need to neutralize the threat first.
One approach: Let the attacker pass, then attempt to subdue him from behind while loudly shouting:
"HE STABBED HER! HELP HER! CALL THE POLICE!"
This serves multiple purposes: others know you're the good citizen stopping the attacker (not the attacker yourself), it rallies help, and it directs someone to aid the victim while you control the threat. In Iryna's case, waiting for emergency services wasn't an option—immediate intervention was needed.