Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelson Nio.
Hi Nelson, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started this work in 2003 when a friend was violently assaulted while walking from her car to her apartments. I was completely mind-boggled when I found out that every 2 minutes a woman is sexually assaulted in the US. So I started putting together a self-defense training skills specifically for women against sexual assault.
I began teaching my friend. She brought her friends to join the class. Then more students came to join. And I got calls from various organizations, companies, and private groups. Not long after that, the Kardashian sisters with the E! channel hired me for a class. After that, I got covered in most major TV stations and more people came to class.
In 2019, I was hired to teach self-defense for 19 schools in Tanzania, Africa. We spent two weeks training the school principals and teachers, the police department, domestic violence survivors, and community health presenters. It was an amazing experience teaching in Africa.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all. In the beginning, it was a struggle financially for about five years before we can be profitable. We used to do so many pro bono assignments teaching for rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters.
We’ve been impressed with SHIELD Women’s Self Defense System®, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We teach self-defense exclusively for women and girls. There are many self-defense and martial arts schools out there, but the one that is exclusively for women is rare.
Women are attacked differently than men, and women also have different body structures than men. They are much stronger in the lower body strength. So having a specialized self-defense training for women is key. Also, most survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence tend to shut down when they are in a co-ed class. Having an all-women class provides a safe space for the students.
Aside from ongoing self-defense classes, we offer Empowerment Summer Camp for Girls. Our Empowerment Summer Camp for Girls is very popular. We offer self-defense training, water sports, yoga, dance, core workout, and empowering workshops for girls ages 6 to 17 years old. The camp is in session from June 14 to August 20, Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. We hold the camp by the beach in Playa del Rey. It’s so much FUN!
What’s next?
Our plan is to make SHIELD Women’s Self Defense training available everywhere. We want to license the training to various schools (middle and high schools) and martial arts schools. We envision the training to be taught in schools everywhere. Our focus now is in training potential teachers.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.shieldselfdefense.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shieldselfdefense/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHIELDselfdefense
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVy8KL0feJxXwQQGwEN0Ppw
Image Credits:
NBC CA Live E! Entertainment LA Weekly
