Local businesses partner to offer women’s self-defense course

The phrase “fight like a girl” has taken on a new, positive meaning in recent years. Formerly used as a playground insult to imply weakness, the phrase has been transformed by modern society to symbolize strength and confidence. You have probably seen it creatively displayed on graphic tees or referenced in pop culture, and now – thanks to a pair of local businesses – Shreveport-Bossier City residents will have the opportunity to add their flair to the phrase “fight like a girl” by enrolling in a self-defense course specifically designed to empower women.

The A, B, C’s of Women’s Self-Defense course will be offered for the first time in northwest Louisiana on Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Red River Range in Shreveport. The course will be a four-hour intensive training of basic self-defense skills, as well as an introduction to firearm handling and operation. The training is intended for beginners with no fighting experience and limited knowledge of firearms. The cost to attend is $150 per participant.

Local businesses, Phoenix Concepts and Red River Range, have partnered to offer this very unique training opportunity for area women. Course instructors are Michael Crisp and Jason Brook of Phoenix Concepts and Michael Simon of Red River Range. Collectively, the trio offers attendees approximately 100 years of practical, real-world selfdefense expertise. The instructors are committed to the safety and well-being of all attendees, and their goal is to empower each participant to be their very best.

Crisp and Brook are lifelong martial artists who have conducted thousands of hours of law enforcement and military-type training in locations across the world. Both are former academy instructors for the Shreveport Regional Police Academy, where they hosted women’s self-defense classes, trained police officers in basic defense tactics and recertified veteran officers.

Crisp is the owner and lead facilitator at Phoenix Concepts. He has 30 years of experience as a full-time law enforcement officer, as well as a public speaker in leadership training. He also has experience in private security, including international police adviser for the U.S. Department of State in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“As a public servant, I have faced the harsh reality of being exposed to violence and evil in many forms in our society and around the world,” Crisp said. “As a husband, father and public servant, I believe it is my duty to educate and help empower each and every member in our community so that they are not easy prey for the predators of the world.”

Brook is a senior facilitator at Phoenix Concepts. He has 25 years of experience as a full-time law enforcement officer in various departments, including patrol, street interdiction, narcotics, vice and warrants. Brook is a staff sergeant defensive tactics board member/instructor trainer.

Simon, owner and president of Red River Range, is an Army veteran who served as an infantry soldier and Blackhawk helicopter, air assault flightlead and instructor pilot during his two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is an avid outdoorsman, hunter and shooter.

Red River Range, the course site, is considered the premier indoor shooting and training facility in Louisiana. Participants can expect to be welcomed into a clean, comfortable learning environment, which will be carefully and professionally maintained by the experienced staff. The range offers 19 shooting lanes equipped with industry-leading target, ventilation and safety systems. In addition, the outside hosts two separate archery areas, as well as a stocked fishpond and recreation area.

Simon hopes Red River Range will offer a place for others to learn and grow their love for shooting sports and the outdoors. Red River Range is situated on 6.5 acres of land off of Line Avenue at the end of American Way amid Shreveport’s growing sports district.

To reserve a spot in the A, B, C’s of Women’s Self-Defense, please contact Red River Range at (318) 716-3111 or visit them at 8450 Red River Range Road. The course is expected to fill up quickly.

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For more information about Red River Range or Phoenix Concepts, please visit their websites at www.redriverrange.com and www.phoenixconcepts.org.