Press, Publications & Proof
Check
Our Work.
The self-defense industry runs on unverifiable claims. Here is the part of our record that other people wrote, published, or paid for — with enough detail that you can go confirm any of it.
Published work
A book you can buy in a bookstore.
Knack Self-Defense for Women
Strategies, Moves & Everyday Tactics To Gain Confidence & Stay Safe
Written by MSDC founder and head instructor Chris Martell, published by Globe Pequot in 2011 as part of the Knack: Make It Easy series. 256 pages, paperback, with over 400 full-color photographs and step-by-step instruction on every technique.
The material is drawn from more than twenty martial arts — the same breadth that underpins every program at MSDC. Chapters cover home, travel and workplace security; target selection; boxing fundamentals; facing weapons; crisis management; and post-assault strategy. Photography by Kristen Jensen.
Publishing a book on women’s self-defense with a mainstream trade publisher means clearing an editorial and expert-review process. It is one of the few credentials in this field that a person cannot award themselves.
It also explains why women’s self-defense programming is a core competency here rather than an occasional offering — for private clients, for semi-private groups of friends, and for university and organizational workshops.
| Publisher | Globe Pequot |
|---|---|
| Published | 2011 |
| Series | Knack: Make It Easy |
| Format | Paperback, 256 pages |
| Photographs | 400+ full color |
| Photographer | Kristen Jensen |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-59921-956-1 |
| ISBN-10 | 1-59921-956-5 |
| Language | English |
Media coverage
Journalists came to us.
Not paid placements. Editorial coverage of the instruction itself.
The Middletown Press
MSDC’s self-defense instruction was featured on the front page of the Sunday edition — the most prominent placement a local daily has to give.
Broadcast
NBC Connecticut
Featured on the NBC 30 evening news, bringing MSDC’s approach to self-defense to a statewide television audience.
National
ABC News
Chris Martell’s self-defense instruction has been featured twice on the ABC News homepage — national reach. Read one of the ABC News features.
Institutional track record
Organizations that hired us after doing their homework.
Universities and public agencies vet instructors before putting them in front of students and staff. Each of these represents someone’s due diligence.
Higher education & schools
- Wesleyan University Athletics — designed and taught their for-credit self-defense course for several years as their only non-faculty instructor
- Wesleyan University Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Head Coach
- UConn Krav Maga Self-Defense Club Head Coach
- WesWell — Wesleyan University Wellness Office
- Trinity College
- Southern Connecticut State University
- University of Saint Joseph
- Mitchell College
- Suffield Academy
- South Windsor High School — National Honor Society
Organizations & martial arts schools
- Community Renewal Team, Inc.
- HYPE — Hartford Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs
- International Modern Arnis Federation — featured guest instructor, New England Modern Arnis Camp, 2011
- Middletown Kenpo Karate Studio · Cromwell Martial Arts · Baran’s Kenpo Karate · Giroux Brothers Martial Arts · Institute of Martial Arts (all Connecticut)
- Silverback Academy — Fairfax, VA
- Lewis Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — Naples, FL
Peer recognition
Instructors of this caliber don’t teach at just any school.
Since 2002, MSDC has hosted nationally and internationally recognized guest instructors in central Connecticut. Getting them to come is itself a credential.
Professor Roy Harris
7th degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, known throughout BJJ as the “teacher’s teacher.” Annual visits to MSDC for seminars in BJJ, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, and self-defense.
Roy Dean
Widely followed BJJ instructor and author, hosted for seminar instruction at MSDC.
Dr. Mark Cheng
Functional movement and kettlebell expert; hosted for movement and conditioning workshops.
Jason Lambert
UFC veteran and WEC champion; hosted for mixed martial arts seminar instruction.
Mang Romy Macapagal
Kalis Ilustrisimo — rare training opportunities in a highly regarded Filipino blade system, brought to Connecticut.
And others
Moniteur Armando Basulto (Boxe Française Savate), plus workshops in Sayoc Kali, Aikido, and Wing Chun.
Longevity
The credential nobody can fake.
24 years
Founded in 2002 and continuously operating. In an industry with high turnover, that’s the single hardest metric to counterfeit.
7 years free
MSDC offered a free self-defense class to the community every Thursday night from 2005 to 2012 — roughly 350 sessions, at no charge.
7,200 sq ft
Opened a full facility in Middletown in 2005, then moved to a purpose-designed space in Meriden in 2012.
Thousands taught
Across private lessons, group classes, university courses, and workshops — from complete beginners to a professional MMA competitor.
Verified. Now let’s train.
You’ve done the diligence. The next step is an hour together.