About Us
WEEK 1: Presence
Awareness, boundaries, and mindset: the foundation of real-world safety.
WEEK 2: Movement & Power
Drop the myths. Build striking power, balance, and real reflexes—big muscles not required.
WEEK 3: Practicing the Unpredictable
.Train for real-life scenarios. Learn how to respond instead of freeze. Build sharpened, capable reflexes.
WEEK 4: Real-World Readiness
Apply what you’ve learned through realistic, confidence-building drills.
WEEK 5: Embodying Empowerment
Live with confidence, presence, and power you’ll carry for life.
At LifeForce Self Defense, we empower women with the skills, mindset, and self-trust to navigate the world with confidence and strength.
Feel a little unsure? You're not alone.
✨✨The 3-minute video above from one of our free monthly webinars—gives a real glimpse into what our bootcamps are all about.
Want the full experience?
🎥Click here to watch the full webinar.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Could I actually do this?”—the answer is YES.
And we’ll show you how.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide reality-based training for those seeking more than techniques - they want genuine empowerment.
Our approach blends adaptable physical skills with behavioral and mindset training to cultivate confidence, awareness, and self-trust that carries into every part of life.
Unlike traditional martial arts or one-time workshops, we provide a focused, real-world training approach that rapidly develops instinctive skills, muscle memory, and practical readiness.
This training prepares women to handle the unpredictability of real danger while reinforcing their ability to set boundaries, own their space, and move through life with unshakable confidence.
Because self-defense isn’t all about fighting—it’s about being ready to handle whatever life throws our way.
Our Methodology
At LifeForce, our programs are designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to protect yourself and others. We know that real violence is unpredictable, which is why we focus on teaching swift, decisive actions through adaptive close-quarters combat techniques.
Through neuromuscular conditioning, we help you build reflexive responses so you can make split-second decisions in chaotic situations. These responses become second nature as you train in realistic, unscripted scenarios—preparing you to carry essential self-defense skills with confidence wherever life takes you.
Our classes, events, and workshops cover a wide range of topics, including violence prevention, situational awareness, mindset training, recognizing warning signs, and trusting your instincts. We also dive into practical strategies, including handling common attacks, using self-defense weapons effectively, debunking myths and misconceptions, and much more.
At LifeForce, we help you develop the confidence, strength, and clarity to handle life's unpredictability and protect yourself when it matters most.
.jpeg)
Our Legacy: John Perkins
LifeForce is a proud sister company to Guided Chaos Adaptive Defense and the Perkins Self-Defense System, two globally recognized self-protection methodologies that have been empowering individuals since 1976.
Our team of certified instructors is directly trained by John Perkins, world-renowned self-defense expert and author of the best-selling book Attack Proof: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Protection. With a distinguished career spanning over 50 years, John Perkins was a Yonkers Detective, crime scene investigator, forensic and ballistics expert, private detective, bodyguard, martial arts expert, and Grand Master of Ki Chuan Do/Guided Chaos Adaptive Defense (GC). John was revered as the "West's foremost expert on the dynamics of violence" before his sudden passing in 2023.
Our instructors trained directly under John and proudly carry forward his teachings with integrity and purpose. His standard of realism, adaptability, and survivability is at the heart of everything we do.
.jpeg)
Meet The Team
Tina Dawn
Co-Founder, Lead Female Instructor
Registered nurse, certified self-defense instructor, 15+ years training under John Perkins. 5th-degree black belt.
"Tina brings both grit and heart to every class. As one of only two women in John Perkins’ 50+ years of teaching to achieve the rank of 5th-degree black belt, she’s known for creating classes that are engaging, transformative, and fun."
Joe Martarano
Senior Master Instructor
Owner of Self Defense Training Center (Kingston, NY). 25+ years teaching personal protection under John Perkins across the globe. 6th-degree black belt.
"Joe is at the heart of LifeForce classes, blending unapologetic realism with a deep passion to empower others. His no-nonsense approach is always paired with encouragement, leaving students stronger and more confident each week."
Michael Watson
Senior Master Instructor
Security expert, bodyguard, athlete, personal trainer. 8th-degree black belt. Highest-ranked instructor under John, with 30+ years experience.
"Michael is a force of nature and looks like a superhero, but what stands out most is his calm, steady energy. He has a gift for making complex skills feel simple, practical, and doable for anyone."
Kevin Harell
Senior Master Instructor
Retired Federal Air Marshal, former FBI task force investigator, Lead Executive Protection Agent. 25+ years experience under John. 6th-degree black belt.
"Kevin’s background in high-stakes federal protection translates into a teaching style that’s sharp, focused, and always real. Yet he balances it with humor and warmth, making every student feel both safe and capable."
Other Team Members
Jerry
Certified instructor, personal trainer
Zeke
Certified instructor
Amanda
Instructor
Jet
Assistant Instructor
A Note From Tina
"My own experiences with stalking and other situations— and the years I spent training with John— are what lit the fire for this mission. I know what it’s like to feel unsafe, vulnerable, and afraid, and I've experience how life-changing this training can be.
This isn’t just my passion—I’ve seen again and again how these classes transform the way women carry themselves, trust themselves, and move through the world. It’s long past due that basic self-defense is part of every woman’s education, and I’m determined to help make that a reality.
I also know walking into a class can feel intimidating—but I promise, it has nothing to do with being fit or athletic. What we create here is supportive, engaging, and fun. This training is for every woman, and it has the power to change—and even save—your life.
Length & Results
Skills
Training Access
Integration
Real-World Scenarios
Support
Community
Extras
LifeForce Bootcamp
✅ 5-week focused transformation that builds muscle memory
✅ Instinctive & adaptable skills that work off your natural reflexes
✅ Unlimited classes across 3 locations during 5 weeks
✅ Movement + mindset + awareness + behavior woven together
✅ Parking lots, stairwells, elevators, cars, social settings
✅ Weekly Power Practices, Empowerment Plan, 1-to-1 Safety Consultation, follow-up resources
✅ Women-centered, access to the Empowerment Circle online community, supportive, empowering
✅ VIP status, free self-defense tool, other safety resources
Typical Self-Defense Class
❌ A single “one-and-done” class (or years of dojo training)
❌ Memorized or choreographed techniques (unrealistic under adrenaline)
❌ Fixed time, limited access
❌ Often either behavior or physical skilled focus
❌ Dojo-based drills that don’t match
real life
❌ No follow-up, retention fades quickly
❌ Often mixed, intimidating, or male-dominated
❌ None
Student Stories 💬
“This isn’t just self-defense. It changed how I carry myself everywhere.”
Kyla, 31
Bootcamp Graduate
"This is a must for every single woman. I've told all my friends at work they have to take this course. Total game changer."
Amanda, 25
Bootcamp Graduate
"I was nervous to walk in—I thought I’d feel out of place. But everyone was so welcoming, and within minutes I felt completely comfortable. Honestly, it was way more fun and empowering than I ever expected."
Trish, 42
Bootcamp Graduate
“I came for self-defense skills, but I left with confidence I use every day.”
Lydia, 28
Bootcamp Graduate
"I'm in my sixties and thought I could never participate in a self-defense class. But Tina and the guys made everything so accessible, I learned so much, and now I'm going home to teach my granddaughter!"
Chrissy, 64
Bootcamp Graduate