People who have graduated from IMPACT are some of the most passionate advocates of our courses and workshops. The testimonials below were written by IMPACT Personal Safety of Colorado students. If you are an IMPACT graduate, you are welcome to submit a testimonial of your own.
Now I feel like I have many more options besides fear, avoidance and staying home all the time. I know instinctively what to do to defend myself. Before IMPACT I just did not know I had those instincts. I didn't know I could badly hurt someone if I had to, if I was in danger.
Anonymous, 51, Women’s Basics
The class did an amazing job of teaching personal responsibility and empowerment, providing the skills and awareness to deescalate a situation and have a non-violent end to a situation that could easily have ended in physical violence, injuries to self or others, and possible jail time.
Adam, 47, Men's Basics
I am so glad that our reserved 6-year-old son was taught powerful and effective coping, fighting and, most importantly, reporting skills, and that we're all able to be "on the same page" with safety conversations in our household. Very powerful and practical and jam-packed class.
Johanna, 42, Empowered Family
I am grateful that men and women exist in the world that see the need to teach a class like this, and that they are willing to make these kinds of sacrifices to teach it. To hear some men say, "I came into this with a lot of male privilege" and to give women the dignity of fighting for themselves is priceless.
Anonymous, 39, Women's Basics
Going into this with no expectations and open to anything, I was surprised to see how effective it can be to use a basic set of tools to help me actually stay calm in an adrenaline state. I have now found a voice within myself that I've always hoped to have had, and have the confidence to handle more situations that I couldn't have in the past. Thank you.
Sam, 34, Men's Basics
As a woman who has been in an abusive relationship where sexual assault occurred, IMPACT is the most supportive and practical self-defense class I could have taken. The real life scenarios we practiced in class gave me the tools I was previously lacking so that I am able to and comfortable with setting boundaries. Although I was triggered at times, the staff was extremely understanding and supportive, ultimately providing an experience I grew from tremendously. Thank you!
Anonymous, 25, Women's Basics
Walking into the class, I had NO idea what to expect. But walking out, I am confident in my skills to navigate the world and any trouble I might come across. This class has increased my awareness as well as given me tools to deal with verbal and physical confrontations. It has changed my life.
Krystal, 21, Women's Basics
A huge thank you to the instructors and assistants in this class. They really created a positive, strong environment that made everyone feel safe in the most uncomfortable situations. This class teaches the very important skill of self defense and awareness perfectly. Great experience, feel very prepared to take on the world. LOVED it!!
Jyoti, 19, Teen Basics
Going into this with no expectations and open to anything, I was surprised to see how effective it can be to use a basic set of tools to help me actually stay calm in an adrenalized state. I have now found a voice within myself that I've always hoped to have and now have the confidence to handle more situations than I could have in the past. Thank you.
Sam, 34, Men's Basics
I wanted to find a self defense class so that I would feel more comfortable running in the city and on trails by myself. Almost all of the classes in the Denver area I could find were either hand to hand combat or martial arts classes. Thank goodness I found IMPACT! I had no idea what to expect and wasn't sure what the first class would be like. In those first three hours, my classmates and I transformed from shy and unsure to confident and powerful. My classmates and I probably would not run into each other in our daily lives, but now we have a bond through IMPACT. I am confident in my awareness and skills and am a better runner for it. I cannot imagine NOT taking and IMPACT class.
Jana, Women's Basics
My daughter’s therapist recommended she take an IMPACT class to help with some personal safety skills and boundaries after dealing with years of harassment in middle school. As a “trusted female adult” I was to take the class with her. We took an intense weekend version of the basics class. Day one I found myself crying at the beginning of class, so sad that my daughter needed to learn these skills to feel safe. After an incredible 2 days (and some sore muscles) I feel incredibly empowered and proud of my own strength! I never knew that I had that in me. IMPACT gave me an incredible supply of skills and ideas to keep myself more aware and safe, and I’m hoping in the coming weeks I will see that in my daughter as well. Thank you Amelia, Hannah, Jake and Nick!!
Alison, Women’s Basics
The Impact training has broad application in work and personal life. The instruction was carefully layered to add skills as the training progressed, with repeated opportunities to practice what taught. The feedback was specific and personalized. What I liked most was the feeling of realistic threat, and the empowerment that developed from recognizing I have many options in scary or challenging situations. Everyone should take this course.
OSMP Volunteer
I am so grateful for this experience. Although I have always wanted and been a good communicator of my needs and set boundaries, this has given me greater skills and perspective on how to approach these conversations and interactions. Not to mention managing my own energy and personal space! Thank you, IMPACT!
Jill, 34, Women’s Basics
After taking IMPACT I am better at setting boundaries with people I love, I have heightened awareness skills when dealing with unfamiliar situations and I feel more confident about myself. My family members are also more confident about me traveling alone, living downtown and other situations they deem "unsafe" for a woman.
Krista, 31, Women’s Basics
The 4-day IMPACT training is more than just and experience. It is experiential learning of skills necessary for any person to respond confidently to unexpected, inappropriate situations. I believe that anyone who ever feels concern for their own personal safety owes it to themselves to participate in at least one IMPACT course.
Sandy, 71, Workshop
I think that visualizing and establishing these dramatic physical, "external" attacks actually have a great cross-application to establishing and maneuvering interpersonal relationships, that will affect my working relationship with people and help me maintain personal health and boundaries, that will enable me not only directly on the job in interacting with people, but also have indirect positive effects. As I am being equipped to better care for myself emotionally/mentally (maybe physically) that does affect me as a presenter showing up emotionally healthy to the job everyday.
Nicole, 30, Corporate Workshop
The high energy, realistic simulations were effective in starting our "fight or flight" response. This gave participants a great chance to practice under pressure. I think the program helps instill more confidence in the participants if they ever find themselves in similar situations.
Jim, 43, Corporate Workshop
I thought for many years that self defense techniques would take weeks/months of classes to obtain the basic knowledge to feel confident in potentially volatile situations. A few hours with IMPACT gave me the confidence to protect myself and my family. Thank you IMPACT!!!
Dave, 42, Corporate Workshop
Because I travel for a living, I am often aware of my environment and on alert, but I had no self defense skills beyond that. Not anymore! I feel much more prepared to be responsible for my personal safety now. THANK YOU. In addition, I have a new set of boundary setting skills that I think will be invaluable in a job that creates such powerful emotions and varied response. I'm looking forward to attending a full class soon.
Kristi, 29, Corporate Workshop