Fighting Forward Self Defense

Fighting Forward Self Defense teaches C.O.B.R.A.™ self-defense programs designed for real-world survival, not sport martial arts. Founded by Victoria Crowder—a security professional, cancer survivor, and mom—the company focuses on practical awareness and techniques that work when it matters.

C.O.B.R.A. stands for Combat, Objective, Battle Ready Applications. Unlike traditional martial arts that rely on fancy moves and rule-based techniques, this system emphasizes:

• •Psychology of criminal intent and threat recognition
• •Environmental awareness and avoiding conflict entirely
• •Real-life scenario training that locks in muscle memory under stress
• •Simple, effective techniques that don't require athletic ability or prior experience

One law enforcement officer who took the program said: *"C.O.B.R.A.™ was actually better than the training I received in the police academy."

• •C.O.B.R.A.™ Self-Defense for Women & Teens - Private and group classes for all fitness levels. Victoria's signature program covers the psychology of defense, environmental awareness, escapes, strikes, and surviving deadly force situations. Classes include abduction avoidance and real-life scenario training. Moms frequently bring teens to train together.

• •C.O.B.R.A.™ Self-Defense for Kids & Teens - Age-appropriate training for children ages 5-11 and teenagers. Emphasis on awareness, boundary-setting, and confidence-building.

• •School Training - Staff and student programs for K-12+ facilities. Covers active shooter response and threat assessment protocols.

• •Corporate Facility Training - Workplace safety and active shooter response for companies of all sizes.

• •Guardian Protocol™ & C.O.B.R.A. Active Shooter Training - Law enforcement and security-focused active threat response.

• •Improvised Weapons – Everyday Defense - 4-hour course ($45/person) teaching you to recognize and safely use objects around you (edged items, impact weapons, flexible objects like belts and scarves) as defensive tools. Covers defense against firearms, edged weapons, and impact weapons at close quarters.

Graduates span every background: stay-at-home moms, teenagers, law enforcement, attorneys, senior citizens, military personnel, nurses, doctors, business owners, teachers, and college students. There's no fitness requirement—Victoria herself was "not an athlete" when she started this journey.

• •Personal space assessment and tactical room design
• •Recognition of threats and criminal behavior patterns
• •Developing assertiveness and command presence
• •Escapes and strikes beyond sport martial arts rules
• •Pressure points, chokes, and ground survival techniques
• •How to control fear and panic
• •Reading aggressor body language
• •Proper hand positioning and stances
• •Why some "safety devices" create false security

• •Victoria Crowder brings 10+ years as a security director, tactical shooting instructor, and weapons combat training across law enforcement, military, and civilian populations. She's FEMA and Homeland Security certified, POST-certified in tactical handgun instruction, and holds C.O.B.R.A. Gold certification.

• •Gary Norris, co-founder, is a former EMT, 25-year school board leader, NRA certified instructor, and FEMA/Homeland Security advisor for active shooter and workplace safety.

Both instructors helped found S.I.T.A.C. Group (Security Initiatives and Threat Assessment Coalition), providing training for law enforcement, security guards, and private sector professionals.

The core message: You are responsible for your safety, not police. Fighting Forward teaches that true self-defense isn't about weapons—it's about mindset. As Victoria explains, *"you will ALWAYS have to REACH for your weapon. As a practitioner of real self defense: you ARE your weapon."

All skill levels and fitness levels welcome. You can repeat classes free of charge to practice and improve.

[email protected] Kansas City, MO