IMPACT GRAD SHARES THEIR PERSONAL IMPACT STORY

(Commercial image - not actual grad photo)

My IMPACT story is one I hope can inspire many others to achieve the same peace of mind I now have. After many searches to find a women’s self-defense course that seemed practical, I stumbled upon IMPACT Chicago about a year and a half ago. I was looking to feel safe and empowered with my own personal safety after escaping an abusive and dangerous relationship over 15 years ago that was still affecting me.

During IMPACT, I was able to re-enact some of the attacks I had experienced in the past, except this time I came out as the triumphant party this time. I feel IMPACT provides a very unique and valuable healing element to anyone that has experienced abuse in the past in addition to preparing students with practical, life saving strategies from using their voice to intimidate to delivering powerful physical moves to fend off attackers. Your attacker can be a stranger on the street - but it can also be a friend, neighbor, partner, or co-worker and they teach the importance of vigilance and listening to your gut as part of the self-protection package.

As someone diagnosed with a severe form of PTSD, IMPACT also provided a vulnerable but strong space with trauma informed instructors to ensure support was available the entire time. I am not ashamed to admit I needed it during one particularly hard exercise for me that sent me into a flashback to a violent attack from my past, and I was so grateful to have that support readily available. 

I have tried various other forms of therapy like CBT, boxing, rage rooms, and journaling to reconcile my past experiences, but nothing has made me feel safer than the peace I have knowing I can seriously kick someone’s butt if they try to mess with me. To practice live numerous times and watch other students doing the same really gets the moves in your body with muscle memory. 

Unfortunately, I had to use my teachings to fend off a recent attacker in my own home a few months ago. My usually friendly neighbor of four years had mentioned in passing to me that he had recently lost a long-term girlfriend along with his job, and from my perspective, seemed to be on a downward path of destruction for a few months in response to these things.

One night, I had my back turned to my window and was listening to music and singing when I noticed some arms behind me, only to spin around and find that same neighbor had taken off the screen of my window, opened it fully, and was trying to get into my condominium. I froze in shock for a few seconds and then recalled my IMPACT teachings to use my voice, had the confidence to abruptly slam the window on him - causing him to fall backwards out of it, and report him to the police and HOA. I wound up getting a restraining order and lawyer, and then selling my condo almost immediately as my gut told me to. 

I haven’t looked or gone back and don’t regret it. Best of all, I don’t feel bad about any of it because I know I did it to protect myself against danger. I don’t know if the pre-IMPACT version of myself would have had the same courage to prioritize my safety over the natural politeness or empathy I would have felt towards my neighbor for his hard times. Many people have asked me, “Why don’t you get a gun?” or “Why don’t you get a dog?” or “Why don’t you get a man and live with him?” and I reply with a smile, “ I don’t need any of those things to protect me – I have myself.”

Thank you IMPACT!

Yours truly – A very grateful anonymous