Hello and welcome to this month’s edition of Power Up with Lisa!

Your ultimate resource for learning powerful self-defense techniques, building lasting confidence, and sharpening your everyday awareness. Each month, we bring you tools, tips, and inspiration to help you stay safe, strong, and fully powered up—because staying safe isn’t optional—it’s essential.    

💪 Why Self-Defense? 

Because your safety should never be a gamble. Self-defense isn’t just about learning how to throw a punch—it’s about reclaiming control in a world that too often teaches us to shrink, stay quiet, or second-guess our instincts.

It’s about walking through life with confidence instead of fear, trusting your gut, setting firm boundaries, and knowing you have the skills to protect yourself if you need to. 

Self-defense is not paranoia—it’s power. And it’s not just a skill you learn; it’s a mindset you carry. 

You don’t need to live afraid. You need to live aware and prepared.

🎯 Focus of the Month

3 Common Self-Defense Mistakes 

Even the most well-intentioned people sometimes make missteps when practicing self-defense. Avoid these common mistakes to get the most out of your training:

1. Ignoring Distance
   One of the most frequent errors is getting too close to an attacker. Always maintain a safe distance-it gives you time to react and defend effectively.

2. Not Practicing Under Stress
   Training in a calm, controlled environment is a good start-but real-life situations are often chaotic and high-pressure. Try simulating stressful scenarios so your mind and body know how to respond when it counts.

3. Relying Too Much on Strength
   Strength can help, but effective self-defense is about leverage, timing, and using your attacker's energy against them. Over-relying on muscle can leave you
   vulnerable.

We'll dive deeper into these topics in future newsletters-so stay tuned and keep building your power!

🔦 Community Spotlight 

                                                                                                 C.B. Bunkholt

We're proud to shine the spotlight on one of our most dedicated and accomplished instructors—C.B. Bunkholt.

With over 40 years of martial arts experience, C.B. brings unmatched expertise, discipline, and heart to our self-defense program. A 7th-degree black belt in both Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do, he is not only a master of technique, but a powerful presence in the martial arts world.

His competitive legacy includes a remarkable reign as the undefeated K.I.C.K. Super Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion—a title he held for ten consecutive years until his retirement from competition.

But beyond the accolades, what truly sets C.B. apart is his deep commitment to his students. He's been an integral part of the Power Up mission for several years, consistently delivering high-energy, high-impact instruction with a focus on empowerment, safety, and personal growth.

His goal is simple but powerful: To help every participant walk away stronger, more confident, and better prepared. We're honored to have C.B. on our team. His passion for teaching and dedication to excellence inspire everyone in our community.

➡️ Upcoming Events & Classes

Now Available! Foundations in Self-Defense Online Course

Learn simple, powerful skills to stay safe and confident—anytime, anywhere.

✅ Real-world techniques
✅ Quick, easy video lessons
✅ Lifetime access

Only $49 – Limited Time Offer

👉 Register Now at powerupwithlisa.com

🔥 Quick Action 

Question:
What is one of the most important first steps to take when you feel unsafe in a public space?

A) Pretend to be on your phone
B) Immediately confront the person making you uncomfortable
C) Trust your instincts and move to a safer, more populated area
D) Ignore your feelings and hope for the best

* Answer at bottom of page

🔗 Stay Connected

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or topics you’d like us to cover in future newsletters. Follow us on social media:

Thank you for joining the Power Up community! Together, we’re not just learning self-defense; we’re creating a movement of empowered individuals.

Stay Safe. Stay Strong. Stay Powered Up!

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Quick Action Answer: C) Trust your instincts and move to a safer, more populated areaWhy?
Your instincts are one of your best self-defense tools. If something feels off, it probably is. Trusting your gut and moving to a well-lit, crowded area can help you de-escalate risk before anything happens.Awareness + proactive action = powerful safety.