My First Self-Defence Course
Whenever I came across videos of young girls learning self-defence tactics, I often wonder why I didn’t go through something similar back then. It is a privilege to grow up in a safe country like Singapore, to the extent where some people take their safety for granted, and let their guard down overseas. As I grow up, with the world getting more uncertain and dangerous, I come to appreciate the value of combat sports, martial arts, and self-defence tactics more. While a part of us wish that we never had to apply what we learned from these courses, we would be thankful to know a thing or two when the situation calls for it. More than the techniques and skills, I think the greater lesson lies in the mind. To know how to control our emotions, unleash our body potential and activate survival instincts in times of danger.
I have had the opportunity to attend a 4D3N self-defence and firearms course in Thailand with the extremely experienced team at Q.R.S Group, and it’s one of the most fulfilling overseas experiences I have ever had. I would never have imagined myself to grapple with world champions (who obviously used barely 1% of their strength on me) during my first attempt of learning BJJ, nor experience the adrenaline of shooting with a real pistol and shotgun. Joining a group of experienced BJJ practitioners and stunt professionals, I can’t deny a part of me was intimidated but it didn’t take me long to feel at ease because of how professional the instructors were. They were former military personnel and current professional MMA fighters, who had been through life-threatening situations. It was a very practical and enriching course, and I was nothing but amazed by their life stories. It was an honour to learn from them.
Compared to their life experiences, I am just a strawberry. Nonetheless, I am proud of myself for having persevered through BJJ grappling exercises and firearm challenges. Honestly, I ‘failed’ terribly in terms of scoring and timing, neither was I fast in learning. However, I pat myself on the back for not giving up. I unlocked my killer instincts and kept going till the last second. Look forward to more training!
And truth to be told, there’s a bigger reason that led me to taking up this course. It’s due to my acting aspirations and preparations for future roles. I’m about ~3 years into my acting career, and a part of me always wanted to explore some action alongside other genres. Female lead roles in Mulan, Hunger Games, My Name, Everything Everywhere All At Once, just to name a few, have further ignited my fire lately. Partly for experience, because I love training myself to the grind. Partly for empowerment, because it’s like telling the world that “hey I can do it, so you can do it too”. Michelle Yeoh has inspired many actresses, women, and girls – and I too, aspire to inspire people in my own way in my acting journey. Can’t wait to see what’s brewing for me in 2024 <3
Check out this video for my experience with Q.R.S Group in Thailand: https://www.instagram.com/agnesgohsl/reel/C15vOTKpcbb/