SAFETY
More than 10,000 people have completed the Inpowered programme
there , though , I didn ’ t know what my own abilities were , but I trusted in my sensei after he gave me one of his rare , brief smiles ,” says Mark .
“ Well , I punched through that board , and it changed my life forever . I proved to myself that I could do something that I had thought I could not . I broke through an imagined barrier and found belief in the knowledge that I could . It gave me the kind of deep self-belief that is important in all walks of life , but nowhere more important than in the space of selfdefence , or ‘ personal protection ,’ as I like to refer to this wide , confusing and often ego-driven space . However , it was only later in my life , when I found my true purpose and passion , and finally realised the significance of that simple event one morning in Durban , and how it changed me .”
INSPIRED BY ALISON
Years later , another event in Mark ’ s journey proved life-changing . After hearing how a friend , Alison Botha , survived a brutal rape and stabbing after being abducted outside her home , he once again found himself on a new path . “ I had met Alison in London and we lost contact after returning to SA , but then I read about her ordeal in a magazine . After tracking her down , we spoke extensively about what had happened , and I realised that she ’ d made some critical mistakes that could have been avoided had she known better , so I wrote a thesis for my 5th dan karate grading and developed a simple , yet effective system that would be easy to remember and implement in situations like those ,” explains Mark .
“ When we are talking about your life , your safety , and possibly that of those close to you , the stakes could not be higher . It ’ s about far more than the outcome of a sporting event or your reputation , which is why thinking is not good enough . You need to know . My sensei put me in a stressful situation that I had not planned for , and was not sure I could manage , but he had taught me everything I needed to know , and he knew I was ready .”
“ When it comes to protecting yourself in a situation where someone is threatening you , it will doubtless be far scarier than any board-breaking moment . But if you have at least one thing you can do , and that you know you can do , that thing could save your life . You need to know what you are capable of , and
ALISON ’ S STORY
Listen to Mark Grobbelaar tell the story of his friend , Alison Botha , whose terrible ordeal inspired him to start Woman Inpowered ( WIP ).
Mark with Alison Botha , whose story inspired him to start Inpowered
Mark has taken his programme to schools as well
what you ’ re not . What will work and what won ’ t … especially under circumstances of extreme stress , when most people ’ s minds and brains freeze . So , what ’ s important is to really get to know one thing , something you will never forget , and that you don ’ t need to practise constantly to master . You need to be sure it will work , and be an option for you in a life-ordeath situation .
INPOWERING OTHERS
This is why Mark created Inpowered , an extremely simple , easy-to-learn , yet remarkably effective ‘ self- INpowerment system ’ that is designed specifically to give you the mental and physical ability to make a choice in a threatening situation . More than 10,000 people have been through the INpowered programme , with 100 % positive feedback , and for many , one of the most memorable parts of the training is a recreation of Mark ’ s memorable board-breaking experience .
“ I have repeated the experience I went through that morning in Durban with more than 10,000 people , of all ages and from all walks of life , all over the world . I have endless stories of people overcoming all sorts of situations in their lives by breaking through a simple barrier that could represent many of the obstacles in their path , from beating infertility to overcoming phobias and casting aside painful memories . They give a name to their barriers and then break their own boards , while simultaneously emotionally , mentally and spiritually breaking through the obstacle in their path ,” he says .
It ’ s a testament to the power within each person , but perhaps the most significant one for me was when my daughter , Emma , went through the programme , aged 11 , and just before doing what I had done that morning many years before , she wrote on her board , I can do anything I put my mind to .”
Images : Courtesy Mark Grobbelaar
GET INPOWERED
Modern Athlete is proud to partner with Mark to bring you the INpowered online programme at a special 50 % discounted rate – click the QR code alongside for more . Also , Mark will be writing a regular insert for the mag featuring personal protection advice . As he says , “ Knowledge is power , and you need to know what you are capable of , and what will or won ’ t work . Remember , thinking you can do stuff , or making it up as you go , will get you in trouble .” More info at www . inpowered . co . za .
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