Meet Eddie Quinn
Founder of Global Self Defence and creator of The Approach Self Protection Method
Hello, I'm Eddie Quinn
Ive been involved in martial arts for over 40 years and teaching professionally for nearly 30.
During that time, I've taught everyone from young children taking their very first steps into martial arts to experienced instructors, police officers and military personnel around the world.
Through ChildSafe Martial Arts alone, I've delivered over 22,000 classes, and I'm still teaching today!
But after all of these years, I still love learning, discovering new ways of doing things and, most importantly, finding better ways to teach what I've learnt.
Why I Started
When I was 18 years old, I was the victim of a serious knife attack that very nearly cost me my life.
I was stabbed six times and underwent eight hours of emergency surgery.
It was an experience that changed my life and the direction I would eventually take.
Not long afterwards, I began training in martial arts.
Over time, that experience became one of the biggest reasons I wanted to help others learn how to protect themselves.
I know first-hand the devastating consequences violence can have, not just on the person involved, but on their family and everyone around them.
If the knowledge and experience I've gained over the years can help someone avoid what happened to me, then it's knowledge worth sharing.
A Lifetime of Learning
I've never stopped being a student. Even after more than four decades of training, I still enjoy exploring new ideas, questioning what I know and finding simpler, more effective ways of doing things.
I’ve been fortunate to have the encouragement of my teacher of 33 years, Chris Parker, who continues to inspire me to stay curious and never stop learning.
And I've learned something else along the way. People learn best when they feel comfortable, included and encouraged.
Whether I'm teaching a room full of children, a group of complete beginners or experienced professionals, I want people to feel welcome, enjoy the experience and leave knowing they've learned something useful. I love seeing people surprise themselves with what they can achieve.
For me, teaching isn't about standing at the front of a room showing everyone how much I know. The teacher's job is to bring the class to life. And if I can make someone laugh, help them learn and inspire them to keep improving, I'm doing something right.
The Approach Self Protection Method
In 2008, after more than 20 years of training and teaching, I developed The Approach Self Protection Method.
I wanted to take everything I'd learned and simplify it into something ordinary people could understand, remember and use when necessary.
And I've continued refining it ever since. I don't believe people need hundreds of complicated techniques to improve their ability to protect themselves. I believe in simple principles, natural movement, practical training and making the learning process as straightforward as possible.
Why Global Self Defence?
Global Self Defence is the next stage of that journey.
After spending so many years travelling around the world teaching The Approach myself, I wanted to find a way to share that knowledge with more people.
Through our GSD Trainer Programme and specialist training programmes, we're developing a network of instructors who share the same philosophy and commitment to helping others.
My aim isn't simply to teach people self-protection.
It's to help create good teachers who can pass that knowledge on, make learning enjoyable and inspire others to keep learning.
Because ultimately, that's how we help more people.
