Disability & Self-Defence - Martial Artist Jim Turk

The Pulse

Joeita speaks to blind self-defence instructor and Brazilian Ju-jitsu practitioner Jim Turk about the relationship between martial arts and self-confidence for People with Disabilities.

Highlights

• The Benefits of Self-Defence - Opening Remarks (00:00)
• Introducing Jim Turk, Martial Artist & Self-Defence Instructor (01:56)
• Practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (02:53)
• Learning Martial Arts as a Blind Student (04:22)
• Discovering Jiu-Jitsu (05:46)
• Appeal of Martial Arts During Vision Loss Journey (07:13)
• Building Confidence & Traveling Independently (09:05)
• Defending Yourself in Public (11:18)
• Techniques to Break Someone’s Grip (12:44)
• Teaching Sighted and Blind Students (14:20)
• Empowerment Through Martial Arts (16:17)
• Deciding to Teach (19:25)
• Mental Health Benefits (20:09)
• Class Size (21:53)
• Competitions & Belts (22:41)
• Teaching Sighted Students (23:47)
• Online Lessons (24:21)
• Fight Back Self Defense (25:20)
• Tips for the Blind Traveler (26:30)
• Show Close (28:33)

About Jim Turk & Fight Back Self Defense

"My name is Jim Turk. I am a self-defense instructor, and also happen to be completely blind. It is an unfortunate fact that criminals often target people who are perceived, for whatever reason, as "easy targets". The reasons for this perception could range from a person’s age, gender, physical size, or, as in my case, a noticeable disability. Regardless of the reason for this perception of vulnerability, assaults against people in these categories tend to be very similar in nature to one another. For this reason, the self-defense principles and techniques I teach are useful to a wide range of individuals, such as senior citizens, women, children, and those with disabilities. After I began losing my vision, I started becoming more interested in personal safety and self-defense. I have since earned my blue belt in the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and have received my certification as a coach in the OneTouch self-defense system, which was specifically designed for blind people. The more I learn, the more I wanted to be able to share my knowledge with others, so I have started my own business teaching self-defense, called Fight Back.

I am located in Villa Park, IL, and I am available to teach private lessons or group classes."

Contact Jim Turk for more info: [e-mail]

More About Jim Turk

Self-Defense Instructor Jim Turk Receives 2019 Council Excellence Award

About The Pulse

On The Pulse, host Joeita Gupta brings us closer to issues impacting the disability community across Canada.

Joeita Gupta has nurtured a life-long dream to work in radio! She's blind, moved to Toronto in 2004 and got her start in radio at CKLN, 88.1 FM in Toronto. A former co-host of AMI-audio's Live from Studio 5, Joeita also works full-time at a nonprofit in Toronto, specializing in housing/tenant rights.

Find Joeita on X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeitaGupta

The Pulse airs weekly on AMI-audio.

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About AMI

AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through inclusion, representation, accessible media, reflection, representation and portrayal.

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