Phil Thompson is the founder and international director of Protect Self Defence. He is the author of two influential books on self-defence and highly regarded self-protection expert.
With over 20 years' experience teaching in his field, an in-demand speaker, trainer, and advisor he has helped empower tens of thousands of people with the skills and confidence to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Phil believes that beyond the physical, effective self-protection involves a variety of behavioural, emotional, psychological, ethical and legal aspects. To understand them all is to truly feel safe.
Current work
Phil leads courses, presentations, and seminars and instructs a diverse range of clients in Protect programmes all over New Zealand and further abroad.
His client's include professionals not new to violence, such as Police (including special units) and other emergency services personnel and various other Government Departments. He has also served as a consultant to government departments on training module design for at-risk staff including as a consultant to the United Nations Department of Safety and Security.
He regularly teaches Corporate clients, Government departments, businesses of all types and sizes, schools, and everyday men and women concerned about their safety and the safety of their loved ones.
Background
Phil has worked first-hand with over 600 survivors of violence, and has developed partnerships with many front-line survivor and support agencies including RPE, Women's Refuge, YWCA, and several others. Phil constantly updates Protect material based on feedback from the front-lines.
He is widely regarded as one of the nation's leading experts on the topic of self-defence/self-protection. His unique perspective on self-defence, developed in part by his own life experiences dealing with real violence and conflict, has pioneered a new standard in the industry. His ability to present a serious subject in an effective, engaging, safe and enjoyable way has earned him an International reputation.
