Glenn Wilson is the founder and chief instructor of GoldenEye Martial Arts and Self Defense in Silver Spring. He has more than 20 years of experience in personal protection.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from New York City. I came to D.C. because my wife obtained a graduate fellowship to the University of Maryland. It was too good an opportunity to pass up.
How did you get into self-defense as a profession?
I wanted to help people learn to protect themselves. Not just physically, which is a very small portion of personal protection. I wanted people to learn that size, gender, disabilities really don’t matter when it comes to protecting yourself.
Have you ever had to use it in real life?
My goal is to not have to use it. Ever. Unfortunately, not every situation can be defused, so in only one instance I’ve had to go the third level, which is the physical. Interestingly, it was a training session with several other martial artists.
You teach Senshido? What is it?
Senshido is one of the only systems in existence today that realistically deals with every aspect of self-defense — behavioral, emotional, psychological and physical. Senshido is not a martial art. Martial arts are based on respect and tradition and usually a belt system. Martial arts do have their place — I have 18 years of experience in traditional martial arts — but in the street, a determined predator doesn’t care about respect, traditions or your belt system.
What’s the biggest challenge in your job?
That’s easy — changing a person’s mindset. You can have all the physical tools of Bruce Lee, but if your mind-set is not properly cultivated to use those tools when they are needed, you may freeze when you need to fight. I teach you how to use your greatest weapon — your mind in collaboration with your body and your spirit to get you home safely.
