A key concept we teach in our program is:
Cognitive Courage. 

This is the ability to rely on your intuition and intellect in assessing a situation, and then taking decisive action in the face of fear and in line with your core values.

This ability is not only imperative against bullying or in self defense situations, it is helpful in all aspects of life. From feeling comfortable to speak in front of a crowd, ask you boss for a pay raise or be courageous enough to walk away from a relationship that does not serve you. Whatever the situation, the ability to take the action you know is needed is a key step in living a life with a sense of true freedom.

The story behind our logo

Our programs teach participants to be gentle and kind, yet determined to take a stand for themselves and others when the need arises. We chose the Monarch butterfly who is an amazing example of determination, flying 3000 miles from its breeding grounds in North America to Mexico in its yearly migration. The Colorful Monarch is poisonous, a fact that discourages predators from eating it.

Our Leadership

Eran Conforty — Founder & CEO

Eran is a 15th degree Black Belt Ninja Master from Bujinkan, Japan and is a certified instructor and self defense expert.

He is a certified professional coach from iPEC—Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching.

He blends his martial arts and coaching experience into a unique program that empowers participants to find their voice, feel safe in their bodies and live a life free of fear.

Eran brings a unique perspective that is based on real life experience. He teaches tools that are extremely effective in managing conflict. In his 44 year martial arts career, he has trained special forces soldiers and officers, children, teens, college students, men and women on how to develop their mental and physical abilities in order to be effective leaders and be able to take action in complex situations.

Colonel Glenn A. Dildy, USAF Retired — President

Colonel Dildy graduated Pilot Training in November 1979 and was assigned to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana to fly the B-52G. 

After completing B-52G Combat Crew Training at Castle AFB, CA, He served in a number of leadership positions in the USAF.  He was to become one of the youngest Aircraft Commander’s in SAC history in 1983.   His very first mission as a combat certified pilot was the Operational Readiness Inspection with the Vice Wing Commander aboard.

In July 1986, after 8 years with the USAF, Glenn was hired by the Boeing Military Airplane Company in Wichita, Kansas.   He was the Lead Engineer for the Air Force One 747 Replacement Program Systems Engineering Group as well as a number of other business units.  Glenn joined the US Air Force Reserve in September 1987 as an Aeronautical Engineer.   

Glenn was promoted to the rank of Colonel in April 2005.  He was deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to work the Office for the Administrative Review of the Detention of Enemy Combatants.  Upon his return, he served with the Global Positioning System Joint Program Office.  Upon completion of his active duty tour, Glenn remained on full-time reserve duty serving with as the Chief Architect, Operational Readiness Inspection Lead, and Chief Knowledge Officer until his military retirement on 1 June 2008.

As a seasoned USAF leader, Glenn has a vast experience on how the human body and mind operate under extremely difficult situations. Today as the president of The Courage Course he leads the ongoing development of our curriculum to ensure we continue to develop effective educational tools to empower our clients to deal effectively with fear and stress.

Key take aways from our program

"THE HIGHEST FORM OF SELF DEFENSE IS TO RECOGNIZE THE THREAT AHEAD OF TIME AND ENSURE YOU REMOVE YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM HARM’S WAY."

"ONLY THE PERSON WHO TRULY FEELS SAFE, ONE WHO IS NOT LIVING IN FEAR, CAN ACTUALLY BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT AND EXPERIENCE LIFE AT ITS FULLEST."

Bujinkan, Japan