INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A new self-defense program has sprung up in Vero Beach. It’s open to everyone, free to participate, and is taught by a man who has experienced the terror of domestic violence firsthand.
Kevin Mahon, owner of the BoxFit Vero Beach gym, said his idea to offer the free class was inspired by his mother who survived 25 years of domestic violence at the hands of Mahon’s father.
“She’s had every bone broken in her face, both arms, both legs, ribs, gun down her throat, and stabbed,” Mahon told his class of approximately 20 people on Saturday. “As for myself, before the age of 14, both arms were broken, nose, chin, eye out of my head, shot in the shin, and stabbed by my father.”
Ruben Bermudez, an Indian River County deputy sheriff, trains at Sweet Science Training Center, and was asked to assist in instructing the class.
“I feel that a lot of women, but not just women, people don’t know what their options and and believe that they don’t have options,” Bermudez said.
The difference between helplessness and having a chance against an attacker, Bermudez said, is sometimes just knowing a few simple moves that can completely turn the tables on an abuser.
Those simple self-defense moves is what Saturday’s group focused most of their time on.
“It’s not a matter of strength, it’s a matter of technique” said 25-year-old class participant, Lindsey Leserra.
Leserra also trains at Mahon’s gym, and spoke passionately about the importance for every man and woman in every age bracket to be able to defend themselves.
“You just never know what could happen to you. Every woman and man should know these moves,” Leserra said.
“Violence doesn’t have a gender preference. So a lady is just as susceptible to being a victim as a man is. People need to know the basic defense movements to thwart off an attack,” Bermudez said.
For example, Leserra said, “If someone was choking you and you were up against a wall, they teach you to put your thumbs into their eyes and your fingers into their ears and you just squeeze. You can bring them down to the ground.”
Though it takes some teaching, Leserra and Bermudez both agree the movements taught in class are very basic and can be achieved by just about anyone regardless of size strength or stature.
Mahon said it seems to him he is hearing an increasing number of domestic abuse cases as years go by.
“We don’t live in a pretty world anymore,” Mahon said. He stressed that no matter the circumstance, men and women alike have to keep the mindset that “nobody has the right to put their hands on you.”
Saturday’s class was the beginning of an ongoing program Mahon plans to continue at his BoxFit Vero Beach gym. Instead of charging for the class, Mahon encourages donations to local church groups for mission trips.
