A Warrior in the Garden
Providing Self-Defense Training and Education to Northeast Ohio
About Us
About A Warrior in the Garden
At A Warrior in the Garden, we believe self-defense is not just about fighting back — it's about rising up.
Based in Northeast Ohio, we provide self-defense training and education for everyday people who are ready to take control of their safety, their mindset, and their lives. Whether you're a college student preparing to live on your own, a professional woman walking to your car after dark, or someone reclaiming confidence after trauma, you deserve to feel strong, clear-headed, and capable — no matter your size, background, or experience level.
​
Our Vision
We exist to challenge the victim mindset — to awaken the truth that you are more than what life hands you and far more powerful than what has tried to break you.
​
Our approach blends:
-
Practical, instinctive self-defense tactics based on real-world violence
-
Personal development tools that build inner resilience
-
A community mindset of growth, support, and self-mastery
​​
We don’t just teach you to survive violence. We help you embody strength.
​
Why "A Warrior in the Garden"?
The name is rooted in the Zen proverb: “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”
We believe peace is the goal — but peace without preparedness is an illusion.
​
You don’t need to live in fear. But you do need to be ready for whatever life throws at you. We help you cultivate the strength, awareness, and skill to walk through the world grounded — knowing you can protect yourself and those you love.
​
What Makes Us Different
Most self-defense programs focus on technique. We focus on transformation.
Our training is:
-
Realistic – No choreographed martial arts routines. Just what works when things go wrong.
-
Inclusive – Designed for anyone, regardless of age, gender, or physical ability. We don't teach martial arts. We teach survival skills.
-
Empowering – We don’t just show you how to hit. We help you face what’s held you back — fear, doubt, trauma — and move through it.
​
Next Step: Start Your Training Journey Today
Whether you're looking to join a monthly class, customize a private session, or book a corporate retreat — we’re here to walk with you.
​
You don’t have to be fearless.
You just have to take the first step.​
Ready? Explore our Programs.
Our Instructors
Jerry Cooper
Lead Combatives Instructor
Focus: Physical techniques that actually work against real-world violence
With decades of experience in military, law enforcement, and civilian self-defense instruction, I specialize in practical, reality-based self-defense techniques designed to protect individuals in high-stakes situations. My background includes:
-
U.S. Army Ranger Battalion & Scout Unit Member
-
Over 20 years in law enforcement, corrections, and security
-
Certified Krav Maga Expert-Level Instructor
-
Graduate of elite close-combat training programs
-
Experienced in training military, law enforcement, and civilians in unarmed combat and defensive tactics
My approach is not sports-based martial arts—it is a purely defensive system designed for real-world threats. The training I provide is designed to prepare you for violent encounters, with methods that work regardless of size, strength, or gender.
Victoria Cole
Founder, Self-Defense Educator & Instructor
Focus: Violence prevention, Situational Awareness, and Behavior-Based Safety
​
Nearly ten years ago, my life changed during a violent road rage encounter. Two armed men on motorcycles threatened my husband and me — smashing our mirrors, shattering our window, and trying to force their way into our car. We escaped, but the experience shattered something deeper: my sense of safety, and my understanding of the world. In that moment, I saw rage up close — not as an idea, but as a force. It was a language I didn’t speak, a world I had never prepared for. And at the peak of that chaos, I blacked out. I don’t remember what happened. That terrified me even more than the violence itself. From that day forward, I committed myself to understanding violence—not just avoiding it. I spent eight years training in martial arts and self-defense: Wing Chun, Krav Maga, boxing, jiu jitsu, firearms, home defense, and real-world combatives like Target Focused Training. I pushed myself relentlessly, seeking strength, control, and confidence. But somewhere along the way, I realized martial arts alone weren’t enough. Real violence doesn’t follow rules. Techniques fail. Size and strength matter. And I didn’t want to just compete—I wanted to survive. Eventually, I found a new path—one rooted not only in physical preparedness, but also in emotional awareness, mindset, and service.
Through Buddhism, I reconnected with a deeper purpose: to help others find safety, power, and clarity in a chaotic world. I started this business because no one should have to feel what I felt that day—helpless, confused, and unprepared. My mission is to provide realistic, holistic self-defense education to people who want more than just techniques. I want to help them stay safe, reclaim their agency, and walk through the world with strength and awareness. For me, this isn’t just about defense. It’s about transformation.
Let’s Train Together
Become a Warrior in your own Garden. Reach out.