Sharon Hinton

I have been training in the 360 Defense system since 2016. I entered the program at the age of 60 to improve my fitness and health, forestall the effects of lifestyle-mediated aging, and to provide me with a way to feel safer and more confident going about my daily activities. Having spent the last 45 years working as a Psychiatric Nurse/Nurse Practitioner, I personally understand the risks people encounter in the real world, and strongly believe that everyone, especially women, need to develop a strong sense of situational safety awareness, and the training to engage in self-preservation tactics when needed. People of all ages can benefit from our training, and I believe that everyone can improve their safety knowledge as well as learn self-defense techniques, regardless of age or physical limitations.

In coaching/teaching adult students, I rely on adult learning theories to help students set goals and plan their training to best obtain them. This may involve regular class attendance, more intense coaching or private lessons for those wanting to improve specific techniques. As a Professor of Psychiatric Nursing at Quinnipiac University for the last 6 years, I have learned much about how best to motivate others to attain an expected level of competence. This includes getting to know my students as individuals, helping them to feel safe and accepted in the training environment, identifying their strengths, areas needing remediation, and helping them develop an understanding of the "why" of what is being taught.

At this stage of my personal martial arts journey, I believe that my purpose is to help students to continue to improve their knowledge and competence, no matter what their personal goals. The greatest satisfaction for me is when a student not only achieves a significant goal such as completing Black Belt requirements, but also every time someone has an "Aha" moment that contributes to their personal growth on their martial arts journey.