Meet John Riddle | Self Defense and Firearms Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Riddle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a Police Officer for 28 years I’ve have seen a lot of violence and bad things happening to good people. I knew as my retirement came closer that I wanted to continue to help people, still be a protector but in a different way. Five years prior to my retirement I started to build my business (RIDDLE DEFENSE) in self defense and firearms training. It’s now 12 years and still going strong. Never looking back, always grinding and moving forward

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is in teaching the average person self protection and self preservation. Teaching people how to survive in what we see today as a potentially dangerous world. What sets me or my business apart from others is my real world experience. In all my classes I bring my experiences to the table as it can give a good perspective to the lessons I’m teaching at the time.
I don’t like to look at things as “it’s about me” in my business it’s about my clients, nothing else. I have many accolades, awards to my name in this business but what makes me the most proud is when I had two young men return from the Israeli military, come back to my school and tell me that what I had taught them gave them a huge edge in their military training. What I would say to them to push them harder when they trained with me , pushed them harder when things got tough for them in the military..When a police officer comes back to me and tells me “Hey Sarge! What you taught me saved my butt the other night” All that makes it worth it.
Getting where I am today in this business is a constant “head down, push forward grind” everyday and night. Easy? No, but I don’t like easy! I want to keep evolving and to do that you need to keep pushing and testing yourself. There are a lot of challenges along the way. I take each challenge on as they come , knock them down and move on to the next one. You can’t be afraid to fail. If you fail at something it is a lesson, learn from it push forward and don’t make that mistake again!! Don’t quit!! If you quit once, you will quit again. Quit is not in my vocabulary.
My brand, RIDDLE DEFENSE has been built, forged over 35 years of personal training. It all started in the military and then into law enforcement as a “street cop” SWAT Team member and Team Leader, an instructor of firearms and self defense for law enforcement and also military. This is also something I am very proud of and want to share with my clients.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Lol, I’d take them to Miami ! Brickell area and stay at the Mandarin Oriental. Love that area and hotel. Go to some nice restaurants and just hang out. Maybe go fishing, boating but generally relax and dive into the present.
As far as exciting people! Down to earth people are the people I like. I’d like to hang with people who “made it” in business. I’d like to learn from them ,pick their brain so I can improve in my world with what I’ve learned from them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife Leigh. Leigh has alway been there to help me, push me or kick me through the door where the fear of the unknown in business would get me a bit rattled. My team! Chris Galas, Fernando Cardenas, Amos Eyal and Joe McIver for always being there as outside advisors and my Assistant Instructors.

Website: RIDDLEDEFENSE.COM

Instagram: RIDDLEDEFENSE

Linkedin: RRIDDLEDEFENSE

Facebook: RIDDLEDEFENSE

Youtube: RIDDLEDEFENSE

Other: ComditionOne Podcast with John Riddle. Spotify,YouTube, Anchor