Philip Fitzgerald-Holmes

With more than 35 years of experience in martial arts and practical self-defence, Philip Fitzgerald-Holmes has dedicated his career to helping people feel safer, more confident, and better prepared for real-world situations. He began his martial arts journey in 1986 and is a 7th Degree Black Belt Master in Taekwon-Do and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Hapkido.Philip has represented and coached at the highest levels of international Taekwon-Do, serving as Head Coach of the All Australian International Taekwon-Do Team and receiving the International Instructor of the Year Award at the 2015 World Championships in Bulgaria.Alongside his international coaching career, Philip has also worked as a Protective Tactics Instructor for the Department of Juvenile Justice, training staff in practical techniques to safely manage high-risk situations. This experience has further strengthened his focus on realistic, effective self-defence and personal safety strategies that work in real life.Today, Philip's passion extends far beyond competition. His workshops are designed for everyday people. He teaches practical skills that anyone can learn, regardless of age, size or fitness level, with a strong focus on awareness, prevention, confidence and simple techniques that can make a real difference in difficult situations.Philip is especially passionate about empowering women, young people and families through education rather than fear. His goal is simple: to help every participant leave feeling stronger, safer and more confident in everyday life.

Real World Self Defence

Self-defence isn't about being stronger than someone else, it's about being prepared.Philip teaches practical, proven techniques that help you recognise potential danger early, stay calm under pressure, and respond with confidence. Every skill is designed for real-life situations and can be learned by people of all ages, sizes and fitness levels.You'll leave with practical knowledge you can use immediately to better protect yourself and the people you care about.

Empowerment Through Action

Confidence doesn't come from hoping you'll never face a difficult situation, it comes from knowing you have the skills to respond if you do.Through a supportive and encouraging approach, Philip helps participants replace fear with understanding, develop greater awareness of their surroundings, and build the confidence to make good decisions under pressure. Every workshop is designed to empower participants with practical skills, a resilient mindset and the confidence to navigate everyday life more safely.