Page Updated as of July 6, 2025
My Industry Recommendations
Instructors (Firearms, Knife-Training, and Hand-to-Hand Combatives)
Tatiana Whitlock: Training in Context
Tatiana Whitlock, a renowned firearms instructor from Maine, has significantly influenced my approach to concealed carry and training etiquette. Her comprehensive training focuses on real-world firearm skills, safety, and situational awareness, emphasizing the importance of being prepared in daily life. As a mother, her perspective on family safety and readiness has deeply impacted my own views on personal defense.
Holding certifications from the NRA and USCCA, Tatiana is a key figure in the firearms community, featuring as a host on Trigger Time TV and co-hosting Responsibly Armed Radio. She also leads training programs at Howell’s Indoor Range and Shooting Academy and for A Girl and A Gun. Tatiana’s guidance has been crucial in developing my skills and confidence in concealed carry and personal safety.
Craig Douglas of Shivworks
Lena Miculek of ROSE by Sig Sauer
Lena Miculek is a world-champion competitive shooter with nine world titles across multiple disciplines. Raised on the range and trained from childhood, Lena has become one of the most accomplished female shooters in the world.
Through her work with ROSE by SIG SAUER, Lena has created a welcoming, education-driven space for women to explore firearms ownership with confidence. ROSE is more than gear—it's a soft place to land, learn, and grow in a male-dominated industry, with Lena leading the way through community, mindset, and mentorship.
Craig Douglas, known as “SouthNarc,” is the founder of ShivWorks. A retired Army Ranger and 21‑year law enforcement veteran—most of that on SWAT and in narcotics—he launched ShivWorks in 2003 and has since trained military units, law enforcement, and civilians worldwide.
His flagship ECQC (Extreme Close Quarters Combat) and edged‑weapon courses are based on direct experience, including a near-fatal undercover encounter where he was ambushed while off‑balance and in contact. This real-world crucible prompted him to develop combative techniques centered around entangled shooting and weapon retention at close quarters.
Craig’s teaching philosophy is martial‑agnostic—if it works under pressure, it’s in. He emphasizes scenario-based, interdisciplinary training meant to solve problems from 0–5 ft, preparing students physically, mentally, and tactically for the worst‑case scenario (shivworkspg.com).
Melody Lauer of Citizens Defense Research
Chuck Haggard of Agile Training and Consulting
With over 30 years of law enforcement experience—including roles as a SWAT leader, Field Training Officer, Rangemaster/Armorer, and Lieutenant in the Topeka Police Department—Chuck Haggard launched Agile Training & Consulting to bring tailored self-defense training to individuals, law enforcement, and military.
Chuck is certified in firearms instruction across pistols, rifles, shotguns, OC spray, batons, and Tasers, as well as defensive tactics, use-of-force, active-shooter response, and SWAT-level training. He’s also a national trainer with the National Law Enforcement Training Center and serves as an adjunct instructor for organizations like Strategos International and Hardwire Tactical.
Known for his customized, scenario-based approach, Chuck helps clients—from civilians to elite units—craft practical, context-driven training that fits their lifestyle and threat scope. Whether it's pepper spray, pocket pistols, or complex force-on-force drills, he ensures students are equipped mentally, physically, and legally for real-world defense (agiletactical.com).
Melody Lauer is a highly credentialed firearms instructor—Rangemaster-Certified Advanced Handgun Instructor, Massad Ayoob Group Deadly Force Instructor, NRA Certified Handgun Instructor, and Agile Training OC/Pepper Spray Instructor—with 14 years of professional teaching experience. As the owner of Citizens Defense Research, she delivers researched, context-driven training across a wide range of courses—from fundamental pistol skills to "The Armed Parent/Guardian"—all grounded in real-world application.
Melody’s focus is clarity and individual empowerment: integrating live-fire practice, scenario-based drills, and mental readiness. She’s also a mother of three, balances teaching with active Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, and works professionally as a front-end developer—bringing that same discipline and precision to everything she does (citizensdefenseresearch.com).
Caleb Giddings of Citizen Defense Research
Caleb Giddings is a renowned competitive shooter, blogger, and lead instructor with Citizens Defense Research. His passion for revolvers fuels his instruction—particularly through his “Contextual Revolver: Fundamental Revolver Skills” course, a two-day deep-dive into performance revolver shooting designed for concealed carry and backup revolver users.
A Master-class shooter in both IDPA and ICORE, Caleb has achieved multiple top-five finishes at IDPA Nationals and was the High Master in 2014. He’s also served as a Combat Arms Instructor in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, adding formal tactical training experience to his resume.
Beyond teaching, Caleb has made his mark in media. He founded Gun Nuts Media in 2006, appears regularly at competitive events like the Bianchi Cup, and was a competitor on Season 1 of History Channel’s Top Shot. His writing has appeared in major outlets including Combat Handguns, RECOIL, and America’s 1st Freedom.
Caleb’s teaching style blends competitive-level fundamentals with real-world context—focusing on revolver utility in everyday carry, grip and trigger management, concealment strategies, and equipment versatility (think speed loaders, pocket holsters, and moon clips) (primaryandsecondary.com).
Concealed Carry Educational Resources & Communities
ROSE Community by Sig Sauer
The ROSE community by SIG Sauer is a space for all women—whether you're brand new to firearms or years into your journey. It’s built around connection, encouragement, and education. You don’t need to own a ROSE firearm to be part of it. This is where women come together to ask questions, share experiences, offer support, and grow in confidence with concealed carry and gun ownership. No judgment, no pressure—just real conversations with women who are walking the same path.
PHLster started in 2010, focusing on educating people on creating DIY Kydex holsters and quickly became a leader in innovative concealment technology. Specializing in high-performance solutions for the most popular carry pistols, they offer advanced holsters and universal models like Floodlight2 and Enigma OS. Beyond products, PHLster emphasizes its commitment to education through comprehensive workshops and online resources. These include their YouTube channel and the PHLster Concealment Workshop, available at key conferences and online, designed to teach effective concealed carry techniques to everyone, regardless of their gear choice. This approach aims to streamline the learning process, eliminating the guesswork and frustration often associated with finding the right carry method.
Phlster Concealed Carry Education
Self-Defense Tools
POM Pepper Spray
POM is my go-to recommendation for pepper spray because it strikes the ideal balance between effectiveness and discreet carry. With one of the highest major capsaicinoid concentrations on the market, POM delivers serious stopping power when it matters most. It’s available in multiple carry options—including keychain, clip, and runner units—making it easy to integrate into your daily routine. I especially appreciate the sleek, concealable design paired with their intuitive flip-top safety, which minimizes the chance of accidental discharge while keeping it fast to access under stress.
ShivWorks doesn’t just sell blades—they train with them. Their knives are designed, built, and pressure-tested by the same crew that teaches real-world edged weapon defense. Every ShivWorks blade is rooted in their reverse-edge methodology and reflects the realities of close-quarters encounters. If you're looking for a blade designed by people who live and breathe combatives, ShivWorks is the standard.
ShivWorks Blades
Clanton Combatives Training Pistols
Clanton Combatives produces hybrid training pistols designed for real contact. With options ranging from fully rigid to semi-rigid and fully flexible, these tools are built for safe, realistic grappling and weapons-retention work. Features like rubber sights and a flexible trigger guard help protect your index finger, and they’re compatible with weapon lights—making them a top choice for serious combatives training.