Conquest Self Defense

All training at Conquest Self Defense is for the cost of a donation: no monthly tuition, no contracts, and students and families pay what they can afford. The academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a Christian ministry, and that shapes every class: a Christ-centered Bible message is presented before or after training, and discipleship is offered during the week. Its stated mission is to teach the Gospel through martial arts.

Founder and head instructor Rusty Tyack launched the academy in East Tacoma in 2020 with more than 30 years of martial arts experience, after teaching through a sports ministry in Puyallup. He holds the rank of Sigung, 6th Degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo Ge Shou Dao under GM Bryan Davies, a black belt in Hayastan Grappling under Sensei Gokor Chivichyan, and a USA Wrestling Bronze Level coaching certification. His son Bradley Tyack, a 4th degree black belt with college and international wrestling experience, directs the youth programs. All coaches are background checked, trained in child abuse prevention, and certified in CPR, AED and first aid.

The self-defense classes teach Kajukenbo Ge Shou Dao, a hybrid art from Hawaii that combines karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, kenpo and boxing into one system of self-protection. Every class includes partner drills and live sparring. Adult self-defense (ages 13 and up) meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Grappling follows the Hayastan system, a blend of judo, jiu jitsu, sambo and wrestling taught with an emphasis on wrestling and leg locks; adult grappling (ages 14 and up) meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. Grapplers can join the CSD Grappling Team, which competes in no-gi tournaments in and out of state, and team members can have their entry fees paid; the coaches at class handle sign-ups.

Several classes serve a specific group. A women-only self-defense class on Monday mornings is taught by a female instructor and mixes Kajukenbo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, with partner drilling, sparring and room for candid talk about self-protection. A Wednesday afternoon class for children, teens and adults with special needs is taught by instructors certified as SE Adaptive Special Needs Trainers. Kids train in their own classes from age 4, and there's a class for homeschooling families.

Training happens in a 3,400 sq ft academy with 2,000 sq ft of mat space, a strength and conditioning area and seating for parents. How a first class works isn't described, so a message to the academy beforehand settles what a newcomer should expect and wear.