INpowering Women: How we began
Our Story starts in London in 1990 where Mark met Alison while travelling, by the time he returned to South Africa almost 3 years later they had lost contact, all he knew was her name was Alison and she lived in PE , it was the days before the Internet and cell phones.
On 18 December 1994 Alison was abducted by two men outside her home, raped, disembowelled, her throat slit and left for dead. Alison’s story and her will to live shocked the world but little did we know it was the start of something incredible. The moment Alison got up and decided to live the foundations were formed for what would come.
Mark and Alison reconnected in April 2000, some 6 years after the attack. Mark read about what had happened to her in a You magazine and realised he had to find her. They got together while she was in Jhb doing a talk, as by that time she was an in demand international motivational speaker.
They spoke at length about exactly what had happened that night and Mark realised that she had made some bad choices because she just didn’t know any better.
Shortly thereafter Mark was due to grade for his 5th dan in Karate. As a prerequisite for a grading to that level Mark was required to write a thesis, to illustrate a deeper understanding of the art and how it had affected his life.
Mark’s thesis “Girl Power-Self defence for women” was based on what Alison had told him she did and did not do, also incorporating the conflicting thoughts he had around this subject for a long time.
Alison, after reading it said that had she known this, her ordeal would never have happened.
An incredible endorsement.
In December of 2012 Mark left corporate life and started WIP (Woman INpowered) as a full time concern, focussing on corporates, schools and small groups sharing our very unique philosophy and changing lives.
In 2016 we realised that there was a need for a similar product for men and so GRIP ( Guy Responsibly INpowered) was born
INpowered was formed to house the various products listed below under one roof .
We have worked all around the world with people from all walks of life, from schoolgirls to Miss Universe from company CEOs to factory workers, and the message remains the same!
Who We Are
Alison Botha
Rape Survivor
International Motivational Speaker & Author
What is WIP?
WIP is an extremely simple, easy to learn, yet devastatingly effective self INpowerment system that has been designed specifically for women to give them the mental and physical ability to make a Choice in a threatening situation.
Why GRIP?
Most men believe they can, and most women think they can’t; the truth is both are mistaken. Unless one has been taught, they do not truly know how. Men often endanger themselves and their families by assuming they can fight and protect simply because they are men. Similarly, women may rely on men, believing that being a man equates to the ability to protect. However, this is not the case unless he actually KNOWS how, not just thinks he knows how.
Girl Power
Girl Power, is a product for younger ladies we have developed along with other products, including our motivational talks and will continue to evolve and develop products for the ever changing landscape in which we operate.
Why only 16 days of activism?
What about the other 349 days of the year?
What is the use of 16 days of activism, if we just continue as normal for the rest of the year?
Vision
Our Vision is to be a world leader in the field of INpowering men and women to have the mental and physical ability to make a choice in any situation or circumstance in today’s violent society
Mission Statement
INpowered seeks to establish and maintain a position as the leader in our field
INpowered aims to remain innovative by developing and marketing its program to its full potential.
INpowered will strive for the highest levels of honesty and integrity.
INpowered will inspire its instructors through training and professionalism to deliver an easy learning program of the highest standards.
INpowered recognizes long term growth depends on delivering and achieving full belief and acceptance of our program structure.
INpowered‘s goal is to provide complete satisfaction in delivering a quality program on time, every time.
INpowered pledges to invest in the community we serve.
What you need to know…
- INpowered is a modular program that can be completed at your pace
- Money backed guarantee
- Electronic manual
- Certificate
- Lifelong membership
- Free refresher courses
- Proof of INpowerment by breakthrough
What INpowered is not …
• Going to teach you how to fight
• Going to guarantee any outcome from a hostile situation