Grey Man Academy

 “I was blown away from the moment I arrived—beautiful accommodations, picked up at the door, great breakfast—and then we got straight into training. The classroom portion gave me tons of actionable notes, but the hand-to-hand combatives changed everything. I’ve done some combat sports, but nothing this real or this brutal—in the best way. The idea that your first strike should end the altercation finally clicked, because I actually repped it on the mat. We trained for scenarios where you don’t have your gun, can’t see, or don’t have use of your hands—and I left feeling immensely more competent and, frankly, dangerous. In just one day, it went from theory to something I can truly do.” 

 “I just finished the Grey Man Academy and it delivered exactly what the name promises—giving ordinary people the skills to surprise an attacker and stop being a victim. Day one’s empty-hand training opened my eyes to real target points on the body that actually work under pressure—way beyond anything I’d picked up casually in jiu-jitsu. Day two on the range was huge for me; I hadn’t touched a gun in almost a decade, and I went from jumping at every shot to feeling comfortable and confident handling it. The dry fire exercises were a game-changer because I can practice safely at home after the kids are asleep. On top of the training, the property is beautiful and the rooms are super nice—an unexpected, relaxing reset from daily life. Most importantly, I’m walking away with sharper situational awareness and the mindset to be assertive and take my safety into my own hands. If you’re thinking about coming—do it.” 

 My name is Jim McClaren. I’m 77, a lifelong hunter and sportsman, and I just finished a program on self-defense and responsible gun concepts—how to take care of yourself both in civilization and out of it. It was one of the most interesting and valuable weekends I’ve had in a long time. Where I live in Coeur d’Alene, things are changing, and I’ll admit I wasn’t as confident as I used to be. This class gave me what matters most: correct information, taught clearly, that I can actually apply. I’m walking away more prepared, more confident, and motivated to keep learning. I highly recommend this course—and I’m hoping there are more advanced classes to follow. 

We just finished the Grey Man Acadmey, and it was a unique, highly relevant experience with real-world, practical application—especially given the world today. The skills apply to anyone, anywhere. It was my first firearms class, and I wasn’t ready for it to be over; I want to come back again and again. Hostage prevention was a standout: hands-on escape and evasion, improvised tools, lockpicking, and timed challenges that let you choose your level of difficulty. It felt especially pertinent given current events, and it underscored how training like this can make a real difference. The combatives block highlighted the gap between traditional martial arts and life‑and‑death reality—no rules, fight dirty, eliminate training scars—and it delivered effective techniques that were new and memorable.

On the range, even with prior experience—including competitive shooting and instructing—there were clear takeaways: everyone has something to improve, from drawing from concealment to speed reloads, and dry fire at home translates to progress. For those building confidence to carry, focused live fire time was invaluable. The lodge experience tied it all together: Serenity Houses is peaceful and beautiful, with mountain views, fresh local food, a hot tub and sauna, and a welcoming, family‑focused team. We met great people we hope to stay in touch with, and we’re genuinely glad we seized this opportunity.

I just completed the Grey Man Academy—fantastic from the start. Even with a bit of background, most of it was new, practical information that built skills I can actually use in everyday life and on duty. The hostage prevention block stood out because it gave me solid knowledge I can pass to others; living in Spokane, where human trafficking flows through, that matters. Being able to share tools and tactics with people who might not otherwise have access is huge.

The Navy SEALs combatives opened my eyes to brutal, effective techniques—a big shift from my usual control-focused approach—and it helped me get mentally ready for what real violence requires. The defensive gunfighting day made it clear that my duty-holster practice doesn’t fully translate; I pulled a lot of insights and now have two clear training tracks to pursue. The resort tied it all together: stunning mountains, trees, and bison; a great fire pit and hot tub; and immaculate, hotel‑level rooms with every detail covered—far beyond what I expected.

 We just finished the Grey Man Academy and are really glad we came—perfect timing for a mother–son trip before he heads to college. The balance of fun, learning, and just enough pressure was spot on: not stressful, not a breeze, real work with real takeaways. Hostage prevention was our favorite block—learning practical escapes from tape, cuffs, and zip ties, and actually getting to practice each one. It shifted our mindset from “I’d probably give up” to “I’m capable,” proving that with a little practice you can do far more than you think. The combatives segment made us noticeably more confident fast, coordinating strikes and reinforcing that mindset comes first—then tools, tactics, and skills.

On the range, the defensive gunfighting training landed well even for folks who already teach; hearing fundamentals presented differently challenged us in a good way and opened new ways to think and train—there’s always more to learn. The lodge experience elevated everything: peaceful mountains, comfortable rooms, great food, a fun game room, bonfire, and hot tub. The setting, the housing, and the team made the whole experience not just effective but genuinely enjoyable.