Another Outstanding Week at the Executive Protection Institute

I recently returned from another Executive Protection Institute (EPI) seven-day training program, and as always, it was an outstanding experience.

This trip was a little different for me because I brought along some new camera equipment and was able to capture a significant amount of footage throughout the week. Over the coming months, much of this content will make its way onto my YouTube channel and other platforms. I was particularly excited about some of the material I captured during the driving portion of the program. Protective driving is a critical skill set for protection professionals, and I think the footage will provide some valuable insight into that aspect of the profession.

One of the things that always stands out about EPI is the quality of the students who attend. Every class brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and career paths, but they all share a common goal: becoming more capable and more professional in the protection industry. A strong group of students always creates a strong training environment, and this class was no exception.

After completing the seven-day course, the graduates were formally welcomed into the Nine Lives Associates network on Friday evening. Watching new professionals take that next step and become part of a larger community is always one of the highlights of the week.

On Saturday, we transitioned into the Protection Response Tactics® (PRT) program, which has become a regular part of the training cycle. EPI conducts these classes twice each year, providing us with an opportunity to continue exposing protection professionals to defensive tactics specifically designed for the realities of executive protection work.

One of the habits I have developed over the years is the commitment to continuous improvement. No matter how successful a program becomes, I am always looking for ways to refine it, improve it, and make it more effective for the people who use it. This trip gave me the opportunity to introduce several new concepts and training methods into the PRT curriculum. Seeing those ideas tested and validated in a professional environment is always rewarding, and I am excited to continue integrating them into the Protection Response Tactics Instructor Program and sharing them with our growing instructor network.

Following the PRT program, EPI conducted its Personal Pistol Course, which gave us the opportunity to spend several additional days on the range. Any chance to spend time behind the gun, refining skills and exchanging ideas with other professionals, is time well spent. The firearms portion of the trip provided excellent training, valuable conversations, and plenty of opportunities for continued development.

Perhaps the most exciting development of the week came near the end of the trip. During our time together, the owner of the company approached me about becoming one of their firearms instructors and teaching within the program moving forward. It is an opportunity I am both honored and excited to accept.

As instructors, we often spend our careers pursuing knowledge, refining our craft, and helping others grow. Every now and then, opportunities arise that remind us that the work has been worthwhile. This was one of those moments.

Overall, it was an exceptional week of training, learning, teaching, and professional development. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated professionals and look forward to returning for the next class. One of my goals moving forward is to do a better job documenting the training experiences, conversations, and lessons that come from these events. Over the years, I have been fortunate to train alongside some of the best instructors and professionals in the industry, but too many of those experiences have remained personal notes and memories rather than resources that could benefit others. This trip reinforced the importance of capturing and sharing that knowledge. Between the Executive Protection Institute, the Protection Response Tactics® program, and several other training projects currently underway, I recorded a substantial amount of material that I look forward to sharing through future articles, videos, and educational content. My hope is that these resources will provide insight not only into the skills themselves but also into the process of continual professional development.

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Sifu Alan Baker is a nationally respected authority in Defensive Tactics Program Development, High-Performance Coaching, and martial arts, with over 45 years of training experience across multiple systems. As a lifelong martial artist and tactical instructor, Alan has dedicated his career to creating practical, adaptable, and effective training systems for real-world application. He has worked extensively with law enforcement agencies, military units, and private security professionals, designing programs that emphasize scenario-based training, everyday carry (EDC) integration, and combative efficiency under pressure.

Alan’s client list includes elite organizations such as the Executive Protection Institute, Vehicle Dynamics Institute, The Warrior Poet Society, ALIVE Active Shooter Training, Tactical 21, and Retired Navy SEAL Jason Redman, among many others. He is the creator of both the C-Tac® (Civilian Tactical Training Association) and Protection Response Tactics (PRT) programs—two widely respected systems that provide realistic, principle-based training for civilians and professionals operating in high-risk environments.

In addition to his tactical and martial arts work, Alan is the founder of the Warrior’s Path Physical Culture Program, a holistic approach to strength, mobility, and long-term health rooted in traditional martial arts and the historic principles of physical culture. This program integrates breathwork, structural alignment, joint expansion, strength training, and mental discipline, offering a complete framework for building a resilient body and a powerful mindset. Drawing from his training in Chinese Kung Fu, Filipino Martial Arts, Indonesian Silat, Burmese systems, and more, Alan combines decades of experience into a method that is both modern and deeply rooted in timeless warrior traditions.

Alan is also the architect of multiple online video academies, giving students worldwide access to in-depth training in his systems, including Living Mechanics Jiu-Jitsu, C-Tac® Combatives, breathwork, functional mobility, and weapons integration. These platforms allow for structured, self-paced learning while connecting students to a growing global community of practitioners.

Beyond physical training, Alan is a sought-after Self-Leadership Coach, working with high performers, professionals, and individuals on personal growth journeys. His coaching emphasizes clarity, discipline, focus, and accountability, helping people break through mental limitations and align their daily actions with long-term goals. His work is built on the belief that true mastery begins with the ability to lead oneself first, and through that, to lead others more effectively.

Alan is also the author of three books that encapsulate his philosophy and approach: The Warrior’s Path, which outlines the mindset and habits necessary for self-leadership and personal mastery; The Universal Principles of Change, a practical guide for creating lasting transformation; and Morning Mastery, a structured approach to building a powerful daily routine grounded in physical culture and discipline.

To explore Alan’s books, digital academies, live training opportunities, or to inquire about seminars and speaking events, visit his official website and take the next step on your path toward strength, resilience, and mastery.