Meet Eric Johnson…Our First SPARTAN!!!

Eric Johnson – First Ever SPARTAN LEVEL Graduate, Elite Member of the Self Defense Training System

Hi, I’m Eric Johnson — husband, father of two boys, and the first person to reach SPARTAN LEVEL in the Self Defense Training System Combatives program. It’s an honor to be part of something this real and practical. My daily life might seem pretty normal — work, family, dogs — but like many of us, there’s a deeper story behind the scenes.

I began my self-defense journey in Sanchin Ryu karate at age 7 and earned my black belt by 16. Like a lot of teenagers, priorities shifted — I traded the dojo for chasing girls and cruising with my best friend Garrett (RIP). Later I trained briefly in Shotokan, but college and life pulled me in other directions.

While studying mechanical engineering at Michigan Tech, I suffered a serious back injury while sledding. It left me with limited mobility for a while — I couldn’t train in martial arts, but I could shoot. Fortunately, Michigan Tech had a pistol range on campus. That’s where I fell in love with firearms training and eventually became a Range Safety Officer and President of the MTU Pistol Club.

But life happens — pain meds, school struggles, and eventually leaving college without finishing my degree. I found work programming CMMs and focused on building a life, getting married, and raising my boys. Like a lot of people, I let my training slide. I put away my weapons, told myself I was “too busy,” and ignored the realities of the world around me.

That changed a few years ago when I found Jeff Anderson’s Warrior Life podcast. His training reignited my interest in real-world preparedness and led me to the Self Defense Company and the SDTS. I started training in November 2023, and it’s been a game-changer.

Even with challenges — multiple moves, family responsibilities, and recently helping care for my wife after a car accident — I stayed committed. Right now, BOB’s set up in my son’s bedroom so I can still get my reps in.

I know reaching Spartan Level doesn’t mean I’m the toughest guy in the room — it means I’ve committed, stayed consistent, and embraced the mindset this program teaches. I’ve crammed a lot of your material in a short time, and every module taught me something new.

Thank you, Damian, for creating a system that’s as real and adaptable as life itself. I’m proud to be the first Spartan — and I won’t be the last.

NOTE: How it works – As a member of the Self Defense Company Legion, you receive points for every video and every quiz you pass. Eric is the first to reach the SPARTAN LEVEL on the SDC Legion Leader Board. We estimate Eric has spend at least 700 to 1,000 hours training and working with the Self Defense Training System. This is an incredible achievement.