Jamie Anderson, Co-Founder and CEO of Weapon Brand and an accomplished advertising veteran, began her career in print media before transitioning to an exciting career in radio. In 2011, she started her own advertising agency (JAMM) that specializes in traditional media such as radio, TV, outdoor, and print.

After gaining extensive experience in advertising, Jamie was eager to embark on a new adventure with Weapon Brand. At Weapon Brand, Jamie has the opportunity to work with individuals, groups, and corporate clients to empower them with confidence-building training in areas such as self-defense, firearms, realtor safety, ride-share driver safety, active shooter response, and many more specialty self-defense classes, all tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Jamie's favorite aspect of her job is working with clients who have special needs through their adaptive training programs. These programs are designed to enable individuals of all "ability" levels to become their OWN WEAPON and learn to protect themselves, their families, and their employees.

During her free time, Jamie indulges in her love for adrenaline-fueled activities. Among her favorites are bungee jumping and white water rafting, which always get her heart pounding. When she's not seeking out thrilling experiences, Jamie likes to unwind by spending time at the beach or out on her boat. She also enjoys networking with the St. Pete Girl Bosses, a group of like-minded women, and exploring new destinations through travel and camping. Lastly, Jamie enjoys spending quality time with her family and attending music festivals to let loose and enjoy great tunes.

Photo by Felicia Henderson

Weapon Brand Instructor Terry Moore is a RN, licensed massage therapist, health educator and certified personal trainer. She has over 30 years experience training a variety of martial arts including Taekwondo, Shotokan, Fustyle Taichi, Bagua, and Judo. She was a National Champion in Taichi. She was also a NRA instructor and assisted with women’s gun and self defense classes. She also works for Combat Athlete Performance Academy

In healthcare she was an intensive care nurse. She trained critical care nurses and ran multiple community health and wellness programs from giving lectures to leading pulmonary rehab and arthritis exercise classes. Terry led a crisis prevention program for a healthcare system which involved early recognition of dangerous situations, de-escalation of emerging aggressive behaviors and physical control, and personal safety.

Life and her career have taught her that you need to be prepared for any situation. Whether it’s calming a scared and aggressive patient, defending against someone with road rage or surviving an illness like cancer. Her passion is training people to have the confidence, skills, mental resilience, and physical ability to handle the unexpected challenges that life brings.

Chris Hughes, an experienced instructor at Weapon Brand, has a strong background in law enforcement, having worked for the State of Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Canfield Police Department. During his time in law enforcement, he received extensive training and certification in defensive tactics, subject control, and firearms handling.

In addition to his background in law enforcement, Chris is also a certified personal trainer with a specialization in Exercise Therapy. With his expertise in both fitness and self-defense, he is uniquely qualified to provide clients with customized training programs that not only help them achieve their fitness goals but also teach them valuable self-defense skills.

At Weapon Brand, Chris is dedicated to empowering his clients to become their own first line of defense through confidence-building training programs. Whether he is teaching a self-defense class or leading a fitness session at Combat Athlete Performance Academy, Chris is passionate about helping his clients unlock their full potential and reach their personal goals.

Amanda Purdin is a highly skilled instructor specializing in the medical field for Weapon Brand. With a diverse background and extensive experience in various areas, Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

Prior to her career as an instructor, Amanda dedicated 15 years of service to the state of Ohio as a correction officer. During this time, she honed her teaching skills by instructing self-defense techniques, firearms training, and response to sexual violence and rape prevention. Her passion for empowering others led her to become an instructor trainer for self-defense, allowing her to train and mentor future instructors in this vital field.

In addition to her work in law enforcement, Amanda has been involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2004 and has been teaching the discipline for over 15 years. Her deep understanding of martial arts and self-defense techniques has been instrumental in shaping her teaching style and equipping individuals with practical skills to protect themselves.

In 2012, Amanda made a career transition and pursued nursing school. Despite shifting her focus, she remained committed to teaching self-defense and working with victims of domestic violence and rape. Her dedication to community safety extends beyond physical self-defense as she actively educates parents on keeping their children safe both in the physical realm and online.

With a passion for providing holistic care, Amanda is a certified dementia practitioner (CDP) with over 12 years of experience working with individuals living with dementia. Her expertise includes deescalation techniques, which she has effectively applied during her time working in behavioral health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) units. Amanda has also served on deescalation and emergency response teams, showcasing her ability to navigate high-stress situations and maintain a calm and composed demeanor.

Amanda Purdin's multifaceted background and unwavering commitment to education and community safety make her a valuable asset as an instructor for Weapon Brand. Through her dynamic teaching methods and diverse skill set, she aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the medical field and beyond.

A native Floridian, Deanna, along with her family, made several corporate moves before settling in the Tampa Bay area. Deanna is known among her family and friends as a passionate entrepreneur, persistent writer, avid walker, and determined dancer. She is a dedicated ambassador amongst her family, friends, and community in promoting living life to the fullest each and every day.

Mitchell doesn’t claim any expertise but simply enjoys sharing awareness and growth opportunities in all areas of life. She recently published a collection of her writings, remedies, and recipes in a book entitled Life Is Too Short To Be Anything But Happy and Healthy.

After taking her first Personal Threat and Safety Awareness workshop just over a year ago, she fell in love with self-defense training and passionately believes that in today’s increasingly aggressive world, protecting herself and loved ones has become a necessity rather than a fitness or martial arts interest.

As Director of Community Outreach, Deanna has joined Weapon Brand in their efforts to share these personal safety and self-defense skills that will, undoubtedly, enhance every aspect of life. Although the newbie on the block, Deanna aspires to be equally equipped to defend herself and others when she catches up with Brian, both in age and skill.

Photo Credit: Teresa Pyskaty