Tammy McCracken is a self-defense professional, psychotherapist, and international instructor whose work lives at the powerful intersection of violence dynamics, trauma recovery, and transformational leadership.

She is the Founder and CEO of 500Rising, an organization built from decades of experience in both mental health and self-defense. Through 500Rising, Tammy provides education and instructor training across North America and Europe, with a strong focus on empowering women and girls through realistic, experience-based learning.

Tammy is also the founder of Kore Self-Defense & Krav Maga in the Northern Virginia and DC Metro area, where she serves as program advisor, teaches general training classes, and directs the instructor college training program. Her leadership extends internationally as a core member of the renowned Violence Dynamics teaching team established by Rory Miller. She is a certified Conflict Communication Instructor, Situational Awareness Specialist, Krav Maga Instructor, scenario development trainer, and facilitator.

As a psychotherapist specializing in acute and complex trauma recovery, Tammy has worked with both survivors of violence and perpetrators, giving her a rare and deeply informed perspective that shapes how she teaches self-defense and develops instructors.

She earned her Expert Rank in Krav Maga in Israel through Krav Maga Global, becoming the third woman in North America to achieve that rank and the first fully certified female instructor on the East Coast within the organization.

In addition to her hands-on training and clinical work, Tammy has authored numerous articles, developed a self-defense course for The Great Courses, contributed a chapter to Rory Miller’s most recent book, and appeared on multiple podcasts sharing her expertise.

In this episode, we explore the realities of violence, the psychology behind conflict, the responsibility of instructors, and how true empowerment is built through both competence and compassion.

Please welcome my guest today… Tammy McCracken.

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