Build confidence
you can actually use.
3SM is a trauma-informed training system built around Strength, Self-Defense, and Striking Mindset. Through private coaching, youth programming, workshops, and organizational training, we help people develop practical confidence, composure, awareness, and real-world readiness.
A System. Not a Place. — From victim to victory mindset.
5.0
Five-Star Google Reviews
15+
Years of Experience
Up to 40+
Person Workshops
Private to Group
Sessions & Workshops
What 3SM Means
Strength. Self-Defense. Striking Mindset.
3SM stands for Strength, Self-Defense, and Striking Mindset. It is a structured training system that develops the physical skills, mental awareness, emotional composure, and responsible decision-making needed to navigate pressure in training and everyday life.
STRENGTH
Build physical capability, discipline, resilience, and trust in your body.
SELF-DEFENSE
Develop awareness, boundaries, defensive positioning, practical responses, and the confidence to protect yourself responsibly.
STRIKING MINDSET
Learn to respond to pressure with precision, composure, intention, and decisive action.
The System
The 3SM Method.
Three proprietary frameworks that make 3SM a real, repeatable system, not a set of drills.
ARRP
Assess • Reflect • Respond • Proceed
A decision-making framework that helps people recognize what is happening, regulate their response, choose an appropriate action, and move forward with purpose.
DCAE
Defend • Counter • Attack • Evade
A practical physical-response framework that organizes self-defense and striking decisions according to the situation.
4D
Display • Deconstruct • Drill • Demonstrate
The instructional method used to teach skills clearly, break them down, practice them progressively, and demonstrate understanding.
Why 3SM
More than a workout.
Trauma-Informed Instruction
Coaching rooted in nervous system regulation, boundary-setting, and situational awareness — not aggression, but composure under pressure.
Practical Physical Confidence
Real self-defense skill that's structured, repeatable, and designed for real-world scenarios — from the workplace to everyday life.
Structured, Repeatable Methodology
ARRP, DCAE, and 4D provide a proven framework so every program is progressive, teachable, and tailored to who's in the room.
Composure Under Pressure
Regulated presence, clear thinking, and decisive action when it matters — in training and everyday life.
Situational Awareness & Boundaries
Read environments, set clear boundaries, and communicate strategically so you stay ahead of trouble instead of reacting to it.
Beyond the Training Floor
Strength that carries into leadership, family, career, and community — age-appropriate and audience-specific instruction for every group.
“3SM is not built around aggression. It is built around awareness, composure, responsible action, and confidence that can be used in real life.”
Programs
Find your path.
Private Coaching
Starting at $125/session
One-on-one coaching built around the individual. Sessions may include striking fundamentals, self-defense, strength and conditioning, situational awareness, confidence development, and composure under pressure. Every program is adapted to the client's experience, needs, and goals.
3SM Youth Readiness™
Starting at $125/session
Confidence, discipline, coordination, situational awareness, personal boundaries, and age-appropriate self-defense for children and teens. The goal is not to make young people aggressive — it's to help them become more aware, composed, and responsible at school, at home, and in their communities.
Self-Defense Workshops
Starting at $49/person
Trauma-informed sessions for women's groups, co-ed classes, and community programs. Build situational awareness, boundary-setting, and practical physical confidence in a structured, supportive environment.
Organizational & Community Workshops
Custom pricing
Interactive workshops and ongoing programming for schools, nonprofits, youth organizations, women's groups, and community programs. Small private groups to workshops of 40+ participants.
Corporate Self-Defense Workshops
Custom proposals
Team-focused self-defense and situational awareness training for businesses and gyms. Improve team resilience, communication, and personal-safety confidence in a professional setting.
3SM Executive Composure™
Custom proposals from $129/person
A professional-development experience for leaders, professionals, and teams. Navigate pressure, conflict, workplace misconduct, and difficult communication with regulated presence, strategic thinking, clear boundaries, and career-protective decision-making.
Small-Group Training
Starting at $35/session
Focused training for pairs and small groups. Progressive striking, self-defense, and conditioning designed for consistent development and shared accountability.
Striking & Boxing Instruction
Starting at $125/session
Technical striking and boxing coaching from a former professional MMA fighter. Fundamentals, footwork, defense, and combinations — built for beginners through experienced practitioners.
Strength & Conditioning
Starting at $125/session
Programming that builds physical capability, discipline, resilience, and trust in your body. Integrated with striking and self-defense when it fits the goal.
Outcomes
What changes for you.
Composure and regulated presence under pressure
Stronger situational awareness in any environment
Practical self-defense skill and physical confidence
Strategic communication and boundary-setting
Leadership-ready strength and executive composure
Career-protective clarity in high-stakes situations
The Transformation
From victim to victory mindset.
3SM helps people move from fear, uncertainty, and powerlessness toward awareness, confidence, composure, and responsible action. Victory does not always mean fighting. It means recognizing your options, trusting your preparation, and responding with purpose.
Community Impact
Serving Communities Across DFW.
3SM methods and programming are currently being delivered across gyms, schools, nonprofit organizations, professional environments, and community programs throughout DFW.
“From private sessions to workshops of 40 or more participants, 3SM adapts its methods to the people and environment being served.”
77 Five-Star Google Reviews
What clients say.
5.0
Based on 77 reviews
Lauren Zugaro
Parent & Client
Darius' physical abilities are inspirational, but so is his positivity and encouragement. He works with one of my children on conditioning and boxing, and has increased his strength, but most importantly, his confidence. We are grateful for the time with this coach!
Attila Swint
Striking Student
A Game-Changer in Striking Coaching. Training with Coach D has been one of the best decisions I've made — not just for my striking skills, but for my overall confidence and composure under pressure.
Courtney Kerr Brooks
Long-Term Client
I've had the privilege of working with Darius for several years. Darius truly stands out in every way. Not only is he deeply knowledgeable and skilled, but his personable and approachable nature makes every session something I look forward to.
Tommy McIntyre
Private Coaching Client
Coach Darius is the best! He truly knows his stuff when it comes to striking and teaching it. He's great at listening to what I'm seeing and teaching the best ways to respond. Coach also cornered me for my first match, and having him there made a huge impact. His calm energy, experience, and clear advice was much appreciated! Highly recommend.
Lauren Zugaro
Parent & Client
Darius' physical abilities are inspirational, but so is his positivity and encouragement. He works with one of my children on conditioning and boxing, and has increased his strength, but most importantly, his confidence. We are grateful for the time with this coach!
Attila Swint
Striking Student
A Game-Changer in Striking Coaching. Training with Coach D has been one of the best decisions I've made — not just for my striking skills, but for my overall confidence and composure under pressure.
Courtney Kerr Brooks
Long-Term Client
I've had the privilege of working with Darius for several years. Darius truly stands out in every way. Not only is he deeply knowledgeable and skilled, but his personable and approachable nature makes every session something I look forward to.
Tommy McIntyre
Private Coaching Client
Coach Darius is the best! He truly knows his stuff when it comes to striking and teaching it. He's great at listening to what I'm seeing and teaching the best ways to respond. Coach also cornered me for my first match, and having him there made a huge impact. His calm energy, experience, and clear advice was much appreciated! Highly recommend.
Lauren Zugaro
Parent & Client
Darius' physical abilities are inspirational, but so is his positivity and encouragement. He works with one of my children on conditioning and boxing, and has increased his strength, but most importantly, his confidence. We are grateful for the time with this coach!
Attila Swint
Striking Student
A Game-Changer in Striking Coaching. Training with Coach D has been one of the best decisions I've made — not just for my striking skills, but for my overall confidence and composure under pressure.
Courtney Kerr Brooks
Long-Term Client
I've had the privilege of working with Darius for several years. Darius truly stands out in every way. Not only is he deeply knowledgeable and skilled, but his personable and approachable nature makes every session something I look forward to.
Tommy McIntyre
Private Coaching Client
Coach Darius is the best! He truly knows his stuff when it comes to striking and teaching it. He's great at listening to what I'm seeing and teaching the best ways to respond. Coach also cornered me for my first match, and having him there made a huge impact. His calm energy, experience, and clear advice was much appreciated! Highly recommend.
Your Coach
Darius Yancy
Founder, 3SM Training & Programming
“Not aggression, but composure
under pressure.”
Darius Yancy is the founder and creator of 3SM Training & Programming, a trauma-informed system built around Strength, Self-Defense, and Striking Mindset. A former professional MMA fighter, boxing and self-defense coach, Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt, author, and youth-development instructor, Darius brings more than 15 years of training and coaching experience to individuals, families, schools, nonprofits, gyms, and professional organizations.
His work combines practical physical instruction with situational awareness, boundary-setting, confidence development, nervous-system regulation, and composure under pressure. He is also the creator of 3SM Executive Composure™, ARRP, DCAE, and the 4D instructional method.
Darius believes strength should be disciplined, protective, responsible, and useful beyond the training floor.
Frequently Asked
Got questions?
No experience is required. Our programs are designed to meet you where you are, whether you're a complete beginner or have years of training. Every session is structured to build progressively.
Absolutely. Most of our clients start with zero experience. Our coaching methodology breaks down complex techniques into clear, learnable steps.
Comfortable athletic clothing — shorts or leggings, a t-shirt, and clean indoor athletic shoes. We'll provide any specialized equipment needed.
We offer both women-specific workshops and mixed sessions. Our women's self-defense workshops create a focused, supportive environment. Contact us to find the right fit.
This is skill-based training, not just exercise. Every session develops real-world capability — striking technique, situational awareness, and practical confidence.
Yes. Private coaching sessions are one-on-one, tailored entirely to your goals. Use the contact form or booking button to get started.
Our workshops are structured 90-minute sessions combining technique instruction, partner drills, scenario-based practice, and debrief. You'll leave with practical skills you can use immediately.
Get In Touch
Ready to start?
Book a session, reserve a workshop spot, or ask us anything. Call (214) 600-6027 or fill out the form below.