Many feel powerless, but Inpowered is on a mission to change that – and on 21st November 2024, they’re about to make history by breaking a world record and empowering thousands of South Africans to realise just how strong they truly are.
Johannesburg, South Africa (08 October 2024) – Many may feel vulnerable and powerless, but one organisation is shaking things up, empowering South Africans to realise just how strong they truly are – both mentally and physically. Get ready, because Inpowered is gearing up for its most significant event yet, and it’s set to make history on the 21st of November 2024!
Founded by Mark Grobbelaar, Inpowered has made it its mission to teach life-saving self-defence skills, instil confidence, and empower participants to reclaim control of their lives. This powerful organisation runs courses designed to help people – from school children to CEOs – understand the true power they hold within. But it’s not just about the training; it’s about showing participants what they are truly capable of, and what better way to do that than breaking a wooden board at the end of the course? It’s a moment of triumph, a visual reminder of the strength that lies within.
On 21st November 2024, Inpowered is taking this empowering tradition to the next level with its most ambitious event to date – a world record attempt! The goal? To break the record for the most wooden boards broken in a single day. It’s a bold endeavour that will make the history books and also leave thousands of South Africans feeling more powerful than ever.
“I believe that every single person has the ability to stand up for themselves, no matter the circumstances,” says Mark Grobbelaar, founder of Inpowered.
“We’re not just teaching self-defence. We’re showing people how strong they truly are.”
Mark’s story with Inpowered starts decades ago, back in 1990, when he was travelling through London. That’s where he first met Alison – a chance encounter that would later spark a global movement. But at that time, life took them in different directions. When Mark returned to South Africa, they had lost contact, and the days before the internet meant that he had no way to find her. Fast forward to 18th December 1994, Alison was abducted, raped, and left for dead in one of the most horrifying attacks the country had ever seen.
Against all odds, she survived, and it was that will to live that became the foundation for Inpowered.
Mark and Alison reconnected in April 2000 after he read about her ordeal in You magazine. As a fifth dan in Karate, Mark had been contemplating the subject of self-defence for a long time, and after hearing Alison’s story in detail, he realised that many of her decisions had been based on not knowing better. Inspired, he wrote his thesis, Girl Power – Self Defence for Women, which would later evolve into the foundation for Inpowered.
When Alison read his thesis, she made a statement that changed everything: “Had I known this, my ordeal would never have happened.”
In 2012, Mark left corporate life to start Woman INpowered (WIP) full-time. He had one goal: to empower women by sharing self-defence techniques that truly work. In 2016, Mark realised that men, too, needed similar empowerment, and that’s when Guy Responsibly INpowered (GRIP) was born. These two programmes came together under the umbrella of Inpowered, and the organisation now works with people all around the world, from factory workers to Miss Universe.
We’re thrilled to announce that Mark joined us on the Good Things Guy podcast to share more about his journey, the upcoming record-breaking event and the incredible impact Inpowered is having on communities everywhere.
You can listen to that interview here:
If there’s one thing this story shows, it’s that strength isn’t always about physical power – it’s about resilience, determination, and the will to rise above. Mark Grobbelaar and his team are inspiring thousands to realise their true potential.
So, get ready, South Africa – history is about to be made, and lives are about to be changed!
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