Tag: mental-health

Posted in News and Features

American Street Edge, a Self-Defense School Led by Fourth Degree Kenpo Karate Blackbelt Instructor, Now Open in St. Clair

Posted on by Amanda

Earlier this month American Street Edge, a self-defense school, opened in St. Clair. The school focuses on practical street safety, situational awareness, de-escalation, boundary-setting, and character-building for kids ages 6 to 12 as well as adults. 

With a 40 year martial arts background that spans across multiple disciplines including Kung Fu, Taekwondo, and a fourth degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate, owner and instructor Tim Fancher has a passion and commitment to helping people increase their personal safety and security. 

Between his extensive martial arts knowledge and drawing on a diverse professional background and numerous degrees that include criminal justice, theology, and sociology, Tim uses his professional experiences as a former police officer, private investigator, church security instructor, and a unique thirst for knowledge to form the American Street Edge program, which is a methodology that differs from many other self-defense courses and martial arts schools. 

Instructor Tim Fancher poses inside his newly opened St. Clair self-defense school. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

American Street Edge focuses on equipping students by helping them to recognize predatory behavior as well as body language and behaviors that are often pre-fight indicators. Students also learn how to de-escalate situations and manage due to fear tense scenarios and daily life.

“I can’t stand unwarranted fear and when someone is feeling afraid in everyday situations. I know if someone can give me a couple of hours, I can make a difference,” he says.

As someone who has been in high adrenaline situations, he’s taken an academic approach to study the psychological and physiological effects of fear on the body by reading countless books on the subjects. Tim helps his students learn through scenario-based training that replicates situations that have been in the news, and helps them understand what to do, as well as what not to do, if they face a similar situation.

Bringing American Street Edge to Franklin County

While Tim has operated American Street Edge schools before in other parts of Missouri and in Oklahoma, the St. Clair school has been a long time in the making.

American Street Edge focuses on fear management, self-defense, and de-escalation strategies. Logo via American Street Edge on Facebook.

Before he opened the current location, Tim offered some instruction sessions at St. Clair gym Priority Fitness and credits gym owner Jennifer Gratzer with encouraging him to open a school.

“From the very beginning Jennifer told me, ‘you’ve got to open a school.’”

The motivation to get the martial arts school off the ground significantly increased after a health related issue he experienced in the fall of 2025 put him in the hospital in critical condition. Tim recalls that sobering moment with clarity months later. 

“I was lying in the hospital bed and facing the possibility of life-altering surgery the next day and that’s when I really broke down in tears. I remember thinking ‘am I ever going to be able to teach again?’” 

He points to that moment as the shift that changed everything and reignited his commitment to teaching self-defense.

“I made a decision that if I got my health back, that I’d take American Street Edge to a level it’s never been before and I began to think about legacy and what I will leave behind,” Tim shares. 

Working with Kids

Part of that legacy-building includes his drive to equip kids with self-defense tactics against would-be child abductors. The core of his teachings stems from a belief that most child safety and self-defense courses are rooted in fear. Rather than focusing on the “stranger danger” model that advocates that children have what he considers an unhealthy suspicion of all unknown adults, the American Street Edge model focuses on instilling skills and confidence, while also giving kids a practical framework that keeps them safe.

Tim instructs kids ages 6-12 at the St. Clair martial arts school. Photo via American Street Edge on Facebook.

While instructing a group of children of varying ages after a long day of school or other commitments can come with challenges for any teacher, Tim handles it with grace and a confident demeanor. He gently guides kids to keep them engaged with the lessons by reminding them to “focus their mind” and retain their defensive stance and posture throughout the 45-minute session. 

“I call it the Mr. Myagi effect,” he says. “Kids really respond to instruction and guidance because they’re often craving that.”

Looking ahead, Tim will speak at a Mental Health Conference, which is happening May 15-16 at First Christian Church in Union. The conference is free, and open to the community and will feature keynote speakers, breakout workshops, and community resource access. 

Currently, the school is open a few evenings a week, with group classes offered for adults and kids each day that it is open. Tim has offered Small Town Socialite readers a way to try the school for free. Contact American Street Edge and mention this article to gain one-time free admission to a group class. 

American Street Edge is located at 960 Plaza Dr. Suite B, in St. Clair. Reach out to Tim to learn more about American Street Edge via email at americanstreetedge@gmail.com. You can also visit the website or follow the school on Facebook to learn more and find the current class schedule.

Posted in News and Features

My Experience Working With Your Accountability Bestie

Posted on by Amanda

Today’s post is a bit of a departure from my usual content, but I believe there’s power in sharing our personal experiences – both our triumphs and setbacks. So, if you’ll allow me some vulnerability, I’d love to share how I recently overcame a few struggles.

For roughly five years I worked out at least five days a week without fail. Most of those workouts consisted of HIIT running, light resistance training, dancing, and hiking. However, numerous life changes began to compound about two years ago and I let my work outs slip, and my nutrition followed suit.

Before I knew it, I’d gained weight. Although I would still workout during this period, I wasn’t consistent and when it comes to being in fit, I’ve found consistency is the key. I thought if I just “started” my old routine again, I’d bounce right back, but the saying “what got you here won’t get you there” is popular for a reason.

Trying to force my way into prior rhythms and plans just wasn’t working, which made me feel like a failure, which made me give up, which made my progress stall. It was a vicious cycle and I spent about 18 months spinning my wheels. I felt as though I’d lost an essential part of myself and I wasn’t sure how to find me again.

After those starts and stops with trying to get back into shape, I realized I needed a different approach. And part of that approach meant that I couldn’t do this all on my own. In late summer I made the decision to work with an accountability coach to help me get back on track with my fitness and nutrition. From late July through late October, I worked with Sam Hyndrich owner of Your Accountability Bestie. 

I feel like I have my “sparkle” back again!

Although it wasn’t clear exactly how, when, or where I’d lost me, during my first client meeting with Sam, I knew I’d made the right decision because through her words and demeanor in that initial meeting, it was clear that she saw the real me. The version of me that had gotten buried somewhere along the line and believed my dreams and goals should come second, third, or even dead last, to every day life stuff (laundry, house, taking care of others).

I chose to work with Sam because of how she made me feel seen from the very beginning, and because I just had a gut feeling that she’d be able to help me find the hole in my plans that were keeping me stuck.

I also knew going into the three month block of working with her that I’d be challenged to give up my excuses, to put in work, and to stay committed to myself. She created workout and meal plans that worked with my lifestyle and interests, since much of my movement centered around things I love to do like dance classes and going on HIIT runs. Sam also challenged me to increase my protein intake, which helped me to maintain a higher level of energy daily and not get cranky in the afternoons (if I’m hangry you better watch out!)

I’m not at my goal weight yet, but I enjoy getting dressed up again and like what I see in the mirror (and yes, I know I should’ve closed the closet door before taking this selfie *facepalm*)

After one month of working with her, I lost close to ten pounds and several inches, but there was something even greater that I lost: my desire to put other people’s needs above my own. That’s not to say I stopped caring for others, but rather, I made sure I filled my cup first. 

As our relationship grew, during our regular client check-ins, Sam would ask me to look a bit deeper within, encouraging me to share not only my wins with her, but also what I was struggling with. During these moments I started to look at other aspects of my life, like personal and professional goals that I’d been toying with but for one reason or another, they kept making their way to the backburner. 

One of those goals was related to my writing career and I’m happy to report that I’m working on some creative goals I abandoned years ago, as well as refining my focus on this website, which will go into effect in January!

I still have a ways to go toward reaching my fitness and personal/professional goals. Because she’s a coach that works with clients across a broad spectrum of goals – from personal, fitness, business, relationship, and more – I am continuing to work with Sam in a professional capacity to help me stay accountable, reach for bigger goals, and refine plans when needed.

On a recent trip to Idaho, my husband and I hiked up Mineral Ridge, a 3 mile loop with a pretty significant elevation gain. It was challenging since I hadn’t done a hike like this in over five years. When I got to the top I was so proud of myself, and the first person I wanted to share my achievement with was Sam, so of course I texted her this selfie 🙂

If you’re ready to make changes, consider working with Sam to help you get where you want to go faster. And, I know cost can be a barrier for many, however, without giving away the exact pricing structure, I will say that the three-month cost for working with her breaks down to being roughly the same as going out for a latte and sweet treat a few times a week and my friend, ain’t no coffee shop treat gonna make you feel as good as investing in YOU.

Find out more about Sam on Facebook, Instagram, and her website.