"As founders, our mission is to provide one of the most important life skills to the youths of Dubai. We believe in equipping individuals with the knowledge of self-defence so that they can enter the world with the understanding of how to protect themselves. Our must-do course is an essential skill that we believe every child should undertake."
Monty & Vaughn
Why we started Streetwise
We started Streetwise because we recognized a critical gap in the education system leaving young people without essential knowledge on self-protection and conflict resolution. While academic excellence is prioritised in schools, we recognised the necessity of preparing our children for the realities of the world. As parents ourselves, we refused to overlook the importance of equipping our kids with the knowledge and confidence to navigate potential dangers. Drawing from Monty's extensive service in the British Army and Vaughn's expertise as a professional mixed martial artist, we aim to distill our combined experience into a straightforward approach to self-defense. Unlike traditional martial arts clubs, we envisioned a simplified curriculum tailored for after-school participation. Our goal is to offer a practical, real-life self-defence course, free from the complexity of multiple martial arts techniques, making it accessible and beneficial to all.
Vaughn Donayre - Co Founder
Vaughn is an ex-Pro MMA Athlete and Kickboxing Champion with over 20 years of coaching experience.
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Vaughn is an ex-Pro MMA Athlete and Kickboxing Champion with over 20 years of coaching experience. Vaughn set up Heroes Academy in 2019 where he was able to transmit his passion for Martial Arts into the wider community for all levels and ages. He has professional boxing, kick boxing, Muay Thai and MMA experience fighting for URCC, Global Fighting Championship, One Championship, Desert Force, Hard Knox Fight night and Brave. Holding black belt’s in BJJ, Yaw Yan Ardigma and kick boxing. He’s competed at BJJ World-Pro, UAEJJF, IBJJF and Pan-Asian competitions.
Monty Mavelian - Co Founder
Monty is an ex- British Army Soldier & Officer who served in a parachute brigade all over the world.
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Monty is the Co-Founder of Streetwise. An ex-Soldier and British Army Officer, he commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, went on to serve for over 8 years in the British Army, and conducted operations within a Parachute Brigade all over the world. Monty set up the first military-inspired Cadet club called The Overlord Academy in 2020 where he was able to pass on valuable life skills and leadership training to schools and youths in the UAE. Monty served on combat operations in Afghanistan and was part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, where he learned valuable skills in emotional control, conflict resolution, leadership and resilience.
Deena Donayre - Partner
Deena is a professional corporate leader, certified coach and Brown belt martial artist.
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