Welcome back to another After Dark episode here on the Iron Sights Podcast. My guest today is Jerry Wetzel, founder of Red Zone Threat Management Systems. Jerry’s a lifelong martial artist, gym owner, and educator whose mission is simple — to provide real training for real people to survive real violence.

We sat down right after the Combatives Summit 2025 in Mississippi and got into everything from his philosophy on violence and self-defense to his experiences as a coach, business owner, and lifelong learner.

In this conversation, we unpack the mindset and methodology behind Red Zone, the importance of realistic training, and how Jerry’s perspective is helping reshape how people think about personal protection. We also talk about his new journey into social media, why communication matters as much as combat skills, and how to stay grounded in a space that can often get weird or misunderstood.

If you’re passionate about martial arts, combatives, or personal defense — or just want to hear from someone who’s constantly learning and evolving — you’ll get a lot from this one. Sit back and enjoy this After Dark episode with Jerry Wetzel of Red Zone Threat Management Systems.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

03:32 Panel Challenges

05:29 Jerry’s Background

06:31 Evolution of Martial Arts

12:47 Real-World Lessons

16:46 Coaching & Self-Defense

39:04 Coaches vs Instructors

42:40 Gym Culture & Community

51:06 Growth & Social Media

01:05:07 Integrity & Openness

01:24:03 Red Zone Program

01:31:30 Instructor Development

01:43:18 Combatives Community & Closing

Red Dot Fitness Training Programs:
rdfprograms.com
Online Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):
https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membership
Virtual Coaching:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coaching
Self-Guided Programs:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1
Connect With Us:
Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/