The Former Marine

It was a busy morning at Derek's gym. Since opening his Los Angeles location, he has quickly gained fame among Hollywood celebrities, becoming the go-to spot for anyone looking to learn self-defense or improve their fitness. But that week, he was especially excited about a new client he was going to train.

Ana de Armas, the famous Cuban actress, was about to star in a challenging role in an upcoming action film based on the John Wick universe. To prepare, she needed specialized training in hand-to-hand combat and weapons handling, something Derek, with his extensive military background, was more than qualified to teach.

When Ana walked through the gym doors, accompanied by her agent, Derek was waiting in the reception area. He greeted her with a firm but friendly handshake.

"Ana, it's nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you," Derek said with a smile.

"It's my pleasure. I've heard great things about you, and I'm really excited to learn. This role is going to be intense, and I want to make it as realistic as possible," Ana replied, smiling enthusiastically.

Derek nodded.

"So, let's make sure you're ready for anything. Since you've already had some experience in action movies, we're going to step up your training."

Ana was dressed in comfortable workout clothes, ready to go. Derek led her to the combat training area, equipped with mats and punching bags.

"The plan for today is to familiarize you with hand-to-hand combat techniques," Derek explained as he walked around the room, showing off the equipment. "Then, over the next few weeks, we'll move on to weapons training. I want to make sure you feel confident and comfortable with all aspects of your role."

Ana smiled, excited for the challenge.

"This is exactly what I was hoping for."

They started the workout with some basic warm-ups, stretching, and resistance exercises. Derek watched Ana's form and was impressed by her determination. Even though she was new to the type of training he offered, she showed focus and discipline.

"You move well," Derek commented after a few minutes. "Now let's start with some defensive techniques. I'll show you how to block and deflect attacks, and then we'll move on to counterattacks."

Derek took a defensive stance as he demonstrated the move. He meticulously explained each step, each weight shift, and how to position her body so she was always ready for the next attack.

"When you're ready, come at me with a straight punch," he said.

Ana took a deep breath and braced herself, throwing the punch in Derek's direction. With smooth movements, he dodged and caught her wrist, twisting her body slightly to throw her off balance but without hurting her.

"See? This is the kind of fluidity we want. It's not just about strength, it's about knowing where and how to position yourself," Derek explained.

She repeated the move several times until she got the hang of it. Derek was impressed with how quickly she learned. They moved on to a series of more complex moves, including takedowns and holding techniques.

"You have good muscle memory," Derek complimented. "It sounds like this role is going to be perfect for you."

After a few more rounds of practice, they were both sweaty, but Ana's concentration never wavered.

"Now, let's work on the most exciting part the gunfighting," Derek said, leading her to the private shooting range he had set up at the gym.

"This is serious stuff," Derek said as he picked up some training weapons. "I know in the movie you'll be using firearms with special effects, but it's important that you understand the real dynamics of a gun. That way, your performance will feel much more authentic."

Derek began by explaining the basics gun safety, how to hold a gun, and how to adjust your stance. Ana listened intently as Derek spoke with the calm and confidence of someone who's been in combat many times.

"Now, you're going to learn how to do a fast serve. In the movie, timing is of the essence, so speed and accuracy of your serve will make all the difference," he said.

Ana practiced the serve with practice guns, repeating the movement until it felt natural. Derek corrected her posture when necessary, explaining the importance of keeping her feet firmly on the ground and her shoulders aligned with the target.

"You have to treat this as an extension of your body," Derek explained, adjusting the position of Ana's hands on the gun. "If you tense up, you'll miss the target. Let your body guide the movement."

After a few hours of practice, Ana was beginning to demonstrate great skill with the movements. Derek picked up a practice gun and handed it to her.

"Now we're going to do a motion shooting simulation," he said. "In the movie, you're going to have to shoot while moving, so we need to practice that."

He showed Ana how to walk and shoot at the same time, all while maintaining accuracy and stability. She followed his instructions and, in no time, was hitting targets with great accuracy.

After the session, Ana was visibly tired, but satisfied.

"That was the best training I've ever had. You really pushed me to the limit, but I feel like I'm ready for whatever comes."

Derek smiled, proud of her progress.

"You did an amazing job. If you keep it up, you'll be completely ready for the movie. And if you need more training, just let me know."

Ana said goodbye, thanking me again.

"I'll definitely be back. That's the kind of training that makes all the difference."

As she left, Derek reflected on the day. He rarely made exceptions to provide such specific training, but something about Ana's determination and the challenge of helping her prepare for such an intense film motivated him. It was a new kind of mission for him no longer on the battlefield, but still molding warriors, in a different way.

And with Ana as his student, he knew he was helping to create something special.

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