Performance Marketing

This is an [in-person communication lab](https://www.presentation-school.com/berlin-presentation-lab) that helps professionals speak clearly and confidently under pressure using proven methods. Most people don’t struggle because they don’t practice enough. They struggle because they practice without the right principles. This session focuses on deliberate, guided practice informed by performance psychology, neuroscience, and modern communication training. **What You Will Do** * Learn one science-based communication principle that improves real-world performance. * Train that principle in structured speaking exercises designed for skill development. * Receive clear, professional feedback you can apply immediately. Practice and feedback are guided by experienced communication professionals who work with executives and senior professionals. This is not peer-to-peer feedback or open discussion. **Who Should Attend?** * Non-native English speakers * Professionals who present, lead meetings, or speak up at work * Anyone who overthinks, freezes, or loses clarity under pressure * People who want structured improvement, not just repetition No prior experience is required. **What This is NOT** * A lecture. * A motivational talk. * A public performance. * Unstructured open practice. * Peer-led feedback or opinion-based critique. **Before The Session** Before the session, participants complete a short preparation form to clarify their goals and common communication challenges. This helps ensure the practice and feedback during the lab are as relevant and effective as possible. **Optional:** Participants may submit a short video (1–2 minutes) or written questions. This is optional and used to personalise focus areas and examples during the session. No individual coaching is provided. **After the Session** Participants receive a short follow-up pack with key takeaways, practical drills, a reflection question, and guidance on next steps. **Practical Information** Language: English Duration: 2 hours Format: In-person, structured group lab Address: Chausseestraße 86, 10115 Berlin Healthy snacks and water provided. Price: €25 per session If you are looking for a professional, practical way to improve how you communicate and want to train using principles that actually lead to results, this lab is a good place to start.

### ***This is a closed course that can only be booked and attended as a whole.*** ***So it’s best to join one of the other sMove! trainings beforehand – either on Thursdays in the park or online on Saturdays: [www.baerbelsinger.de/smove ](www.baerbelsinger.de/smove)*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### Sensing and Expanding 🌿 sMove! invites you to expand your sensations and ways of expression through the body. The movements are simple and playful – yet they go deep: by moving with awareness, you discover qualities within yourself that are often covered by habit or tension. ### The Body as a Container 🌀 The body is more than muscles and bones – it is a container of memories, energy, and possibilities. In sMove! training, we explore this potential through rhythm, new movements, and focused attention. Each movement becomes an opportunity to sense more clearly, to shift old patterns, and to unfold new qualities – vitality, calm, presence, joy. ### Clarity through Intention 🎯 What makes sMove! special is not performance or perfection, but the direct experience of your body paired with intention, precision, and letting go. When you allow your body to guide you, space opens: your mind becomes quieter, energy can flow, aliveness grows. sMove! strengthens you inside and out – with more flexibility, strength, and ease. ### Experiencing Community 🤝 In the group, connection arises. Everyone moves in their own way – and yet we resonate with the shared rhythm. This collective presence builds trust in your own strength, encourages curiosity, and makes it easier to try something new. ### Who is sMove! for? 🌍 sMove! is open to everyone – previous experience is recommended (feel free to ask). 15 sessions * **November 2025**: 11., 18. * **Dezember 2025**: 9., 16. * **Januar 2026**: 20., 27. * **Februar 2026**: 3., 10., 17., 24. * **März 2026**: 24., 31. * **April 2026**: 7., 14., 28. 💶 Fee Early Bird: 280€ Full package: **320 €**

Please note: there are no specific Covid protocols in place at present, but please be responsible, take a self-test and don't join if you have any cold symptoms! Thanks ///////////////////////////////////////// We'll start off the session with a run in Gleisdreieck park that might include scaling some walls, visiting a few sites in the area to explore their opportunities for climbing and balancing, or going up or down stairs in unusual ways. After the outdoors bit, we come back to our gym where we focus on building strength, working as a group, and learning basic martial arts techniques. We are a small, friendly group open to anyone, without any prior knowledge or specific degree of fitness required. Our martial art is Jutaijutsu, a traditional Japanese one focused on self-defence. Sounds interesting? We'd love for you to drop by and join us. You'll need running shoes and comfortable workout clothes, including a raincoat or the like for the park if the weather is bad. Once indoors, we train barefoot. The first three Meetups are free of charge. If you'd like to join our group beyond that, we would ask you to join our association, https://yanagi.berlin, a martial arts school based in Berlin. Membership there is 30 EUR/month and you will be able to train three times a week.

Like your standup tight and intimate? Sneak into the back room of Mysliwska on Schlesi for a tight hour of standup by Anna Beros and friends, with local and internationally touring comedians, in English, inclusive and adult. Doors: 21:00 **Show: 21:30** End: 22:30 **Limited capacity of 25 so reserve your tickets here: https://www.annaberos.com/berlin** **or via eventbrite: https://backdoorcomedymay2025.eventbrite.de** Remaining seats may be for sale at the door with cash or card **Performance space is non-smoking** Main bar is smoking Bar closes super late so stick around after the show **Produced and usually hosted by Anna Beros (AUS)** Anna’s a Kiwi born, Melbourne raised, Berlin based full-time independent standup comedian, YouTube host, podcaster and producer. She celebrates life’s struggles with incisive standup and playful audience interaction. Her new standup solo, High Hoe enjoyed a successful full run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 and her previous solos, Creampie Curious and Creampie Clarity played at numerous comedy festivals through the UK and Australia in 2023 and 2024. She tours Europe and produces and hosts 5 weekly shows in Berlin. In 2025, she opened for Jeff Arcuri at Admiralspalast, in 2024 for April Macie on US army bases in Germany and for Ian Fidance in Berlin in 2019. She hosts the comedy channel, Ersties Nonsense, has the podcast Adults ONLY Comedy Berlin and has written for Comedy Central DE. Check out what Anna's been up to: **[https://www.instagram.com/afberos/](https://www.instagram.com/afberos/)** **Venue: Mysliwska**, Schlesische Straße 35 10997 (U1, U3) One of Kreuzberg's oldest bars. Buzz in if you can't open the door. Good vibes, locals and visitors. **Guest comedians** lineup on ig stories @adultsonlycomedyberlin **https://www.instagram.com/adultsonlycomedyberlin/** \>\> comedians DM to be considered for a spot \- limited spots for experienced comedians

We are excited to feature **Jonas Hübotter**, who is currently a PhD student at **ETH Zürich** and will discuss "**Test-Time Training Agents for Deep Exploration**", lasting approximately 45 minutes. After the talk, seize the opportunity to connect with fellow AI enthusiasts to share ideas and questions while enjoying free drinks and pizza. **Door close by 7.15pm, so please come early! Also, "attend"ing (RSVP) here on Meetup is strictly necessary to be guaranteed entry.** Please note that Meetup has recently been quite keen on promoting its Plus program. However, you are not obligated to purchase it, as both our events and the platform remain free. **Who is this event for?** This event is open to everyone interested in state-of-the-art AI research. We especially design it for students, PhD candidates, academic researchers, and industry professionals with a research focus in machine learning. **Abstract**: The standard paradigm of machine learning separates training and testing. Training aims to learn a model by extracting general rules from data, and testing applies this model to new, unseen data. We study an alternative paradigm where the model is trained at test-time specifically for the given task. We investigate why such test-time training can effectively specialize a model to individual tasks. Further, we demonstrate that such test-time training enables models to continually improve and eventually solve challenging tasks, which are out of reach for the initial model. **Bio**: [Jonas](https://jonhue.github.io/) is a PhD student in the Learning and Adaptive Systems Group at ETH Zurich, advised by Andreas Krause. His research focuses on test-time training and reinforcement learning, with broader interests in probabilistic inference, optimization, and online learning. He received an MSc in Theoretical Computer Science and Machine Learning from ETH Zurich, where he was awarded the ETH Medal, and a BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics from the Technical University of Munich. His work has been published at NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML, and COLM. We are [BLISS](https://bliss.berlin/) e.V., the **AI** **organization** in Berlin that **connects like-minded individuals** who share great interest and passion for the field of machine learning. This winter 2025/26, we will, again, host an exciting speaker series on site in Berlin, featuring excellent researchers from Tübingen AI Center, DeepMind, Microsoft, King's College London, cohere, and ETH Zürich. Website: [https://bliss.berlin](https://bliss.berlin/) Youtube: [https://www.youtube.com/@bliss.ev.berlin](https://www.youtube.com/@bliss.ev.berlin) Disclaimer: By attending this event you agree to be photographed.

Liebe/r Rhetorik-Interessierte/r: Dich erwarten vorbereitete Reden zu spannenden Themen und die Möglichkeit, mit einer Stegreifrede das Sprechen vor Publikum gleich auszuprobieren – das ist natürlich absolut freiwillig! Mit viel Spaß und Inspiration kannst du so unseren Club und das Toastmasters-Programm kennen lernen. Das Team der Toastmasters Berliner Redekünstler freut sich auf dich! Wir treffen uns im Veranstaltungsraum (1.OG) der danziger50. Hinweis zur Teilnehmerzahl: Wir haben auch Anmeldungen über andere Plattformen und sind in der Regel mehr als 20 Personen. Die Veranstaltung ist auf Deutsch (The event is in German).

Dear Community, as we step into the year ahead, we’re full of excitement for what’s to come and can’t wait to welcome you to our first session of the year at our new home, NLND Berlin. Check out the details below, and we look forward to having all of you with us! 18:30 - Warming up and networking chat 18:45 - Intro by AWS UG Berlin & NLND 19:00 - 19:40 - **Dr. Andreas E. Wagner // Emotionally Intelligent Leadership for An AI-powered Future** As leaders create an AI-powered future, they need to integrate their cognitive intelligence with their emotional intelligence to build adaptable, resilient, and innovative organizations. These leaders have deep empathy for customers and foster a culture of creativity and psychological safety among their employees. They need to be data-driven but also authentically human. This session will help leaders understand the EPIC attributes needed to drive successful outcomes in the new human+AI era. Andreas is an experienced Business Coach. He has held senior management functions in sales, services, business development, and marketing. Through his experience at AWS, Ericsson, Huawei, Hitachi, Fujitsu, and Ingram, Andreas has gained a very good insight in several industries and diverse cultural leadership contexts. 19:40 - 20:00 - Network break with snacks & drinks 20:00 - 20:30 - **Ask Me Anything with** **Dr. Andreas E. Wagner** Dr. Wagner and our community leaders will accept your questions and comments on a cozy, roundtable setting by some more drinks and pizza! =================================================== **Very Important: There is no "waitlist" for our regular sessions.** However, there are limited seats available. If you want to make sure you can attend: Register yourself with your "full name" here at Meetup.com, Arrive on time - seats are first come, first serve. As soon as there are seats available, you are welcome to join with your registration. In case there are no more seats available, we won't be able to let you join us this time.We thank you very much for your understanding! =================================================== Additional Information **This event is wheelchair friendly.** Help us spread the word, and invite your friends & colleagues! If you're attending with wheelchair and need assistance, please mail us: organisers@berlinawsug.de for further details. Would you like to host AWS UG Berlin events at your company? [Register here](https://bit.ly/aws-host) Would you like to speak at AWS UG Berlin sessions? [Submit your talk here](https://bit.ly/aws-talk)

# **Event Description** If you are a leader, a founder, a high performer, or someone standing at a personal or professional crossroads — this evening is for you. **Ignite The You** is a conscious transformation path built around four phases: **The Call · The Shadow · The Vision · The Integration** In this introductory session, you will: ✨ get a first insight into each of these phases ✨ experience a guided presence practice ✨ explore why clarity is not found in thinking, but in stillness ✨ learn how inner leadership differs from performance ✨ connect with others who are on a similar journey This is not a motivational workshop. Not therapy. Not performance coaching. It is a quiet, grounded, honest space to reconnect with yourself. *** # **About Your Host** My name is **Ali**. I walked many professional paths — scientist, founder, CEO, manager — carrying responsibility across cultures and continents. And yet, achievement alone didn’t bring fulfillment. My transformation began when I entered the shamanic path and moved through the same four phases that now form *Ignite The You*. Today I combine scientific thinking, leadership experience, emotional intelligence, and shamanic wisdom to support people who feel a deeper calling in their lives. *** # **What to Expect** * A calm, minimal, presence-based session * Short introduction to the four phases * A guided clarity practice * Time for reflection and optional sharing * A quiet space free of pressure and performance *** # **Practical Details** **Duration:** 75–90 minutes **Format:** In-person circle **Location:** Berlin (exact address will be shared after RSVP) **Price:** Free for this introductory session **Bring:** openness, curiosity, your notebook if you wish *** # **Who This Is For** * CEOs, founders & senior leaders * High performers & creatives * People in transition * Anyone sensing a shift inside * Humans seeking clarity, presence, and inner alignment No experience required. Just come as you are. *** # **Join Us** If something in you resonates — a pull, a curiosity, a quiet yes — then this evening may be your first step back to yourself. Welcome.

This is our newest breakfast meetup, getting together decision makers that run DTC online shops to discuss strategies and learn from each other. Approval only. Registration ONLY through https://luma.com/jtqbqdx0 Join our WhatsApp group, where you get informed about our Marketing/Business/E-Commerce-events in Berlin: [https://link.digitalideas.io/whatsapp-berlin](https://link.digitalideas.io/whatsapp-berlin).

Comedy for twisted minds! Finally, a Friday evening event where you can relax, enjoy drinks, brings friends or come solo; and hear jokes + stories from troubled people -- just like yourself! Relax; you are in good company! This evening is sure to be hilarious, dark, bizarre, funny, inappropriate, + troubling and oh isn´t that just life?! Book a Seat Here https://www.eventbrite.de/e/comedy-for-the-twisted-open-mic-tickets-688393953847 COMEDIANS: Tera + a different lineup every show - always lots of variety! Open Mic with a Paid Headliner to ensure the night is good! COMICS: Sign ups are now on Instagram. Please do not sign up here. RESERVATIONS are recommended. Seating is first come, first serve. Reservations highly recommended. Z-Bar is open for drinks before the show. Show is in the back theatre, a very unique vibe. Don´t miss out! DRINKS AVAILABLE in the bar anytime before the show! Doors to the theatre open at 22:15. You must claim your reservation by 22:15, or we allow folks without a reservation in. Show starts at 22:30! Seats are 10€+ at the Door, cash or card. TERA COMEDY: Tera's an international stand up comedian, host and producer , originally from the United States, living in Berlin. She’s performed standup in 8 countries. Her content tackles mental health, dating, dark humor, and being an expat in Europe. Tera´s known for her energetic delivery, her bold content and fearlessly engaging with her audience. In addition to her jokes, Tera hosts several of her own shows per month, and is high in demand as a guest host for other people. Tera is known for seamlessly sprinkling in crowd work. "You are so direct, I love it!" "The way you come up with responses on the spot is just incredible; you have to be so quick!" "I´ve never seen an audience this hot, wow" - Comedian Credits include The Hamburg International Comedy Festival; hosting for the Berlin New Standup Awards, and Berlin Mental Health Festival at Cosmic Comedy; and Boom Chicago! Comedy Festival. She produces: GLOW, Dude, Where’s My Visa, Laugh Trap, Stand Up Comedy Nights. Her solo Happy Accident can be seen around Europe. Follow Tera Comedy on IG, Eventbrite, Facebook or MeetUp for full show listings.

Please note, this event is free but please sign up here so we can inform the venue of your attendance: [https://uxdx.com/community/community-berlin-2026-01-15/](https://uxdx.com/community/community-berlin-2026-01-15/) This January, UXDX Berlin is excited to kick off our first in the series of in-person meetups before our main conference in May 2026 : focused on bridging Design, Product, and Development to move faster, together. In this session, we're exploring how trust and compliance become competitive advantages in product design. There will be two talks in this event. Hear from practitioners at Oviva and AWS about designing products that users believe in, even under strict regulatory constraints. Whether you're building fintech, healthcare, or enterprise products, this is for you. **Who can attend:** Designers, Product Managers, Developers, and anyone involved in building, shaping, or supporting products—especially where trust, ethics, and regulatory compliance matter. **What to expect:** Insightful talks from industry practitioners, real-world challenges, and a chance to connect with Berlin's design, product community. **Event Details** **📅 January 15\, 2026 \| 6:00 – 8:30 PM** **📍 Engelnest Coworking Space and Event Venue, Berlin [https://maps.app.goo.gl/jVaQ5f2vQky4Dpnv7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/jVaQ5f2vQky4Dpnv7)** **🎟️ Free. Limited seats** **Speakers** * **Marjo Tikkanen,** Senior Product Designer @ Oviva *"Designing for trust: Growth in a medical product"* *[https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjo-tikkanen-56557b80/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjo-tikkanen-56557b80/)* * **Dorra Mlouhi,** Product Manager @ AWS, Berlin *"Fast Prototyping with AI: Collaboration between Design and Product teams" [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorramlouhi/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorramlouhi/)* *** **Schedule** 6:00 PM – Doors Open, Registration & Networking 6:20 PM – Welcome from UXDX Berlin 6:30 PM – Talk 01 - Marjo Tikkanen, ‘Designing for trust: Growth in a medical product’ 7:00 PM – Talk 02 - Dorra Mlouhi, ‘Fast Prototyping with AI: Collaboration between Design and Product teams’ 7:30 PM – Closing Remarks 7:40 PM – Networking *** **About UXDX Berlin:** We're building a community where researchers, designers, and engineers collaborate on solving real product challenges. Our events focus on practical insights, shared learnings, and the connections that drive better product decisions. **UXDX Berlin — Stay updated, Be inspired!**

🤫 Shhh… Berlin’s Darkest Secrets are out. Got a secret too wild to share with your friends? Write it down anonymously and watch comedians confess it for you—live on stage. From filthy regrets to unhinged stories, nothing is off-limits. Your host Maya Upchurch(@mayacomedian), plus a rotating lineup of killer comedians, turn your secrets into wild punchlines. Add in their own stand-up sets, and you’ve got a night of comedy chaos. Kind of like church—only funnier, filthier, and with more booze. And don’t worry… your secret’s safe with us. Pinkie promise. 🤭 🤐 Where? Beetroot bar skalitzer str
🕚 When? 10pmdoors / 10:30 show — every 2nd & 4th Saturday
💸 Tickets? Free reservation, donate after the show. Reserve here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/berlins-darkest-secrets-comedy-confessions-tickets-1627872744199?aff=ebdsshios

**An evening where confidence grows, stories shine, and voices find their power.** We’re kicking off a new chapter. 📍 **New Location:** **Potsdamer Platz, The Center, Berlin – Historic Imperial Breakfast Hall** The Center is a space that celebrates **community, creativity, and transformation**, and we’re proud to be hosting our events in this inspiring new location at the heart of Berlin. **🕢 Time:** Doors open at 7:15 PM Meeting starts promptly at 7:30 PM *** **[What to Expect:](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)** ✨ A supportive space to speak, grow, and connect 🎤 Prepared speeches, impromptu challenges, and real feedback 🌍 A multicultural community of friendly, experienced members 👥 Around 25-30 attendees each week *** **🤙 [Hear it from our members:](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eRtvR9DRNqU9WZQn7)** *“You can sharpen your public speaking skills and gain tons of confidence, while having fun and making new friends. Mercury is well-structured, fun, and affordable.”* — *Therese Pitt* *“Mercury gave me a safe place to speak, create, and grow. I love the multicultural vibe and supportive community. It’s the best place to learn and have fun.”* — *Krisztina Linka* *** **[Did You Know?](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)** Toastmasters is where people go to get better at speaking—and grow into confident communicators and leaders. Today [Toastmasters ](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)has 350,000+ members across 16,000 clubs in 143 countries. And [Mercury ](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)is one of the best places to experience it. So bring your curiosity, your energy—and just be yourself. Whether you’re just starting or ready to level up, there’s a place for you here. *** **[See you Wednesday night!](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)**[ 🎉](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun Workshop: How AI Can Work for Your Business** **Wednesday\, January 28 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun – Ashburn** Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword — it’s a practical tool that businesses of all sizes can begin using today. Join **1 Million Cups Loudoun** for a special **workshop-style presentation** led by **Victor Meer of AI Prime** and **Jay Jay Billings of Band Gap AI**, designed to help entrepreneurs understand how AI can realistically support their business operations. This workshop will provide: * A clear, practical overview of what AI actually is * Real-world examples of how businesses are using AI today * Insight into where automation can save time and reduce friction * Guidance on how to start leveraging AI without needing technical expertise Whether you’re AI-curious, overwhelmed by the noise, or ready to explore automation in your business, this session will help you think clearly about where AI fits — and where it doesn’t. As always, coffee, conversation, and community are at the heart of 1 Million Cups Loudoun. ### What Is 1 Million Cups? 1 Million Cups is a national program powered by the Kauffman Foundation that brings together entrepreneurs and community members for weekly conversations that educate, support, and inspire. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Join us on **January 14 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about reimagining after-school education in Loudoun County. **We look forward to seeing you there.**

NOTE: You MUST sign up and pay via our website to reserve your spot (https://flyingbuddhastudio.com/#Events). Simply responding yes to attend via Meetup does not hold your spot. Thank you for your understanding! #### Wednesdays, 5:15pm – 6:15pm @Flying Buddha: 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25 Rehearsals @ON: 4/12 (1pm – 3pm), 4/19 (1-3pm), 5/3 (1-3pm), 5/4 (6-9pm) Performance @ON: Friday, 5/8 (7:30pm-9pm) **Step into the season of love and renewal with our next aerial hammock performance theme: “Spring Has Sprung.”** We’re calling all junior aerialists, dancers, and dreamers to embody the elements—earth, wind, fire, and flora—in a show that celebrates nature’s untamed beauty and vibrant awakening. Think ivy-draped goddesses, mischievous nymphs, ethereal fairies, and butterflies taking flight. Over 9 weeks, students will create and refine their choreography with the support of a coach while adding performative elements to bring their routine to life. Followed by 4 weeks of rehearsal in the performance space. The series culminates in a live showcase at ON St. Elmo on Friday, 5/8, for friends, family, and community. Students will explore: * Choosing music that enhances their style and storytelling * Building a character and express it through movement * Adding creativity, musicality, and nuance to choreography * Growing in a supportive environment that celebrates artistry and cheers on every performer Prerequisite: Participation in a previous youth aerial dance series. Class limited to 8 students. Ages 11+. Cost of workshop: $660 Sign up: https://flyingbuddhastudio.com/#Events **What It’s Like to Perform at ON St. Elmo** Flying Buddha’s student showcase series is designed for anyone excited to perform—whether you want to step into the spotlight or deepen your personal movement journey. Performing at ON St. Elmo is a true professional experience: 🔹Professional lighting 🔹High-quality sound 🔹Live DJ introducing each act 🔹Option to perform under your own stage name 🔹Dinner-and-a-show atmosphere for your friends and family 🔹Professional videography 🔹A beautifully designed playbill featuring your bio and headshot The atmosphere is supportive, high-energy, and filled with performers of all backgrounds, levels, and styles. And if you want to take the series without performing, that’s completely welcome—your growth is what matters most. Please note: attendees under the age of 18 must be supervised by a parent or guardian.

Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation). Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.

**✅ First class is FREE – only 10 spots available!** Learn real self-defense skills in a small-group setting. No experience needed, open to all adults. 📲 RSVP now and text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm—once spots are gone, they’re gone. ## **Free Intro Self-Defense Class – Maryland Systema** Want to learn how to protect yourself while also improving your health, focus, and confidence? Join us for a free first class at **Maryland Systema**, a unique approach to self-defense that blends both physical and mental training. *** ### **Why This Class is Different** Unlike most programs that only teach physical moves, Systema trains your body **and** your mind. You’ll explore: * **Structure** – staying balanced under pressure * **Breathing** – keeping calm and controlling fear * **Relaxation** – avoiding panic and wasted energy * **Movement** – adapting naturally to any situation You’ll also learn to read an attacker’s intentions and respond proportionately—aligned with Maryland’s self-defense laws. *** ### **What You’ll Gain** ✔ Practical skills you can use right away ✔ Better stress control and awareness ✔ Improved strength, mobility, and coordination ✔ Confidence in handling real-world situations *** ### **Class Info** 📍 **Location:** Woodley Gardens Park in the brick building (free parking) 🕒 **Length:** 1.5 hours 👥 **Small Group:** Max 10 students for personalized guidance 👖 **What to Wear:** Comfortable long pants and clothes you can move in 💵 **Cost:** Free for first-time students *** ### **How to Join** RSVP here on Meetup to save your spot, then text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm. Spots are limited—once the group fills, we close registration. *** **Maryland Systema** Real-world self-defense training for adults—helping you stay ready, stay calm, and stay safe.

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – January 14 Business Presentation** **Featuring Eric Wojtkun of Focal Point Coaching** **Wednesday\, January 14 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun – Ashburn** Join us for our **January 14th 1 Million Cups Loudoun** meeting as we welcome **Eric Wojtkun**, founder of **Focal Point Coaching**, for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and preparing businesses to thrive before challenges arise. **About the Presenter** Eric brings a rare and compelling background to entrepreneurship. An **Army BRAT, Army Veteran, and FBI Agent**, Eric has lived in 17 places, served two overseas deployments (Bosnia and Kosovo), and worked across nearly every major FBI discipline — from violent and white-collar crime to cyber, counterintelligence, crisis response, and national security. After decades of leadership in high-stakes environments, Eric launched **Focal Point Coaching** to focus on what mattered most to him throughout his career: **helping people and organizations build resilience in the face of change and adversity**. Through executive coaching and team development, Eric helps leaders move from survival mode into what he calls **“BEAST mode”** — prepared, confident, and proactive. His exclusive resilience-focused coaching framework supports leadership, teams, processes, culture, and cyber readiness before a crisis occurs. **Where Eric Is Seeking Community Feedback** * How do you effectively market **resilience preparation** *before* a critical incident occurs? * What helps leaders and business owners clearly understand the **ROI of resilience coaching**? * How can resilience training be integrated into the flow of **normal business operations**? * What motivates leaders to prepare mentally and emotionally for the inevitable challenges of business? **Who Should Attend** Eric is especially eager to connect with: * Small to mid-sized business owners in the **hospitality industry** * Leaders responsible for teams, culture, and operations * Entrepreneurs experienced in scaling service-based businesses * Anyone interested in leadership, preparedness, and sustainable growth Come ready to listen, learn, and offer meaningful insight to support a founder building something impactful. ### What Is 1 Million Cups? 1 Million Cups is a national program powered by the Kauffman Foundation that brings together entrepreneurs and community members for weekly conversations that educate, support, and inspire. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Join us on **January 14 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about reimagining after-school education in Loudoun County. **We look forward to seeing you there.**

A weekly networking meeting where we have a lot of fun and of course, meet other busy professionals!

**Leave behind the rushed pace of traditional speed dating and embrace a more relaxed approach to meeting new people, facilitated by a [Dating Coach](https://lovedandfulfilled.com/) with prepared Conversation Icebreakers.** **💕 All ages!** **💕Different sections for different age groups.** Must[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1657502206719?aff=oddtdtcreator)**[RSVP HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1972845805913?aff=oddtdtcreator)** (Event is posted on multiple platforms, attendees displayed here doesn't reflect the actual number) * Easy going greet and meet to socially warm up * Prepared questions to facilitate meaningful conversations and assess compatibility * Engaging discussions in small groups * Opportunity to talk to every single person present * Stress free matchmaking by the coach after the event (no need to ask for contact info on the spot, you will get it after the event) * Fun games to play together Whether you are an introvert or an extravert, welcoming and easy-going environment is guaranteed. You won't have to sweat the small talk, and event will be structured and organized to make connecting effortless. **Cost:** $35 (Pay through[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1299434316019?aff=oddtdtcreator)**[E](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1815006977729?aff=oddtdtcreator)[ventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1972845805913?aff=oddtdtcreator)**[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1972845805913?aff=oddtdtcreator)or **Venmo** to @Irena-Polyakova (1469)) **Location**: Uncle Jalapeno Restaurant in Herndon, VA **Time**: 3:00 pm \~ Irena