What is Defenders LIVE?
Defenders LIVE is a movement to build strong protectors from the inside out. Led by firearms instructor and host Lora Thorson, we explore what it really means to lead, live, and love with courage in a chaotic world. Each episode dives into topics that matter — from spiritual resilience to self-defense, personal growth to family leadership — equipping you to stand firm when it counts. If you’re tired of surface-level talk and ready for truth that transforms, you’re in the right place.
Defenders LIVE is affiliated with Defenders USA, a defensive training company founded by Adam Winch and hosted by Lora Thorson, a Defenders USA instructor.
The Host, Lora Thorson
How It Started
Lora Thorson launched Defenders LIVE in 2022 after being invited to join the Defenders USA training team. It was a bold step of faith—born from a desire to share not only the life-saving skills she was developing on the range, but also the deeper lessons she was learning through rigorous instructor certifications, spiritual growth, and personal transformation.
What began as a podcast has grown into a movement. Since its launch, Lora has hosted over 120 interviews with Navy SEALs, Green Berets, authors, athletes, law enforcement officers, financial coaches, politicians, and ordinary people with extraordinary stories. Each guest brings a unique lesson in leadership, faith, resilience, and readiness.
In addition to interviews, Lora shares personal reflections and powerful life lessons in her weekly monologues, Lora’s TidBits of the Week. These are honest, hard-earned insights drawn from real experiences—offered up to encourage, equip, and challenge listeners to grow stronger in every area of life.
Instructor Credentials & Training Background
Lora’s journey into firearms training began in 2016 after a near-tragic encounter left her feeling vulnerable and unprepared. With no tools and no way to call for help, that moment became a turning point. Fueled by urgency and conviction, she threw herself into training with intensity and discipline. What began as a personal mission soon became a calling to equip others.
Today, Lora is a certified firearms instructor with over 650 hours of formal training under some of the most respected names in the self-defense industry. She trains with the same passion she teaches—with clarity, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility to help others never feel helpless when it matters most.
Certifications & Training (650+ Hours):
Certified Credentials
• NRA Handgun Instructor
• NRA Range Safety Officer
• The Complete Combatant – Deliberate Coaching
• ASP (Active Self Protection) Instructor
• Former USCCA Instructor
Medical Training
• Stop the Bleed
• CPR
• Mass Casualty Emergency Medical Training
Selected Advanced Training & Mentors
Defenders USA – Adam Winch
3-Day Handgun Training (x3) · Fighting Rifle Applications · Low Light/No Light Training · Handgun Concepts · Awareness & Decision-Making · Small Unit Tactics
Montana Tactical – Sal Navarro
Advanced Concealed Carry · Room Clearing · CQB & Weapon Retention · STARS Self-Defense (x3) · Carbine I & II · Intro to IDPA Competition
Gunsite Academy – Lew Gosnell
5-Day Defensive Pistol (Marksman 1 Status – Jeff Cooper Legacy Scholarship Recipient)
The Complete Combatant – Brian Hill
Deliberate Coaching · Inner Game of Shooting (Blue Belt Certified)
Citizen's Defense Research – Chris Cypert
Mental Agility & Situational Awareness for Self-Defense
West Coast Armory – John Holschen (U.S. Special Forces)
Perception-Cognition-Decision Training · Aligning Training with Reality
Langdon Tactical – Aimee Langdon
Shooting on the Move Under Elevated Heart Rate
Additional Trainers & Topics Include:
• Chuck Haggard – Pre-Attack Indicators, MUC, OC Spray
• Mike Ox – Visual & Performance Neurology
• Jasmine Vanderpool – Open-hand, Knife, and Palm Stick Defense
• Tim Kelly – Range Commands & Briefing Mastery
• Dan Brady – Inner Instructor Self-Assessment
• Darryl Bolke – Chaotic Pistol Problem Solving
• James Fleming · Dave Jenkins · Riley Bowman · and many more
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Why subscribe?
Because you’re not just here to consume content — you’re here to grow.
Defenders LIVE exists to build you up: in strength, in clarity, in purpose. Whether it’s through interviews with high-level leaders or Lora’s personal reflections, every episode is crafted to equip you with real wisdom you can apply in your everyday life.
Subscribe to get full access to all episodes, newsletters, behind-the-scenes insights, and exclusive content that doesn’t make it to social media. If you’re ready to lead yourself well — and protect what matters most — this is where it starts.
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