Meet Heather Potter

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heather Potter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heather below.

Heather, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

How I Found My Purpose
A Calling Rooted in Childhood

My journey began long before I wore a badge or carried a firearm. As a child, I had a strong sense of right and wrong, deeply ingrained in me. I witnessed my mother being a victim of domestic assault at the hands of my then stepfather, and I, too, was a child victim of assault. These experiences, rather than breaking me, fueled a fierce determination within. Instead of seeing myself solely as a victim, I felt a profound desire to protect others. Throughout my life, I’ve always stood up for the underdog and defended those who were bullied or unable to stand up for themselves.

A Career in Law Enforcement

This sense of justice naturally led me to a career in law enforcement. In my role as a detective specializing in sex crimes and investigations involving the sexual assault and exploitation of women and children, I also served on the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, investigating the exploitation, manufacturing, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Through these experiences and the connections I made with victims and their families, I understood the profound impact of violence on individuals and communities. I felt a deep purpose in supporting victims, advocating for justice, and creating safer environments.

A Period of Transition

After retiring from law enforcement, I felt lost. I wasn’t sure what my purpose was outside of the uniform or how I would ever find it. The one thing that I always knew and never wavered from was that whatever my purpose was, it had to be impactful. Believing I needed to go in a completely different direction to heal from all I experienced during my career, I ventured into health and fitness, a passion of mine, but it didn’t fulfill my sense of purpose. Then, I began connecting with women through networking groups, and quickly I was being sought out for advice based on my experiences as a detective. I truly believe God was leading me to my purpose. I was interacting, observing, and seeing a need specifically with women as it pertains to lowering their victim profile and being more situationally aware. People began encouraging me to teach, suggesting I use my previous experiences in a proactive manner of preventing rather than always being the person who responds to traumatic incidents. Slowly but surely, I was being sought out for education in the area of safe and responsible handgun ownership and handling, situational awareness, and advice from those who had a family member fall victim to sexual assault and needed help navigating the aftermath.

Hartman Firearm Training: A New Beginning

This is how Hartman Firearm Training was born. I started teaching women the basics of firearms, and it quickly took off. The old spark returned as I watched these women feel empowered, find their confidence, and gain the strength to keep going. I realized that, after witnessing so much pain, trauma, and chaos during my law enforcement career, my new purpose was clear. In this current season of my life, if there’s anything I can do to help women, children, and families protect themselves or to give them the tools, skills, and knowledge to do so, that is all the purpose I need.

Empowerment Through Awareness and Education

This realization led me to start teaching situational awareness clinics. My purpose is to help women and families find their inner strength and confidence, feel empowered, and know they have the skills, knowledge, and mindset to be vigilant and keep themselves and their families safe.

Preventing Violence Through Education

I want to make it clear that I am not an advocate of violence; quite the opposite. My goal is to prevent people from experiencing the traumas I witnessed and endured. I teach safety, awareness, and skills, providing tools ranging from non-lethal to lethal means of protection. I believe in life after trauma and abuse. My mission is to empower and educate women, equipping them with the tools to find their strength, identity, and confidence, to navigate daily life safely and securely.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As the founder and lead instructor of Hartman Firearm Training LLC, my focus is on empowering women through education and practical training in firearms, situational awareness, and personal safety. What excites me most about my work is witnessing the transformation in women as they gain the confidence and skills to protect themselves and their loved ones.

At Hartman Firearm Training, I go beyond teaching basic firearm handling; I emphasize safety, responsibility, and understanding the psychological aspects of self-defense. My approach integrates real-world scenarios, ensuring my clients are prepared for a wide range of potential situations.

What sets Hartman Firearm Training apart is my background as a female instructor with extensive experience in law enforcement. I am dedicated to creating a supportive, nonjudgmental, and inclusive learning environment that empowers women of all experience levels. I focus on beginners seeking to build confidence and skills, as well as those looking to enhance their abilities in a comfortable setting.

Looking ahead, I am thrilled to announce upcoming events and expansions in my course offerings. I will soon launch new programs addressing the complexities and challenges surrounding reporting or disclosing sexual assault, scheduled for release mid-August, just before college students depart for school.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Empathy and Compassion: Understanding and connecting with the experiences of others, especially victims of violence, was fundamental in my role as a law enforcement officer and now as an educator. Empathy allowed me to advocate effectively and supportively.

Expertise in Situational Awareness: Developing a thorough understanding of situational awareness—being vigilant of surroundings and potential threats—has been crucial. This skill not only enhances personal safety but also empowers others to proactively protect themselves.

Continuous Learning and Adaptability: The field of personal safety and firearm training is ever-changing. Continuous practice, education, and adapting to new challenges are essential. Staying current ensures I am able to provide the best guidance, education, and training possible.

Advice for those beginning their journey:

Cultivate Empathy: Learn to listen actively and empathize with others’ experiences. It builds trust and enhances your ability to support and educate effectively.

Focus on Education and Training: Invest in comprehensive education and training. Whether in firearms handling, situational awareness, or personal safety, thorough preparation is key to confidence and effectiveness.

Stay Open to Growth: Remain open-minded and adaptable. The world of personal safety is constantly changing. Embrace new knowledge and techniques to stay ahead.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Navigating the complexities of censorship on social media platforms is a significant challenge for businesses like mine in today’s digital world. However, censorship and shadow banning, due to the sensitive nature of the subjects I teach, pose real obstacles.

The topics I cover—personal safety, situational awareness, and firearm training—are critical for empowering individuals, particularly women, to protect themselves and their loved ones. Unfortunately, these subjects often face restrictions or reduced visibility online, limiting my ability to reach those who could benefit most from my expertise.

Despite these challenges, I’ve been fortunate that word-of-mouth referrals, coupled with what I believe to be God’s guidance, have played a crucial role in connecting me with individuals seeking my guidance. This organic growth underscores the ongoing need for the services I offer.

Moving forward, I am exploring alternative marketing strategies and partnerships with like-minded organizations to ensure that crucial information on safety and empowerment reaches those who need it, regardless of platform limitations.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Jay Elizondo-Jay Hollywood Video
Sarah Derouen- Sarah Derouen Photography

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