We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chris Lapre a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chris, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is simple. I wish to provide people with the best possible training that I can, to set themselves and their families up for success. I spent the last 27.5 years working as a peace officer. During this time, I have seen many good people fall victim to crime because of being mentally unprepared or unaware of their surroundings. My business and the members I have teach for me also come from varied backgrounds that will allow insight as to what and why we teach: Be it firearms and self-defense, to personal security while out and about or medical based courses.
People who are trained in awareness and personal protection techniques can understand what can be done to limit their chances of being a victim. Myself, along with the team I bring together can provide this and make the citizens of this country safer.

Chris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have spent the last twenty-seven and a half years working as a peace officer. I started back east where I worked for approximately two and a half years. After that I moved to Arizona where I spent the next twenty-five years. I have spent 17 of those as SWAT team member. I have worked gangs, narcotics along with street crimes units. I served as a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcment Administration where I worked to combat international drug trafficking organizations.

I have taught across the US for organizations and law enforcement agencies ranging from firearms and SWAT tactics to tactical tracking of fugitives in almost every terrain across the US.

My team and I can provide consultation and training on everything from firearms training/person defense to home defense such as how to secure and clear your residence if ever needed to do so. Along with this I have team members who as current tactical medics who specialize in extrication, rope rescue and recovery. The group of people who I am fortunate to have work with me are some of the best we have on the domestic side of law enforcement and medical training and rescue.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In the early 2000’s I became very ill, and it was an increase of sickness over several years. I attended doctor after doctors’ appointment, and it became obvious that nobody could figure out what the issue was. Finally in 2007 I noticed skin blotches that did not appear normal. I made an appointment with a dermatologist. After seeing this a biopsy was made of the skin section. After 3 days I was told that I had contracted Lyme Disease. Growing up back east I knew about Lyme and told the doctor this was great news as Lyme was curable. She replied ” Not in your case. We will be lucky to get you in remission. You are slotted to go in for surgery immediately”. This was quite a shock and I asked why was it so serious? She explained that I had gone so long undiagnosed that my body was in complete shut down. She explained that if I did not get immediate treatment, I would not survive two more weeks.
This was quite a shock but at least I had an answer for the issues I dealt with over the past few years. I spent the next 3 months with a PIC line in my left arm directly into my heart for the administration of IV antibiotics, along with oral antibiotics twice a day.

From the time I was diagnosed and the next couple months I was barely able to get out of bed from the illness. I awoke one day and realized I was not going to let a parasite ruin my life or even worse, kill me.

From the decision that day, I exited my bed, called my Sgt. who at the time was also the lead firearms instructor for my agency and asked to come back on restricted duty and help teach. Since this time, I still deal with the issues associated with long term Lyme, but it is manageable.

Having been so close to a potentially career ending disease or even dying, has made me press harder and continue to seek the best for those who want help from me and the team I have. The belief that no matter how bad things are, if we maintain a positive outlook and push to be better, things may just improve beyond our expectations.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I have read several books on leadership. One of the best was a book written by Col. Ralph Puckett titled “Words for Warriors”. It goes into detail about the way leadership should be, and more importantly, how leaders should act. Many think that once they pin on rank or get a title promotion that gives them instant credibility or now demands/ requires respect. I don’t’ feel that to be true at all and this book speaks of it.
The best leaders I have met are humble, ask for input from their people. From the day one guy all the way to the senior member. While this is important for this to occur so members can have ownership, in the end the boss still has to make the final decision, right or wrong.

The best piece of advice I ever received, and wished I had heard it earlier in my career was told to me by SgtMaj. Greg Birch, a longtime member of the Delta Force and retired Command Sgt. Major of the 75th Ranger Regiment. He told me that “leaders must live the example everyday”. While I had heard similar things, nobody was ever able to deliver that comment and the rest of the conversation like him. From that day forward, no matter what position or rank I held, I would live the example I wanted my team to be. I firmly believe this is what we must do for our people.

Too often today people get into position and forget where they came from. They expect respect but haven’t done the job, other than at face value in years.

I have not forgotten what its like to want to be better and constantly push my own agenda to be better for myself, my team, and the ones we teach.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @asymmetricoptionsllc
• Facebook: www.facebook.asymmetricoptionsllc.com
• Other: www.greyhive.com
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Image Credits

All owned by myself, Chris Lapre